Participant Alex Castro wore a pink helmet to a Girls-SK8 meetup. Girls-SK8 Founder Paula MacDonald (center), and instructor/skater Syd Cantrell (right) assist participants at the skatepark.
Photo by Becca McCoy
Paula MacDonald bought her first complete skateboard in 2022.
At the age of 53.
She’d recently seen the Tony Hawk documentary Until the Wheels Fall Off and was harkened back to her own childhood in the 1980s, when she was a competitive BMX dirt bike racer. MacDonald remembered the shoe company Vans bringing a half pipe to the BMX tracks.
“There were some kids that would travel along and do demonstrations before the races and I thought, ‘Wow that is really cool, I would love to try that one day’,” said MacDonald. But, bicycling was her passion at that point. “I never really did anything much more with the skateboard other than just ride it in a straight line.”
What struck her while watching the documentary, besides Hawk’s longevity and persistence in the sport, was his joy doing it.
“I kept thinking to myself, ‘Yeah, I really want to try this’,” she said.
She went to Anchor Skate Supply, bought a board, and started taking lessons.
Paula MacDonald went to Anchor Skate Supply, bought a board, and started taking lessons.
Photo by Becca McCoy
Skateboarding is a solitary sport, but one done in a community. You alone coast – or fly – but you become part of a culture that is sport, skill, art, and lifestyle. Socializing and developing relationships are especially fulfilling aspects of skateboarding. While female participation has grown exponentially in the last decade, it can still be a challenging world for women to enter.
“I’m just a beginner skateboarder, but I have a background in marketing and events planning,” thought MacDonald, “so I could definitely help plan [meetups].”
In 2024, she founded Girls-SK8 Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to getting women, girls, and nonbinary individuals involved in the sport in a safe, inclusive, and social environment.
Paula MacDonald bought her first complete skateboard in 2022 at the age of 53. Now, she is the founder of Girls-SK8.
Photo by Becca McCoyGirls-SK8 Florida
In St. Pete, meetups happen on the first and third Tuesdays, convening at Anchor Skate Supply and sometimes migrating over to the St. Petersburg Regional Skatepark, located in Campbell Park. MacDonald says her groups (there is a Tampa meetup as well) have had participants as young as 3, and some in their 60s. And, beginners are more than welcome, they are encouraged.
“Usually, the things that we hear are: ‘I’m very clumsy, I have no sense of balance, I’m really afraid of getting hurt,’ and yes, all those things are valid,” said MacDonald. “And you know, it might not be for you, ultimately. You know pretty quickly whether it’s something you’re willing to try.”
In 2024, Paula MacDonald founded Girls-SK8 Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to getting women, girls, and nonbinary individuals involved in the sport in a safe, inclusive, and social environment.
Photo by Becca McCoy
Girls-SK8 Florida has loaner boards and pads to make it as simple as possible to try skateboarding.
“Be brave to try something new. It is scary, and it’s intimidating, but it’s very exhilarating if you can work through those challenges,” she said.
Try Something New
At a recent meetup, Shannon Daly got on a skateboard for the very first time. She was visibly nervous, even though she is an experienced snowboarder and surfer.
She is confident on boards and in her ability to balance, “but concrete is harder than water,” she said.
Participant Shannon Daly with skater and group lesson instructor Syd Cantrell.
Photo by Becca McCoy
The evening’s group instructor was Syd Cantrell, an unassuming and effortlessly cool young woman who glides on a board like it is an extension of herself. She held Daly’s hand – literally – working approachably on the basics while cheerleading every attempt.
Learning to skateboard will take countless attempts. And that persistence is also part of the magic.
“Falling is as much a part of it as rolling,” said MacDonald. “You know that you’re going to experience failure, but you continue to get up and keep trying.”
Learn more about Girls-SK8 Florida and find a meetup at girls-sk8.com.
Looking for more things to do in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and the beaches? Check out The Gabber Newspaper’s full calendar of events.
Your donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. The Florida Community News Fund is a program administered by the Florida Press Foundation, tax ID #59-2449377, a 501 (C) (3) organization. All donations made at this link go to The Gabber Newspaper through the Florida Press Association, a 501(c)(3).
Please support local news and The Gabber Newspaper!