Lisa Whitaker, founder of Girls Skate Network and Meow Skateboards, female skateboarding inspiration extraordinaire, on how 25 years on she can still remember how her first ollie felt like the biggest accomplishment ever. Plus how the internet and social media has changed women’s skating and how you’re never too old to start skateboarding

I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, California. I was a tomboy who loved animals.

I had a couple swap meet boards that barely rolled when I was younger, but I got my 1st “real” skateboard when I was about 12 or 13. I’m not sure I could describe the feeling in words, but the fact that I still love it just as much 25 years later sums it up. I do remember the feeling of landing my 1st ollie up a kerb and 1st kickflip.  I really had to work hard for both and they felt like the biggest accomplishments in the world at the time.

I’ve always enjoyed skateboarding, but there have been times when I’ve needed a little break from it.