Skate Like a Girl: Carving Out Space in Skate Culture
By Sanonna Al Taweel
G one are the days of skateboarding being a boys’ club. Skate culture is shifting, and from Olympic podiums to neighborhood sidewalks, more girls are picking up boards and making the space their own. Thanks to social media, local skate collectives, and high-profile athletes like Rayssa Leal and Leticia Bufoni, girls have more representation in the sport than ever before. Skate spaces that once felt intimidating and male-dominated are transforming into places where girls can grow their confidence and find community. The 2021 Skate Representation Survey, created by Mariah Davenport, found that participation rates of women in skateboarding increased by a staggering 790 percent over the previous decade. The study points to increased visibility— particularly on social media—as a key factor. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have given female skaters a place to connect, share their progress, and learn from each
other. These online communities have become a powerful force in normalizing women’s presence in skateboarding. This surge of participation is also reflected in the work of organizations like Yeah Girl, a global media platform dedicated to empowering women through skateboarding and creative expression. Through events, storytelling, and community-building efforts, Yeah Girl creates inclusive spaces for skaters to thrive both online and in real life. Aside from social media, the culture shift in skateboarding is also visible across the country at the local level. Organizations like Launch Skate, a nonprofit indoor skatepark and youth center in Fort Collins, Colorado, are making concerted efforts to provide a community for girls in skateboarding. “Our mission is to build community and resilience through skateboarding, and that means making sure everyone feels welcome, including girls,” says Andy Weiss, Launch’s
Founder and Director. “We’ve been really intentional about creating an environment where girls are supported from day one.” The welcoming atmosphere at Launch is making a difference. Girls are showing up and getting involved. Weiss continues, “There’s been a clear rise in the number of girls getting into skateboarding. Part of that is due to better visibility—girls and women are showing up more in competitions, in media, and in brand partnerships … Culturally, the skate world is evolving to be more inclusive, and programs like ours at Launch are helping push that forward. When girls see that there’s space for them, they step into it and bring others with them.” A 2024 study from Nottingham Trent University highlighted the many benefits of skateboarding for women, including improved body confidence, increased self-
16 COLORADO PARENT AUGUST 2025
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