INTERVIEWS

Alexis Sablone Talks Gender Inequality in Skateboarding

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2019

Thrasher released Elissa Steamer’s interview with Alexis Sablone from its latest issue online yesterday. The two female skateboarding pioneers discuss the differences between how men and women are treated in the industry, and the inequality that goes along with that in this important piece that everyone should take a moment to read.

So let’s talk about gender inequality in the industry/the world.

It’s a big topic.

But it’s very important for us to talk about.

Yes. When I was younger I just didn’t want to acknowledge any of that. I didn’t want to think about myself as a female skater. I mean, I am, but first and foremost I’m a skater and I didn’t want to make that distinction because that’s not all I am. But as I’ve gotten older and gotten more perspective on it I just think it’s really important because there is a lot of inequality in the industry.

Severe.

Yeah, it’s severe. And everyone likes to go on and on about how skateboarding’s for everybody but the industry hasn’t properly supported that idea.

It’s like, we’ll be inclusive but only to a certain extent. We won’t give full inclusivity.

When it comes to pay, it’s like you can have boards for days, but the first actual contract I had was only three years ago. Going back to the cover, I think I told myself that I didn’t deserve it or maybe I’m not good enough—but I’m gonna be. I tried to use it as motivation. But after awhile you see that the picture is so messed up. You look at where the money in the industry is going and who’s being represented and it’s like 99-percent men.

Head over to Thrasher to read the entire piece; and for more on Alexis’s story, revisit Episode 07 of Mission Statement.

Image Via Thrasher

INTERVIEWS

Santa Cruz Skateboards’ ‘True Grit’ features Tom Asta

Published

4 weeks ago

July 8, 2022

Skate Newswire

In this latest “True Grit” video by Santa Cruz Skateboards, Tom Asta revealed that he never planned on becoming a pro but just enjoyed skating as a teen. He turned out to be one of the best pro skaters we know today.

He talked about growing up in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and also showed his favorite skate spots in his hometown. Town mates Chris Cole and Ian Berry, and other pro skaters spoke about how they met Tom and how they have seen him develop into the skater that he is today.

The “True Grit” video series attempts to get an in-depth look into how skaters came to where they are now by visiting them in their hometowns and interviewing the people around them.

Watch more of Tom Asta in the Santa Cruz Skateboards’ welcome video below.

INTERVIEWS

Shecks Guests on the Latest ‘The Nine Club’ Episode

Published

2 months ago

June 9, 2022

Skate Newswire

Pro skater Ryan Sheckler talks about growing up in Southern California, starting skateboarding at the tender age of two, his over two decades of career, and his personal struggles in the latest podcast episode of “The Nine Club”.

He also discusses starting his skateboarding company, the Sandlot Times, and the story behind the name.

The Nine Club is a skateboarding podcast started and hosted by professional skateboarder Chris Roberts in 2016. The show is co-hosted by Roger Bagley and Kelly Hart.

INTERVIEWS

Vans Skateboarding Drops ‘Lizzie’ Video

Published

2 months ago

June 1, 2022

Skate Newswire

Get to know more about Lizzie Armanto through the lens of the persons closest to her in this 35 mm film directed by renowned filmmaker Greg Hunt and presented by Vans Skateboarding.

Lizzie is an X Games gold medalist (Barcelona, 2013) and the first-ever woman to make it to the cover of Transworld Skateboarding in 2016.

She was also the first female skateboarder to do the loop, a 360-degree vertical ramp on which the rider turns completely upside down while maintaining contact between the wheels of the skateboard and the ramp’s surface.