This club opens 'a whole new world' for female skateboarders

On Sunday evenings, the halls of Glace Bay's Undercurrent Youth Centre echo with the sounds of pop music, enthusiastic cheers, and skateboards rolling up ramps.

It all began a year ago when four Cape Breton, N.S., women set out to change the way girls and women look at skateboarding.

Jill Ellsworth, Bailee Kennedy, Tessa Poirier, and Bree Steele founded the Shred Sirens,an all-femaleskateboarding group.

"Each of us in our own way were always interested in skateboarding but, especially here in Cape Breton, it's definitely a male-dominated activity," said Ellsworth.

Although many male skateboarders were welcoming to the women, Ellsworth said being a newskaterand the only woman at a skatepark can make you feel self-conscious.

'A whole new world opened up'

That clearly struck a chord with other local women.

"The first night it was the four of us who showed up," said Ellsworth. "All of a sudden we were getting 13 or 14 girls a night."

The women spend their time trying new tricks on the centre's wooden ramps. Just making it across the gymthe first time can elicit cheers, while a tumble brings shouts of encouragement toget back up again.

Founding member Bree Steele has been skateboarding for several years and said the club expanded her love of skating.

"I don't think I'd heard of any female skaters until we started this. It was almost like a whole new world opened up to me," said Steele.

Carolyn Nearing, the mother of a seven-year-old girl who recently took to the sport, said she was surprised by her daughter's enthusiasm.

"I think it's really positive for her to see the older girls," she said. "They get better every week. They're very supportive of each other and it's a great positive environment for them to learn together without fear of being made fun of."

The skaters range in agefrom six to 40.Many said they've wanted to try skateboarding for years.

Intimidating the boys

For Heather Malcolm, watching her nine-year-old daughter join the club gave her courage to take to the board as well.

"Knowing she can push herself to do something she's afraid ofmade me feel a lot better going into something that's really male-dominated," said Malcolm. "I was terrified, but after the first day I felt really comfortable."

Malcolm wanted to tryas a teenager butfound the local boys unwelcoming. She said her experience with the Shred Sirens has been the complete opposite.

"I've never felt more accepted and comfortable around anyone in my life," said Malcolm.

They've visited other skate parks, too.

"Now we're pulling up in little groups and the guys are starting to get intimidated. They're not used to so many girls at the park," said Ellsworth with a laugh. "They're welcoming, but they are surprised, so it's nice to kind of break those stereotypes."

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