Article By Dr Indigo Willing

A collective of women-led skate initiatives and their community peers joined forces in Sydney to celebrate the power of skateboarding and social inclusion for their annual International Women's Day (IWD) Skate Festival held 14th and 15th March.

IWD organising group: Dr Indigo Willing (@respectisrad), Matilda Holman (@TilJune), Britt Traish (@2girlssk8) and Sam Whyte (@foenix.cruisers). Photo by Yujo Pan @yujopan

The International Women's Day Skate Festival Sydney, held annually on Gadigal (Indigenous traditional owners) Country, is the largest women-run skate event in Australia. The Festival is dedicated to empowering girls and women while also highlighting the importance of inclusive and safer spaces for all non-traditional skateboarders and allies to thrive together.

Turning up the volume to amplify different voices, skills and strengths in the women’s skate community was a key priority. Notably, the collective challenged stereotypes of ‘who is a skateboarder’, what we can achieve, and what we achieve when we all work together.

At the heart of the Festival was our efforts to truly reflect this year’s United Nations IWD theme to ‘Balance the Scales’ and the broader IWD one of ‘Give to Gain’. This year’s IWD fundraiser was able to raise $2,335 across three non-profits. Firstly, for @skateistan which has partnerships across five continents and over 50 locations, raising the participation of girls in skateboarding to 56%. Secondly, for @womens.girls.emergency.centre (WAGEC) who girls and women in crisis from domestic violence and homelessness. Thirdly, funds were also shared with the Skate of Mind project as part of the @bighart_online non-profit which brings skateboarding to girls and youth in urban, regional and remote areas.

The Festival Co-Directors all began working together in our inaugural event in 2025 and continue to collaborate. This includes the mother and daughter team Karyn ‘Kaz’ Rae (59 years old) and Britt Traish (33 years old) known on social media as @2girlssk8.

Britt in self-defence demonstration session. Photo by Kelly Ward @gigabell

Part of their motivation, for Britt, includes that:

“My mother I started skateboarding together 3 years ago and immediately noticed the lack of women at skateparks in our area, so it’s so amazing that 3 years later we would be standing at a skatepark where the women actually outnumber the men. This event is an important way to highlight what women can, and have achieved in skateboarding, creating a safe space for women and girls wanting to get involved and start skating, and finding people to skate with. It can help to not let prior stereotypes hold us back from doing what we want to do. Women are powerful, inspiring and capable of the most amazing things. I can’t wait to see this event grow even bigger and be able to continue to share our love of skateboarding and the empowerment of women within the skateboarding community.” - Britt Traish, co-founder, 2GirlsSk8

Kaz in self-defence demonstration session. Photo by Zoe Hyland @misc._media

Another co-host is Matilda Holman, an artist and founder of @TilJune, a creative initiative also with a particular focus on the visibility of women and queer skateboaders. Matilda explains:

“IWD is about taking up space. There’s definitely been a shift, things are better than they were, but we're not there yet. When I discuss this topic with women, even those who are confident and respected at the skate park, there’s still an underlying need to assert ourselves …Our space is still not a given. We shouldn’t need a strategy…it should already be ours. At IWD I make a point of creating a sanctuary for women. I take up space so they don’t have to. I stand my ground, I hold the line, I do whatever it takes to make sure that, for once, women and girls don’t have to fight for their spot…I want little girls to be able to show up, take their place, and be met with the same respect as anyone else, without question, without hesitation. And maybe one day, they won’t even realise that space was ever something women had to fight for at all.” - Matilda Holman @tiljune

Matilda with young skateboarder at event. Photo by Yujo Pan @yujopan

The festival’s organising team is also made up of Sam Whyte, founder of @Foenix.Cruisers, a Sydney-based queer-led and women’s skate collective with an emphasis on meet-ups, fundraising, mental health, and well-being. Sam states that the IWD event aligns with Foenix’s values in how it offers girls and women an opportunity:

“To connect, heal, and empower women through skateboarding and community. Bringing together our community of female skateboarders and roller skaters for the second year was powerful. It celebrated their boldness, passion, and reminded us all that we belong in the skate space…We’re also investing in the next generation - showing young girls the physical and emotional power of skating, while welcoming them into a community built on support, love, and empowerment. And with our co-hosts presenting workshops like self-defence and art stations it gives us practical skills to stay safe while amplifying our creativity - skills that ground us in confidence, safety, and creative power. Most of us started out feeling alone or intimidated. That’s why Foenix, alongside the other coorganising groups and co-hosts Dr Indigo Willing (@respectisrad), Matilda Holman (@tiljune), and Britt Traish (@2girlsSk8), this event exists - to make sure no one starts alone and every woman and girl feels supported from day one, so we can all rise together.” - Sam Whyte, Founder @Foenix.Cruisers

Sam Whyte, founder of Foenix Cruisers. Photo by Yujo Pan @yujopan.

