Pretty Tough | Girls Kick Butt | Sports. Life. Style.

Girl Riders Unite

September 29, 2008 - You may have noticed banners and flyers promoting a GvR Skateboard comp scheduled to take place this weekend. Sponsored by etnies, GvR is one-of-a-kind skateboarding event that pits goofy footed skateboarders against their regular footed counterparts.

The world’s top pro skateboarders will be in attendance, throwing down all weekend at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest in California. And there’s one special organization that is committed to getting girls to represent at the event.

We recently spoke with Courtney Payne Taylor, head of GRO - Girls Riders Organization, about her group and their efforts to change beliefs about girls and skateboarding.

PT: Tell us about your organization…

CPT: GRO, Girls Riders Organization, is a non profit group on a mission to inspire, educate and support girls in action sports. Currently focused on skateboarding we hold events across the country educating ladies about skating and building over all community awareness. It is a group run entirely by girl skaters for all girl skaters. Find out more and get involved at girlsriders.org

PT: What’s GROs relationship with Etnies?

CPT: Etnies is GRO’s largest supporter and has been for the last two years. Etnies is also one company that has been supporting girls through sponsorships and girls contests when many other companies have not.

PT: What’s the history of GvR? Who are some of the women skating this year?

CPT: This will be the fifth year for GvR. The main part of the contest, GvR is for guys street only. For this the stands are full. The contest also hosts a girls street, girls and guys bowl contest, and the Hometown Heros finals.

Girls have had their events since the first GvR event. For the girls, there is no division between goofy and regular, they skate like any other contest, against everyone. That really comes down to numbers. The more girls who skate and compete, the better chance there is of building two equally matched teams to battle for the GvR Girls title.

Some girls that skated last year and should be back again this year include:

Street - Elissa Steamer, Amy Caron, Vanessa Torres, Leticia Bufoni, Rachel Reinhard, Lauren Perkins, Lacey Baker and many more.

Bowl - Julie Kindstrand, Amelia Brodka, Alize Montes, Cressey Rice, Allysha Bergado and more

PT: Tell us about your “Call To Action” and why it’s so important.

CPT: The call to action is our chance to show that we care about girls skateboarding and want to see it continue and progress. If we don’t show we care when we, the kids and new riders look for it in the future it will not be there. This is a call to be on time for the girls and somehow represent your support. Not only that, for those of you ladies who ride and rip, the contest is open, so enter. No matter what, come and have a blast.

PT: What’s next for GRO?

CPT: 2008 has some more workshops and sessions coming to Southern California and Arizona, then ending at the Tampa Am in Florida. 2009 marks some big changes and new events. All the info will be on girlsriders.org as the dates are confirmed. If you want to stay in the loop, please send us your information (Full Name, email, City, State and Zip code) to be added to the mailing list. Remember, GRO is what you want to make it so send us your ideas, get involved, lets make a change.

So, if you live in SoCal, and you’re looking for something to do this weekend, GRO has some very specific suggestions for showing your support:

Step 1 - Plan to be at Lake Forest Skatepark Friday by 1:30pm and Saturday by 11:00am.
Step 2 - Tell ten of your friends to check out this page and begin from Step 1.
Step 3 - Gather clothes and supplies; pink or purple clothes, markers, poster board.
Step 4 - Be creative. Decorate clothes and signs showing your love for the girl skaters.
Step 5 - On that weekend, gather your friends and show up on time for the girls.
Step 6 - Cheer loud and fill the stands.
Step 7 - Go to the Freshpark Ramps and skate the GRO GGOB (Girls Get on Board) Workshop with the Pros.
Step 8 - Start planning the date for the first weekend in October 2009!