Skate Rising, EXPOSURE Skate’s youth program for girls started in Encinitas in August of 2016 under the leadership of Calli Kelsay.  There’s a monthly event in the San Diego area and in January there will also be an event in Phoenix.

Why will there be a Skate Rising event in Phoenix? Mary, a Phoenix area mom, loved the message she saw and wanted to share it with the skater girls in her area so she reached out to Skate Rising on Instagram to see if they could come to Arizona.

On January 21^st the Skate Rising message of Empowering through Skateboarding will be shared at 91 West Skatepark – 8550 North 91st Avenue Unit 54 in Peoria from 10am-12pm.

It’s free to attend. The focus is on girls ages 4-18, but all girls are welcomed. The girls will be signing anti-bullying contracts, helping with a service project and then skateboarding.

Girls at the August 2016 Skate Rising in California signing anti-bullying contracts

What’s an anti-bullying contract?  It’s a pledge to be kind.  The simplest things like smiling, saying hello, inviting others to play, offering a hug, sitting with someone who’s alone are how you show friendship.

Why is it important to teach girls about  bullying?  “Almost one out of every four students (22%) report being bullied during the school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2015).”  

Bullying is more than pushing & shoving.  Bullying is also verbal and cyber.  Teasing and excluding others are forms of bullying and “Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for poor school adjustment, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression (Center for Disease Control, 2015).”

“More than half of bullying situations (57%) stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied (Hawkins, Pepler, & Craig, 2001).”  So by modeling kindness and teaching the girls how to respond when they see bulling, Skate Rising is building a better and healthier tomorrow.

The service project at the January 21^st event will be putting together school supply kits to benefit children in the Skate After School program that works with under served youth in the Phoenix area. Then it’s open skating with help from the 91 West Skatepark plus Neal Mims, pro skater, will be going to Phoenix to share skate tips.

Below the invite to January 21^st follow them on IG to see tons of fun.

SKATE RISING CALIFORNIA

Sticking to the second Saturday of the month, Skate Rising will be meeting in the San Diego area on January 14th.

Like last month the event will be at Academy Skatepark in Vista – 1410 Vantage Ct. – from 9-11am.

Who knew Southern California would have a rainy season.  It’s good for the drought so we’re thankful for the rain and to Neal Mims who’s opened up Academy Skatepark – admission is free plus his trained staff of skateboarding pros will be there to help anyone who wants to learn something new.

January’s speaker will be Paige, the founder of My Grey Matterz.  She’ll be telling her personal story and why helmets are important of skaters of all ages & levels.

The service project for the month is making Activity Bags to benefit in-house patients at Rady Children’s Hospital.

If you have items like coloring or small activity books, small sets of crayons or pencils, sticker sheets, rulers, card games or giant Ziplock Bags to donate please bring them – donations are appreciated but not required – all Skate Rising events are free & inclusive.

Skate Rising depends & is grateful for volunteers and sponsors.  Skate Rising Phoenix is happening because someone was inspired by what she saw & contacted Skate Rising.  If you’re interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or have questions contact c[email protected] or send a message on IG.

Kindness really is contagious – hope you make it to a Skate Rising event soon!

Skate Rising which meets the second Saturday of each month to empower girls through skateboarding met up at Academy Skate Park on 12/10/16.

As always the event is free and open to all girls who want to help a need in the community, support each other, and skateboard.  A huge thanks to Neal Mims the founder of Academy and strong Skate Rising supporter for opening the doors for this extra special event.

The group shot above is just some of the girls.  The event started at 9am and girls just kept coming.

Academy Skate Park was filled with girls.  Girls getting geared up, girls on the vert, girls getting ready to launch into the foam pit, girls on the stairs, girls, girls, girls skateboarding everywhere.

This months service project was a toy collection with an emphasis on collecting toys for teens.  The first picture above shows the collection at 9am and the next picture shows the donations just kept coming in.  In all over 250 items were collected for the under privileged youth thru the Community Resource Center.

Lily from the Community Resource Center spoke to the girls and told them how grateful the teens and families would be.  In addition to “toys” families get to “shop” for food.  To find out more about the program and how you can still help – collections accepted through 12/15 click below.

It was truly amazing how many girls and families came out to donate.  Plus its awesome to see the continued support of so many local companies.

