While the skatepark is not intentionally a male-dominated space, it’s undeniable that a majority of denizens are guys. And while the skateparks in San Diego are generally inclusive and open-minded places, that unbalanced gender dynamic can be intimidating. But that hasn’t stopped a certain group of girls from tearing it up at the park and the pump track, and they’re called GRLSWIRL.
Self-proclaimed as “the world’s okayest skateboarders,” GRLSWIRL is a women-led skateboarding collective that aims to create community and engagement within the skate community for women, queer and non-binary individuals. Consisting of chapters all across the world, the group organizes meet-ups, workshops and events to promote a safe space for beginners.
Sporting cruiser boards, loose trucks and a skate style akin to surfing, Alma, Kendra, Monti and Lyssie spoke to me about their involvement with SwirlSanDiego (the San Diego GRLSWIRL chapter), how they began skating in Ocean Beach (OB) and the music that filled the soundtrack of their skate journeys.
Hailing from North County San Diego, Alma says when she’s not skating, she’s taking care of her three chickens and listening to punk music.
“The Ramones are my fav [favorite],” she said. “When I’m skating, I really like punk music. Why? Cuz it’s f****** punk music!”
Alma particularly enjoys cruising, and before she accidentally left her longboard out in the rain, would rip down the 101 from Encinitas to Solana Beach.
In addition to skating, Alma likes to draw and paint, using digital tools or acrylics to reimagine her pets or the birds around her house.
“People call me the bird lady,” she said. “I get distracted because I’m always trying to draw birds. I like to go by Miss Hummingbird.”
Through skateboarding, Alma met Kendra and the GRLSWIRL crew. Kendra moved to San Diego three years ago from Boise, ID, after falling in love with the skating/surfing lifestyle she saw online.
“I saw the SoCal surf/skate culture on Instagram, and just knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Kendra said. “I packed my car and drove to Ventura, then surfed my way down the coast until I got to San Diego, and I thought, ‘This is it, this is where I want to live.’”
Kendra lived between Airbnbs and her car until she got a job in OB and never looked back. In search of community, she joined Babes n Boards, an OB skate collective adjacent to GRLSWIRL, before joining Swirl San Diego.
“I feel like the skatepark can be a pretty intimidating place, [but] when there’s 20 other women there holding your hand, cheering you on … they just lift the vibration of everywhere they go, they’re so empowering, so supportive,” she said. “Empowerment is what I like about them.” Kendra listens to punk and surf rock when she skates. “[Punk and surf rock] embodies having a good time and not caring what other people think about you. And I skate better when I’m in that mindset, too.” Not caring what people think is essential to Kendra’s skate philosophy, but also the way she interacts with art.
In 2023, Kendra released her first book of poems, “Even The Yellow Bird Dies Alone,” inspired by the works of Kate Chopin and the Brontë sisters.
“I love literature that gives full justice to the human experience, and isn’t afraid to say what people don’t want to hear,” she said. “Skateboarding is the same mindset. Who cares what people think? Just commit.”
One of Kendra’s favorite bands is the Australian surf rock band Hockey Dad, which is how she bonded with Monti. The two met at a Swirl San Diego event and bonded over their shared affinity for the group. Like Kendra, Monti came to San Diego chasing the surf/skate lifestyle. Hailing from Newcastle, Australia, Monti surfed for a few years before picking up skateboarding, but has been hooked ever since.
“San Diego is just the perfect place for it,” she said. “There’s nowhere better to do both.”
Monti started skating six months ago and is self-admittedly still exploring what kind of music she likes to listen to when she’s cruising.
“I like a lot of things: Courtney Barnett, Jack Harlow, even Addison Rae,” she said. “That new ‘Aquamarine’ song is good! But, ooh, if I’m angry, I really like Rage Against the Machine.” Monti skates with GRLSWIRL because, “as a chick, being with a group is way less intimidating.”
Her friend Lyssie is also fairly new to skateboarding and learning through GRLSWIRL meetups. Originally from Boston, MA, Lyssie moved to San Diego because of how much she liked surfing, but has found that she might like skating more.
“The two are similar, carving is similar, but the growth [with skateboarding] can be a lot faster,” she said. “With surfing, it depends on the waves and you have to wait for them, but with skating I can repeat the same line over and over again and watch myself get better at it.”
She likes GRLSWIRL for the “inclusive community and the ‘meet you where you’re at mentality.’” She states she’s into folk and country, particularly Zach Bryan, The Lumineers and Dermont Kennedy. “I love ‘Let Me In’ [by Dermont Kennedy] when I’m skating, shout out to that song.”
So whatever you listen to, whoever you hang out with, whether you’re a boy, girl, neither or in between, somewhere out there is a group of skaters ready to help you call the skatepark home.
Kendra put it best: “It’s about having a good time and not caring what people think about you.”
You can check out Alma’s art at chicanahummingbird.com. Kendra’s book is available on Amazon, and you can learn more about GRLSWIRL at grlswirl.com.
Abbey Wicks 
Nick Hancock 
Spencer Gorka