Should I let My Daughter Skateboard?

First and foremost, women and young girls are absolutely some of the most enduring humans on the planet, so of course, they are tough enough to handle the sport of skateboarding.

Still, for a parent or guardian the question of Should I let My Daughter Skateboard? is an important one.

We’re going to lay out all the dynamics present in skateboarding to reinforce your decision.

At GOSKATE, some of our best students are young girls who have gone on to accomplish great feats on their board.

More importantly, young girl skaters have gone on to inspire other young girls to do the same. All of which helps change the sport for a more inclusive and representative experience.

Should I let My Daughter Skateboard?

We’re going to outline all your concerns and compare them to the benefits for any questions you might have.

We’ll not only answer those questions but we’re going to explain the reasons why you should let your daughter skateboard.

A little girl wearing a helmet learning to skateboard in a park. Skateboarding is a great summer activity for daughters.

She Was a Skater Girl

Women have been in skateboarding since the beginning. Patti McGee, the first female professional skateboarder landed the cover of Life magazine in May of 1965.

Patti set the world record for fastest female on a skateboard. Not only was she fast, she beat males.

Fast forward to 2021, pioneers like Elissa Steamer, Jamie Reyes, Maria Del Santos, and Vannessa Torres have stood on the shoulders of Patti.

A female force has always been powerfully present in skateboarding.

Great Girl Skateboarders to Follow

  • Elissa Steamer

  • Jamie Reyes

  • Maria Del Santos

  • Vannessa Torres

  • Leticia Bufoni

  • Lizzie Armanto

  • Rayssa Leal

Today, there’s a booming women’s population in street and park contest skating–including such names as Leticia Bufoni, Lizzie Armanto, and the Brazilian phenom Rayssa Leal. You might remember her from her viral video of her heel flipping a stair set in a tutu and fairy costume. Now she’s signed by Nike Sb and competing in contests around the world. Amazing!

Skateboarding is a Girl’s Sport

  • How about the fastest-growing demographic in skateboarding? – Female.

    Did you know skateboarding is the largest female sport in Afghanistan?

    Afghanistan, quite frankly, had no idea what skateboarding was or that it was ‘supposed’ to be ‘for boys’.

    Now scores and scores of young girls are gaining a new type of confidence and self-expression thanks to organizations like Skatistan.

    If it has this type of impact in a country like Afghanistan, we can imagine what impact it is already having in the US and other western countries.

Be a Member of the Movement

Women have been in skateboarding since the beginning. Patti McGee, the first female professional skateboarder landed the cover of Life magazine in May of 1965.

Patti set the world record for fastest female on a skateboard. Not only was she fast, she beat males.

Fast forward to 2021, pioneers like Elissa Steamer, Jamie Reyes, Maria Del Santos, and Vannessa Torres have stood on the shoulders of Patti.

A female force has always been powerfully present in skateboarding.

Row of smiling girls sitting on a bench with skateboards

There has always been a feminist element to women in skating and as we saw in the past two years, women led marches, hosted skate classes, and made spaces for underrepresented communities.

Throughout the US and around the world, women are banning together on their skateboards to make skateboarding a more inclusive, representative and equal sport.

Just as recently as X-Games 2005, the Women’s Skate Alliance was founded by Mimi Knoop, forming a boycott of the X-Games which saw a meager price pot of $2,000 when compared to the men’s final of $50,000.

As we all know, equal pay for women is a subject that goes far beyond skating, but skateboarding is a great auxiliary to bring this issue to the light and into a sport that claims to be progressive and accepting.

Addressing Your Concerns

“Skateparks are Not Safe”

When you drive by the skate park you’re quick to see the people sitting down with a beer in hand but what you might not see at first glance is the countless people who are there fostering a true love and passion for skateboarding.

Skate parks are often put out of view by city planners or in rougher parts of town where they are less resisted by the neighboring people. That being said, skateboarders view a skate park like a second home.

There’s a natural police force present at every one with coaches, mentors, and a really a local family type atmosphere.

Your daughter, after a few sessions at the skatepark, will gain big brothers and sisters who will look after her. At that point, the skate park is one of the safest and most protected places she could be.

“Skateboarding is Too Dangerous for Girls”

Skateboarding is dangerous but it’s already been scientifically proven that women have a higher pain tolerance than men.

