Does women’s skateboarding get the attention it deserves? In comparison to surfing or snowboarding maybe not, but there are plenty of chicks who absolutely shred across the world. Getting the attention they deserve has never been that easy, but it’s all changing. From dedicated women skate contests and female-specific skate brands, to the work of pro skater Mimi Knoop and the Girls Skate Network, recognition of women’s skateboarding could be hitting an all-time high.
Supporting Women’s Skateboarding
There’s no denying that girls don’t have it easy when it comes to getting into skateboarding. It unquestionably male-dominated, like many other sports, and women have to work even harder to get ahead at the beginning. Bring in the fact that skateboarding and concrete can equal some pretty nasty injuries and another barrier is raised. Despite all the obstacles, getting exposure is now much easier for the sickest girl skaters, largely thanks to social media. Here are just a few of the best from across the globe.
Alana Smith
Alana Smith is taking women’s skateboarding by storm and she has only just started. From Phoenix, Arizona, she’s been killing it for years now, and at the tender age of 12 years old she became the first female to land a 540 McTwist in a competition. In fact, she’s the second woman to ever land one in the history of skateboarding. She’s even a Guinness World Record holder, being the youngest athlete ever (boys and girls) to receive a medal at the X Games. See Alana shred in the next video:
Sarah Meurle
Hailing from Sweden, Sarah Meurle doesn’t get to compete in all the stateside competitions as much as her peers, but that hasn’t stopped her develop one of the smoothest styles out there. She’s been sponsored since she was 14 years old by some of the biggest names in the skating industry, Vans, WeSC, Rockstar bearings, Ace trucks, and Bellows Skateboards. Check out the Freezetried IV Part Four video to see her in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSl3NIx7LkA
Leticia Bufoni
Brazilian Bufoni has a careers-worth of professional competition wins stacked up already, and she is only 21 years old. Gold medal winner at the X Games, Leticia started skating in her hometown of São Paulo, Brazil, before moving to California in 2007. With sponsors like Volcom, Oakley, Nixon and Osiris, as Bufoni says, “I’m living the dream.” Watch this dope video she made in collaboration with GoPro:
Lizzie Armanto
Skate legends Steve Caballero and Bucky Lasek have sung their praise for the skateboarding skills of Lizzie Armanto, and rightly so. Straight out of Santa Monica, Lizzie grew up shredding bowls and vert ramps, quickly earning the respect of skaters everywhere. She started skating in 2007 and is now sponsored by Vans, Independent, 187 and Penny Skateboards. Find out more about Lizzie in the next video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGLE_9n3p4s