Nine African Skating Communities Championing Women and Girls
Despite facing gender stereotypes, harassment and limited resources, communities across the continent are empowering women and girls to thrive in the world of skateboarding.
Skateboarding has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated sport, marked by its jumps, risks, and bursts of adrenaline. Despite the growing presence of women in skateboarding, especially in Africa, the sport remains largely viewed through a gendered lens. Globally, skateboarding is the sixth most popular sport in the world by participation, yet, according to a 2024 survey by World Metrics, “the skateboarding industry has a gender distribution of approximately 80 [percent] male and 20 [percent] female participants.”
However, communities across Africa are challenging this status quo. By prioritizing women’s experiences and needs, the following nine communities are providing the resources, mentorship, and support necessary for women to not just participate, but excel in the sport.
Dencity
Founded in 2020 by Blessing Enowa, this Nigeria-based skateboarding community was inspired by the desire to create an inclusive space for all skaters, with a particular focus on supporting and empowering women in the sport. “We offer a sanctuary where those who identify as non-men can flourish and feel empowered,” Dencity founder Blessing Enowa tells OkayAfrica.
Dencity also organizes events and workshops, and provides resources specifically tailored to encourage and uplift female skaters within their community. “We also collaborate with various organizations and groups to amplify the voices of women skaters,” says Enowa.
“Women in our community have faced barriers in accessing skateboarding, such as limited access to equipment and facilities, sometimes lack of support from parents, potential discouragements, societal stereotypes, and lack of representation.” To address these challenges, Dencity provides affordable equipment and hosts inclusive events, thus promoting diversity and value within the skateboarding scene, regardless of gender, background, or experience level. Enowa adds, “Our goal is to foster a community where everyone feels empowered to pursue their passion for skateboarding and where diversity is celebrated.”
Ethiopian Girl Skaters
“For us, skateboarding isn’t just a physical activity,” Sosina Challa, who founded Ethiopian Girl Skaters in 2016, tells OkayAfrica. “It’s a mental exercise that encourages individuals to overcome their fears. It’s about more than just mastering tricks — it’s about mastering yourself.”
Challa notes that young skaters face a range of serious challenges. “Many deal with stereotypes that make them question their place in skateboarding. They struggle with limited access to skateparks and often lack the necessary gear. Some face theft, physical violence, and sexual remarks from boys who undermine their progress.”
Challa’s team tackles these issues by creating a supportive environment that improves access to skateparks and gear through partnerships and donations. “In a society where women are often told what they can’t do, we focus on showing them what they can do,” says Challa. “This is where empowerment happens, one board and one skater at a time.”
Wheels n Fins
“The challenges women in my skating community face most is verbal and sexual harassment on the street before we get to the statepark, especially in cities,” Wafa Heboul, founder of Wheels n Fins, a skateboarding community based in Morocco, tells OkayAfrica. Her motivation for starting Wheels n Fins in 2018 was simple: “There were only [a] few women skaters where I lived. So one day, I decided to put a call-out on Instagram for women to come together for a skate session.” Heboul’s Instagram call-out was successful, and Wheels n Fins began.
“Many women joined to skate, from women who’d never skated before to those who are good skaters,” she says. Since then, Wheels n Fins has thrived.
GirlSkate Nairobi
GirlsSkate Nairobi believes in catching them young. In this community, young girls are actively engaged through various programs and events specifically tailored to them. Founded by the duo Jelimo Cheboi and Antoinette ‘Tonyii’ Apondi in 2023, GirlSkate Nairobi has grown into a vibrant community of expressive and free-spirited women skaters of all ages. “We organize skateboarding classes and workshops at Shangilia Skatepark and other locations, which are open to girls from as young as five years old,” cofounder Cheboi, who only started skating a year before GirlSkate Nairobi was founded, tells OkayAfrica. These sessions are designed to be both educational and fun, ensuring the girls feel supported and confident as they learn.
Kerril Ote, an adult member of the GirlSkate Nairobi community, in an Instagram post wrote, “Despite the ‘age as a deterrent in sports’ conversations I have with one of my besties every other time, it doesn’t stop me from trying and enjoying ‘extreme sports’ as hobbies. I ain’t no spring chicken, but these are my reasons for getting on the board.” Ote added, “Skateboarding has and continues to save my life. I also appreciate the support I find in GirlSkate Nairobi. The girls and the gworlies make a worthwhile supportive community.”Island Gals Shred
Island Gals, another women-centered community out of South Africa, is “creating a space where women are able to embrace their interest in the male-dominated sport — especially in South Africa — without feeling discriminated against or harassed,” according to founder Thato Moetanalo. “It is a space that allows for community and friendships, and where shared experiences can be learnt from,” Moetanalo tells OkayAfrica.
Island Gals’ services include hosting beginner workshops, and street skateboarding missions and competitions. Through these programmes, the participants develop social media and mentoring skills. Moetanalo says that Island Gals is most looking forward to their fifth anniversary. “It’ll be the most memorable event because it’s a reminder that every year, we are doing something right, that there is support, and that we’ll continue to grow,” she says.
Skate Gal Club
Skate Gal Club was founded in 2017 by surfghana, a skating and surfing collective based in Ghana, with an aim to connect and empower girls and women in Ghana through skateboarding. They organize free skating lessons, women only sessions, art workshops, and a “skate therapy program.” You can learn more about the vibrant community in the heart of Accra here.
Skate Smiles Club
Melissa Williams is not only the founder of Skate Smiles Club, she is also an Olympic skateboarder. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she was the oldest woman participating in skateboarding. In 2018, she founded Skate Smiles Club in Cape Town. For her, it’s really important that everyone enjoys themselves and are able to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Skate Smiles Club also provides coaches and equipment for beginners.
“I’d say the perception [around skateboarding] has changed a lot particularly over the last five years or so,” Williams tells OkayAfrica. “There are so many women skateboarding now and progressing really quickly. Perhaps in the past, people thought that skateboarding was just for men, but women have definitely shown the world that this is not true.”
Skate Smiles Club hosts a monthly women’s skate night event where everyone is welcome to enjoy a free night of skateboarding with other like-minded women. They also have their annual Shredzilla - Queen of the Park event, a women’s skateboarding competition in South Africa.
Skate Smiles Club is creating an environment where people can learn and progress in their own way. “It’s important for us that everyone feels they have the freedom to do what they want — that’s one of the many great things about skateboarding,” William adds.
Girls Skate Uganda
Founded in 2024, Girls Skate Uganda is a non-profit organization creating physical and social change in the community by “using skateboarding as a tool, hence promoting gender equality in sports.” You can support their goal by contributing to their GoFundMe here.
Girls Skate South Africa
In 2015, skateboarding coach Sharne Jacobs started Girls Skate South Africa by putting out Instagram posts inviting girls to come out and skate together in Cape Town.
Jacobs was inspired to start the community because she “wanted to see more girls at skateparks and get girls comfortable enough to skate in front of the guys.” A community organization operating throughout South Africa, Girls Skate South Africa has since blossomed into a diverse and enriching community for women, organizing workshops and events nationwide, “shredding for positive change” and “creating safe spaces for women in skateboarding.”
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