This article is an online version of the print article for the S/S ‘20 Lexington Line edition. The print version can be viewed here!

Female Skate Culture: Clout chasing and Girly Girls

Skateboarding is one of the most misrepresented sports in history, viewed by many as an act of male slacker rebellion. Within the skateboarding community, like any sport, there are subgroups separated by gender. When it comes to women who skate, you have a community that is even more misrepresented.

Women that attempt any sport dominated by men tend to be disparaged. They’re viewed as too weak to try, and if they do try to become successful, they are labeled a “try-hard.” This is especially relevant in skateboarding... In fact, women skaters such as Lizzie Armanto have proven themselves to be among the best competitors. The main issue in today’s world of being a woman and a skater is not that guys tell them they can’t skate; they are told that they're only doing it to look cool. Their talent and skill are completely omitted, and they’re labeled “clout chasers.”

Skateboarding will be considered a sport for the first time in the upcoming Olympics, and skate culture is getting ready for its close-up. Victoria Weight and Rachelle Vinberg, two young skaters and influencers on social media, describe a culture that is not exactly accommodating to women. Women skaters struggle not only with landing tricks but being taken seriously.

Rachelle Vinberg:

New York Native, Instagram Influencer

Rachelle Vinberg is a talented local skater in New York City and a part of a women’s skate group popular on Instagram, @theskatekitchen. “I would say that it's the only thing that has stayed the same in my life over the past ten years,” Rachelle says.

“It's the only thing that I've had that's lasted from childhood, through adolescence, and into my early adulthood. It's kinda like a safety blanket for me. It grounds me, and I always feel like myself after riding.”

She and her friends are definitely huge inspirations to girls everywhere. Rachelle and her group of skater friends created a film, Skate Kitchen, that aired on Hulu in 2018 and stars Jaden Smith. This coming-of-age film focuses on skate culture in New York City and the struggles a young teenage girl has found a community. Rachelle stars as Camille, a typical girl that loves skating.

The film represents the many trials of being a woman who skates, especially of those being called inferior and accused of skating only for clout. Camille befriends a group of guys and is seen as betraying her girlfriends. It’s not uncommon for women skaters to find themselves in situations like this: playing nice with boys or buying into stereotypes so they can be taken seriously. Rachelle says she tries to defy stereotypes by being as authentic as possible.

“I get a lot of people assuming I only skate for clout. A lot of people deal with that assumption as well, especially girls and non-binary people,” she says. “It sucks though because a lot of kids out there are super intimidated to start skating because in the beginning, everyone sucks. Who cares though?”

That kind of “I don't care” attitude allows her to focus more on what she loves about skating: the community and the satisfaction of landing a trick. Girls should be allowed to enjoy the sport they love without being labeled with misogynistic stereotypes.

Victoria Weight:

LA Native, FIDM Student & Fashion Designer

Victoria Weight is a skater, fashion designer, and student in Los Angeles. Fashion is central to her life, so to many people in the skating community, she is seen as a “girly-girl.” While there’s nothing wrong with wearing pants and a t-shirt, it is often a strict stereotype of women skaters. By gender standards, they have to dress in menswear and be “one of the boys” to fit in. While she is a huge inspiration to young girls who may want to start skating, she has to deal with the negative side of going against the grain.

Victoria shared that she has been slut-shamed many times for wearing skirts or dresses when skating. Social media critics claim she wears them to get attention.

“In reality, that’s what’s in my damn closet,” she says.

This is an issue all women endure if they decide to show some skin. If she feels comfortable wearing a dress to skate around with her friends, she should be allowed to.

While it’s hard for some girls to skate at parks in peace, it can be equally hard for them to participate in skate culture online. With the growth of social media, new generations of skaters are able to share their talents with the world and build a platform for themselves, which can potentially get them sponsored. When they gain a following, though, people often try to discredit their talent and skill and blame their fame on looks, or even sleeping with skate coaches or pro skaters.

“There have been rumors spread about certain girls that we sleep with the older pros to be more recognized. It’s crazy how invested people get into your personal life,” Victoria says.

Men are seldom subjected to the same scrutiny.

Misogyny is laced throughout skate culture, whether it be at the local skate park, on national TV, or at a skate competition. This old way of thinking—that boys are better or girls use their looks to succeed—needs to end. While it harms women skaters, many use the hurtful things they’ve read in their comments or spiteful things boys say on the street as fuel to push harder.

Editor’s Note: This article was written before the Pandemic of COVID-19, in hopes that the Olympics would be aired in the summer of 2020. However, there are still great things to look forward to with female skaters during quarantine! The sequel to Skate Kitchen is airing on May 1st, 2020 on HBO as a series called Betty. The show is said to have the same characters as Skate Kitchen including, Rachelle Vinberg. So tune in and watch that! As for Victoria, she is continuing to do her thing by posting sick skating videos and facetime photoshoots. One of her latest videos was a mashup of her and her skater friends showing that while they’re in different areas and at home they are still a community. It’s great to see influential female skaters staying active and creative!

Skater Girls Say Later to Misogyny