All posts by Jordan

Skating Fashionista on a mission to promote both skate boarding & fashion!

Skate Rising April 2017 with Pride Socks

Skate Rising held their April 2017 event at Academy Skatepark in Vista, CA.  The guest speaker was Rachel Smith, founder of Pride Socks with Bryce Wettstein, team rider.

Before speaking to the girls Rachel signed to them because her first language was ASL.  Both Rachel’s parents were deaf and growing up she was teased for being different.

She shared her experience of being shy until meeting an inspirational coach.  The coach inspired her and it’s that inspiration that she “pays forward”.

She started Pride Socks to help others instill positivity into their minds and hearts.  She believes that just like “you are what you eat” – “you are what you think”, so choose to think positively.

She shared that thinking positively helps you “chase your dreams, never give up, & be proud of who you are”.

She had the girls up, literally jumping up and down and repeating

I am awesome, I am strong, I am me!

She also encouraged the girls to face each other and tell the person next to them how awesome they are.

They are billions of people in the world, one girl said 7 billion, but there is only one you.  Rachel wants everyone to remember and cherish their uniqueness.  She reminded the girls that whatever you tell yourself your mind will believe so tell yourself – “I am awesome, I am proud, I am me”.

To help people tell themselves positive things, Rachel created a magnet set.  Each girl received a magnet set to take home.

The girls also heard from Bryce who encouraged them to keep skateboarding because “it’s a metaphor for life – get back up after falling & persevere!”

In addition to skating, the girls had the opportunity to fill out Pride Cards.

Plus they got to sign a thank you to Neal Mims card.  Neal supports Skate Rising by opening Academy Skatepark and having his entire staff welcome & support the girls.

“An attitude of gratitude” is a life lesson that Skate Rising models.

I’m always grateful to attend Skate Rising both to have fun with the others and be inspired.  In addition to Pride Socks with Rachel & Bryce, what really inspired me this month was all the moms helping out.  These are just a few pictures of

Strong Women Raising Strong Women!

Skate Rising was started and is organized by mom Calli Kelsay and thrives because of all the volunteers who support her.   If you’re interested in learning more about Skate Rising, EXPOSURE Skate’s youth program, with monthly events in San Diego (2nd Saturday) and Phoenix (3rd Saturday) area, contact her at [email protected]

The event which is free to attend, ended with a product toss from Pride Socks.  Above “socks in the air” and below Rachel said goodbye and reminded each girl how special she is.

That’s a wrap for Skate Rising April 2017 in San Diego.  Up next Skate Rising April 2017 in Phoenix on April 15th.

If you have pictures and stories to share about your Skate Rising experience just let me know.  All girls are encouraged to share why they have fun skating and want other girls to skate too.

To read the interview with Rachel and find out more about Pride Socks check out the 3/29/17 post.

Skate Rising group shot 4/8/17 at Academy Skatepark by @ninashoots

LA Girls Sesh Has Big Plans for April 2017

La GIRLS Skate Sesh will be this Saturday – April 15, 2017 from 4pm-7pm at Westchester Skatepark.

They always have fun skating and they also have fun giving back to the community.  This Saturday they will will be collecting donations to help their brothers and sisters who are in need.

All donations will be going to @weareheart2heart and @servetheway on Sunday April 30, 2017 from 10am-1pm at Gladys Park.  Skaters will then go shredding the streets of Downtown LA!

Click above for details.

Congratulations to La GIRLS Skate Sesh who recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary – be sure to check them out & join them if you’re in the LA area.

 

 

From a Dream to Actually Skateboarding

I love Rosi’s caption on this video.  Everything really does begin in your mind with what you believe.

Two years ago, it was a mere dream for me to one day stand on a longboard and skate around… I told myself I was too old, too fat and too ugly to learn longboarding. I was absolutely terrified of falling and making a fool of myself.

It took me one year to convince myself I could learn something that cool. With a little help from my friends, who actually gave me the board as a gift, I got the necessary push to just try it. And I did probably make a fool of myself. Also I fell a few times. But the feeling of conquering a fear was stronger than any pain and shame I felt.

And now here I am, cruising into Berlin’s sunset. I can skate over cracks and bumps without having a mini heart attack. I became more courageous in life, I take more risks and I love it. The fear of everything still exists, but it gets smaller every time I stand on that board ❤?❤

It’s easy to tell yourself you can’t.  It’s even easier to be negative to yourself when things aren’t going well.  What you tell yourself grows so one reason why you can’t quickly becomes several than hundreds of reasons why you can’t.

Be like Rosi give yourself one reason why.  Then focus on that reason until it’s all you hear in your head.  Let that one reason give you the courage to face your fear, take the chance, and keep going even when you fall.

