Cindy Gorset was a punk skater mom from Seattle, known for her smooth style, big pop, nailing inward heelflips, and maintaining a mohawk. Cindy skated the streets and parks of Seattle and Portland. She especially enjoyed skating Burnside and was considered a local.
In the June 2002 issue of Heckler, Cindy was featured in a piece called “Letters to Cindy Gorset,” where Cindy replied to her fan mail and shares some of her back-story. Cindy explained, “I started skating too late because my mom told me girls don’t skateboard and wouldn’t buy me one. I never asked my dad for anything just because he scared the shit out of me most of my life. My neighbors always had skateboards that I could borrow. I first jumped on a little plastic board when I was about 7. Just got on and started pushing. I could tic tac, do 180s and 360s before I knew what it was I was doing…”
Cindy obviously persevered because in the June 1996 edition of Thrasher a two-page highlight called “Damsels,” featuring three women skaters was reason enough for a buzz, even though it was such a small gesture. Cindy was interviewed and included in this layout, along with Jaime Reyes and Alison Lee. Cindy shared that she was open to skating with anyone who doesn’t call her a betty or ask ignorant questions. In regard to being a mom she said, “It’s fun. I like to ride with my son. He stands on the front and I stand on the back and push. He likes to go fast downhill.”
Cindy gave thanks to Crescent, her first sponsor, Janett’s Skate Shop, her family and friends, “and everyone I’ve skated with who showed me tricks.” The short spread was a godsend considering how limited the coverage of women skateboarders was in mainstream skate media during the 90s, and was likely cut-out and taped to bedroom walls across North America.
Mike Estes took the photo above of Gorset (with orange border), during the Burnside 14th anniversary skate jam in 2014.
In 1996, for the Seattle-based company STP Skateboards (Seattle to Portland), Cindy was included in their video called Rainy Daze with a short clip:
Cindy competed successfully at events like the 1998 All Girl Skate Jam in San Diego, placing 3rd behind Elissa Steamer and Jaime Reyes in Advanced Street. Within the January 1999 issue of Thrasher another feature on female skaters finally appeared called “Chicks With Sticks” by Wez Lundry.
Lundry reported on the 2nd annual All Girl Skate Jam in September of 1998. Lundry gave props to Cindy for placing third. Apparently, Cindy was stoked on her $250 prize and while she’s quoted as saying, “Now I can get that new tattoo I’ve been wanting!” I can’t be sure if that was just made up by Lundry.
Photos: Handrail are from Slam City Jam 2001 by Rhianon Bader and Lori Damiano
Cindy competed in street at Slam City Jam in Vancouver, placing 3rd in 1998 (the first year a female category was created), and 4th in 1999. Cindy also won “The Sound and the Fury” contest held in Seattle, several times (1998 & 2001) with a 2nd place in 2000 behind Reyes. Jeff Greenwood of Concrete Disciples reported on the 1998 event, and took this fantastic photo of Cindy! It’s noted that, “Cindy Gorsett who is pretty far advanced in her category, car rides and nollie hard flips gave her the win in this group. All the other girls ripped to!”
Photographer J. Rose provided a selection of photos of Cindy street skating around Seattle in 1996 and 1998, as well as a laid back grind at the Sound & the Fury contest in 1998, when she won. Grateful for these additions to the post.
In Heckler, Cindy shared with a fan that she considered ollying a hard, yet foundational trick. “Once you learn that you can pretty much land any flip trick as long as you don’t care about falling or hurting yourself.” She learned a varial kickflip before a regular, and an inward heelflip before a regular. Her friend advised Cindy that no matter which way the board flipped, “just jump really high and hope you land on your board.”
Cindy loved Burnside skatepark so much that she moved to Portland specifically because of it. “It’s the best place to skate in the world. There’s no other place like it… Portland also has some good street spots.”
The article is pretty hilarious, responding to inquiries about her dating status, and where someone could purchase her pro board. Cindy replied, “Just spray paint the board you already have, write MY name on it, and put a skull or something on it and tell everyone it’s MY board.”
Cindy also gave shout outs to “Crescent for being my first sponsor, Black Eye – my favorite shop to skate for since they only sold punk rock and skateboards (thanx Davey Rogers), Marley’s – my current shop sponsor,” as well as, Deluxe and Vans. “Thanx to all my sponsors for putting up with me, I appreciate anything I get for free.”
Photos by Lori Damiano (black & white was included in the zine Villa Villa Cola No. 6 in 2001) during a roadtrip with Lori and Faye Jaime on their way to the Skate Like a Girl contest in Olympia, WA. Cindy also picked up an autograph from Jaime Reyes.
Cindy had many fans and I hope she’s doing well!
[Update March 6, 2024 with special thanks to Kevin Marks at the LookBack Library for finding the Heckler article]
Here’s a quick clip of Cindy skating down in Portland by Joel Price:
Photos: Jeff Greenwood, J. Rose, Jeff Reed, Jimmy Clarke, Lori Damiano, Luciana Ellington, Michael Burnett, Mike Estes, Rhianon Bader, Wez Lundry.
References:
- Araujo, Liza. “Vancouver / Canada.” Check It Out magazine. Summer 2000 (5.11), p. 16.
- “Damsels.” Thrasher. June 1996, pp. 34-35.
- Gorset, Cindy. “Letters to Cindy Gorset.” Heckler magazine 55 (June 2002), pp. 34-37.
- Greenwood, Jeff. “The Sound & the Fury 1998.” Concrete Disciples (September 30, 1998).
- Lundry, Wez. “Chicks with Sticks.” Thrasher. January 1999.
- Mayugba, Sonny. “Oregon: the mecca of fun.” Heckler. Issue 45, November 2000, p. 53.
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