Happy Birthday, Ryan Sheckler!
by: Brink | Friday, December 30, 2005
etnies would like to take a quick moment to wish Ryan Sheckler the happiest of 16th birthdays! Not that you forgot, but you'll see his etnies pro model shoe dropping in shops really soon.
Happy Birthday, Leanne!
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 29, 2005
We’d like to wish a very happy birthday today to etnies Girl snowboarder Leanne Pelosi. Have fun, “Party” Pelosi!
Meet Abby, the etnies Girl of the Month
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 29, 2005
- Photo: Mike Kirkpatrick/CMI Photography
Abby, our etnies Girl of the Month, has been riding motocross for a full third of her life. The 15-year-old Montana native started riding when she was just 10 and racing when she was 11—after spending a couple of years trying to convince her parents even to let her get on a bike. Her tenacity paid off, and it shows every time she races. We caught up with Abby, who lives with her parents and 17-year-old brother, Bo, to chat about how she got into motocross, the best advice she’s received and why she always wears pink.
etnies Girl: What are your interests?
Abby: I’m interested in lots of things. I love to race motocross. I enjoy snowboarding, dancing, shopping and spending time with my family and friends. Another interest of mine is doing anything that will help me stay in condition for motocross. Oh yea! And probably my number one interest is boys…Duh!
etnies Girl: What are your talents?
Abby: I think that I’m pretty talented at racing my dirt bike. I am pretty stubborn when it comes to trying my hardest at things. Before racing motocross I danced competitively. I enjoyed that very much too, and was told that I was talented at it as well. I even plan on going back to dancing next winter after the motocross season is over. It is a great way to stay in shape.
etnies Girl: How did you get involved in motocross?
Abby: It’s a long story. When my brother was about 10 years old, he asked for a motorcycle for Christmas. My parents surprised him with an old Honda CT70. He was crazy on that thing; it was made to trail ride, but instead he was trying to jump it. So my parents had to buy him a different motorcycle to keep up with his skill level. I was dancing back then but I always wanted to be like my big brother. It took me two years to convince my dad to let me try riding a motorcycle. He didn’t want his little girl to get hurt. Then my mom got involved and told him that I had to be my own person and if they were willing to take the chance with my brother, why not let me try it too. They bought me my first motorcycle when I was 10. They didn’t think that it would last but once I got going, I couldn’t stop.
etnies Girl: What do you like about etnies Girl?
Abby: The thing that I like about etnies Girl is how much they support women in action sports. They portray them as strong and talented individuals. I also like to see what the current styles of clothes and shoes are. I love my etnies and am always looking forward to my next pair.
etnies Girl: Why are you an etnies Girl?
Abby: I think that I am an etnies Girl because no matter how many guys say that I am too girly and can’t possibly race motocross, I just keep on going and pushing myself to be the racer that I want to be. The comments and teasing that I get just keep me wanting to get faster so that I can beat them. I also think that I am an etnies Girl because I spend time making the younger girls feel comfortable. I tell them that when I first started riding motocross, my family nicknamed me the “Wheelie Queen.” My dad spent a lot of money replacing my rear fender because it was always broken!
etnies Girl: What do you do for fun?
Abby: I like to do lots of things for fun—although in the summertime I don’t have much spare time because I race nearly every weekend, and when I’m not racing I’m practicing. I also try and practice every night of the week between races. Living in Montana, we have snow a lot of months out of the year. Sometimes we plow the snow off the tracks just to get practice or sometimes even to race. When I’m not riding or racing, I like to hang out with my friends. We go to the lake and shop a lot.
etnies Girl: Where do you find inspiration?
Abby: I find inspiration in a lot of things. My friends and family inspire me to do well. I enjoy reading about other girls who race and hearing about how they started out just like me. The other thing that inspires me is having friends who are doing what I want to do someday and watching them on TV at the big races.
“I wear a lot of pink…because I want the boys to know that when I pass them, they just got passed by a girl.”
etnies Girl: What’s your biggest accomplishment?
