Natalie Porter is a skateboarder and author, who uses herlibrarian superpowers to curate and maintain the Womxn Skateboard History (https://womxnskatehistory.ca/)website, the most comprehensive database of female skaters from the 1940s to 2010s. She has compiled a select group of skate stories into her new book, ‘Girl Gangs, Zines and Powerslides’, released in September 2025. This discussion highlights Natalie’s early beginnings in skateboarding, the challenges faced by women in the sport, and the significance of community building among female skaters. It’s a delightful conversation that highlights the importance we all play in preserving history and creating community in skating.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Credits and Music

00:15 Intro to Skateboarding Librarian, Natalie Porter

01:44 Natalie's Skateboarding Background and EarlyInfluences

03:36 The Importance of Having a Girl Network of Skaters

05:43 The Genesis of Documenting Women's Skateboarding

10:04 Initial Reception of Natalie's Book, Girl Gangs, Zinesand Powerslides

12:34 The Importance of Sharing Women's Stories

17:42 Highlighting Matriarchs in Skateboarding History

18:41 How Natalie Found Skaters Through Research

22:58 Historical Context of Women's Skateboarding for GirlsToday

24:10 The Importance of Sharing Heavy Topics

25:58 Sharing Lived Moments in Skating

27:04 History of the Girls' Meetups

29:56 The Role of Zines in Community Building

32:03 Role of Skate Shops in Connecting Girls and Women

34:06 Best Ways to Preserve Our Own Memories

38:03 The Importance of Legacy in Local Skate Communities

41:12 The Impact of Events Like Exposure

43:46 Celebrating Connections with Skate Icons

47:49 Finding Our Way in Skating Through Different Roles

51:02 Natalie's Return to Skating in Her 40's

55:52 Womxnskatehistory Website Archive

56:46 Work with the Smithsonian

57:29 Just Say YES to Opportunity

58:21 Where to Pick Up Natalie's New Book

59:50 Advice for New Skaters

01:01:13 End Credits and Music