Mother's In Skating - A Mother's Day Special [2022 Guide to Skateboarding]
Skate Mum's Starter Guide for Mums Who Skate - [2022 Guide]
To all the mums out there - Happy Mother's Day, we dedicate this day to honouring you because we quite literally wouldn't be here without you!
When you picture skaters it's usually the baggy clothed stereotype of reckless teenage boys, but there's a new wave of skaters on the horizon. So this Mother’s Day we are shining a light on mums who skate, not only are they out there having fun and living their best lives but they are inspiring the people around them too!
Within the last couple of years we’ve seen an influx of female skaters - definitely due in some part to the Olympics and lockdown. We spoke to some Skate Mums about why they started skating and the overall consensus was that not only is it a great low impact exercise and an escape from their everyday routine but it’s also a great group activity for the whole family. One mum told us “My two sons were into their scooting, so I was spending a lot of time getting cold and bored at skate parks. I decided that I wanted to join in the fun.”
We thought we’d put together a Skate Mum Starter Guide for mums who might well be thinking of picking up some wheels. All the advice given was taken from other mums and skaters we reached out to for this article! We also have a small tribute to our Skater Moms here:
Do Your Skating Research
If you’re feeling nervous about starting it’s always a good idea to find out if there are any online girl groups near you. With increasing popularity and success we know there are alot of groups cropping up all over the place at the minute. A few of our favourites are @londonskatemums @gnarlymums and @shredyourfears - and all three of these skate communities are run by mother's. If you’re not finding anything local to you then @girlskateuk is a great source with lots of info for girls looking to connect with others.
Check Out Your Local Skatepark
A lot of local skateparks now run girls or minority gender nights; these are specifically tailored to inclusivity. We know being a gal going to a skatepark full of dudes can be intimidating - even though a lot of guys are really sweet these days and people always say “you have to start somewhere.” When skating with other girls, the whole atmosphere shifts. We spoke to Leicestershire Skate Mum Heidi about her local crew who said “I feel like I have finally found my tribe. I wouldn't be nearly as committed without my girl gang cheering me on. We celebrate all of the wins, big or small. And laugh at all of the many, many slams!”
Buying Your First Skateboard
Don't waste your money on a cheap and cheerful skateboard from a toy shop or a non-specialist store. We always advise going to a skate shop as they can give you specifically catered advice on your first set up, or you can custom build your own personalised skateboard setup. A higher quality set up will be safer, more reliable and easier to use. Poor quality components on lower priced items can cause issues out the gate and may stunt your progress and practice quite dramatically. Having actual skaters assist in your choice, like the ones at SkateHut will be far more beneficial with their product specific knowledge and recommendations. Our excellent online customer service team are available to advise 7 days a week and more than happy to talk you through everything you need to set up and get it ordered directly to your house!
Skateboard Lessons
If you're nervous about skating for the first time we definitely recommend lessons/coaching. Don't be shy about falling; most coaches are super patient and will hold your hand through the tough bits (literally!) Coaches can help break down mental barriers and anxieties we can all experience when beginning skating. You can find coaches at your local skatepark or through word of mouth - a lot of the mums we spoke to specifically recommended The Skate Retreat in Sheffield (with the fabulous professional skate instructor Danni).
Skateboard Protection - The More The Better
Pads, helmet and more pads! We always advise maximum padding if you are nervous about hurting yourself - there is absolutely no shame in wearing pads. All types of skating can carry a certain level of risk and falling is an imperative part of learning and progress. Unlike with our once youthful and bouncy bodies, understanding the importance of protection is paramount when picking up the sport later on - that broken wrist might not heal quite as efficiently as when we were teens!
Overcoming Fear
Don't be scared of being scared. A big part of skateboarding for everyone is overcoming fear. As an adult it's really good to do something that makes you physically scared now and again. We found the skateboarding community both online and in person are very supportive so if you’re ever really worried, encouragement is usually only a skater away! If you don’t skate with other girls around, you’ll also find that even the gnarliest looking blokes have also been the most helpful and kind in offering advice. Even though it is still viewed as a masculine sport to the masses, skating is absolutely becoming more diverse - these days anyone can pick up a board and start. No matter how young, old, or gender non-conforming you are, the skate community are ready to welcome new recruits with open arms.
Time Management
Being a mum is one of the world's most demanding jobs. It is very time consuming but there are a lot of ways you can fit skating into your day. If you start to really love skating you shouldn’t feel guilty about prioritising yourself, in the same way people go to the gym, even if it’s for 15 mins in your garden or local park. It's also a good use of time, if the whole family skate it’s another way to feel closer to your kids (if they are skaters). If you still can't fit skating in regularly, some mums have recommended doing HIT workouts that enhance their skateboarding core stability and balance exercises- for example different squats, jumps and lunges.
Mental Health & Skateboarding
Stress can be caused by a range of things and develop in many different ways. It is often the precursor that causes anxiety and depression. Being a mum is very stressful. You have to do and think about so much. We spoke to loads of mums about why they love skating and nearly all of them spoke about the escapism and freedom feeling they get from it. “when I'm skating I can forget about everything else going on; the bills, the kids, the housework etc. It's an escape from my adult life, it has given me so much confidence and a new identity since becoming a mum” and another mum said “I love how free being on your board makes you feel, and overcoming the challenges of skating increases your self confidence and self worth.” Skating has such a positive impact on mental health if it boosts confidence, helps with anxiety and gives you a proper rush of natural dopamine, skating will definitely nurture your heart and soul.
Most of the mother's we spoke to did not care about being the best, it was more about pushing themselves to do something they never thought they could do, stepping out of their comfort zone, inspiring others and their children to show them that they can do anything if they are determined. And most of all because it's fun…