Whether it’s skateboarding or taking a class, or applying for a job, or whatever – start by believing you can.

Thanks Rosi for sharing and enjoy your adventures on & off the board!

Pay it Forward Day with Skate Rising Phoenix

Pay it Forward Day is Friday, April 28, 2017.  I found out about it because Darleen Santore the US Ambassador for Pay it Forward Day will be speaking at Skate Rising Phoenix on Saturday April 15, 2017 at 91 West Skatepark.

“Pay It Forward Day is a global initiative that exists to make a difference by creating a huge ripple of kindness felt across the world. We believe that small acts, when multiplied by millions of people can literally change the world for the better — and on April 28th we’ll set out to prove it! For this year’s international Pay it Forward Day (PIFD) we are aiming to inspire over 10 million acts of kindness around the world. Imagine the difference that would make!  Join us in paying it forward, and help spread the word about this important day!”
I got to ask Darlene what she has planned for Skate Rising Phoenix?  
I’m so excited to be part of the Skate Rising event in Phoenix! What a wonderful opportunity and honor. At the event, I’m going to get everyone fired up and am excited about Pay It Forward Day and ask us to all #stand4kindness  
It is such a special event and is growing year after year. I’ll be encouraging you all to come up with acts of kindness. I’ll give you ideas and examples and talk about how you can join this awesome movement! You’re part of changing the world with one act of kindness at a time!
How can girls help Pay it Forward on April 28th and every day?  
Girls can do something big or little, either makes a difference. It’s “kindness” that wins. Who doesn’t want someone to be kind to them? It’s not hard. You just have to do it! Think about it! If everyone would pay it forward with kindness, our world would be so much better!
Do they report what they did towards the 10 million acts of kindness goal?  
Yes! Use the hashtags #stand4kindness and #payitforwardday in all social media and encourage others to do the same!
How do they stay in formed on the latest Pay it Forward acitivies?
Go to www.payitforwardday.com for global information and www.pifdayUSA.com for USA related items. Keep up with social media by visiting www.twitter.com/ PayItForwardDay, , www.twitter.com/pifdayusa and www.facebook. com/payitforwardinternational. Be sure to use @pifdayusa and @payitforwardday on Twitter and Instagram.  Click on the #stand4kindness and #payitforwardday hashtags to see how people are making a difference one act of kindness at a time and be sure to use the hashtags yourself!
Thank you Darlene!  I hope lots of girls make it out April 15th and that they share the news so even more people can be involved.
Below pictures from past Skate Rising Phoenix events at 91 West Skate Park where everyone is welcome & it’s free to attend.
Skate Rising Phoenix is a free event held the 3rd Saturday of each month at 91 West Skatepark.  Skate Rising Phoenix encourages girls to recognize self-worth, strength, and abilities through skateboarding.  If you have questions about Skate Rising Phoenix contact Mary Gardner at [email protected].
To find out more about Skate Rising, EXPOSURE Skate’s youth program, contact the organizer, Calli Kelsay at [email protected].  

Zoe Is Not Afraid to Take Chances

Zoe shares this picture from the skatepark where she’s willing to fail in order to skate.  Skateboarding ineveitably involves falling and if you continue the willingness to get back up and try again.

Shout out to all the girls like Zoe – who are willing to fall and get back up.  She could have quit after spraining her wrist – instead she was back at the park and inspiring others to “work” for what you want.

Thanks for sharing Zoe & I love all your hair styles & colors!

 

 

Levy-Anne Passionate About Skateboarding Everywhere She Goes

When I checked out Levy-Anne’s IG I noticed that she skates a lot of different places.  Above she’s at 91 West which is familiar to me because of Skate Rising Phoenix & below she’s at the Goodyear Skatepark in Litchfield, Arizona.

I had the opportunity to ask her why she’s so passionate about skating.

My name is Levy Anne and I’m 10 years old. I started skating 1.5 years ago. My older brother had a skateboard and on occasion, I would watch him attempt street tricks. I remember thinking to myself how cool it looked and so I asked my dad if I could get a skateboard of my own. From the moment I stepped on my board, there was no looking back. Skating brings me so much joy and challenges me everyday to be better. I posses a genuine passion for skateboarding and I cannot think of anything else I’d rather be doing.

The thing that excites me most is seeing more and more girls take up skateboarding. Female skateboarding is definitely starting to become more mainstream. I try and visit as many local and out of state skateparks as I can. I feel by doing that, I get the chance to meet many girl skaters. The excitement that I get from watching girls attempt their first drop-in or have them teach me a trick I’m not yet familiar with creates a very positive, empowering environment.