Nektar juice & Phive Bar who come to the Encintias Skate Park each Skate Rising with refreshments were at Academy Skate Park.  As was SkateXS, who always helps by providing boards for girls to try and having team riders there to help.

Nina Seibert, who takes tons of the pictures was at Academy with a photo booth, which was a favorite of mine.

It was a great day to “pay it forward” – Neal helps me all the time, so it was nice for me to be able to help someone.

The most inspiring girls at these events are the other girls.

The power of seeing your friends accomplish a goal plus being surrounded by encouragement is incredible.

Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board.  The next Skate Rising is January 14, 2017 – 9am.  Be sure to follow them on IG and sign up for the emails so you always know the latest.

Academy Skate Park is having a Girls Holiday Skate Camp – December 19th – 23rd enrollment is open on-line.

Be on the look out for Skate Rising events in Arizona.  That’s right the Phoenix Chapter of EXPOSURE Skate’s girl youth program has begun!

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Too Pretty is a company and a movement started by Cary Williams.  I’ve been fortunate enough to interview her in the past and on November 12th, she’ll be speaking at Skate Rising.

Skate Rising is a FREE, fun and empowering skateboarding program in the community of Encinitas, run by Exposure Skate, for girls between the ages of 5-18. It takes place on the second Saturday of every month at the Encinitas Community Skate Plaza., 425 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, from 9am-11am.

Cary is an Olympic level boxer – yes boxer so she knows & inspires girls to GO FOR IT and FIGHT FOR IT.  Whatever your IT is you can achieve it and stay as “girly” as you want.

Cary works with girls of all ages and with all kinds of passions.  Below just a few of the inspiring girls she’s featured.

I hope you see what I see.  Girls can be athletic.  Girls can be smart.  Girls can create.  Girls can lead.  And above all Girls can use their voice to do what’s right.

Hope you come out to Encinitas Skate Plaza on Saturday 11/12 to hear Cary speak and then share what you’re NEVER TOO PRETTY to do.

It’s a free event, the signs & materials will be supplied – all you have to do is show up.  If you don’t skate or even want to skate – you’re still welcome.  Skate Rising and Too Pretty are about inclusion.

Till then keep it stylish on & off the board.  And if you have cardboard to make the signs – let me know 🙂

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October’s Skate Rising was fortunate to have several guest speakers,  who helped explain ways to prevent bullying by having healthy friendships and relationships.

We had several female officers come out.  They shared tips for “being a friend” & left  bracelets as reminders.  And yes, we saw one officer skateboard before she had to go back to work.  Girls really can do & be anything they want!

Then we heard from Katy from Carol’s House.   Carol’s House is supported by EXPOSURE Skate, which Skate Rising is a part of.  It was perfect timing because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Katy explained that Carol’s House is a shelter for families who need help.  It’s a real house with 7 rooms where moms and children stay for one or two months and receive the help they need.

Being kind and friendly is helpful to others.  It can be lonely and scary at any shelter, so the girls made journals for the children.

Inside each journal was a message because a small act of kindness like a compliment can make the biggest positive difference in someone’s life.

Then it was time to grab the skateboards and skate.

SkateXS was back to loan some boards and had team members there to help.

Above she learned a kick turn with the birthday boy Zyler.  Huge thank you again to Nekter and pHive bar who kept the girls hydrated & fed.

Few reminders for next month.  Before the next Skate Rising is the 5th annual EXPOSURE Skate.

• EXPOSURE Skate on 11/5
• Same park Encinitas Community at 425 Santa Fe
• Registration for free competitions, Learn to Skate Clinic & Yoga Clinic are now open just click below

The speaker at November’s Skate Rising will be Cary from Too Pretty.  It’s one you don’t want to miss.  To find out more about Too Pretty and their movement to show girls “you’re NEVER too pretty to do anything”  check out this post

This month’s Skate Rising was on September 10th at the Encinitas Community Park.   The guest speakers were Lauren from International Rescue Committee & Bryan from SkateXS.

In preparation for Lauren’s visit the girls* were asked to make Welcome Kits for refugee families living in the San Diego area.  Some girls made their kits and extras.

*Skate Rising provides 5-18 year old girls with an opportunity to serve the community & skate together – they are supported by girls, boys & organization.

Lauren talked about how we can help new families in our community.  One of the easiest ways to serve others is to just welcome them.  So the girls made welcome notes for each of the kits.

