IGSA/All Girl Skate Jam Skateboarding Clinic

International Girls Skateboarding Association is holding a girls skateboard clinic this weekend at YMCA Encinitas 11:45 – 3:00. All ages, all girls, all abilities. Special guests include pro skateboards Cara Beth Burnside and Mimi Knoop.

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 10-24-09

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on fourteen-year-old superstar skateboarder, Stacia Suttles. Stacia hails from Bronx, New York (Go Yankees!). Today she shares her biggest lessons, balancing three sports, and the dish on her skateboarding sponsors. Check out her insightful interview below.

Name: Stacia Suttles           

Age: 14

Sport(s): skateboarding, tae-kwon-do, basketball

Hometown: Bronx, NY

High School/Middle School/College: St. Catherine Academy

Number: 31

Position: forward (basketball)

What’s your fave sport? skateboarding

How many years have you been playing your fave sport? 10 years

What was your fave sporty moment or memory? Learning how to drop in a ramp

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

To never give up.

What have you learned about teamwork?

In basketball you need to work together with your team, and you can’t act as if you are alone.

How do you balance school and sports?

I get my schoolwork done first, then comes skating, basketball, and tae-kwon-do.  When I am in school, I think about school, and when I am doing a sport, I think about the sport.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

In tae-kwon-do I have achieved the level of half/black belt, and in November 2009 I will get my 1^st degree black belt.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Ross Levine(martial arts), Danny Way(skateboarding), Rajon Rondo(basketball), Layla Ali(female boxer)

Are you sponsored? If so, by who?

Yes I am sponsored in skateboarding, by Fuel clothing, Division 26 clothing, Physcho wear, Aplomb clothing, F1 ceramic bearings, IPath footwear, SMX Optics, Christopher bean coffee, Drop in ride shop, and warrior skateboards.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

I like to have a lot of clothes, and sneakers. I also like to have my hair nice.

Thanks, Stacia! Good luck with your skateboarding career, sponsorships, and earning your black belt. I love your advice to ‘never give up’. Good stuff.

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send an email to kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Get on Board in San Diego

Since the spring, Girls Riders Organization has been on a nation-wide tour sponsoring a series of female-only  instructional programs and gatherings of female skaters committed to inspiring girls to participate in action sports.

And this weekend, GRO is hitting San Diego.

“This year is about cooperation and bringing together women and organizations from across the different sports.  This series of events in the San Diego area brings together skateboarding, downhill and surfing to provide ladies a variety of activities to experience.  We hope these partnerships will help the girls opportunities grow,” says founder Courtney Payne Taylor.

The San Diego stop features Girls Riders Organization, Skateboard Divas and Betty’s On Boards who are teaming up for  three ladies workshops and sessions in two days. Check ‘em out:

Downhill Workshop & Session
Poway Pump Station, Cara Way, San Diego, CA on Saturday, October, 24th 10am-12pm.
Skateboard Workshop & Session
Chula Vista Skate Park, Chula Vista, CA on Saturday, October, 24th 2pm-5pm.
Surf Workshop & Session
Pacific Beach Surf Shop, Pacific Beach, CA on Sunday, October, 25th 10am-1pm.

Note: Girls under the age of 18 years, must have a parent or guardian present to sign you up onsite during registration.

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 10-10-09

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on sixteen-year-old soccer player and skateboarder, Alex Espinoza. Check out the interview below where Alex shares her thoughts on fear and an amazing pic.

Name: Alex(us) Espinoza

Age: 16

Sport(s): Soccer and Skateboarding

Hometown: La Habra

High School/Middle School/College: La Habra High School

What’s your fave sport? Soccer and Skateboarding

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

Soccer – 8 years

Skateboarding – 9 1/2 years

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

What I’ve learned from skateboarding is that you can’t be afraid of anything.

What lessons have you learned about work ethic from your sport?

I’ve learned that when you fall just get back up even if you are hurt.

