NYC Girls Skate Event
If you’re free this Saturday, May 15th, check out the NYC Girls Skate Event from 2-6 pm located at Thomas Jefferson Skate Park, 114th street and Pleasant avenue in Harlem.
Q: What inspired you to create this event?
A: I think what inspired me the most to create this event was the feedback from the first sesh. Being a female skateboarder, I felt that it was my job to create a safe space for women and queer people to come together on a board. When I realized my direct impact and the outcome of the first NYC Girls Skate session, I knew I had to host another ASAP.
Q: Who’s sponsoring the event?
A: We are lucky enough to have over 15 sponsors for our second event, some include: Arizona Beverage Co, Skatepark of Tampa, Tea Party Entertainment, and many more.
Q: In a male dominated sport like skateboarding, do you think it’s hard for girls to find a space within it?
A: With skateboarding being such a heavily male dominated sport, I fully believe women find it difficult to feel welcomed or like they have a space in the community. So many girls I know feel very intimidated by skateparks and most times skate outside the park on sidewalks, driveways, and empty parking lots. While skating flatground outside of a skatepark is completely fine, I just hope we get to a point where girls can feel comfortable enough to actually skate inside the park at first glance.
Q: Are there any stories of sexism you’ve faced in skateboarding?
A: Personally, I’ve dealt with a lot of sexism within skateboarding, and most times people are oblivious to what they are saying. Some statements include, “You’re pretty good for a girl”, “Women are getting so good at skateboarding, BUT, there are some girls that are good.”, and a sleuth more. There will always be an abundance of men in comparison to women and people a part of the LGBTQ+ community in skateboarding. NYC Girls Skate is just here to try to bridge the gap.
Q: How did your last event go?
A: The last NYC Girls Skate event was beyond successful. The turnout was something I would have never expected. My goal going into it was to have my male homies pull up and see more chicks on skateboards in one place, than they have in their entire lives. That is exactly what went down. Over 200 people showed up to the park, the most I have ever seen at my local, ever.
Q: What do you hope people will get out of this event?
A: I hope that people will get exactly what I strive for while hosting these events. A safe place to skateboard with people alike, lasting connections with other skaters, content or clips they would otherwise not be able to film, and of course, new skate stuff for free. If I can bless someone with a new deck, t-shirts, some food, and catch a clip for them, I feel like I have done my job.
Q: Will there be another event like this?
A: I will continue to host NYC Girl Skate events as long as I possibly can. I’ve seen that it genuinely makes an impact and builds a stronger, more long lasting community. Each event just keeps getting bigger and better, it’s only up from here.
Follow them on Instagram @nycgirlsskate