Yes, You Can
March/April 2007

Skateboard

Forget the punk image-it's a whole new skate world out there. Women everywhere are grabbing their boards to get outside and stay in shape.

By Diane Geurts

Skate parks are popping up across the nation, and many of them cater to all skill levels. If you've ever considered skateboarding or thought about graduating from wobbling around your driveway, there has never been a better time to do it. It's also a surprisingly good workout-anyone who remembers learning how to "pump" his or her board higher on a ramp or to stay rolling in a bowl can attest to this. And while the movement and the muscles may not translate exactly to snowboarding or surfing, the fun and irreverent board-sport mentality definitely does.

Think you'll be the only woman out there with a bunch of heckling guys? That actually seems to be the exception to the rule today. "There is still sexism within the skate culture," says Fleur Larson, age 28, director and co-founder of Skate Like A Girl, a nonprofit that runs camps and skate sessions in Washington State. "But it's getting better. We're still working on it, and it helps that girls now have an opportunity to learn when they are young."

It can be intimidating to jump into the male-dominated skate parks, but professional skater Lyn-z Adams Hawkins reassures us that "most of [the guys] are stoked to see a girl out there and usually are very supportive and willing to help."

The skateboarding scene has changed since it hit the mainstream a decade ago. While it still maintains some of its antisocial image from the 1970s southern California pioneers made infamous in the movie Dogtown and Z-Boys, it is now friendly to newcomers and to women. Since its inception in the 1950s as an extension of surfing, skateboarding has evolved from skating the streets and city squares, to illicitly sneaking runs in empty swimming pools, to city skate parks designed specifically for skaters by skaters. And now there are many female professionals of all ages: Lyn-z Adams Hawkins (age 17), Cara-Beth Burnside (reluctant to be specific, Burnside indicates in other publications that she is in her late thirties), and Amy Caron (age 22), to name just a few.

Worried about being a rank beginner? "Enjoy what you can do and don't worry about not being good," advises Fleur. "And it's easier to be a beginner at our age instead of as a self-conscious teenager." So what are you waiting for?

Getting Your Gear
First you need a board, a helmet, and pads that are appropriate for a skate park-and that work for you. You can test-drive a friend's gear or, as Lyn-z suggests, "The very best thing you can do is go to a skate shop and ask for their help." They will fit your board based on your height, body shape, and foot size.

It's also good to know that skateboards can be purchased complete or in separate components: the deck, or wooden board; the trucks, or axles; wheels and bearings; and grip tape. Experienced skaters buy their components separately because they know exactly what works for them, down to the size of the bearings in their wheels; but beginners can feel confident in buying a complete setup with the help of a skate shop employee. Look for a wider board, at least 7¾ to 8 inches, and a wheel size of at least 55 millimeters in diameter. Bigger wheels are better to roll around on because they don't get caught up as easily in sidewalk cracks or on a pesky stray pebble. If you buy separate components, the skate shop will usually assemble your board at no additional cost. They can also help you choose a high-quality helmet and knee and elbow pads that fit properly.

"You will fall down and may get hurt skating at some point," Fleur acknowledges, a nod to the inevitable bumps, bruises, and scabs that the right equipment will help minimize. "Just know that it's all part of the learning process, let yourself heal, and get back out there."

And, finally, don't forget to buy a pair of skate shoes. The thin, flat soles will help you feel where your board is under your feet so that you can properly maneuver it whether you are learning to push or to ollie for the first time.

Rolling Around
If you've never ridden a skateboard before, Lyn-z recommends that you "learn how to roll around, push properly with your back foot, stop, and turn before trying to skate at the skate park." Here are a few basics to get you started.

Goofy or regular?
Which foot goes at the front of the board? Like surfing or snowboarding, "goofy" means your right foot is at the front; "regular" means it's your left. Do whatever feels comfortable to you, but always push with your back foot.

Positioning your feet
Your front foot goes at the front quarter of the board, or the flatter end, usually covering the screws. Line up your foot with the screws, then turn it about 45 degrees toward the nose. Give a small push, then place your back foot perpendicular to the board about shoulder-width apart from your front foot. You'll be riding sideways, with your head and shoulders turning, which will get more comfortable with practice.

Turning
While rolling, push on your toes to go that direction. Push on your heels to go the other direction. Make sure you bend your knees to keep your balance.

Going downhill
Downhill, says Fleur, "is superfun. Just watch your speed-it can get scary and dangerous if you feel out of control. Carving across a hill in big, sweeping turns is a good way to practice." If you find yourself getting the wobbles, where your board starts shaking because you've reached a speed beyond your capability, jump off before you lose control so that you can hit the ground on your own terms.

At the Skate Park
Ready to hit the skate park? Your first time can be intimidating, but don't let that stop you from putting on your pads and getting out there. If you can, buddy up and try to go at a time when you'll have the place to yourselves. Early mornings between 7 and 10 a.m. are a safe bet. If a Saturday afternoon in July is the only time you can make it, don't worry: it's more chaotic but usually still manageable.

It's helpful to watch for a while at first, taking note of where the beginners are skating versus the experienced folks. Beginners spend most of their time where it's flat or where there are gentle slopes, whereas advanced skaters will either be dropping into deep bowls or flying across the park to nail a trick at the other end. Don't be shy about introducing yourself to someone who looks like they know the park well, whether that person is a 45-year-old guy or a 10-year-old girl. You can ask where in the park is the best place for you to learn-and to not get run over. When you've been to the park several times, you're bound to see the same people again, making the next visit that much easier.

When Fleur takes her clinics to the park for the first time, she starts by having the ladies learn the lay of the land, looking for new and familiar features in the terrain as well as noting where people's "lines" are. "When someone is doing a trick, they will have a route that is pretty identifiable and you'll want to stay out of their way. They will try to do the same for you."

Despite the chaos there is definite skate park etiquette (see sidebar) and a spirit of community that the majority of skaters help enforce. The veterans take turns in the deep ends of the bowls, make sure the beginners and the little kids are being safe, and often help the newbies clamber in and out of the deep end to take a crack at the big stuff. Fleur encourages everyone to ask for advice, and practice, practice, practice. "And go with a friend-you can support and teach each other different things. It can be hard to learn, but it's really fun when you get a new trick down."