Peter B. Williams’ Post

I love skateboarding. I picked it up again a few years back and decided to feel comfortable looking like an idiot while I donned my 'Tony Hawk' helmet, and dropped into small ramps while enjoying the flow and relaxation that the sport offers. As somebody who is immersed in the adventure and outdoor scene, I found myself drawn to the subcultures that have grown around skating. In particular, what interested me were the growing numbers of brands that were being built through grassroots action and community to support women and non-binary folks to get into the sport. As somebody who can't really experience what it's like to be a woman entering into the world of skateboarding, I can only try to emphasize. Frankly it must be hard as the culture is so male-dominated, along with the marketing, design, and subcultures that have grown around it. So, here we are, with another slideshow of brands that I find interesting, this time focusing on women. Ok, so here we go: 1. Neighborhood Skate Club First, we have the Neighbourhood Skate Club owned by the outdoor / adventure/sports marketing powerhouse Lyndsay McLaren. I was lucky enough to work at the same business with Lyndsay during my employment with Rab, and I've followed her ever since as frankly she's a brilliant marketer, who has gone on to build an amazing community with the NSC. 2. The Skate Retreat Although the Skate Retreat isn't strictly speaking a women-only retreat I featured it because its overwhelmingly attended by women, non-binary, or trans folk. Why? My guess is this. If you have never been on a skateboard before and identify as female, you may not want to learn around a bunch of topless skate-bros. A safe, and welcoming space, with a skatepark built in a woodland, with excellent catering is likely going to be more your cup of tea. Frit Tam, I spy you have been to one, what did you think? 3. Meow Skateboards Meow Skateboards, founded by Lisa Whitaker is an example of a seemingly simple idea done incredibly well. Start a skate deck brand, market it differently to 99% of other businesses, build a community and sponsor pro-female skaters through the business. Also, the designs are just to die for. 4. Girl Skate Mag I hope SkateHut respects the quality of employee they have with Samantha Bache who side-hustles Girl Skate Mag on the side. If you were bored of seeing male-dominated skateboarding images in skate magazines and media then look no further. This is the magazine for you. Print is not dead! 5. London Skate Mums London Skate Mums is one of many communities (seriously, there's a lot now) of inclusive skate spaces for women. Although I have no idea who started London Skate Mums, I put them in because I wanted to point out that if you want to pick up a skateboard and give it a go, there's a growing number of groups who can support you. You just need to know where to look.

Thank you, The Portugal News X WallridePT "(...) "Skateboarding, as a culture, has a significant democratizing factor for all human interactions in that context; which is based on a simple concept: falling hurts the same for everyone. Regardless of the complexity of tricks… pain, frustration, and the repetition of failure are universal experiences when someone starts and continues skateboarding. As a rule, these become relationships forged in perseverance, humility, and patience, which can only result in individuals focused on their shared humanity. This makes us, as a community, more predisposed to be sensitive to the struggles of those around us, whether in the context of tricks or daily life. WallRide aims to deepen these interactions, offering counselling, support, and protection to communities on the ground. In the case of WeAllRide, it's a natural step for our association, given the successful results of the model when applied to the underrepresented female skateboarding public. Beyond skateboarding, we want to make it clear that the skatepark is a place where everyone is welcome, especially those who feel excluded or mistreated in other physical or social spaces. Here at WallRide, everyone has a home," said Viriato Villas-Boas, president, and founder of the association. (...)" #SkateboardingCulture #InclusivityInSkateboarding #CommunityBuilding #SkateboardingForAll #SupportEachOther #CounselingForAll #SkateparkInclusion #SharedHumanity #PerseveranceMatters #BuildingConnections #SocialSupport #SkateboardingEmpower #DiversityInSkateboarding #CommunitySupport

