Changes are happening in skateboarding. And that’s a good thing. Not only has a big part of the scene become more open-minded when it comes to gender and sexuality, but there has also been a shift in terms of the inclusion and visibility of non-western skate communities. California is without a doubt still somewhat the epicentre of skateboarding, but still it seems the world is hungry for a change of scenery. Let’s face it, there isn’t (and has never been) just one skateboarding culture but a plurality of local scenes coexisting.For this piece we focus on the positive changes ignited by the growing womxn’s skate communities in Mexico. We reached out to Norma Ibarra and Olga Aguilar who have booth been involved with the scene and documented it widely, to have a chat about community, heritage and the new generation of skateboarders.
Interview by Maria Lima | Photos by Norma Ibarra and Olga Aguilar
Hi Norma and Olga! Let’s start by rewinding a bit. Where did you both grow up and how did you get into skateboarding?
OA: I was born in Mexico City and was around seventeen years old when I first saw some guys skating a half pipe in a community park in the city. That was definitely something new for me and it got all of my attention. Since then skateboarding has always been present in my life.
NI: I grew up in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. I moved to Vancouver, Canada, in 2009 but didn’t start skateboarding before the fall of 2015. When I was in high school I was into punk and saw some people skate but due to many reasons, like a strict and religious family, or economy, or not having skate shops in my hometown, I felt like it was not for me or just not possible. In 2015 when I was already living in Canada, I moved to a new place, that was one block away from Antisocial for work reasons and I decided I needed to try it and that’s how it all started.
What brought you to North America? Norma you currently live in Vancouver, B.C. and Olga you are based in Bellingham, Washington, right?
OA: That is right, my husband’s mother is from the United States, state of Washington, and we would come to visit her. Then my husband had a job offer to work here in Washington state in 2006 at first we thought we would try it out living here for a bit, but we are still here [laughs]. My youngest daughter was born here in Bellingham and my eldest already graduated from college two years ago.
“I do think it is more accessible compared to when I was first introduced to skateboarding. In the late 80’s it was hard to buy a board. There were no skate shops yet so someone would have to get it from the States.” – Olga Aguilar
NI: When I barely finished university due to going through some really hard times I needed a change. I wanted to escape from my hometown and the lifestyle I was living back then. One day my mom got offered an opportunity to buy an English course in Vancouver. It was a last-minute thing, I literally was given the news on a Friday and then left the following Sunday. My mom had to pay the course during a year that was taken off her paycheck and I really appreciate that.
Skateboarding is quite an expensive and privileged lifestyle that not everyone can afford when you think about it. I think it’s really important to talk about the organizations and groups who try to make skateboarding something that everyone can participate in. Do you wanna talk a bit about your experience with the development of the different collectives and groups supporting womxn’s skateboarding in Mexico? It seems to me like there a lot of momentum happening there right now.
OA: I do think it is more accessible compared to when I was first introduced to skateboarding. In the late 80’s it was hard to buy a board. There were no skate shops yet so someone would have to get it from the States. I guess nowadays you can get expensive brands, pricey shoes and whatever is in fashion depending on the kids’ interests. But in general, I think skateboarding, in comparison to other sports, is more accessible. You just need a pair of sneakers and a skateboard. You can go skate on the streets or hit a skatepark. More skateparks are being built in all of Mexico and we are seeing new groups focused on girl skateboarding to promote, motivate and create activities like expos, lessons, contests, and discussion groups. Some of these groups are Chilangas sobre ruedas, Ucanskate, Un dia de patinetas and Mujeres en Patineta.
NI: Since I started skateboarding in Canada, I learned about the Mexican skate culture at a late stage, but when I met the community I fell in love. There is a lot of talent in Mexico, but everything seems a little bit behind. If you think of the kind of support skaters get it is very little compared to other places in the world. That being said, Mexicans are super hard working and there are a lot of local brands created for the community, by the community that offer more accessible prices. There are a ton of women-led groups that are doing cool things, events, zines, filming. Some of my favourite groups are, as Olga mentioned, Ucanskate, Mujeres en Patineta, Chillangas Sobre Ruedas, Un Dia De Patinetas and also Bloody Bruxas who are based in Mexico City, Clitoris 13 in Guadalajara and HMO skate girls in Hermosillo, Sonora.
Are there any cities where the skate scene is especially going strong?
OA: I have only really been part of the scene in Mexico City, but I know there are groups of girls who skate in other states which are growing fast and eventually will become big.
NI: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Aguascalientes to me have some of the biggest skate scenes in our country. Most brands are based there and all the skaters who get support from brands mostly live there too.
In terms of accessibility is there in general easy access to skateparks in Mexico? Or are people more into skating street? I have a feeling there’s quite a strong DIY and grassroot culture.
