Tag: Thrasher
-
Thrasher Interview
When the editor of Thrasher reached out and offered to feature the archive in an upcoming issue, I was nervous considering that, the magazine wasn’t exactly an ally for women in decades past. And while I don’t condemn the publication, there have been moments in its history that demonstrate just how fragile and insecure the…
-
Happy New Year 2025
Happy New Year! It’s 2025 and I couldn’t be more excited. 2024 was a bit of a rollercoaster, at least health-wise but it certainly ended on a high note. Plus, the sun came out briefly yesterday, so I went to the skatepark (rescued a bunch of worms in puddles) and found a small patch of…
-
Chicago Girls Crew
In 1982, Cyndy Pendergast wrote in to Thrasher with photos of her female skate crew from Chicago. Cyndy would go on to be a legendary skater from The Turf skatepark, competing and often beating the local guys in pool and bowl, and it’s thanks to fellow skater Marla Rainey, who preferred to be behind the…
-
Magazine Covers
When a skateboarder (and their photographer) discovers that a photo of them was chosen to grace the cover of a skateboarding magazine, it is a big deal worthy of a party and social media celebrations. Over the decades, this level of promotion has often eluded female and non-binary skaters which has meant that any cover…
-
Girls Who Skate 1995
In the early 1990s the Riot Grrrl movement, which originated in the Pacific Northwest was not only having an impact on young women who loved punk music, but also skateboarders and really any girl who was sick of being dismissed. Girls were ready to claim their space in subcultures, not just as sidekicks / girlfriends…
-
Cara-Beth Burnside: Part One
Cara-Beth Burnside is a skateboarder of legendary status whose presence and perseverance within the subculture has transcended decades. She has witnessed the highs and lows of skateboarding as an industry, as well as the shifting attitudes towards female skaters, which she helped transform. Considering the impact of her story, this feature is in two-parts, beginning…
-
Babs Fahrney
Babs Fahrney is from San Jose, California and lives in Santa Cruz. She was a skater in the 1980s and was included in Bonnie Blouin’s classic Thrasher article, “Sugar and Spice..?” on the female skate scene in the April 1986 issue along with the likes of Michelle Sanderson, April Hoffman, Stephanie Person, and KZ Zapata.…
-
Bonnie Blouin
Bonnie Blouin (RIP) and her younger brother Blaize (RIP) were powerhouse siblings in the east coast skateboarding community during the 1980s. While this entry does end tragically [*Warning*], the goal is to celebrate the life and contributions of Bonnie, whose presence in Thrasher was often the only positive portrayal of women, in contrast to ads…
-
Kathy Zatko
Kathy Zatko appears in the January 1989 issue of Thrasher, celebrating her accomplishment of being the first girl to enter an Eastern Skateboard Association (ESA) contest, which was held at the Brooklyn Banks in New York City. She placed fourth overall in the freestyle contest, and the photo of her holding her trophy is taken…
-
Mystery Skaters – Japan
I’m fascinated by the incredible progression of women skateboarders in Japan and only have a few leads from back in the day, in the form of mystery photos. First off is this kickass 1980s photo by legendary photographer Yoshiro Higai showcasing a gang of female skaters from his book Judo Air (2015). Who were they?…
Womxn Skateboard History 