Girls on Boards pushes for more female skateboarders in Halifax

Girls on Boards co-director Rosalind Beddoe is encouraging more girls to get involved in board sports like skateboarding. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic)

Boys often outnumber girls at the Halifax Common skate park, but a not-for-profit is working to change that.

“There’s spaces like the skatepark or the surf lineup that have traditionally been male-dominated or at least that’s the perception, and that can be really intimidating to step into for the first time, especially if you are doing that without a support structure,” said Girls on Boards co-director Rosalind Beddoe.

Girls on Boards started in Wolfville, N.S., in 2017, primarily as a stand-up paddle board group but has since expanded to include other board sports and recreational activities including skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing for girls aged eight to 18.

Right now, the not-for-profit is looking for female skateboard instructors to join its team.

“We’re looking for interested women who skateboard and want to give back to the skate community and teach girls and teenagers how to skateboard,” said Beddoe.

The group is looking for casual and part-time skate coaches and emphasized it’s a paid opportunity.

This is the final weekend of winter and Girls on Boards is gearing up for busy spring and summer. Beddoe said when youth get involved in recreational activities and sports, they tend to keep it up later in life.

“That has health and social benefits,” said Beddoe. “Anything we can do to get young girls and teens in participating in informal sports is our goal and the more the merrier.”

Those interested in getting involved can reach out to Girls on Boards for more information.

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