Abby: My biggest accomplishment has got to be going to the starting line with 40 other girls who all want to win as badly as me. This year I went to Washougal, Wash., and raced at the Amateur National race. I raced in the Women’s A class, which is the class right below the Women’s Pro class. I ended up finishing fifteenth overall, only because I crashed in my first moto and came from last to finish thirteenth. I then went out and got tenth in my second moto for an overall finish of fifteenth. I also finished third overall in the Women’s Pro class in Montana’s High Country Motocross Association series.
etnies Girl: How did you get started racing and what do you like most about it?
Abby: I got my first bike when I was 10 years old and started racing when I was 11. My first bike was a RM85 and now I ride a 2006 CRF 250. I got started because I wanted to be just like my older brother, Bo. He’s always there for me, pushing and encouraging me to do better—I don’t know what I would do without him. My brother also has a great group of friends who have welcomed me, encouraged me and helped me to train to go faster. They all treat me like I’m their little sister and it’s fun having them watch over and protect me. The thing that I like about racing the most is how much time I get to spend with my family while I make my dream come true. I also like how everyone is one big family at the races; even when you go to amateur events that have over 3,000 racers, everyone still treats you like you’re their best friend.
etnies Girl: Do you see yourself as a role model for other girls in the sport?
Abby: I didn’t realize how much of a role model I was until I saw how much it helps the younger riders when I talk to them and give them words of encouragement. Their parents come up to me and thank me for spending the time with them. They also tell me never to quit racing and that I make a difference in their children’s lives. One thing that is unique about me is that I wear a lot of pink—I do this not only because it’s one of my favorite colors, but because I want the boys to know that when I pass them, they just got passed by a girl. One day I had a dad came up to me and tell me that I cost him a lot of money because now his little girl wants to have her bike and gear in pink just like mine! I always make it a point to go and watch the younger girls and cheer for them. It’s great to know that I’ve made a difference in their lives.
etnies Girl: What things have you learned through motocross that has helped you in your day-to-day life?
Abby: I know that one thing that I have learned is how to stick up for what I believe in and go for my dream! No matter what people say, I just use it as fuel to help make me go faster. I’ve also learned how important family is because I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without my brother to push me, my dad to work on my bike and my mom to help me when I need a friend and someone to talk to.
etnies Girl: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Abby: I would have to say that the best advice that I’ve gotten has come from my mom. She tells me that the things that you have to work the hardest to get are usually the things that end up meaning the most to you in your life, and that just because things get difficult doesn’t mean you quit—you work through it because someday you will look back and realize that all of that hard work paid off in the end. She has always told me this because she believes that if you want a lot out of life you have to work hard for it.
etnies Girl: What’s really important to you?
Abby: Going pro is really important to me because it is the one thing that I want really badly. My grandpa was into racing cars and I guess that I just got it from him. He died a few years ago from cancer and never really got to see me race, but I know that he is in heaven watching over me and being my guardian angel.
etnies Girl: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
Abby: In addition to being a women’s pro motocross racer, I would like to be a model for action sports companies. I try hard to be an ambassador for the sport of women’s motocross, and I would like to help the sport grow as much as possible.
Abby’s Favorite Things
Place: “At home with my family.”
Animal: “My kitten, ‘Throttle.’”
Color: Pink
Hangout: “Any place as long as I’m with my friends.”