I’ve been very fortunate to be able to visit many skateparks outside of my home state of Arizona. Some of my favorite parks I’ve visited are Mt. Trashmore in Virginia Beach, Va, Above Board Skate Park in Greensboro, NC, Craig Ranch Skatepark Las Vegas, NV, Encinitas Skate Plaza in Encinitas, CA, The Academy Skatepark in Vista, CA, and Van’s in Huntington Beach, CA. Each of these parks have something very unique and memorable. I hope I get to return to skate them in the near future.

In the short time I have been skating, I have met so many amazing female skaters. I encourage any girl out there interested in skateboarding to come join our community. I am thankful I found my place here.

Thanks for sharing Levy-Anne and congratulations on placing 1st and best trick at a recent CASL event!

Why are you passionate about skateboarding?  What we focus on grows so I hope you share your stories and pictures soon.

 

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Walk with Queens

The deck above is one of the first releases from Walk with Queens.  All the boards are laser engraved and limited edition works of art.  Only 100 of each board will be made.

I had the opportunity to interview the founder, Reese Striker, to find out more about his project.

What was the thought behind Walk with Queens?

I love art, I love women, and I love history and I wanted to do something that combined all three elements in a way that I felt like wasn’t exploitative.

Why are queens symbolic to you?

Royalty is fascinating to me.  To me royalty is a mindset.

A queen to me is someone who keeps moving forward, Gets knocked down and chooses to get back up.

Queens are  the personification of that mindset.

The first 3 decks are Cleopatra, Lady Masai & Lady India. Cleopatra was a real queen are the Ladies representative of strong women or is each a historical figure?

I like to leave it open for each particular design we do.  Sometimes the specific person or time period.  Each design is a mix of our interest in history but also contains something contemporary.

Who designs of the Queens?

All of the designs really are a mix from both male & female artists. We want the woman on our boards to speak to you.  She comes first no matter who designs her.

How long does a deck typically take to make?

Engraving just one our designs can take between 5 to 6 hours depending on the amount of detail.   We make each deck in small runs.  We never want to be the people making mass produced trash for the money.  It’s all about the art.

Currently you sell decks & tattoos are there plans for clothing or?

A clothing line would be great to have or even a collaboration with one.  We’re always looking to spread what we do and are down to work with other artist.  If people are feeling us we’ll expand.

The decks are pieces of art – do you envision them actually being skated?

I’ve never been tempted to skate one myself.  We make them with wall art in mind, but if anyone wants to try send us the video!.

Each deck will be limited edition, does the next queen come when one of the first sell out or how will they be released?

Yep!  It cost a us a good bit to make the boards so we try to space out releases so we’ll drop something new when we move what we have.

What designs are next?

We’re currently working on a Bedouin inspired design which we were fortunate enough to work with a guy that spent time with some Bedouin women while in the military.  Its’ partly inspired by our readings, reference images and our actor crush “Melia Kreiling” who played such a beautiful performance as a Bedouin woman in the TV show Tyrant.

How can people get in contact with you?

You can always hit us up on our official site walkwithqueens.com or social media Instagram/FB/Twitter @walkwithqueens​

Thank you!  I absolutely love queens being shown as an empowered woman.  Empowered women definitely keep moving forward and always get back up!

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Corina Dee Inspired by & Inspiring Skater Girls

Corina Dee wants to share skating with other girls.  I had a chance to ask her why and this is what she shared:

I’ve always seen sports as something that girls should do, not to make a statement but because the reality is, there is no parameter as to what sports girls can and cannot do.

Growing up with boys, I was always playing soccer and running around getting dirty. Now as a 27-year-old, it’s not something that’s common to see but that doesn’t matter.

When I first came across skating it was in high school here in Los Angeles and I thought it was so awesome. I mostly did it because the guys did too, but stopped after a fall.

Tara

About a year ago, I came across @taratatethegreat & @valeriakechichian and checked out the Longboard Girls Crew & Arbor Girls – I was totally  inspired by their fearlessness and skill, and I thought, “Why not?”

Valeria

I do it because I get a thrill out of the speed and love that it creates opportunity to meet new people and exploring places and movement as a photographer.

Girls—if you want to skate, DO IT.

Do it because you want to try it, because of the thrill, because of the physical benefits, the opportunity to become a part of a community of females who defy odds and break barriers.

I once was told that it was juvenile for me to be skating, that girls shouldn’t skate because it’s not respectable. I totally ignored it and kept going.

Want to know what’s respectable? To break stereotypes of what girls can do. Girls can go fast, girls can fall and get back up, girls can bleed, scar, and become better and stronger because of skating.

SO go and surprise the world with what you can do! As for me, I’ll never stop wanting to do the same, with my Arbor Highground and Arbor Timeless in the trunk of my car.

Thank you Corina Dee!  I love how you shared your passion and that you are playing it forward and inspiring girls as you have been inspired by girls.

 

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