There’s nothing wrong with skateboarding being in fashion. If it brings this super fun pastime to the attention of more girls who might not have tried it otherwise then that is all good with me. That’s why even though there was some minor hating on the HTC Skate Park at Selfridges (along the lines of brands tainting skating’s core essence) my thoughts were it’s a decent park in central London, and it’s free, and they have free boards and lessons for folk that are new to the game. All good with me.

But there is one unfortunate inevitability to skateboarding being in fashion. (Aside from the too cheap skater skirts sold on the high street that were probably stitched together by kids in barely-standing factories who should be in school). And that is people wanting to look the part without given skating the slightest go. The worst example being this piece “Can you go from Vogue Editor to Skater Girl in 24 hours”. I know I know they need content to get page impressions to sell their ads, just like we do. And skateboarding is in fashion so they’d be remiss if they didn’t find creative ways to cover it but the concept of trying to look like a skater without getting any of the good feels that skateboarding will send your way is just so crazy ass depressing.

Looking good will make you feel nice for a few seconds sure, but doing a sport like skateboarding will make you feel awesome, a lot, on repeat, for as long as you’re doing it. Dress like a skater, don’t dress like a skater, no one cares, just don’t forget to skate.

Starting this Friday at this BaySixty6 Girls Night, all ages, all abilities welcome.

Bring it.

Need more convincing? This is what a girls’ skate night looks like. It’s not PE, it’s super mellow and proper fun.