Interview: Longboard Skating Star Amanda Powell
Amanda Powell has been a longboard skater for over a decade. Not only does she practice all disciplines of the sport, but also creates many opportunities for girls to follow in her footsteps through her association with Longboard Girls Crew (LGC). Started in 2010, LGC is an organization looking to support girls in action sports through social media like videos receiving over 14 Million views, events with contests and free-rides, and international outreach. In fact, LGC has ambassadors in over 70 countries. They are also working to counteract popular culture’s sexualization of female athletes and are encouraging girls to “wear your scars with pride!” Today, Amanda can be found in sunny Los Angeles where she skates everyday in a plethora of riding styles including downhill, freestyle, freeride, dancing, racing, cruising, and carving. Smart Girls was lucky enough to speak with Amanda about skating, LGC, and creating more opportunities for girls like you!
Smart Girls: Which style of skating do you like the most?
Amanda Powell: I would have to say that, although I’m in love with all types of skateboarding, board-walking has always had my heart. The simple fact that it enables you to surf anywhere, and that there are no limits or boundaries on what lines you choose. Letting your movements flow out of your being however they wish, is incredibly liberating.
SG: Has being a part of the Longboard Girls Crew changed your skating philosophy?
AP: It has been a great privilege of mine to be a part of the Longboard Girls Crew revolution. Being involved with LGC has evolved many of my philosophies in life, not only skating. To be connected with skater girls in every corner of the world, sharing stoke and inspiration, fills me up with such positivity. Seeing all types of women — young and old — riding with both grace and intensity, is a constant reminder that we are breaking the mold that society tries to fit us into. LGC is a hub for encouragement and empowerment, and a celebration of women using their bodies as a vessel for exercise, fun, and creativity. Being so interconnected with this network of powerful women has fueled me with confidence and motivation, in my skating and in other avenues of life.
SG: Do you have any ideas on how to create more opportunities for female athletes?
AP: I think we’re in the middle of a movement and opportunities are surely on the rise for female athletes. More ladies are excelling at their sports than ever, and finally gaining a little bit of the respect they deserve. The struggle now is to make their talents more visible: what these females are doing needs to be seen! There are hundreds of cameras at any given event, but their focus on the women is seriously lacking. We need infinitely more imagery of women dominating, and substantially less representation of females as only ornaments to the male athletes. I believe that as our abilities and strengths continue to become better highlighted through various media outlets, there will be considerably more opportunities for female athletes to continue to thrive. We are well on our way, and girl power is growing exponentially.
SG: Of all the places that you skated around the world, where was your favorite place and why? Where has been the most challenging place to skate? Why?
AP: My favorite place would have to be Israel. Our LGC trip was perfectly planned, with fourteen phenomenal female skaters from all over the world and a talented production crew meeting in one of the most controversial places on Earth. I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the most foreign country I have ever visited, learning about the culture and its people first hand, rather than through warped media. Locals graciously showed us their coveted spots — glorious crater downhill runs in the Desert of Negev to diverse city spots throughout Tel Aviv. They gave us digestible history lessons while we roamed their captivating country. The most special part of the trip was the electric energy between us girls, it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Everyone involved is extremely proud of the movie Open that was produced of our epic trip there.
My most challenging trip was my Euro-tour in 2013. It was non-stop action, which was thrilling but also mentally and physically exhausting. We spent three and a half weeks touring in a van through the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, and Belgium. Our schedule was fully booked — we would drive for hours, get out of the van, and be welcomed by local skate shops and communities ready to meet, greet, skate, and celebrate. We barely had the time to get enough sleep to recharge for the next day full of adventure. This tour was an opportunity of a lifetime, so it wasn’t challenging in a negative way by any means. It was just an overload of culture, new friends and languages, and pushing my body to its limit every day for almost an entire month. I didn’t have a single moment to reflect on the trip until I returned home, so when I finally did, I took a whole week to contemplate and appreciate all of the experiences I had, places I visited, and people I met.
SG: What would you say to girls looking to follow in your footsteps?
AP: I would remind them to always stay true to themselves. I am always flattered when other girls find inspiration in the unconventional path that I have taken, it has been a wild ride! The journey I have been on has ways been lead by my heart — trusting and following my instincts has brought me to where I am today. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. For example, I love skating full speed down mountains, but if a situation feels sketchy, I pass. If it feels right, I drop in. Go at your own pace and be patient with yourself. Find some way to pursue your happiness, whatever it may be, and you will find happiness just in the pursuit.
SG: If you could tell young girls something about growing up to be a strong person, what would it be?
AP: Always remember that the world is a vast and malleable blank canvas for you to use — you can literally do anything you want. I encourage you to take risks, fall, bleed, pick yourself up, and keep challenging yourself. Wear your scars with pride, use your body every way you can while you are able. Grow and learn as much as you can while you’re on this fascinating planet. If something is pulling on your soul, pursue it. There will be some times you fail, but you can only progress from failure. Believe in yourself and be bold!
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What are some ways that you show your scars and be bold? Tell us in the comments!
Featured Image Credit: Gador Salis
