The Mighty Mighty and Nike SB’s Girls Night

Finding expression, freedom and peace through the art of rolling sideways

Since the craze days of 1970s, when everyone had a skateboard, female skateboarders have been few and far between, but in the last few years the scene has radically changed. Skateboarding is increasing its evolution as a more diverse group take to the streets, the parks and into competitions globally to express themselves through skating. 

Our counter-culture magazine Huck has been celebrating the diverse skate scene for years. From platforming female skateboard pros Lacey Baker and Nora Vasconcellos to women using skateboarding as a platform to challenge social norms such as Stef Nurding and Rae Smith. 

With Nike SB, TCO’s events specialists, The Mighty Mighty, are adding fuel to the women’s skate scene. Since 2017, we have been running a monthly ‘Girls Night’ in various London locations. We open skateparks to women of all ages and abilities for free skateboarding and tuition alongside a supporting activity. Photography, yoga, art and design and skatepark construction have all featured in this safe space for female skaters. 

Each monthly session sees growing numbers of young women connecting with like-minded people, united in the shared emotions made accessible through the Swoosh.

“I’d never considered that skateboarding could be for me because I wasn’t already part of it, but going to the Girls Night events has changed my perception. There's a very welcoming and encouraging atmosphere and it is really open to anyone who wants to pick up a board and drop in.” says Terese

Nike SB and Mighty Mighty are part of a growing movement valuing the power of sport to advance girls’ and women’s rights. Plan International’s Champions of Change programme uses football as a vehicle for challenging harmful gender stereotypes, engaging boys and girls as well as their parents. The UK-wide campaign, This Girl Can, celebrates girls and women getting fit, breaking down traditional concepts of what sport is and who does it. Even the UN has declared the 6th of April as International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. 

For whatever reason you engage, get your monthly hit of expression, freedom and peace with Mighty Mighty and Nike SB at BaySixty6. The next session is on the 2nd of August at BaySixty6 skatepark in West London, from 19:30. See you there.

Photo credit - Jenna Selby