It is an honour to also be on the team as IWD Festival Co-Director, bringing @RespectisRad (with Evie Ryder and Miljana Mijevic) on board as one of the Co-Hosts, as the Co-Chair for the Advisory Board of @Skateistan, and as the leader at @skatecerlab. As a skateboarder who is almost 55, I feel:

“It’s always an empowering and beautiful thing to see so many new groups and faces keep joining the movement to celebrate and increase the participation of women and all genders in skateboarding. I’ve been a co-organiser of various skateboarding events for over ten years now. We make a difference every time we enter the skatepark, support all these initiatives, have a go, share good energy, and show how we are all a part of a big, diverse community. Now in our second year with the Sydney IWD event, I’m so proud of this new generation of leaders. We are all part of a tradition of badass change-making, started by so many passionate and brilliant women before all of us, like Cara-Beth Burnside, Mimi Knoop, Esther Godoy, Lisa Whittaker, Alex White and Kristin Ebeling and also Claudia and Chantelle and others in the early days to now. Each of our own unique contributions builds a welcome sign for all skateboarders today and a foundation that will benefit the next generation again.” - Dr Indigo Willing, Co-Founder @respectisrad

Dr Indigo Willing in the 50s and over division of the IWD skate jam. Photo by Zoe Hyland @misc._media.

Our event partners included Totem Skateboarding @totemskateboarding led by Nige Cameron who provided our friendly and supportive women skate coaches Claudia Stranger, Felicity Turner and Chantelle. Their reflections combined emphasise how important it is for girls to have role models in skateboarding:

“It was honestly such a special event to be part of. Growing up I always felt like the only girl at the skatepark, just wishing there were more girls to skate with. So seeing something like this come together—women and girls skating, painting, eating, just hanging out together—felt really full circle. Big love to Bighart,Totem, Foenix, Respect is Rad, 2Girls Sk8, Saltera and Til June’s skate crew and everyone else who made it happen. I started Girls Skate Sydney many moons ago to help grow the community, and it’s so good to see more events and spaces like this coming through now” -Claudia Stanger, Skate coach @claudiastranger93

Claudia Stanger at the registration desk. Photo by Dr Indigo Willing @goodwillinhunting.

“As a young girl skateboarder I would think that boys and girls should be treated equally, I could never really understand why there were all these events highlighting females. I was lucky enough to have lots of boy skate mates that never treated me differently. Having grown up I now understand the importance of creating safe spaces for women to feel welcome and be their authentic selves. It is crucial to recognise the hard work and triumph from the women before us, as they have paved the way. I am honoured to be a part of a group of strong women who facilitate these events, making a massive impact and supporting young girls.” - Felicity ‘Flic’ Turner, World competition skateboarder and Skate Coach, Totem Skateboarding.

Felicity Turner in the learn to skate session. Photo by Zoe Hyland @misc._media.

“This is what it’s all about… having fun skateboarding! The skate park can be an intimidating place for all beginners, let alone for women trying to find their place in a traditionally male-dominated space. It was special to see so many ladies and girls go from standing sheepishly on the sidelines to owning the skate park with huge smiles on their faces. Events like these exist to teach everyone that girls belong at the skate park and that we’ve got each other’s backs.” - Chantelle Bartolo @diablocanyon2, Skate Coach, Totem Skateboarding.

Chantelle Bartolo @diablocanyon2 at the learn to skate session. Photo by Zoe Hyland @misc._media.

The involvement of Totem was also done with the support of Big H’Art ‘s Skate of Mind sponsorship at @bighart_online. Chris Donoghue from Big H’Art states:

“The important connecting and community-making work that we've seen take place around women's skating can't be overstated. Big hART's Skate of Mind events have embraced the initiative exemplified by movements like Grlswirl and now IWD Skate Festival by curating 'Girls Only' events that have drawn an overwhelming community response, demonstrating that the need exists everywhere. Girls want to access and feel safe and included in their local skateparks and communities.” Chris Donoghue from Big H’Art.

Participants Debora Luna @unaemfases and Charlotte Wensson @charlotteswensson in the ‘Fun Games’ skate session. Photo by Zoe Hyland @misc._media

We also had support for our film and panel event by Golden Age Cinema @ourgoldenage. Day 1 of the Festival kicked off with Together We Rise, presented a film and panel event. There was a screening of ‘Blossom: Growing a Healthy Skate Scene’ by Rollendas Minas and Consent is Rad followed by the Academy Award-winning film ‘Learning to Skate in a War Zone (If You’re a Girl) about Skateistan.

