Celebrating International Women's Day!

International Women's Day is an important celebration for Skateistan. Our programs are not gender biased and neither is skateboarding, so half of our students are girls, half of them are boys. Every day we celebrate how skateboarding is a hook for engaging at-risk youth and providing education at our Skate Schools around the world, but once a year, we particularly celebrate the opportunities it has given girls. The opportunity for education, learning through play and to develop life skills for a better future...

A Monumental Trip for Women's Skateboarding

Photo: Sam Jam

'We need to encourage women to skate and not be told they can’t do things because of their gender.' - Kelly, Programs Officer, Skateistan South Africa.

Skateistan South Africa's first Programs Officer, Kelly Murray, also happens to be one of the most talented female skaters in the country. Ahead of the new Skate School in Johannesburg opening later this year, she headed to Phnom Penh for the first-ever cultural exchange between Skateistan South Africa and Skateistan Cambodia. This was the opportunity for staff members to learn from each other, swap skills and, most excitingly of all, for Kelly to meet Tin, an Educator at Skateistan Cambodia and arguably the best female skater in the country. A monumental trip for female skateboarding, that would bring together two of the best skaters from opposite sides of the world. United by their boards, their jobs and their passion for skateboarding.

Photos: Skateboarding and Celebrating At Our Skate Schools

We held events at all of our Skate Schools around the world. 47 girls graduated from our Back-To-School program in Afghanistan and were presented with their certificates. There was a girl's only session at the Troyeville bowl in, Johannesburg, South Africa. Finally, in Cambodia, the Skate School held a day-long event for everyone to be involved with jiu-jitsu, break dancing and skateboarding.

Video: Skateboarders Unite For Women's Day

Kelly tells us about her trip to Phnom Penh and about the female skate scene in South Africa. Also featuring thoughts from Mimi Knoop, Alexis Sablone and Alana Smith on how skateboarding is uniting women around the world. From Johannesburg to Phnom Penh, Los Angeles to Oslo, Berlin to Kabul, girls and women are part of the same community thanks to skateboarding.

SHOP AND SUPPORT!

Vanessa Torres spotted rocking our logo tee in Oslo, photo courtesy of Mahfia.

The X Games recently rolled through Oslo and with it came some of the top names from female skateboarding to compete. Bronze medalist, Vanessa Torres, was spotted rocking our Skateistan logo tee whilst doing some sightseeing after the event. Thanks for the support!

With free shipping on all Skateistan t-shirts until March 31st, there is no better time to shop and support.

Photo: Sam Jam

"No matter where you are from, what gender you are, skateboarding connects many different types of people around the world. We are one big family, and the girls skate family is just growing bigger and bigger every year..."