Times they are a-changing and happily girls growing up today are increasingly likely to forge ahead in their chosen field without too much thought for their gender and its role in deciding where to set their sights.

In sports, music, art and politics there are finally opportunities for women to rocket to the very top and we’re lucky enough to have plenty of strong female icons and role models to inspire us.

The world of action sports boasts a multitude of heroines in every discipline, from motocross superstar Jolene Van Vugt to skaters Leticia Bufoni and Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins and surfers such as Carissa Moore.

Yet for all our progression, I can’t deny that us ladies are most definitely still in the minority! So just how does it feel to be one of only a few women and how do you handle being the only girl to rock up at the skatepark?

I’ve repeatedly taken up male dominated activities, from playing guitar in a metal band to riding BMX and FGFS and the number of times I’ve had to deal with being thoroughly outnumbered are too numerous to list. I’m often conscious of all the eyes upon me but it’s something you learn to deal with or ignore as the other option is not riding and going home defeated. So not really an option I’m willing to take! When you’re a sole lady amongst all the lads, it can seem like everyone is waiting to see you drop in and wondering if you can ride and quite frequently, that’s because they are. But on the whole, no matter what your level, most people will actually give you props for getting out there and giving it a go and once you’ve dropped in they’ll get back to concentrating on their own riding.

There are a few things it’s worth remembering if you’re feeling the strain of being a lone ranger down the park, track or trails.

The first thing to do is to say hi to everyone the minute you arrive – not only will you get that out of the way so you can just focus on riding, but people won’t mistake your nervous silence for arrogance! I can guarantee that you’ll find that most people are friendly, particularly if you make the first move. It’s always a good plan to respect the locals, not only out of courtesy but because you’ll get the most out of a new spot by watching or following someone who knows the lines.

Now you’ve got that out of the way it’s time to start riding. The longer you dither, the more self conscious you’ll feel so jump on your board, bike, donkey or whatever IMMEDIATELY! I promise you, the more you wait around, the harder it will be.

It’s inevitable that people will look at you so it’s worth remembering that the guys at the park/spot/track check out EVERYONE who turns up, it’s not just you! It’s human nature to be curious and the fellas get stared at too so don’t let that put you off.

Still feeling nervous? There’s safety in numbers so gather up your friends and set out en masse. That way you’ll even out the gender split plus get the support you need from your mates. As Nikita skater Maria Falbo put it “a session is always better with a crew of girls”.

If you’re struggling to find female pals to ride with, check out sites such as Girls Skate Network, Girl Riders Org or Yeah Zine’s Facebook to find out about women’s sessions. Head out to a girl’s contest or series, such as the Ladies Skateboard Series. Or start your own thread on a forum for your sport and either arrange to meet other women or create your own event or session.

Another of Maria’s tips to deal with the weird is to “listen to some music and get into the zone”. I find that once you’ve got the music blaring and you’re trying your hardest to nail your trick, there’s not even room in your head for worrying about everyone else.

And lastly, the best advice I can give you is to just get on with it. Stop over thinking it, stop reading this, and go out and ride! I still get nervous and apprehensive sometimes but it’s just as likely to happen when I’m walking into a room full of strangers at a party as it is at a skatepark! It’s just one of those inevitable things you learn to deal with in life! I hope these insights might help.

From redbull.co.uk

Here’s a bit of the story from Mercury News

” A bit older at age 56, Sacramento artist Gale Hart took up skateboarding briefly as a teenager but didn’t really get into it until she turned 50. “Midlife crisis!” Hart explained. “Isn’t that what we do? When we start losing our youth, we try to grab on to it and hold it.”

Fran Bartholomew, 49, also embraced the sport later in life. The Sunnyvale resident had a skateboard early but was too afraid to ride down the steep hill from the family’s house. She putted around the driveway and lost interest, only to regain it unexpectedly five years ago.

“I started noticing women and young girls skateboarding all around my neighborhood,” Bartholomew said. “I couldn’t believe it. That was my inspiration.”

She now rides an extra-long board, which is not recommended for doing tricks in the park’s deep bowls but perfect for riding to church, which has surprised many in the congregation. Bartholomew, who is Chinese-American, has not told some relatives that she’s a “skateboard auntie” because they just wouldn’t understand — at least not yet.

“I’m still in the closet on this thing,” she said. But not for long. She picked up her long board and joined the group for a rousing, sassy, skateboard mama photo. ”

Read Mercury News full story here.

GRO Advocate Christiana Smith is dedicated to her skating and filming. Thanks for sharing!

Leticia Bufoni rides for Paradox and will be in this video. It has not been since Elissa and Marisa for Zero that we have seen a girl not only be included in a team video, but most likely Killing it too! Tonight NYC! Listen!