  Last week the Reclink East Gippsland team joined #ThisGirlCan campaign to facilitate new opportunities for women and girls. The highlight of the week for me was the women’s skate session in Mallacoota, as I was lucky enough to join this activity as a participant – and experience the joy of Reclink through a different lens. Before the lesson, our group, ranging in ages from 20s to 50s, laughingly shared nerves and voiced fears through conversations and connections. United by this, we encouraged each other to step into the skatepark all protectively encased in the sport’s version of bubble wrap. What I noticed was that from the start, every participant contributed towards an inclusive, safe and encouraging space, hooting at a wobble that was overcome, or checking someone was ok when they did hit the deck. And every single participant celebrated an achievement – the more experienced skater dropped into the half pipe for the first time, while others were stoked to find their balance to roll around the park semi-confidently without holding onto the instructor for a full lap of the skatepark. After the session, I was buzzing, I couldn’t wait to describe to my children the thrill of rolling down the ramps that I was deadest against at the start of the lesson. Already there is talk of regular women’s skating catch-ups at the skatepark, and a new WhatsApp group chat has started which is extending new friendships. I’m in! The beauty of this session is that in just one-hour, Reclink helped to empower a group of women to see the skatepark not solely as a playground for children and men, but to own this space as a community gathering place for everyone – where inexperienced riders can have a go alongside the more experienced. What I realized is that since the bushfires, I haven’t put much time developing new skills just for me. But in trying something new, testing my fitness, coordination, and balance, building self-confidence and resilience to try again after a fall, being in an environment without judgement, all while smiling the whole time, has a long-lasting impact. And these outcomes are shared across Reclink programs, whatever the sport may be. This is part of what makes Reclink so powerful. In fact, these similar experiences are being shared by thousands of participants enjoying Reclink programs across the country every day, thanks to my amazing colleagues. A special shout-out to Yvonne Porter and the East Gippsland Shire Council for coordinating This Girl Can across the East Gippsland region, and to our funders for making our events possible. And thanks to the instructors from #AmpedSurf&SkateSkool for the encouragement we needed to see This Girl Can! #vichealth #thisgirlcan #reclink #reclinkaustralia #eastgippslandshirecouncil #VictorianGovernment #VicStateBushfireRecovery #DFFH #BlackSummerBushfireRecovery #EmergencyRecoveryVictoria

Many thanks to the UK's Huck Magazine for a chance to write about skateboarding and the Olympics, anti-trans idiocy, and the rare type of secret whose power doesn't rely on its keeping. I believe there's a clear path around the same tired arguments about about art vs. sport, one that needn't take us back to that old familiar watering hole of authenticity. For years, brands and marketers have relied on skateboarding's coultercultural history to shape campaigns that insist upon heritage as the culture's only real currency. Stop thinking about about skateboarding as a counterculture, or even former counterculture. Start thinking about it as a medium. https://lnkd.in/gBdBMS_E

Heritage NL’s digital collections on the Digital Archives Initiative for #ThrowbackThursday! The DAI is your gateway to the digitized cultural resources held by Memorial University and partnering organizations. Heritage NL has an excellent partnership with Memorial University’s DAI. This is where we place all our collected materials. To celebrate Heritage NL’s 40th anniversary each week, for forty weeks, we will be sharing one of our DAI collections. This week we are sharing the Skateboarding Collection: https://lnkd.in/eHywbv8g Twenty years ago skateboarding in St. John's was a much different scene than it is today. From the 1990s to the early 2000s street skateboarding was at the peak of popularity. Although there are city by-laws which made it an offence for a person to operate a skateboard in many public spaces, skaters vehemently resisted this. During that time, downtown St. John's was not recognizable without pockets of skateboarders. The clack of wheels along asphalt or the scrape of a board down a metal railing were common background noises in popular skate spots like the War Memorial, Atlantic Place and the Colonial Building. Skateboarders were looked upon as a nuisance in the city and many measures were taken to stop them. For example, fines were issued and the War Memorial was "capped" with stone while the large stair set in front of Atlantic Place was reduced to just a few steps. Many of the measures to deter skateboarding in the city were ineffective and real change did not come until the first skate park was constructed behind the old Memorial Stadium in 1998. Today that street skateboarding scene no longer exists in Newfoundland and as a means of preserving the memory of this subculture the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office has created the ICH skateboarding collection. Photo: Messala Ciulla, Pexels.

