Skate Rising returned to the Encinitas Community Park for their monthly event on 5/13/17.

Over 75 girls came out to learn about the importance of having a healthy mind and body from Yoga for Skateboarders & Nekter Encinitas.

As the girls listened to Bridget who founded Yoga for Skateboarders and Shannon the owner of Nekter Encinitas, I couldn’t help but think how rad it was that there’s so many women business owners who support Skate Rising.

How inspiring for the girls to see they can grow up to follow their passions like Bridget & Shannon do into a job.

In addition to hearing about healthy food choices – “fuel for your vehicle (body)” – the girls collected food for the Wounded Warriors Home.

Plus the girls made Mother’s Day cards.  (Mother’s Day was the day after this event.)

Teaching compassion through service and having a fun and safe place to skateboard is what Skate Rising is all about.

Seeing all the girls and their support systems

always brightens my day.

The day literally brightened as the sun just kept shining brighter.

Skate Rising will be back at the Encinitas Community Park on June 10th.  To find out more about Skate Rising, EXPOSURE Skate’s youth program, follow them on IG or contact the organizer, Calli Kelsay at [email protected].

If you’re in the Phoenix Arizona area you can also check out Skate Rising.  They have an event the 3rd Saturday of each month.

Now that I have a driving permit, I’m that much closer to checking out Phoenix Skate Rising myself!  Please be sure to check out my post on Yoga for Skateboarders so you can find out all about the awesome events they attend throughout Southern California.

Till next time wishing you fun on & off the board.  If you have a skate story to share – your own journey or an event – just let me know.  We all shine brighter when we inspire each other to follow our passions, face our fears, and be our best selves.

On May 13th, Skate Rising is returning to the Encinitas Community Skate Plaza.  In addition to skateboarding the girls will learn about health and wellness on and off the board from Nekter Juice & Yoga for Skateboarders.

I caught up with my friend Bridget, who I met through EXPOSURE Skate, to find out the scoop on Yoga for Skateboarders.

Bridget runs the yoga clinics at EXPOSURE Skate and for the 5th anniversary last year she held an EXPOSURE Skate Yoga Challenge. She’s also active with LA Girls Skate Sesh where she held a workshop on April 2nd.

How & when did Yoga for Skateboarders start?

Bridget:  Yoga for Skateboarders happened entirely as a result of my environment.

I grew up in Venice | Santa Monica, and I can’t recall a time in my childhood where I didn’t know what yoga or skateboarding was. They were present in my daily life. It wasn’t until more recently, after I became certified, that the connection happened on a deeper level. I wanted to share that feeling with all of my friends.

I had just received my first yoga certification in 2010, right after the Venice Skatepark opened. I wasn’t confident enough as an instructor to waltz into a yoga studio just yet, so whenever I was at the skatepark with my friends, I would practice teaching them, as a way to hone my skills as a new instructor. Soon i realized skateboarders make the absolute best yoga students! I learned so much just from teaching friends with different kinds of injuries, conditions, etc. Eventually we would gather near the graffiti walls for class then venture to the park to session. It started to become a regular thing and the name “Yoga for Skateboarders” stuck. Now I’ve been teaching yoga for skateboarders for 7 years and it is my favorite thing to do.

Thanks Bridget – can’t wait till Skate Rising on May 13th to see you!

To find out more about Yoga for Skateboarders follow them on IG

and check out their website downwarddogtown.com

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

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!”

Skate Rising – EXPOSURE SKATE’s youth program for girls – is excited to have Rachel Smith, founder of Pride Socks and the “Proudest Moments” movement, speaking on the power of self-worth and empowerment.

This Skate Rising event will be on Saturday April 8th from 9-11am at Academy Skate Park in Vista, CA.

Like all Skate Rising events it’s free to attend.  It’s the perfect opportunity for girls to meet other skater girls, skate at this session just for them, learn skate tips from the Academy Staff , volunteers, & other girls,  plus this month hear from Rachel of Pride Socks.

