Skateboarding over 60 Getting and Keeping Skate Sponsors

I am not ashamed to tell people how old I am and never have been. I have been skateboarding for over 49 years. I didn't even think I would still be slalom skateboarding again for another 21 years. My OG Santa Cruz teammate Steve Olson told me that slalom racing has started up again and I should race. I searched the internet to see where slalom was happening and what board setups everyone was using. Got a hold of Henry Hester another OG teammate and he sent me a Nina Roe Racing deck that was named after his daughter. Fast forward to today next weekend I will be at the racing at the WSG Qualifier #1 Texas Sizzler XVII Mach 2 in Houston (Hockley) Texas.

A month ago I skated in Southern California and was stoked to get a post on one of my favorite websites Judi Oyama crushes it at the President's Jam in Poway . Thanks to my BFF Cindy Whitehead who posted my slalom skateboard racing video on her IG and Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word Movement is fiscally sponsored by Skatepark Association International a 501c3 non-profit established in 2002 who sent me funds to help me to go to Argentina to compete in the World Skate Games. I am one of 4 women that got seated to represent the USA.

All these years of skateboarding I have had long relationships with companies that have sponsored me since I was 16. NHS Fun Factory owned by Rich Novak has been there for me. Bob Denike just celebrated 35 years of being the President of the company. I am humbled and honored to have so many companies support my skateboarding for all these years. 

I have been asking for product and financial support to help raise money to get to Argentina and the other races. It's not cheap and I have other responsibilities like raising a family, and caregiving for aging parents. I feel super fortunate to have several cool brands step up and help. 

Yesterday, Lenz Arts gave me a check to pay for flight the WSG Qualifier #1 Texas Sizzler XVII Mach 2 in Houston (Hockley) Texas. I have been working in-house on marketing products and behind the scenes changes that the customers can't see but will benefit from for years to come. They are an amazing family and I'm working on updating the website, POS and other visual merchandising and graphic projects.

Keeping and getting sponsors takes time and years of dedication. You need to ride the equipment give feedback on what works and doesn't work so it helps the company with future upgrades or products. Never bad mouth companies because it will come back to you. I always tell people to never burn a bridge. Cindy Whitehead and I talk about what it takes to get sponsors and want to help mentor young up and coming skaters. We both worry that because skateboarding has become an Olympic Sport that parents will push kids to the point they will not love skateboarding like we have for all these years. 

QR code to video on IG.

A big part of my continued skateboard abilities come from working out 5 days a week at CrossFit Aptos. Staying fit and strong has made a huge difference in my skateboarding and life in general, thank you to my awesome coaches. Thank you for posting my video on your Instagram.

QR code to video on CrossFit Aptos IG. 

 

I want to thank all of my skateboard sponsors:

• NHS Fun Factory - my original sponsor since my professional skate career starting 4 decades ago!

• Santa Cruz Skateboards 

• Bronson Bearings 

• Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word Movement

• Lenz Arts 

• RipTide Sports

• Old Bones Therapy

• Sk8kings

• Catto's Graphics

• NHS Brands include: (Santa Cruz Skateboards, Independent Trucks Co.  Bronson Bearing Co. Mob Griptape, Creature Skateboards...)

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New Updated Shirt in the works. 

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