City: San Francisco
Song: “Reflection” by Christina Aguilera
Album: The “Mulan” soundtrack
Band: Rascal Flatts
Book: “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board” by Bethany Hamilton
Movie: “Tommy Boy”
TV show: “The OC”
Sport: Motocross
Game: “Dance Dance Revolution”
Food: Elk Steak
Candy: Candy Canes
Holiday: Christmas
Smell: Oranges
Hobby: Scrapbooking
Guilty pleasure: Chocolate
Athlete: Ashley Fiolek
Hero: Grandpa Dutch
etnies Girl shoe: Callicut
Be an etnies Girl of the Month
Would you like to be the next etnies Girl of the Month? Leave a comment telling us why you deserve to be the next etnies Girl along with your age and, if you’re extra nerdy (which we love) add a link to a picture of yourself. Make sure to leave your CORRECT (no funny business!) e-mail address in the e-mail field, or we won’t be able to contact you if you’re chosen. (Don’t worry, your e-mail address won’t show up in your comment.) If you’re feeling shy, you can also e-mail a paragraph describing why you should be our next etnies Girl along with a photo of yourself to etniesgirl [at] soletechnology.com, or send it to:
etnies Girl of the Month
c/o Sole Technology, Inc.
25422 Trabuco Rd., Suite 105 #235
Lake Forest, CA 92609
Don't forget to include your name, age, address and phone number.
Happy Birthday, Lauren!
by: Sarah | Tuesday, December 27, 2005
We’d like to wish a very happy birthday today to etnies Girl skater Lauren Perkins. Happy 17th, Lauren!
Enter the Clear Cut Contest by Jan. 10!
by: Sarah | Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Have you always wanted to be a shoe designer? Well here’s your chance! Enter etnies Girl’s You’re the Designer Clear Cut Contest by January 10, 2006, for the opportunity to have your design vision become a reality.
Here’s the scoop: The Clear Cut, etnies Girl’s brand-new customizable version of the Callicut, comes with a clear logo window and interchangeable “E” insert options, including one blank so you can create your own design. That’s where you come in. Download the “E” insert line drawing and start designing, then upload or snail mail us your best design. The etnies Girl shoe designers will pick their favorite five designs, which we will post on the etnies Girl Web site so our readers can pick the winner.
The grand prize winner will receive five pairs of the Clear Cut that include the winning “E” insert design and a head-to-toe etnies Girl outfit. The four runners-up will receive a pair of the Clear Cut and an etnies Girl T-shirt.
Remember, all entries must be received no later than January 10, 2006, in order to be eligible, so you don’t have that much time left. Enter to win before it’s too late!
Enter the Clear Cut Contest by Jan. 10!
by: Sarah | Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Have you always wanted to be a shoe designer? Well here's your chance! Enter etnies Girl's You're the Designer Clear Cut Contest by January 10, 2006, for the opportunity to have your design vision become a reality.
Here's the scoop: The Clear Cut, etnies Girl's brand-new customizable version of the Callicut, comes with a clear logo window and interchangeable “E” insert options, including one blank so you can create your own design. That's where you come in. Download the “E” insert line drawing and start designing, then upload or snail mail us your best design. The etnies Girl shoe designers will pick their favorite five designs, which we will post on the etnies Girl Web site so our readers can pick the winner.
The grand prize winner will receive five pairs of the Clear Cut that include the winning “E” insert design and a head-to-toe etnies Girl outfit. The four runners-up will receive a pair of the Clear Cut and an etnies Girl T-shirt.
Remember, all entries must be received no later than January 10, 2006, in order to be eligible, so you don't have that much time left. Enter to win before it's too late!
Happy Holidays From etnies Girl!
by: Sarah | Sunday, December 25, 2005
- Santa skates!
etnies Girl would like to wish you, your friends and families a very happy holiday season!
Cute Overload!
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 22, 2005
First we told you about Stuff On My Cat and now you need to know about one of our favorite new sites, Cute Overload. This site is so cute that it’s seriously b-a-n-a-n-a-s.
Try not to fall in love with it—we dare you!
etnies Holiday Festival 2005 Photo Gallery
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 22, 2005
- Lauren Perkins and Mrs. Claus at the etnies Holiday Festival
Pierre André Senizergues, owner and CEO of etnies, hosted etnies’ Second Annual Holiday Festival at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest last Friday, Dec. 16. Elissa Steamer, Lauren Perkins, Arto Saari, Bastien Salabanzi, Ronnie Creager, Kyle Leeper, Leo Romero and Austin Stephens were all there skating and signing autographs.