OA: Nowadays yes, there are skateparks all over in major cities and even small towns are getting some sort of skatepark. Some are really badly built, but at least there’s a place to go. The DIY scene is something new. It’s just starting to appear in some states like Jalisco.
“It feels like a sisterhood and whenever I meet someone new it kind of feels like we already know each other.” – Norma Ibarra
NI: Mexico is really big. If you go to Mexico City you will have so many options, but if you go to a smaller city there might not be skateparks at all. I think there is definitely a big DIY culture in places around Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta, shout out to Build Ramps not Walls.
What’s something that you love about the womxn’s skateboarding scene in Mexico?
NI: Well, there is nothing like speaking the same language and understanding the same culture while also having skateboarding in common. There is such a special connection with my friends in Mexico. It feels like a sisterhood and whenever I meet someone new it kind of feels like we already know each other. Whenever I go back to Mexico everyone is down to go skate and film and get photos and I love that everyone just wants to hang out and it’s always the more the merrier.
OA: For me it’s the connection with my roots and being at the place where I grew up as well as the fact that, even with the social and economic issues, girls try to keep the scene alive and focus on objectives with a positive and friendly attitude.
How do you find it differs from North American and European skate scenes?
OA: Some of it is that it has not been fully socially accepted. The lack of security is another factor, you have to be careful in the streets. And also the support from brands is scarce.
NI: It can seem a bit behind at times. Like, in the way that brands are not diverse or women don’t get any support. And if they do get support it is not the same as what a man would get. There is a lack of diversity when it comes to who gets supported and sadly there is a lot of wrong ideas about what is fair or not for women skateboarders. But luckily the women themselves are uniting forces, doing their own thing and getting stronger than ever.
Are there any challenges that are specific to Mexico when it comes to making space for womxn and LGBTQIA+ people?
OA: Well, yes because the macho culture is very predominant in Mexico and it makes it hard but it is not impossible.
“This is a historic time and it should be documented as much possible. I feel lucky and honoured to get to capture that.” – Norma Ibarra
NI: I feel like people still lack an understanding of what diversity is and the old school macho ideas that still exist in everyday life of a Mexican person need to be removed. We need to create more safe spaces for women and the queer community in Mexico. I really hope I can bring some of my friends from other countries to Mexico City to inspire the queer community in Mexico to skate and help create safe spaces for them as well as educating our community so there are more allies.
You are both amazing photographers and have shot some really beautiful pictures of womxn’s skate communities south of the U.S. border. Why is it important to you to document the faces and lives of these skateboarders?
NI: I want everyone in the future to see the amazing talent and people that are present in our community. This is a historic time and it should be documented as much possible. I feel lucky and honoured to get to capture that.
OA: I am happy to take pictures of anyone skating when I’m given the opportunity, but yes there is a special motivation to document the challenges and achievements of girls and in this way also motivate other girls to start skateboarding.
Do you think social media plays a big role in getting these communities to expand and make people connect further?
NI: Totally, since social media started, I feel like it has helped the exposure of many skaters as well as reaching and inspiring other people to skate.
OA: Yes, definitely. Social media has been an important tool in creating access and getting to know other skate scenes all over the world.
NI: Unfortunately there also comes bullying and harassment with social media. But if we use it the right way social media can be a tool to create meaningful impact.
Why do you think people are starting to open their eyes more to skateboarding communities that are challenging the white, cis-male stereotype?
OA: I think it depends on which part of the world you are thinking of. For example in Mexico one of the many things we have to break is the barrier and believe that most sports are only for men. The macho, traditionalist culture is unfortunately still very present, but it is changing little by little. It will take time. Firstly, I learned that skateboarding is universal. It was something counter-current. That’s why we skated, we made new friends, learned tricks and learned that like most places yes, there is going to be discrimination. What we were trying to show is that skateboarding is all-inclusive in all aspects. It involves people of all beliefs, opinions, languages without distinction or discrimination.
NI: Because this is not only happening in skateboarding but everywhere. People are speaking up and fighting for equity, not just in skateboarding but all over the world. We all are learning that we have maybe been living the ‘wrong way’. People are tired of being excluded and marginalized and therefore some of them have united and created their own outlets to be safe, collaborate and grow. Movements like these are opening people’s eyes and minds and it is good to see. But there is a ton of more work to do. I hope we can reach equity for everyone in the near future. For now all we can do is continue to work towards that, to educate, advocate and collaborate with each other and use our platforms for the good of our communities.
Do you want to know more about the Mexican skate scene? Check out Issue 5 ‘Elsewhere’ when we travelled to Mexico. Buy your copy here.
Feature photo: Veronica Zamudio captured by Norma Ibarra.