I had the opportunity to check in with Rachel who founded Pride Socks because

Anyone can sell socks, but we sell socks that spread love, pride, respect and inclusion. No gesture is too small to change the world, and we want to change the world from the feet up and when you feel that sense of pride in who you are, then we’ve succeeded.

Why & how you support girls skateboarding?

Rachel:  I love supporting girls in skateboarding because it takes passion, patience and courage to fall and rise back up.

These are all attributes that will continue with them into adulthood and make them strong and amazing women.

How did you find out about Skate Rising and why are you excited?

Rachel:  I found out about Skate Rising via Exposure from Donna Wettstein. We sponsor Bryce Wettstein and they are huge supporters, which naturally made us want to be involved from day 1. We’ve seen it grow each year and it makes our hearts happy to see the involvement in the community and the difference it makes among the girls.

Pride Socks is branded in people taking pride in who they are so they chase and accomplish their dreams. When you are chasing the life you deserve, you naturally ride cloud 9 and become a positive influence for yourself and others to do the same. Within Skate Rising, you see how the girls empower themselves and others and it is so important to us to see the life lessons they are learning, inside and out of the bowl and into their community.

Where are you traveling from?

Rachel:  I am traveling from Austin, TX.

What do you have planned for Skate Rising?

Rachel:  I am planning to help the girls recognize the amazing attributes they have within and how to empower themselves from a daily activity with the use of our magnet set (which we haven’t released yet). People are amazing and we all have unique qualities to contribute to the world.

Do you want to share anything about the Your Story Tab – I really like that section of your website.

Pride Socks is about being proud of who you are so you chase and accomplish your dreams. We show case stories of people’s proudest moments because we feel it is important to celebrate them. Sometimes it takes years to achieve a certain task or over come a fear and when you do, it’s worthy to share and celebrate. More than likely you are not alone and chances are someone else needs to hear your story to give them a little boost to keep moving forward.

You mentioned the magnet set, what else does Pride Socks have and where can people find Pride Socks?

Rachel:  We have expanded our product line, which includes tube, athletic and business/casual socks, vintage styles shirts and hats.

We niche out the rainbow because it symbolizes hope and our hope is you continue to live the life you deserve and chase your dreams.

If you can’t make the event, please shop with us at www.pridesocks.com and when checking out, input skaterising for 20% off.

Thank you Rachel.  I’m excited to hear you speak at Skate Rising – April 8th at Academy Skatepark.

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 the organizer, Calli Kelsay at [email protected]

Below just a few of the girls who came out to March 11th event and helped collect books for Casa De Amparo.

In 2017, the SD Skate Rising participants have built over 120 activity kits for Rady Children’s hospital patients, donated items to build 35 complete hygiene kits for the Alpha Project, committed to 65 random acts of kindness, and donated the 200 books to Casa De Amparo. – Calli

To read more posts on Skate Rising  just click here and for sure be following Skate Rising on IG.

On March 11th, 60+ girls participated in the Skate Rising event at Academy Skate Park in Vista, CA.  This month the service project was collecting gently-used or new books for kids ages 8-18.

Together the girls collected  200 books.  I saw a lot of my favorites from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series to Twilight Saga in the donation box.

As a dyslexic, reading was a struggle for me.  Having books that kept my interest and made me want to read was key to my not giving up.  Also key was the encouragement I received from others.

Encouragement to me is a true act of kindness.  Encouragement is giving support, confidence, and hope to someone.

Skate Rising events are filled with encouragement.

Whether it’s a girls first time or millionth time, there’s always someone there to encourage her.

The encouragement comes from Neal Mims, his staff, parents, volunteers, and other skaters.

The girls I’ve gotten to know definitely encourage me to keep coming back.

I agree with Maya Angelou

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

These girls make skateboarding fun while learning they all have the ability to make the world a kinder place.

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 the organizer, Calli Kelsay at [email protected] or just come to the next event they are free to attend!

