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3 Reasons Why Adding A Women’s Division To SLS Was A Smart Move

This year’s historic SLS Nike SB Super Crown World Championship competition took place October, 4 in Chicago, Illinois. Unique to the past several years of competitors was the first-ever addition of a women’s division to SLS. The women’s roster invited eight of the world’s top female pro skateboarders to the event: Leticia Bufoni, Alexis Sablone, Lacey Baker, Pamela Rosa, Vanessa Torres, Alana Smith, Marisa Dal Santo, and Samarria Brevard. Torres stated, “That hard work and commitment to the women’s skateboarding movement pays off, but there is always more work to do! To be a part of this milestone after being in this industry for so many years, it makes all the blood, sweat and tears so worth it.”

With the help of Kim Woozey, founder of MAHFIA.TV and VP of Marketing for Womens Skateboard Alliance (WSA), and Vanessa Torres, pro skateboarder and SLS competitor, Outdoor Tech breaks down the three key reasons why adding a women’s division to SLS is so important to the global community of skateboarders.

All Eyes Are on The Prize
What prize? The prize of promoting the longevity of skateboarding and its culture. By fostering the growth of new female participants, skateboarding develops an even bigger international scale. Regarding the new SLS development, Torres said, “It’s a monumental stepping stone in the right direction and a chance for us to be seen by all tuning in to watch. It’s an opportunity for us to keep women’s skateboarding progressing forward and really putting it on the map for future ladies of shred.” By including females in the SLS arena, it showcases the underrated talent that such leading ladies bring to the sport, something that is inspirational for any skater regardless of gender.

It Was Long Overdue
SLS was founded more than five years ago by entrepreneur and pro skater, Rob Dyrdek, with the concept of placing 24 pro skateboarders in a massive competition for the largest cash prize in skateboarding history. Also noteworthy is that SLS is the premiere pro league for street skateboarding, an event that women perform well in. Hence, the need for a women’s sector of the SLS competition. Kim Woozy made this vital point, “Street League has built the most legit event series in competitive skateboarding and the exposure and visibility that comes with it will provide the pro women with increased value—garnering further support from sponsors and exponential exposure from media coverage.”

It Promotes More Awareness
The visibility from this year’s SLS iconic move affects not only the skaters competing, but female skateboarders around the world. Woozy adds, “Seeing women skate at the highest level will motivate all the female skaters in the world to keep skating and no doubt spark a new generation of girls to get on boards.” The future of women’s skateboarding will continue to evolve into something greater with the help of competitions such as the recent SLS.

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