VANS 2nd Annual Combi Pool Classic

Female skateboarding is currently still an infant in the action sports industry. To give you some perspective, it is almost where woman's surfing was when Roxy was introduced back in 90's, except girl's skateboarding doesn't have a "Roxy" yet. With the female vert event being canceled this year at the ESPN X-Games, and slimming amount of contests this year for professional female skaters, the VANS Combi Pool Classic is a big deal. It was introduced last year when the female's were booted out of the prestigious Protec Pool Party at the VANS Combi Bowl. The division was canceled so the females created their own event. I have been lucky enough to attend this event for the second year in a row and I always walk away inspired to skateboard. Here are a couple photos from the contest and a rad little video made by USC senior Amelia Brodka.

East Coast girl Nora Vasconcellos and Allysha Bergado were stand outs at this years contest. Allysha took home first place. Did I mention she is 15 years old?

Allysha Bergado flying through the air.

Winners podium! A big ups to Cara-Beth Burnside and Mimi Knoop for working with VANS to help create this event. You gals are leaders in this movement and are paving the way for women's skateboarding.

Great artciles to read more here and here.

UNDEREXPOSED Teaser / Girls Combi Classic Recap from Amelia Brodka on Vimeo.

Underexposed is a women's skateboarding documentary by Amelia Brodka. The Vans Girls Combi Classic is the biggest and most prestigious female-only skateboarding contest of the year. Filmed & edited by Brian Lynch.

My New Sk8 Setup VS Da Old One

I never was one for traditional sports. I was the scronny chic in Jr High that no one wanted on their team. I picked up skateboarding in the 7th grade and it has always my little thing. I can ollie. My claim to fame. I have emersed myself in the skate industry for the past 2 1/2 years and this past week I set up my first vert board.

I used to want to learn how to kick flip, but now all I want to do is smoke the bowls at the park. Or hit up a good pool here and there. Or just drop in with out breaking my whole face.

Here is my new set up:

hoopla skateboards 8.25" Deck

Indepedent 149 Trucks

Chris Miller 56mm BONES WHEELS Skate Park Formula

BONES HARDCORE Bushings- One Medium, One Soft

Reds Bearings (Swiss are next!!!)

Thank you to Mimi Knoop, Cara-Beth Burnside, and the whole hoopla skateboards team for inspiring me and encouraging Woman's skateboarding

Here is my old set up:

Mini Logo 7.75" deck

sample white trucks glossy

BONES 53mm All Terrain Formula wheels

BONES HARDCORE Medium Bushings

In case you need a summary of what I changed up, here it is- This used to be my trade show cruising around the hood board... so it is skinner, the wheels are softer for going over gravel, and they are smaller. Oh, and the trucks just look pretty against the white background. I didn't want to scratch them (I am such a chic).

Yes, I had pink grip tape. I wanted it to be all girlie. Now this shit just gets dirty. Lol. Back to black!

Yeah all my favorite brands get a little spot on board. Yes, I kook it and I'm not sponsored. :P I have a freakish sticker obsession and will be stickering up my new hoopla deck once I get a wild hair up my butt!

Wish me luck! First session on my new board was Saturday and I am working on my wall rides and getting used to a bigger deck and faster, harder wheels.

Later skater.

PS. Did I tell you I was deathly afraid of the slam??????!?!?!??!?! AHAHHHH

VANS All Girls Combi Pool Classic

This past weekend I had the opportunity to witness a moment in history that I will never forget, the first ever ALL GIRLS VANS Combi Pool Classic. I was there helping out my associates, professional female skateboarders Mimi Knoop and Cara-Beth Burnside. Burnside is the equivalent of a female Tony Hawk when it comes to skateboarding and both girls have a pleathera of X-Games Titles under their belts. For more info on them, check out their team page on the hoopla skateboards webstie. I am currently assisting Skate One with their female skate brand hoopla skateboards, so I went down to the Block in Orange County to set up the vendor tent and show my support as it relates to female skateboarding. All of our flow girls and pro riders did an amazing job skating in the event and I was proud to be there supporting them. All I can say is that I really need to skating the vert. I am totally inspired. I don't really surf, so skateboarding is my calling when it comes to action sports. Hopefully soon I can rock the bowl.

For more information on the event, please check out Concrete Disciples "You've Come Along Way, Baby"

Allysha Bergado

My six year old friend Annika Vrklan. I LOVE THIS KID! The picture says it all.

Mimi Knoop upsidedown

Cara-Beth Burnside grinding away at the coping

The BEST Female Skaters in the industry! Way to go ladies!

VANS Pro-Tec Pool Party

I am happy to say that I was able to attend the annual Pro-Tec Pool Party at the VANS skate park in Orange, Ca. This was my first big skating event and it was awesome! It was so refreshing to be around such a heavy scene as I am usually at the beach watching the boys rip from a far. Punk rock blasting and some of the most legendary vert skaters in the industry ripping the fresh Combi Bowl. Congrats to Cab for taking the event, it was truly amazing and inspiring to watch these athletes compete.