The entire Sole Technology crew, Santa, Mrs. Claus and Peter Herzog, mayor of Lake Forest, came out to ring in the holiday season, celebrate the skatepark’s second anniversary and, most importantly, give over 500 pairs of shoes to kids who really needed them. The event also featured lots of skating, autograph signings, free food, and arts and crafts.
Check out the Photo Gallery for photos from the event.
Leanne Named Female Rider of the Year
by: Sarah | Tuesday, December 20, 2005
- Leanne Pelosi, Snowboarder Magazine’s Female Rider of the Year
etnies Girl would like to congratulate Leanne Pelosi on being named Snowboarder Magazine’s Female Rider of the Year. Talk about cleaning up! Not only did Snowboarder Magazine give her top honors, but TransWorld Snowboarding has noted her skills for the past two years, as well. In 2004, Leanne was named Rookie of the Year, and she also received awards for Rider of the Year and Readers’ Choice in 2005!
Way to go, Party Pelosi!
December’s Snow Team Report
by: Sarah | Friday, December 16, 2005
- Leanne "Party" Pelosi and pooches!
Janna Meyen is already gathering footage for her part in the Volcom movie. She's been at it since Baker opened up early last month. Right now, she’s somewhere out in the backcountry filming and bagging shots. Way to go, Janna!
- Up, up and away!
Leanne Pelosi and Alexis Waite just returned from a five day road trip and photo shoot up the California Coast with the etnies Girl team last week. Read about it in the Team Journals section of the site to find out about the random spots they stopped in to cause some havoc. This week, they’re shredding Park City, Utah, to practice for the Chicken Jam going down this weekend. Good luck, ladies!
In other news, make sure to check out Leanne Pelosi in the winter issue of Salt Magazine. She's been on fire lately and has been getting tons of coverage. She will be doing an interview with ESPN The Magazine right after the Chicken Jam and she also has an upcoming interview with Snowboard Canada. We also just learned that she won Female Rider of the Year from Snowboarder Magazine! Congratulations, “Party” Pelosi!
That's about it for now...
Keep checking back for more news!
Get the etnies Girl Holiday ’05 Catalog!
by: Sarah | Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Not sure what you want to give or receive for the holidays? We’ll make it simple for you! Click on the image to the left to download the new etnies Girl Holiday ’05 catalog so you can do some shopping or make a wish list. And don’t forget that when you make a purchase of $65 or more in the etnies Girl Online Store you’ll receive free ground shipping. Happy shopping and happy holidays from etnies Girl!
Team Road Trip: Day 2
by: Sarah | Friday, December 9, 2005
- The etnies RV and team van
This is the second in a series of journals that the etniesgirl.com editor has written while on a road trip and photo shoot with the etnies Girl team. Check out more photos from the trip in the Team Road Trip Photo Gallery.
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005
My grandmother used to say to me, “Sarah, life is an adventure. No matter what happens along the way, you have to make the best of situations and, most of all, you have to have fun.” She usually said this to me when we were on a trip, she was driving, I was navigating (badly—but hey, I was just a kid!) and we were lost, which was often. I thought of my grandmother and her cool perspective on life several times throughout the second day of the etnies Girl road trip and photo shoot.
We started our day with an 8 a.m. call time—meaning we were supposed to be ready, with our bags packed and stowed away in the RV and van, and on the road by then. That didn’t happen, but we did leave El Capitan Canyon—which was lovely in the daylight, by the way—before 9, so I would consider that a minor victory. Like I mentioned in yesterday’s journal, it’s difficult to mobilize a group of 19. From El Capitan Canyon, we drove north about 25 miles to the town of Solvang.
Solvang, if you haven’t heard of it or didn’t see it in the movie, “Sideways,” is a replica of a Danish village. It’s charming and quaint—almost aggressively so. It’s like Denmark meets Disneyland. Everywhere you turn, there’s a windmill or a bakery, and everything seems to have “Denmark,” “Solvang” or “Nordic” in its name. We found parking for the RV (which will be a huge consideration throughout the trip) and walked to the Solvang Restaurant for breakfast.