Most of our PR Clients are long-term partnerships, with long-term goals. For brands, this is often the most effective way to use PR. We even have an unofficial edict that we "don't take on projects" but occasionally, the perfect short-term project pops up, and we say yes. What makes a great PR project? 1. Clear goals and a compelling story. In this case, the client's goal was a mention or shout-out in Willamette Week, the local paper known for guiding Portlanders to what is new and cool. 2. It aligns with our values (in this case - community, supporting independent businesses & a love of skateboarding). This story is the best-case outcome. We're counting it as a win. Many thanks to Colin Sharp for trusting us with his story and to Nemo Design Creative Director and former COMMONWEALTH SKATEBOARDING, LLC owner Jennifer Sherowski for the referral. Life is better when you work with good people on cool projects. #skateboarding #PRagency #PortlandOregon #smallbusinessoregon #publicrelations https://lnkd.in/edmTm6Sp

There have been almost as many pronouncements about the death of skateboarding as there have about advertising or TV. And yet here we are. It's fascinating to delve into a genuinely nuanced debate about skateboarding's fluctuation in popularity and whether it's ultimately a good thing when it's on the rise. Skate's continued commercialization (there was an awful low point when it seemed to feature in every other runway show), and acceptance via corporate global events like The Olympic Games, has definitely made it feel utterly mainstream and sanded off some of the edges of a subculture built on a mix of ingenuity, rebellion and outsider status. Yet in truth, that hardcore punk element in skate started dissipating long ago now. Far from being insular, kids today skate one day and play football the next, maybe even do theater after that. They even wear football shirts to skate in. If a rise in skateboarding's popularity means less gatekeeping and a more inclusive culture that's inviting to more communities I'm all for its continued popularization. The only thing I think all skaters can agree on is making sure the funding trickles down to the grassroots level and endemic scene. Now who is excited to watch the women skate the Olympic Park and Street courses this week? https://lnkd.in/e5Y2_p8F

Urban sports, including skateboarding, have seen a significant surge in popularity in Shanghai and other major Chinese cities over the past few years. This growth is driven by a combination of cultural shifts, urban development, and policy support. Here’s an overview of how skateboarding and other urban sports are developing in these urban centers: Cultural Adoption and Youth Engagement 💈 Youth Culture: As global cultural trends increasingly permeate China, skateboarding has become a symbol of youth culture and expression. Young people in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou are embracing skateboarding not only as a sport but also as a lifestyle and a means of social interaction. Influence of Media: The proliferation of social media platforms such as Douyin (TikTok) and Kuaishou has played a crucial role in popularizing skateboarding. Young skateboarders share clips of their tricks and skills, which not only spreads awareness but also builds a community around the sport. 🚥 Urban Development and Facilities Skate Parks and Areas: Responding to the growing demand, several cities have begun integrating skate parks and designated areas for skateboarding within their urban planning. Shanghai, for instance, boasts several well-designed skate parks that are publicly accessible, including SMP Skatepark, one of the largest in the world. Commercial Support: The rise in skateboarding has spurred the growth of related businesses, including skate shops and training centers, further embedding the sport into the urban fabric. These establishments often sponsor events and competitions, enhancing the sport's profile and accessibility. Event Hosting: Major cities like Shanghai have hosted international skateboarding competitions and events, which not only boost local interest but also position the city as a vibrant hub for urban sports on the international stage. Challenges and Opportunities 🔎 Cultural Acceptance: While skateboarding is growing, there remains a level of cultural resistance to street sports, often seen as disruptive or unconventional. Continued community engagement and education will be key in shifting perceptions. Safety and Regulation: As the number of participants increases, ensuring safety without imposing restrictive regulations will be a challenge for local governments. Balancing freedom for skateboarders with public safety and space concerns is crucial. Conclusion 📖 Urban sports like skateboarding are flourishing in Shanghai and other major Chinese cities, driven by a vibrant youth culture, supportive urban developments, and an increasing level of recognition from authorities. As these trends continue, skateboarding is set to become an integral part of China’s urban sports landscape, reflecting broader trends of modernization and globalization in Chinese society.