Next events:

91 West Skatepark 3/18/17

Academy Skatepark 4/8/17

Plus thanks to Nina – the Skate Rising photographer who made each of the girls who attended on Saturday inspirational book marks.

IT’S OFFICIAL!

SKATE RISING IS HAVING MONTHLY EVENTS IN PHOENIX, AZ at 91 West Skatepark! The events will be every third Saturday of the month from 10am-12pm

Check out this awesome video about Skate Rising created by Austin Urlocker after our very successful Phoenix event!

The January Skate Rising Phoenix event had 27 girls show up and made 50 backpacks full of school supplies for an after school skate program for underprivileged youth called Skate After School.  Every girl at the event committed to stand up to bullying by signing anti-bullying contracts!

If you’re in San Diego area, I hope to see you 2/11 at Academy Skate Park.

More girls skateboard when they see stylish girls skating & get encouragement so share your stories too!

The first Skate Rising by EXPOSURE Skate of 2017 in the San Diego area was epic.  65 girls came out to skateboard for fun and they all kept it super stylish.

Huge thanks to Allie Wagner & the KUSI Crew who came out to share the event on Good Morning San Diego.  More girls do skateboard when they see girls skateboarding and find out about fun & inclusive events.  Click below to see some of her coverage.

I always love how Allie  & all of KUSI promote the youth, encourage them to chase their passions & get involved.

The event was at Academy Skatepark in Vista.  Thanks to Neal Mims for opening the doors and keeping the girls dry – it’s been more Seattle than San Diego weather this January.  Plus huge thanks to his entire staff for offering help and tips to skater girls of all levels.

Thanks also to Paige from My Grey Matterz.  She shared her personal story of how her son was injured right outside her house when he was skateboarding without a helmet.  My Grey Matterz mission

to encourage helmet use within the wheel friendly community and to educate participants in brain injury prevention and facts

She encouraged the girls to protect what matters most – their brains aka Grey Matter.  She also encouraged them to make their own decision to wear a helmet & not be swayed by peer pressure that might say helmets aren’t cool or only for little kids.

After Paige’s son was injured, he was treated at Rady Children’s Hospital.  So, it was fitting that this month’s Skate Rising Service Project was making activity bags for the patients.

Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is a nonprofit, 551-bed pediatric-care facility  . . . . .  the only hospital in the San Diego area dedicated exclusively to pediatric healthcare and the region’s only designated pediatric trauma center.

As you can imagine, it can be overwhelming to stay at the hospital, so the activity kits with items like crayons are meant to bring a smile to the patients’ faces.  The girls also included notes of encouragement in the bags.  Why take the time to make an activity bag for someone you don’t know and will never meet?

What I like best about blogging about the Skate Rising events is that they teach and model kindness.  Each monthly event is about including all the girls at all skill levels.  Even if you haven’t stepped on a skateboard, you are welcome.  Thanks to SkateXS for loaning boards to those who don’t yet have one.

I 100% believe in the importance of having a safe space to learn anything.  Nobody enjoys being with bullies who judge and tease you, while everyone likes being encouraged.  Time and time again I see the volunteers and the girls themselves helping each other and the most amazing things happen.

Girls helping each other & cheering each other on is stylish on & off the board.  The self-confidence you learn from skateboarding goes with you throughout life and the friends you make through skateboarding can be friends for life.

The event ended with a raffle.  All Skate Rising events are free, including the raffle, all you have to do is come & participate.  Huge thank you to all the sponsors who make that possible.

skater girls checking out their AriZona Skate goody bags

To find out more about Skate Rising, which is the second Saturday of the month in San Diego, including how you can attend, be involved, sponsor or maybe even bring Skate Rising to your community contact the organizer [email protected] or send a message on IG

Thanks to a mom reaching out from Arizona there will be a Skate Rising event next Saturday at 91 West Skatepark.

Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board and remember if you want to share your pictures & stories of why skateboarding is fun and good for girls just let me know.