Dress to Skate

Stefanie Thomas

Hometown: Satellite Beach, Fla.

When did you start skating?

I was 12. I was always a tomboy and saw some kids skating and it looked fun. I bought a used board off one of the skaters near me. I made ramps out in front of my house and skated in front of my house, skated curbs, tricks off of ledges that were waist high.

Any skate idols?

Kris Markovich. He skates faster than anyone, and he’s gnarly.

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Pamela Brodowski

Hometown: Cardiff-by-the-Sea

When did you start skating?

In 1996. I lived out in the boonies in Temecula and there was nothing to do and there was one single skate park. I was a surfer back then. I think it was very intimidating being one of the only girls on a skateboard, but a lot of guys gave me a lot of support and they pushed me. I would say that a lot of the guys liked having a girl around--kind of a change of scenery.

Any idols?

I love Johnny Cash.

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Holly Lyons

Hometown: Walnut Creek

When did you start skating?

Probably in 1993. My older sister was going out with Wade Speyer (a pro skater) and I really wanted to get started. I ride pools and vert ramps now. I like cement pools best. You can keep flowing and the sound of the cement is cool when you grind and do tricks.

What kind of girl is attracted to skating?

It takes a certain type of female to skate. The fact is that 99% of females probably don’t skate once they get hurt. It’s somebody that can take a slam and it doesn’t bug them. You enjoy testing yourself physically and pushing yourself. I’ve broken lots of bones.

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Nicole Zuck

Hometown: Ashland, Ore.

When did you start skating?

When I was 18. Oregon is kind of a mecca of skate parks. Basically all of these skate parks popped up where I lived. Another girlfriend was like, “Come with me.”

Any idols?

Jodi McDonald and Cara-Beth Burnside were a huge influence on girls skateboarding. Cara-Beth is like the godmother of girls skateboarding, and Jodi was a huge influence for me.