What have you learned about teamwork?

That teamwork is very important. You’ve got to listen to what people tell you.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Soccer – David Beckham

Skateboarding – Adam Taylor, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins, Ryan Sheckler, Cody McIntire, and Tony Alva.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

Getting my nails and hair done.

Thanks, Alex! Great work ethic advice – when you fall, get right back up. Can’t wait to check out your fave skateboarders and best of luck with your sports career. :)

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 9-26-09

This week the Sporty Spotlight shines bright on seventeen-year-old Massachusetts’ skateboarder, Rachel Reid. Check out her interview below where Rachel shares how she combats intimidation before competitions, her favorite memory, and much, much more. And don’t miss her amazing pic.

Name: Rachel Reid

Age: 17

Sport(s): Skateboarding, snowboarding

Hometown: Stoughton Mass

High School/Middle School/College: High School

What’s your fave sport? skateboarding

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

Well I got my first board around 8 years old.  So about 9 years.

What is your fave sporty moment or memory?

My favorite memory would have to be when my dad convinced me to do my first contest. I was so terrified, but I stuck with it and did my thing. I realized how much fun they are and I have been entering as many come my way!

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

My biggest lesson I have learned through skateboarding is that I can skateboard just as good as the guys. Also not to be intimidated by the guys.

What have you learned about work ethic from playing sports?

You have to work hard in order to succeed in life.

How do you balance school and sports?

It’s hard because all I want to do is skate every second I have!

I usually take care of my schoolwork and then go skate with my friends.  Most of the contests I enter are in the summer time so I don’t have to miss school.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

I have so many fave athletes.  Mike Vallely would have to be my fave male athlete. He’s so inspirational and I like how he has his own style of skating. My fave female skater would have to be Elissa Steamer.  She is such a sick street skater.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

The girliest thing I like to do is prob get new skate clothes and shoes.

Thanks, Rachel! I’m inspired by your extreme dedication and I look forward to following your exciting skateboarding career. Good luck!

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Video: Supergirl Skate Street Jam 2009

If you couldn’t make it to Venice Beach last weekend for the 2009 Supergirl Jam, check out this video montage of the skateboard event. Contestants include Vanessa Torres, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins, Alexis Sablone, Amy Caron, Leticia Bufoni, Tamara Drybrough and Abisha Alshebaika.

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 9-12-09

This week, the sporty spotlight is shining bright on fourteen-year-old superstar skateboarder, Emily Noble. Check out her interview below where she shares her thoughts on skateboarding, lessons she’s learned, and her favorite athlete. Plus, don’t miss Emily’s very impressive sponsor list and exciting pics!

Name: Emily Noble

Age: 14

Sport: skateboarding

Hometown: Maryland

What’s your fave sport? Skateboarding

How many years have you been involved in skateboarding? 2

What was your fave sporty moment or memory?

Every time I learn a new trick.

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

I learned that your gonna get hurt but the best thing to do is get back up and try it again.

What have you learned about teamwork?

I learned that teamwork gets a job done faster.

How do you balance school and sports?

I keep up my grades and do all my work so once I’m done it all I can go skate.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

Ipath, Smx Optics, F1 bearings, and Tool have all sponsored me for my skating.

Who’s your fave athlete?

Nyjah Huston

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

I like to shop for clothes and have the newest style in skate clothes.

Thanks, Emily! I love your getting hurt advice – pick yourself up and try again. Great stuff. Good luck with your career!

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send me an email at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Skateboard A – Z

Can you land a switch 360 kickflip over a six stair set?  If you’re not sure what that means, read on….

50-50 GRIND
grinding on both trucks equally

ACID DROP
to ride straight off of something and freefall to the ground.

AIR
when riders clear jumps or obstacles; riding with all four wheels off the ground

ALLEY OOP
when a trick is performed in the opposite direction of which the skater is moving.

