Inside Skaterpreneurs: Women Pioneering The Way

Skateboarding with a Passion

When we hear of the women pioneers and leaders of today, we often hear about women in tech, maybe women in politics, or women in finance. Rarely are we hearing of women in skateboarding.

Yes, women in skateboarding. The familiar image of men who take risks, rebel as a lifestyle, take no grief from the world around them, and create to survive? Applies to the women who love thrashing too. Coincidentally, these are all qualities of successful entrepreneurs. Critical thinkers, risk takers, creatives. We’re attracted to the sport for different reasons, though some of us may never land a trick, but the skateboarding community is appealing to women for more reasons than the commercial image of sweaty, shirtless, men and day drinking as a lifestyle.

A Film Ready to Change the Skate World

On September 1st, 2022 on the Blue Stone Stage at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., premiered a film called “Skater-Preneurs of The DMV: Women Pioneering the Way!” for all to see. Produced by Tati Kolina and directed by George Howard, the film profiles women entrepreneurs of the DMV skate scene, showcasing their work, their talents, their attraction to skateboarding, and their lofty accomplishments as pioneers in the community. This is on the heels of the success of Tati’s one-of-a-kind bar and restaurant in Adam’s Morgan, sPACycLOUd. Tati is a prime example of women entrepreneurs creating opportunities while paving a road for us to travel. Though initially, she had to pave a way for herself. Highlighting women leaving a legacy in the skate world, this film focuses on women behind the scenes capturing the lifestyle like Zareh Barry, and women creating safe spaces through fashion retail like Rachel McCall.

National Harbor’s Woman-Owned Skate Shop

Rachel McCall is the founder and owner of Brackish Waters Skate and Surf Shop. Her interest as a young person was fashion, primarily. Before she ever hoped on a board, Rachel was exposed to skateboarding culture as she worked her way to the top of the retail fashion and merchandising ladder in a local shop in southern Maryland. Knowing how supportive the environment was helped her decide to open her own skate and surf shop, furthering her efforts to serve a community that will always embrace her back.

Rachel has lent opportunities to skaters and women in the community throughout the area while managing her shop, and hires skaters of color who experience far fewer work opportunities for the culture that allows them to flourish without compromising who they are. Without hesitation, Rachel became an early supporter of Bearings Mag, and offered to carry the magazine at her shop, becoming my first woman-to-woman-owned business relationship since the magazine’s inception. It’s incredibly encouraging to go to local skate competitions and events and see women who are pioneering in the industry as successful and supportive entrepreneurs. Seeing yourself in others and them in you is truly beautiful.

Excerpts are written by Zahreh Barry.