Five years ago I started the Skating Fashionista Blog to inspire other girls to have fun skateboarding. I feel that seeing other girls having fun skating is the best way to encourage more girls to skate. Throughout the 5 years, I have been amazed at the number of girls willing to share their pictures and stories.

Thank you to all who have and all who will share! I also want to thank someone who helped make the blog possible, my grandma. My grandma doesn’t skateboard, although she’s from Canada, so in the day she ice skated. My grandma always encouraged me to skate. When I was the only girl at the park, she would come watch me. When I questioned if I should dress like the boys, she brought me back to my senses. And when I said I needed a blog, she literally made it possible by helping me get set up.

My first post was on 10/28, a day that has meaning to me because it’s my grandma’s birthday. This year she’s 90!

You don’t need a specific skill to inspire someone else. All you have to be is willing to listen and encourage. Thanks you grandma for always being there!

On Saturday October 11th at Skate Rising at the Encinitas Community Park, we had a special guest speaker, Kendall Stier.

Kendall talked about the power of girls in sports and her experiences as a US Paralympics National Champion. She is a three time champion in track and field. Her powerful message included this quote:

“You know you and you know your identity. You don’t ever need someone to validate what you can and can not do.” – Kendall Stier

After hearing Kendall speak, we made capes and masks for children being discharged from Rady’s Children Hospital. Everyone should realize they have the inner power to be a super hero.

Next we played SKATE LIMBO!

Skate limbo is exactly like normal limbo but on a skateboard.

There are endless ways to get low and Skate Limbo is fun for all levels of skaters.

How are you having fun skateboarding? And how are you being a super hero? Anyone can be a super hero because helping someone smile is a super power.

According the the United Nations, “International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. “

It’s 2019 and we still live in a world where many girls are not treated equally. That will only stop when we take action to make it stop. We can’t all go out and make sweeping changes, like education for all girls, but we all can do something.

Today and every day, is the day you can encourage a girl to be her best because we were all created equally, the inequality starts when encouragement and opportunities are withheld from some.

When I was her age, there were a few if any girls at the skatepark. Today there are girls because people took the time to encourage – they took action to make the change they wanted to see.

Whether it’s at the skatepark, on the street, in a school, or at a place of employment, you have the power to encourage!

October has just started, but let’s give a thought to November.

After Halloween it will be all treats at these 2 upcoming events.

More girls skateboard when they see girls having fun skateboarding, so I love to see events that encourage girls. Both these events have been going on for years – Ladies Day at the Berrics for 11 years and EXPOSURE for 8 years – because supporting & empowering each other never goes out of style!

The self-confidence you learn on your board is yours forever.

To find out more about either event just click on the picture.

Clash at Clairemont is a fundraiser that benefits the Mission Valley/Krause Family Bike and Skatepark and the Grind for Life cancer charity. This past Saturday, September 21st was their 12th event – the Triple 8 Clash!

I’ve been privileged to be working with them since Clash 10 back in 2016. This year’s crowd was huge!

No matter what time it was or what was going on – it was packed!

Jeromy might have had the best view, he for sure had the highest jump – above he’s flying over the 12 foot bar, but everyone had a view of something awesome.

Including a view of the headliner – Black Flag.

One of my favorite parts of Clash is the behind the scenes tour. This year I got to lead an amazing group of guests from Rady’s Children’s Hospital.

They and their families were able to meet skateboard pros like Tony Hawk and Bucky Lasek. Plus they saw a BMX demo followed by a meet & greet.

Along the way they chatted with our amazing vendors like Steve from Tech Deck.

They also met with Mike Rogers, Two Time Cancer Survivor, Master Pro Skateboarder, Founder of Grind for Life, and a huge reason why Clash happens.

Clash is so much more than one amazing day, the funds it raises go to support Grind for Life and the Clairemont YMCA so they can help people every day.

This year there was a live webcast – so click below to watch all the fun.

And don’t forget to support all those who supported Clash – it wouldn’t be possible without them!

Lady Pink’s new mural inspires girls. That’s Ruth founder of Majestic SK8 Crew in front of the mural that features her. As she says the mural:

“Just showed a village of little girls how important they are and gave them the message that they can do anything!”

All people are important and capable of amazing things. Especially when they see what’s possible and receive inspiration and encouragement.

More girls skateboard when they see girls having fun skating – it’s why I started the blog and love to see girls skateboarding captured in art.

Majestic SK8 Crew is in Majestic Park Gardiner, NY check them out!

A friend shared the news of the The Heart Supply with me, so I want to share it with you.

At the moments there’s some mystery but it looks like we are about to know more in 4 days!

What are you passionate about? When you follow your passions, you give the world your best and giving your best is contagious. Contagious in a miraculous and good way, because excellence inspires excellence.

Even when we fall, when we get back up we inspire others to keep going. When you skate, you may think it’s just you and your board. In some ways skating is an escape, a way to have “me” time. But in other ways skating is a community. There’s joy in having fun skating with others and there’s definitely the ability to inspire each other to keep improving.

This quest to keep improving, to have fun while you’re learning is something that stays with you on and off the board.

Get out there – follow your passions and then like the Heart Supply share it with the world.

Bye the way – happy Friday the 13th. Never let superstition scare you into not doing something. All days are meant to be your best day – luck is where you work & make it!

My friend Kate is on a mission. She started Kateboards and leads it with passion – she organizes skate meet ups to bring girls together.

One girl is strong – girls working together are invincible.

Above a picture from a recent skate event. Upcoming events:

Tuesday – 9/17

Thursday 9/26

Tuesday 10/8

Thursday 10/24

Go follow them to find out more. One of these days I won’t have a conflict of work or cramming for an exam, so I hope to see you at one soon!

And yes – you can wear a dress or whatever your style is because skateboarding is about sharing your style and learning from others, it’s never about conformity.

I love the message that Girls Skate South Africa is sharing! I’ve blogged about them before and had to share about their recent event with Vans.

Watch the video and follow them to be inspired. In addition to skating, they are teaching the girls about topics that matter. Giving them information that will improve their lives on and off the board.

Ugly doesn’t stop growing until we work together to stop it. Pretending a problem doesn’t exist has never solved a problem. So whatever your problem is have the courage to talk about it and work with others to end it.

Skateboarding has introduced me to so many people and organizations who work to improve communities and they all started by speaking up.

Use your voice to make a positive difference. Bystanders don’t make positive change, if anything they make things worse by giving bullies an audience and protection. Live your life – speak your truth!

19 miles from the Santa Monica Pier to Redondo Beach, CA – who’s doing it?

This event sounds so fun and for such an important cause!