BACKSIDE
When a turn or trick is executed in a direction that the back of the body is facing the arc of the trick.

BANK
any sloped area under 90 degrees.

BOARD
also called a deck; the platform that the hardware is mounted to.

BOARDSLIDE
to slide on an obstacle or lip with the contact point being the underside of the board.

BUCKET
a helmet; also called a lid.

CARVE
to make a long, curving arc while skating.

DARKSLIDE
grinding the top of the board while you ride it upside-down.

DECK
the flat standing surface of a skateboard, usually laminated maple.

DROP IN
to enter the ramp or obstacle from the top.

FACE PLANT
when one’s face meets the ground before any other part of one’s body.

FAKIE
riding backwards.

FEEBLE GRIND
In this maneuver, the back truck grinds a rail while the front truck hangs over the rail’s far side

GOOFY FOOT
to ride with the right foot forward.

GRAB
grabbing either or both boards with one or both hands.

GRIND
trick where the skateboarder slides on the hangers of the trucks.

HALF PIPE
type of ramp that is shaped like a “U” and used for vert skating.

HAND PLANT
type of trick where one hand grabs the skate while doing a one handed handstand on a ramp, or obstacle.

HEEL FLIP
while performing an Ollie, the heel pushed down on the edge of the board causing it to flip over.

HIP
spot where a ramp or obstacle comes to a point; tricks are done while flying over or off of it.

HIT
a jump

INVERT
another name for a hand plant.

JUMP RAMP
small ramp used to give the skater some air to perform a trick.

KICK TURN
when pressure is applied to the tail of the board, lifting the front and turning it in another direction.

KICKER
name for a jump ramp. Kickers usually have the property of throwing you up into the air rather than giving you distance.

KICK FLIP
same as a Heel Flip except the toe pushes down to flip the board.

LAUNCH
the moment a rider starts to execute a jump, and the time he is actually flying through the air.

LIP
top edge portion of the halfpipe wall.

LIP TRICK
any trick performed on or near the lip of the wall of the halfpipe.

LOAD UP
to put weight on one side of the trucks or the other.

Read more

Supergirl Jam finale hits Venice Beach

The 2009 Supergirl Jam event series wrapped up in Venice Beach over the weekend as more than 50,000 Labor Day holiday spectators caught a glimpse of action sports industry’s only large scale, all-girl’s competition and lifestyle festival. The event’s prize purse totaled $36,000, so the ladies didn’t hold back and treated beachgoers to some real action.

Venice Beach may not be known for snow, but a 35- foot snowboard rail jam course, towered over the sand showcasing the skills of 24 competitors in this category. From a field that ranged in age from 14 to 29, twelve women emerged from the preliminary rounds to battle in the finals and wowed the crowd with their creative tricks.

The girls had to battle some tough conditions, not the least of which was the slush and mud that encroached on the course as the sun beat down and melted the 80,000 pounds of snow.

After 40-minutes of snowboarding, with the Pacific Ocean providing a picturesque backdrop, Laurie Currier took the top podium spot, as both the event champion and the winner of the best trick contest with her ‘hard way front one/hard way front one out.’ It was the second year in a row that Currier won the gold.

The skateboard street competition that followed offered three obstacles for the ladies to tackle. The course, set up on one of Venice Beach famed basketball courts, wasn’t particularly challenging but in the end skill and execution won out as local Amy Caron claimed the title.

“I didn’t win the first year, I didn’t win last year, so I really wanted to get it,” said Caron. “I needed to redeem myself. I tried the feeble grind down the long rail at X Games and landed in seventh place when I missed it. So, on my last run tonight I had to try it and I made it. I’m pretty stoked. [Supergirl Jam] features all sports, not just skating, so it’s great to get together and see all the ladies. That’s what it’s all about.”

Vanessa Torres (Orange County, CA), who took second place, was happy for her fellow competitor and friend, “Amy deserved to win, she skated well. I just came out here to skate, to hold it down for the ladies, so to walk away with money…I couldn’t be happier. This [Supergirl Jam] is a huge opportunity for girls.”