Women are the toughest beings on this planet when you really think about it. There’s no one more equipped for the physical demands and ballet like maneuvers of skateboarding.

Wanna see for yourself?

Just tune into any girls skate contest and you’ll be blown away at the strength and toughness present.

“There’s no Other Girls Who Skate”

This is simply just not the case in 2021 and often, you can find another girl who skates right in your neighborhood.

Go for a family walk, hit the local park or empty church parking lot, you’ll surely see a bunch of young girls riding bikes, scooters and skateboards.

Exchange a few numbers, plan an early morning at the skatepark and get a group together and go skate. You’ll find the bonds skaters create with one another are some of the most special and supportive in the world.

“Skateboarding is a Boys Sport”

While the majority of skateboarders might still be boys, there has been a resurgence of women in skateboarding in the last 5-10 years.

Now, every single skatepark has women present and since it’s been a bonding of locals almost a decade in the making, this means it’s no longer a strange scene when a group of girls comes into the park. More importantly, a skate teams are no longer complete without female representation, including in contests, videos, magazines, and all traditional skate media.

The industry is changing as well, something skateboarding is being heralded for it’s dismantling of its own stigmas.

“Skateboarding will Expose my Daughter to Bad Things”

Skateboarding will expose her to far more positives than negatives and it will give her a passion to pursue above all other things detrimental to her health.

There are a lot of positive voices in skateboarding that promote higher education, mental health awareness, and addiction and suicide prevention. At the end of the day, skateboarders love skateboarding more than anything else and won’t pursue things that keep them off their board.

Tips for Introducing Your Daughter to Skateboarding

Here are some proven tips on how to introduce your daughter to skateboarding, including her first trip to the skatepark and her first time rolling on a board. Be excited because this is where the magic happens!

Little girl learning to skateboard with her safety gear.

  • Proper Safety Equipment: Just like anything with risk, proper preparation prevents poor performance. Remember, skateboarding is one of the healthiest and encouraging activities on the planet but it still requires beginners of all ages to wear the proper safety equipment.

    • If you’re a minor, consult with your parent or guardian before stepping on a skateboard and always make sure you’re wearing the proper attire. Leave the flip-flops at home, pick up your helmet and enjoy the ride.

  • It starts in your driveway: One of the most important factors in learning how to skateboard for anyone is knowing where to start. If you were to take your daughter to a skatepark before she learns the basics, she will be intimidated to a point of no return.

    • A great place to begin is in your driveway or local empty parking lot. Anywhere with smooth ground and a low traffic of cars and pedestrians. Really a sidewalk next to a grassy knoll is a great place to learn to roll in case she tips over and needs a soft landing.

  • Picking Out the Right Skateboard: At GoSkate, we cannot stress enough how important it is to pick the right skateboard for your child. There’s a plethora out on the market and many times you’ll think you’re doing your child a favor by buying a smaller board when in reality you are not.

    • The Penny Board is a great example of this, it’s smaller and almost appears child-like but it’s actually best suited for experienced skaters.

    • Rule of thumb, go to your local skate shop. They’ll tell you everything your daughter will need and have a better array of pink wheels, sporty grip and customizable options you just can’t find online.

  • Enroll in our GoSkate Classes: It might seem like a shameless plug but in reality, skate classes are a great way to introduce your daughter to the art and sport of skating by a passionate and dedicated instructor.

    • This article is really the tip of the iceberg in the knowledge that an experienced skater can share with your daughter–not to mention the sure amount of stoke and encouragement.

Have more questions or want to enroll in our skate classes?

We invite you to contact us to take your child’s skating to the next level. If you sign up for our skate lessons, our instructors will be there with open arms to catch them if they fall.

Learning to skate with others expedites the process and adds more fun. Find out today how you can help you or your child gain self confidence and maintain an active healthy lifestyle by contacting GOSKATE.

As always, stay connected with GoSkate by following us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest skateboard news and trick tips.

Either way, have fun and GoSkate!

Zane Foley

Zane Foley has been writing professionally since 2014, since obtaining his BA in Philosophy from the California State University, Fullerton. Zane is an avid skateboarder and Los Angeles native. Follow him on Instagram for links to his other published works. @zaneyorkfly