In all,  almost 100 Welcome Kits were made for local refuge families.

Next Bryan from SkateXS talked to the girls about how he has the best job because he makes skateboards.

SkateXS, located in Carlsbad, makes skateboards for  kids.  Each skateboard is special just like each skater is unique and has their own style.

Bryan reminded the audience that whether you have a beautiful park, like the one we were in, or just a patch of ground you can have fun skateboarding.  Then Zyler, from the SkateXS team, demonstrated a kick flip and it was time for everyone to skate.

Above I 100% support hand holding in skateboarding.  And below I’m so excited to see girls skate on their own.

I had to leave early, but I heard the morning ended with a raffle, where one lucky 4 year old won her own custom Skate XS complete.

We are all winners when we have programs like Skate Rising so huge thanks to all the people who help Calli Kelsay manage this program for EXPOSURE Skate.

And thank you to all the sponsors like  Phive Bar & Nekter Encinitas who provide refreshments each month.

Till next time – which for Skate Rising will be Saturday October 8th from 9-11am at the Encinitas Community Park – keep it stylish on & off the board.

Please share your adventures and the events you go to because more girls skateboard when they see girls skateboarding and get encouragement.

Skate Rising is a monthly event – 2nd Saturday of the month join girls as we learn to skate, serve, & make new friends at the Encinitas Community Park – 425 Santa Fe Drive from 9 – 11am.  I know so early for a fashionista on a weekend but worth it.

Last month we signed anti-bullying contracts and prepared backpacks that were delivered to North County Life Line an after school program that helps children.  Plus we got skate tips and help from Jimmy Cao.

This month on September 10th we are making Welcome Kits for refugee families.

If you can please bring pre-made Welcome Kits to the event

• 2 BARS OF SOAP
• 1 BODY LOTION
• 1 SHAMPOO
• 1 CONDITIONER
• 1 STICK OF DEODORANT
• DISPOSABLE RAZORS
• 4 TOOTHBRUSHES
• 1 TUBE OF TOOTHPASTE

All are welcome – yes even if you don’t make a kit come.  This is a FREE event & all are welcome.

If you don’t skate but just want to help with the kits – come.  And if you want to learn to skate for sure come because SkateXS – Bryan and Zy will be there to lead the skate clinic.  Bring a board & safety gear if you have it.  Nekter Encinitas and Phive Bar are kind enough to supply refreshments.

Questions on the event or to find out how you can become further involved – contact our leader Calli at [email protected]!

EXPOSURE Skate’s Calli Kelsay has organized Skate Rising a youth program dedicated to lifting up our next generation.

I was lucky enough to attend the event Saturday 8/13/16 at the Encinitas Community Park.  If you missed it – no worries look for them on the second Saturday of every month at the park.

As you can see I wasn’t alone.  There were tons of girls plus some very supportive boys.

Calli is super organized – the morning started off with us gathering to discuss bullying.  I’ve been bullied so I know it hurts & I want to be part of the solution not just bully back.

As one of the girls said bullying happens when someone’s hurt and wants to carry it onto someone else.

Bullying has many forms from the obvious of hitting to name calling, excluding, and telling lies about someone.

So what can we do?  Be kind.  I don’t want to smile, say hi, open a door etc. for anyone that’s bullied me but the girls are right that’s the only way bullying will ever stop.  When people treat others with kindness – the bullying stops.

That doesn’t mean you’re saying bullying is ok.  It’s never ok.  You should definitely stand up for yourself by telling the bully – NO it’s not ok for you to treat me that way.

Over 50 girls signed “commit to kindness” contracts.  (picture above)  They pledged to Speak Up when I see bullying, Not Join in bullying, Treat Others with kindness & respect, and be a Good Friend to others.  Then we put 20 “back to school” kits together for kids that otherwise wouldn’t have a new backpack with supplies.

Before we started to skate – we welcomed the girls who came from a far.  Alice May from Hong Kong came the furthest.  Connecticut and LA were there too – #girlscanskate all around the world!

Jimmy Cao sent us all off with tips.  He then stayed and helped as did some moms, dads, and other skaters.

We skated park and we skated bowl.

I’m ending the post with some more pictures and I’m answering the age questions.  Was I older than the other skatergirls?  Yes!   To me age is just a number – I don’t pick my friends based on their age – I pick my friends based on their personalities.

till next time keep it stylish on & off the board