‘Together We Rise’ event. Photo by @alanis.k.photography

The films were followed by a panel chaired by Cindy Thach, the Business & Events Director of the event partner Golden Age Cinema. Cindy describes how, for her:

“It was an honour to moderate the 2026 International Women’s Day Screening and Panel at Golden Age Cinema. The morning brought together skateboarders, business owners, researchers and human rights advocates, each sharing the challenges and wins they’ve experienced as women leading in their fields. The screening of Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) echoed these conversations, highlighting the power of community, education and skateboarding as tools for empowerment across borders. It was a reminder that real progress is collective, and that pushing forward together (both on and off the board) remains essential.” - Cindy Tach @cinthepisces (@ourgoldenage)

‘Together We Rise’ Film and Panel Co-Organisers Dr Indigo Willing, Cindy Thach and Sam Whyte. Photo by @alanis.k.photography

The panel speakers included Raquel Bouris, Founder and Creative Director of Who is Elijah? Parfum, Sam Whyte, Founder and Community Director of Foenix Cruisers, Felicity Turner, world competition skateboader and coach with Totem Skateboarding, Andrea Watkins from WAGEC and Dr Indigo Willing, Co-Chair of the International Advisory Board of Skateistan and Co-Founder of Respect is Rad / Consent is Rad, amongst other projects. There were also some opening and welcoming words from Matilda Holman from TilJune as one of the Co-Directors of the Festival.

Panel talk at Golden Age cinema. Photo by @alanis.k.photography

Day 2 of the Festival presented a full day of fun activities and activation spaces led by women to celebrate women, but open to all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The day began with a formal Acknowlegement of Country, a protocol recognising we are all on the unceded Aboriginal land of the Gadigal People and Dharug People. Our MC Alicia from Salterra Surf then kickstarted the day and introduced the program, plus all the co-hosts and sponsors. Alicia describes how she was proud to:

“Be part of something so special, and to witness women come together to create a safe and welcoming environment was incredibly inspiring. I started my surf and skate group for this exact reason, and it reinforces why events like this matter. There’s still a clear lack of space for women in these environments, but when we come together, we create something powerful. It was amazing to see so many women, and men, show up to support and lift each other up. The energy, laughter, and sense of community made it really unforgettable.” - Alicia. IWD MC. Founder @salterra.surf

MC Alicia from Salterra Surf Skate Group. Photo by Zoe Hyland @misc._media.

Opening speeches. Photo by Yujo Pan @yujopan.

Key activities included a warm-up session with Shantelle Ekermans, beginner skate coaching with Totem Skateboarding, a self-defence class with 2 Girls Sk8, a chill zone and art zone by Til June and Jane Gillings, live music by Lauren Coleman and DJ Hana Frogoso. After a catered lunch of Vietnamese food sponsored by an iconic Vientmaese restaurant Lady Chu we held our annual ‘Fun Games’ facilitated by Respect is Rad, where prizes are awarded for beginner tricks on flat ground such a limbo dancing, a roller skating demonstration by Madi Quail, then concluding the skate day event with a bowl jam judged by Totem with Chantelle as MC that included an under 16s, opens, allies and over 50s division. Singer Lauren and artist Jane Gillings explain why they volunteered their time:

“As a woman who is an artist in the alternative and heavy space, I am no stranger to the power of representation and inclusivity and the lasting impact of it across generations. I would never have been able to do the things I have done without the powerful women who walked before me. They walked, so that I could run at full force. This is the power of community and inclusivity, we’re showing young women that they can do anything - because for so long we were told we can only be in a certain box. F*ck that. Events like these can truly provide life-changing perspective. I know this, because it happened to me. If it weren’t for female-centric events like this, I would not be the artist I am today.” - Lauren Coleman, Singer @lurking.lemons

Lauren Coleman @lurking.lemons singing at the IWD skate day. Photo by Yujo Pan @yujopan.

“As a 60+ year-old skater, I’ve spent more than 20 years trying to find women like me to skate with. I found an amazing crew in the USA and have skated with them over the years, but for obvious reasons that’s not particularly convenient or financially sustainable. I’ve met women here and there who skate, but many don’t continue…It’s far more fun with a crew to encourage you and hype you up at the park, especially when you’re often surrounded by boys and men. All-women groups like Foenix, and Grlswirl, and events like the IWD skate day with 2 Girls Sk8, Til June and Respect is Rad as well, give me hope that I can keep skating with confidence and enjoy the camaraderie of other women when I need that boost. It just feels different—in the best way.” - Jane Gillings, Artist @janegillings

Matilda Holman @tiljune and Jane Gillings @janevgillings in the ‘catermaran’ race in the Fun Games session. Photo by Zoe Hyland @misc._media

DJ Hana Fragoso. Photo by Yujo Pan @yujopan.

Madi Quail @madiquail held a roller-skating demo. Photo by Yujo Pan @yujopan.

Volunteers from WAGEC: Caitlin, Veronica and Ming. Photo by Dr Indigo Willing @goodwillinghunting.

Miriam enjoying spraypainting on grip tape a Consent is Rad @respectisrad stencil, one of many this year at the art station. Photo by Indigo Willing @goodwillinghunting.