There Has Been A Rise As Young Female Skateboarding Thrives
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), an extracurricular course in the UK usually known for mountain treks and camping, also has the option to choose skateboarding as a sport. Who knew?! DofE stats show that the number of young women and girls deciding to take skateboarding in the past five years has increased by an astounding 800%.
A 2017 report shows only 37 women and girls aged 14-24 registered skateboarding as their chosen DofE activity, which now stands at 353.
As skateboarding is a male-dominated sport at all levels, it's a historic moment to see a new wave of interest from young women. This is going on to shape the sport's future in a positive and more inclusive way.
By the age of 17 to 18, only three in 10 girls would describe themselves as 'sporty' compared with six in 10 boys, according to a study by Women in sport. There are multiple reasons for this, with studies showing it could be down to self-belief and body image concerns.
So, the positivity around the increase of skateboarding seeing a rise in its young female skaters is obvious, and it's right to cause excitement too. Long may it continue.
