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Lucy Adams’ Manchester Girlie Skate Camp Journal

Posted by: Sarah | Thursday, November 10, 2005 | 8 comments

Happy Girlie Campers!

etnies Girl UK skate team rider Lucy Adams sent this dispatch from the Girlie Skate Camp in Manchester, UK, where she was teaching girls how to skate. Check out more photos from the 2005 Girlie Skate Camps series in the Photo Gallery.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2005

Day one! The camp and day started with an early morning session at the Mancunian Way Park. We planned to go to Warrington all day today, but all the girls seemed to be so hyped to skate so we went down to the park where we met and had a private session courtesy of John, the park manager. It was kind of a free skate at first just to see how the girls skated; we just all introduced ourselves and had fun.

Afterwards, we went to watch the Warrington Jam, where we saw some awesome skating. Some of the girls had a little skate there but as it was very crowded, it was like skating through the traffic to get a line!

MONDAY, AUG. 1, 2005

We started off with a private session under the bridge again, which was perfect for getting some good skating in. All the girls were really motivated after seeing the Skate Jam at Warrington and it really showed today! Katie, Rachel, Remmi and Emma could already drop in so they became part of the more advanced group, which would work more on tricks and stunts during the week. Those girls who were only just beginning on a skateboard would be learning more of the basics such as stance, pushing and getting used to the ramps.

Dinner was enjoyed by all along the “Curry Mile,” a famous strip in Manchester filled with the finest Indian cuisine.

TUESDAY, AUG. 2, 2005

Again we started at Mancunian Way. The girls Ben was instructing were beginning to make kickturns on the banks and many were riding to fakie on the transitions! Most in my group were well into ollieing and were stoked on learning frontside kickturns and backside kickturns on the big quarter pipe.

After an ace session, we headed up to Platt Fields Park. Since the weather was good today and the girls were enjoying skating so much, we got started with skating straight away. The girls loved it, as it was somewhere new to practice those skills that they had been learning at the previous park.

With a helping hand from the local supermarket, a lunch break was in order. Reenergized, the girls had another hour or so of fine skating. Lucy, Allie, Mira, Nichola, Sam and Katrin all were battling it out to pump the mini ramp. Legs became tired and faces and shoulders were becoming increasingly red from the sun, so skating was over for the day!

The rest of the afternoon was spent chilling out in town; some shopped and others just stuck to window shopping.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3, 2005

Early start at Warrington! Ben and I arrived a bit early to sweep the puddles as unfortunately it had been raining the night before; but with some sunshine and a bit of wind, the park dried up in no time. Everyone enjoyed skating the park in its less chaotic state. The girls were trying to make linked turns using the bowled corners and others were dropping in on all sorts. Rachel was the first to drop the big quarter and that deserved much respect! Another notable incident was when Outi from Finland slammed on her head. Much respect to her also for not only taking such a slam, but being a soldier and still smiling.

The skate was followed by some lunch courtesy of Morrison’s supermarket and then we went on a trip to A4. This is the UK distributor of etnies, and a big thanks to Anne and everyone at A4 for accommodating us.

THURSDAY, AUG. 4, 2005

The day began with our private session at Mancy Way. Bones were aching today after all the skating that had been going down, but all the girls were psyched to master the drop-ins. Emma made a rad frontside boardslide on the rail. After quite a short skate we decided to head over to Stockport and skate Bones Skate Park. Lunch was eaten at the station and everyone boarded for a short train journey to Stockport. Everyone had an excellent session at Bones, and more than half of the group got to drop in even if it was with one helping hand. Others enjoyed pumping on the ramp. Mira and Nichola even reached the coping!

After what turned out to be a long day’s skate, everyone went back to chill out at the hotel and get some more well-deserved food and drinks. Emma and I felt that we had more skating left in us and went on a little mission of our own. This turned out to be a three hour trip to skate for 45 minutes, but it was all worth it as the skate park was super cool!

FRIDAY, AUG. 5, 2005

Final day of the Girlie Skate Camp in Manchester! After such a cool day yesterday, we decided to cruise back over to Bones—a decision that was also swung due to the rainy weather. Everyone wanted to drop in again and the small ramps made it a dream come true! By the end of the session everyone had dropped in, some with one hand of help from Ben or me.

After Bones, we headed back to the city to catch the éS Game of Skate. It was fun to see it and bet on who would win. After that, we all went back to the hotel to get dressed up for the final evening. We all enjoyed the dinner together and reflections were made on the great week we all had. After dinner we all hit a cool club at which Ben was DJing—a great night to end a great week!

I would like to say a big thanks to Girlie Camps for giving me the opportunity to be there, to all the girls who took part and made it such a fun week, to Ben for being a great instructing partner and to etnies Girl for helping to make this happen!

Peace,
Lucy Adams