GRO SNOW LADIES DAY 2012 @ Stevens Pass from Matthew Pew on Vimeo.

With a huge back flip like she threw down fearlessly at the 2011 BMX Masters, Camila Harambour boosted her way to a major victory and a milestone for women in action sports at the 2012 Sister Session BMX at Simple Session March 30-April 1, 2012. Her runs were fluid and strong and she dialed in other trickery that included: a few tight turndowns, a double peg stall on the subbox, feeble grind on the ledge, tuck no-hander, lookback over the hip, and smith grind…

… Ladies BMX Gets a Big Boost

There has been a good bit of support within the larger BMX community for the ladies. Recently, Fat Tony of Ride BMX Magazine said, “It is extremely important to the BMX community and sport for female riders to have an outlet for their riding to not only show off their talents as athletes, but also to expose the sport to younger generations of up and coming girls in action sports.” (Girls BMX in X Games, Yeah! Zine. May 9, 2011) http://yeahzine.com/2011/05/09/girls-bmx-in-x-games/

One rider that has worked incredibly hard advocating for ladies BMX is Nina Buitrago, a huge influence in ladies BMX, who unfortunately was not able to compete at Sister Session. Buitrago won the Girls’ Park division at the 2010 BMX Masters (now more appropriately called BMX Worlds). BMX Masters also includes a girls’ flatland class. The Toronto BMX Jam features women’s divisions in BMX Park and Freestyle MTB; women are included in competing in AMFlat events, too but compete with the guys. In 2011, Rebecca Pergentile was the only female rider that competed in flatland at Toronto as part of the CFO Flatland Unlimited 8/ AMFLat Round One.

Nina, along with Angie Marino produce Yeah! Zine and they, along with the Girls Riders Organization (GRO), and many in the larger BMX community have been pushing hard for a ladies division in BMX at the X Games.

BMX Masters has had a girls’ class since 2004 and FISE (Festival International Sport Extreme) included a girls’ contest in 2011, and now with inclusion at Simple Session, BMX ladies are represented in the major contests. With any luck – and a good measure of hard work – the ladies will have a division in the X Games very soon.

See the full story on The International News Magazine

Learn more about the push for X Games here.

For one night in over a year, the often sought after House of Vans in Brooklyn, New York was opened up for ladies only to ride. Guys were able to come in, but not to skate. Not a single one. The whole place was set for a great night. There were giveaways everywhere from Vans, Hoopla and GRO. There was food everywhere too and more just kept showing up all night. If it was not Steve cooking something himself, it was a delivery arriving or something. And of course, there was House of Vans just inviting all the girls to come ride!

Lots of ladies showed up. They traveled from other states, brought their kids along, brought their friends, came to learn, came to take pictures, or just to check it out. So many different types of girls and different types of riders. Some girls were glued to the bowl most the evening, some never touched it. Everyone had something they loved to focus on, helping each other learn new tricks and cheering each other on no matter what.

Vans flew out Pro Skater Mimi Knoop to skate with the girls. She took the time to say hello to everyone, shot some photos, signed some autographs and more. It was great for the aspiring riders to have the opportunity to meet Mimi, who as an athlete, has accomplished so much! Mimi also had a surprise best trick contest up here sleeve for the rail and ledges.

Lorena Lima announced and together they picked the top tricks. Jennifer Soto (Green Shirt) won. But really, anyone there could not walk away not feeling like a winner. The whole session was grand and hopefully it will not be a full year before we see HOV go all ladies again!

It’s that time of year again and this Friday Tampa Pro kicks off again! GRO is back for the seventh straight Tampa Pro brought to you by the guys at Spotlight Productions. Although the list of hundreds of athletes for the event never lists more than two girl names, GRO is here representing girls at the event from beginners up. It will be a packed weekend with free lessons, contests, games, interviews and more coming to you everyday at SPoT!

Girls learn to skate free at Skatepark of Tampa all weekend. Any girl any sill level is welcome. You must have a waiver on file with the park. So if you are under 18 you will need a parent to bring you just to sign up. That’s all you need a signed waiver and good shoes to skate in and we have the rest covered.

GRO Girls Game of Skate and Best Trick contest will be going on Saturday and Sunday at the skatepark. Any girl can enter either contest. There is no entry fee, but please make a donation to GRO if possible. There is one winner for each event and the Game of SKATE’s winner is still undefeated. There are young girls gunning to take her out so it will be an exciting contest.

The GRO Booth will also be rocking out with games, interviews, news info and more to help inspire and keep girls involved in action sports.

Add all that too Tampa Pro and all its splendor and you have one packed weekend you don’t want to miss! Tickets for Sunday are going fast! If any girl want to participate in any of the GRO activities, but are unable to get in due to tickets selling out, please email courtney.gro@gmail.com to work something out, or any other questions. We want you here!