The Board List: Shaking Things Up
What do you really love and are you doing enough of it?
I’m just back from a wonderful few days at the
. If you don’t know what The DO is, it’s a space for ‘Ideas + energy = change'‘. The business covers everything from courses, to books, to the imminently launching Do Radio, but the annual jaunt to the farm of the founder David Hieatt is seen as the highlight. The location is their family farm in the depths of West Wales, staying in tipi’s, listening to inspirational speakers all weekend, mixed with sea dipping, sauna, great food and music.I was super lucky to attend, and whilst the (more commercial) goal was primarily meeting new people for my main business, the upshot of weekends like this is the opportunity to hear from others and think about what you really want from your own life.
I spent the weekend hearing founder stories that were so inspiring. Founders of health drinks created during maternity leave. A guy who is helping women world wide access more opportunity by giving them washing machines, short cutting what is an arduous existence of handwashing the families clothes. A woman who is transforming schools in China through the power of play.
It makes you keep asking the question ‘what the hell am I doing’, but I keep coming back to the same problem I’m trying to solve with Board Women.
Women reach mid life, and somehow we give up on ourselves. Lose belief in what we are capable of. Fail to prioritise ourselves beyond the many other life responsibilities. That’s what this business is about, solving that problem.
The Do Lectures has given me a little (positive) kick up the ass to get on with it.
I hope you’re in! Have a good week, I hope you enjoy the newsletter
Caroline x
Board Women Founder
Don’t Be Board
The Wave is Open Again! But, what really happened?
The Wave re-opened its doors this weekend, if not its online booking, as systems are still in array in the transition between owners. Great to see its future hopefully secured, but intrigue rages on as to the real behind the scenes story.
Interview with Firefly Oshenisis x GirlSkateMag
If you haven’t seen Firefly’s instagram account, it’s one to check out for her style, the way she mixes art, skateboarding, music and fashion, and her general f**k off attitude. Girl Skate recently interviewed her, check it out here.
The Relaxed Woman - Sophie Morris writes about trying the techniques in Nicola Jane Hobbs’ book
This new book by Nicola Jane Hobbs, ‘Relaxed Woman’ was sparked by a post she wrote that went viral in 2023:
It’s queued up on my kindle as we speak, but this piece by Sophie Morris explores trying the techniques and why we struggle so much to find time for ourselves (I’ve linked the free to read piece, as strictly it’s behind a paywall).
Nowness x Vans ‘iMILLASKATE’ film: The Cholita Skaters of Bolivia
I’ve followed the cholita’s for a while now, but I really enjoyed this latest Vans x Nowness documentary about them. It’s always interesting to see how issues that women in the UK face (e.g. feeling like yourself after becoming a mum) translate elsewhere, even though the circumstances are so different. This community of women are expanding their skate school into a social enterprise, tackling head on the issues of gender inequity in their country, and have recently received funding to build a skatepark to provide the infrastructure to do so.
Does keeping fit in midlife reduced your chance of dementia? Apparently so
Get on Board
London Skate Mums next meet up 11th July
You can almost guarantee this monthly meet up will be on a Friday I can’t make, I’ll get there some day! This crew are lovely, get along for a super supportive skate.
Surf Birds Collective Le week-end series August 3rd
Yoga, cliff views, post yoga swim, and a cafe meet up, who needs more?
Wild Women Skate meet up at The Hangout Newquay 12th July
The Wild Women Skate ladies are teaming up with The Hangout and Concrete Waves Newquay for an early bird session this Saturday.
Feralux Farm The Wild Garden Retreat 25th - 28th July
I’ve heard such lovely things about this space, check out their next retreat 25th-28th July - they sort your food, entertainment and space to stay, you just bring the skate and the enjoyment.
The Board Crew
I first met Dani aka @mumsgonetotheskatepark at my second time visiting The Skate Retreat (and then my third), but I’d known about her online pre then. Two weeks before I launched Board Women, which I’d been working on for about six months prior (endlessly tweaking the brand etc), the account @womxnonboard launched and I though “shit, someone’s doing it first!”. I soon realised we had different, and complementary aims, and I reached out to see if we might be able to partner. And then Dani and I sat next to each other at dinner at The Skate Retreat and realised who we both were.
She was one of the awesome guests that year, we all supported each other across the week, and Dani’s story of transformation through finding skateboarding really stuck with me.
When and how did you get into board sports?
I started skated age 40 after being persuaded to give it a go with a free adults coaching session at my local skatepark. My son was doing BMX lessons there, so I thought ‘why not?’ and loved it from the moment I managed to just get rolling on my own. My son no longer BMX’s but seven years on I’m still skating!
What do you love about skateboarding?
Skating is pretty much the only ‘sport’ I have ever really enjoyed. I think that in part is due to the social aspect but also because it’s something you can do on your own. It’s very much a solitary ‘battle’ - better with friends who you can support and give you some hype, but also you are overcoming fears and learning new ways to move your body. Obviously I learn slower than others who are younger and less fearful, and I have had to accept that. For me it’s a great blend of mind and body.
Describe how it feels when you’re on a board
I find it freeing. I learnt very quickly you can’t be thinking about what you’re cooking for dinner or whether your kid has done his homework etc whilst you’re skating. You have to block that out and fully concentrate on what you are doing. It’s nice to have time outside of work/family where I’m concentrating on a personal goal, which is part self preservation, part ‘I really wanna learn that trick’. That feeling when you finally get it is amazing.
What would you say to anyone considering trying skateboarding?
Don’t feel put off or self conscious. Join any groups/coaching/girls nights etc in your area (or travel if you can) - as you’ll find a wonderful supportive environment and meet many new friends, which will fuel your desire to learn - and build your confidence. When you’re ready, go to your local park - you’ll find that actually in most places the ‘bro’s’ of the park are just as supportive and happy to help as well. There’s a perception that women and beginners don’t belong in skateparks - but it’s all about respect. Learning the etiquette and ‘rules’ is important, and being aware of other skaters. Every skater started as a beginner. Often the most gnarly skaters are the ones most helpful in offering advice and even a hand as help.
If you want to find a supportive space, and you’re in the Hastings area, Dani runs a weekly inclusive night (girls/women/non binary etc) at Sourcepark Hastings. It’s at 5-7pm every Thursday night, all ages and levels welcome. I can vouch for Dani’s super supportive and inspiring style, get down there!
Thanks so much for reading as ever, we really appreciate your support!
We’ll be announcing our next digital event this week, on board sports and business. If you’ve ever thought you wanted to create a business out of your passion, make sure you sign up for our panel to hear how others have done it! DM me to get on to the wait list.