HERE ARE SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM MY LITTLE SKATEBOARDER : Skateboarders have a unique perspective and approach to their sport that can offer valuable lessons for individuals in various areas of life, including entrepreneurship and personal development.   Persistence and Resilience: Skateboarders understand that progress often comes slowly. They persist through falls, injuries, and setbacks to achieve their goals, demonstrating resilience and determination. Risk-Taking and Calculated Decisions: Skateboarders often face challenges that require them to assess risks and make calculated decisions about what they are capable of doing safely.   Creativity and Innovation: Skateboarding involves creative self-expression and the ability to invent new tricks or find different ways to perform existing ones. This out-of-the-box thinking can lead to innovative solutions in other areas.   Adaptability and Flexibility: Skateboarders must adapt to different terrains, obstacles, and environments. Being flexible and open to change is essential to progress.   Focus and Mindfulness: Skateboarding requires intense concentration and mindfulness to execute tricks successfully and avoid injury. This level of focus can be applied to any pursuit.   Patience and Practice: Learning and mastering tricks takes time and consistent practice. This teaches the value of patience and the importance of honing skills over time.   Community and Collaboration: Skateboarding fosters a supportive community where individuals share tips and support each other's growth. Collaboration and learning from others can be beneficial in various fields.   Passion and Enthusiasm: Skateboarders are often deeply passionate about their sport, and this passion fuels their drive and perseverance. Pursuing activities with passion can lead to greater fulfilment and success.   Confidence and Self-Reliance: Skateboarders develop confidence in their abilities through practice and experience. This confidence, paired with self-reliance, helps them tackle challenges and take on new opportunities.   Embracing Failure and Learning: Falling and failing are part of the learning process in skateboarding. Skateboarders learn to embrace failure as an opportunity to grow and improve.   By observing and learning from skateboarders' mindset and approach to their sport, individuals can gain insights into how to approach challenges, take risks, and persist through adversity in various areas of life. #skateboard #momandson #lifelessons

At just 14, Arisa Trew became Australia's youngest-ever Olympic champion by winning the women's park skateboarding event in Paris. You'd think that to reach that level, you'd have to sacrifice your entire childhood and youth, right? That you'd have to immediately grow up and become a woman fast because elite sport is for the mature and deadly serious? Well, Trew's post-victory interview, where she showed arguably more excitement at the prospect of getting a promised pet duck than receiving her gold medal, shows that at heart, she's still just a kid. And this is the way it should be. I've worked with and met many parents of aspiring athletes around Trew's age. It's common to see a teen putting on an ultra-serious act because their dad has drilled them into a "Project Mbappé" (when dads live vicariously through their child, pushing them to become a professional footballer). Those invariably end up being the kids who don't make it. They're burned out by 16, resentful at never getting to experience a proper childhood. Elite sport involves a ton of sacrifice, no question. And the kids pursuing that path will miss out on a lot. But they shouldn't miss out on everything. They certainly shouldn't be drilled into a state void of child-like enthusiasm. Trew, along with many other teen sensations in skateboarding, gets it right. They are elite athletes who are desperate to win on the biggest stage. But if you watched the competition, more often than not, every single one of them left the bowl after their run with a huge smile on their face, even after FALLING! For them, it's fun to take risks, to just have a go, and try something crazy. And if it doesn't pay off, so what? But if it does... you finally get your hands on the pet duck you've desperately longed for 🦆 > 🥇 #paris2024 #olympics #performancepsychology #sportspsychology