Alexis Sablone (Connecticut), who stunned the crowd with a ‘kick flip over the bank down the euro to flat,’ picked up not only the bronze medal, but was also awarded the best trick title.

The day began with the inline skaters. Eight women took to the street course obstacles, hitting the rails hard from the outset. Immediately, Sanchez and Fallon Heffernan (Jacksonville, FL) became the women to watch. Their runs pushed the others to take their tricks to the next level. When Sanchez nailed a ‘disaster to sweat stance,’ it gave her the best trick title and the gold. Aarin Gates (Camarillo, CA) won the silver and Heffernan, for the second year in a row, took home the bronze.

“Even though I just can’t seem to win this event, I still feel like I won today,” said Heffernan. “I was Coco’s camp coach at [Camp] Woodward, so it’s good to see her win, knowing I had a hand in pushing her to be her best.”

The Supergirl Jam series consisted of three stops this year – the Association of Surfing Professionals Grade-4 Supergirl Pro Junior contest that took place on August 15 & 16 in Oceanside, CA; the Supergirl Pro-Am Jam Skateboard Street competition that took place at Woodward West in Tehachapi, CA, on August 19; and the finale at Venice Beach.

Event Results:
Inline Best Trick Top 5:

1) Coco Sanchez (San Francisco, CA); 2) Aarin Gates (Camarillo, CA); 3) Fallon Heffernan (Jacksonville, FL); 4) Chynna Weierstall (Roseville, MI); Katie Ketchum (Buffalo, NY)

Skateboard Street Top 5:

1) Amy Caron (Huntington Beach, CA); 2) Vanessa Torres (Orange County, CA); 3) Alexis Sablone (Connecticut); 4) Tamara Drybrough (Port Coquitlam, Canada); 5) Leticia Bufoni (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Snowboard Rail Jam Top 5:

1) Laurie Currier (Wrightwood, CA); 2) Nicki Slechta (Los Angeles, CA); 3) Desiree Melancon (Riverside, CA); 4) Madison Blackley (Park City, Utah); 5) Colleen Quigley (Groton, MA)

Check back for pics and video from the event. In the meantime, if you need a primer on action sports start with  snowboard lingo and  skateboard lingo.

What to do this holiday weekend

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated by labor unions in New York City in the 1880s with a grand parade in honor of the working class. Now most people just think of it as a day off work and a chance for a last end-of-summer family outing.

As the heat wave continues here in SoCal beach activities are definitely on the agenda this weekend. The 28th annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off and Carnival kicks off tonight and goes through Monday.

Also at the beach this weekend is the Supergirl Jam which takes place Sunday in Venice. There will be live-streaming of the competition at http://thewb.com/supergirl and we’ll provide highlights of the event later.

Other Options:

Tennis: If you’re a tennis fan but can’t make it to Flushing Meadows this weekend, you can catch U.S. Open third and fourth round action on The Tennis Channel, ESPN, and CBS.  Check the TV schedule for listings.

Golf: NBC airs the Deutsche Bank Golf Championship on Sunday and Monday.

Football: College football fans have a plethora of choices this weekend. The NCAA season kicks off the 2009 season so if you want to trade the beach for the gridiron, ESPN will present no less than 28 games on their networks.

There’s a full slate of games on Saturday so no matter where you live or who you root for you should be able to find something Must-see games include Navy at Ohio State (12:00 ESPN), Missouri vs. Illinois (3:30 ESPN),  BYU vs. Oklahoma (7:00 ESPN), and Maryland at California (10:00 ESPN2). If you’re still in the mood for football on Monday check out the Miami vs. Florida State game (10:00 ESPN).

Also, my annual neighborhood block party is this Sunday evening featuring a halfpipe at the top of the cul de sac and a bicycle parade. Good times.

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