Zines

Zines are do-it-yourself publications that anyone can create as a platform to share ideas, photos, interviews and rally community action. They became popular during the 1980s by fans of punk music, during an era without easy routes to communicate, like the internet, email, social media, or even cell phones!

Zines are an accessible format that have been embraced by many, as they are important for communities who have been marginalized by mainstream society, or even subcultures that have excluded those of diverse backgrounds. This might explain why Riot Grrrls were especially keen zine producers.

Zine authors typically encourage photocopying and re-production. Here are a few examples of early skateboarding-related zines:

Ladies Skateworld (1986) by Lauri Kuulei Wong (with promotion by Lora Lyons)

Push, Push Then Go! (1986-1988) by KZ Zapata

True Devotion (1986-1988) by Bonnie Blouin and Gigi Gits

Girls Who Grind / Equal Time (1988-1992) by Lynn Kramer and JoAnn Gillespie

Gunk (1991-1994) by Ramdasha Bikceem

I’m hoping to eventually include full posts with permission, featuring these zines from the 1990s-2000s:

  • Neptune’s Bride (1992-) by Asta & Ruth of Tucson, AZ
  • Other Girls: for rebel/skater girls (1994-) by unknown in Lynwood, WA
  • Foxy (1994-1996?) by Keva Marie Dine
  • Villa Villa Cola (1996-2000) by Tiffany & Nicole Morgan of San Diego, CA
  • Check it Out: Sk84Girls (1995-2007) zine turned glossy mag by Liza Araujo, Luciana Toledo & Ana Paula Negrao of Brasil
  • Bruisers (1998-) by Heidi in New Orleans, LA
  • 50-50: Skateboarding and Gender (1999) by Zanna in Portland, OR
  • Second Wind (2000-2004) by Faye Lynn Richards of Albuquerque, NM [#2 & #3 digitized]
  • Swash Buckler (2001-2002) by Narangkar Khalsa in Oakland, CA
  • Armpit (2002-2004) by Erika Dube and the Skirtboarders, Montreal, QC [#1-3 digitized]
  • Escape Winter (2004) by Rhianon Bader, Calgary, AB
  • The Lurking Fear (2005) by Meghan ‘Migzy’ McGuire
  • Idlewood (2009-2014) by Michelle Pezel of Antisocial skateshop in Vancouver, BC
  • The Skate Witches (2014-2019) by Kristin Ebeling & Shari White
  • Smash the Skatriarchy (2020-) by Amelia Bjesse-Puffin

If you are a zine writer or a collector and would like to contribute, please reach out through the Contact page.

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