The restaurant advertised everywhere—on its sign, in the menu and in postcards by the cash register—that its specialty is Aebleskiver. I had no idea what that was when I first sat down to eat, but after reading the informative history of Aebleskiver in the menu that described it as a sort of round Danish pancake, I decided that I had to give it a try. Three of them arrived, smothered in raspberry jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar, along with a Danish sausage. The Aebleskiver was delicious—cakey and slightly dense and eggy with a spice I couldn’t quite put my finger on—but I have no desire to know what the pale Danish sausage was comprised of. I’m a little worried it might have been veal, which I swore off at the age of eight when my mother finally answered my questions about what, exactly, I was eating on our veal parmesan dinner nights. I really hope I didn’t eat a poor baby cow for breakfast.
It was after breakfast that I first thought of my grandmother and her motto, “Life is an adventure.” I volunteered to drive the 12 person passenger etnies team van, since poor Grace had been driving it since she left etnies in Orange County. That’s not to say I wasn’t a little nervous about navigating the beast—but since Grace had been doing it with a smile, and she’s all of about five-foot-nothing, I figured I’d just suck it up and give it a try.
The drive to San Louis Obispo, our first photo location, was gorgeous, and it wasn’t so scary to drive the van. We got there around 1 p.m. and were going to shoot around the train station, but it quickly became clear that wasn’t going to work out. It just wasn’t the right setting for the shoot. So, like my grandmother’s motto, we made the best of the situation. We decided to drive up the coast to our next destination and that if we saw a good location along the way, we’d stop there.
It didn’t take long for us to find a place to shoot. After driving for about 30 minutes, we pulled over to the side of the road. Not long after we pulled up, a yellow truck with a seal marked “County of San Louis Obispo, Calif.” pulled up next to us. Grace and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, “Oh, no.” We thought for sure they were going to shut down our impromptu photo shoot, especially when one of the two older guys in the truck asked, “What are you doing here today?” We all breathed a collective sigh of relief when it turned out that Rich, one of the men, has a son who’s a big fan of etnies and our riders. He wanted Elissa’s autograph for his son; he didn’t want to shut down our shoot. He got his photo taken with Elissa, she signed a poster and gave him some stickers, and two workers from the county of San Louis Obispo, Calif., drove off with smiles on their faces.
As Angela and Patrick started shooting the girls, I decided to do some exploring. I hopped over a barbed wire fence posted with a No Trespassing sign (breakin’ the law, breakin’ the law) and made my way down a well-worn path through the grass to a beautiful beach. (It’s nearly impossible to keep people away from a good beach.) Two seals came near the shore, peeking their heads out of the water to check out what was going on, and later sunning themselves on a rock. I enjoyed the lovely day before heading back to the RV to do some writing. We stayed at that location for the rest of the afternoon, finishing the day by watching the sun sink into the ocean. Then we hopped back into the RV and van to drive to our next destination.
Later,
Sarah, etniesgirl.com editor
Team Road Trip: Day 1
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 8, 2005
- etnies Girl motocross riders Sarah Whitmore and Tarah Gieger (left to right) chilling in the etnies RV.
This is the first in a series of journals that the etniesgirl.com editor has written while on a road trip and photo shoot with the etnies Girl team. Check out more photos from the trip in the Team Road Trip Photo Gallery.
Monday, Dec. 5, 2005
Let’s just say that I’m not a morning person. So I was pretty proud of myself when I got to The 101 Coffee Shop in Hollywood—the L.A. meeting location for the etnies Girl team road trip and photo shoot—not only not late, but early enough to have breakfast. I’m never on time, so this was a real accomplishment. The call time for the L.A. crew was 9:30 a.m. (OK, so maybe I shouldn’t be that proud of myself), and the Orange County crew was supposed to meet at etnies at 7:30 a.m. so they could drive up to L.A. and meet us by 10. That didn’t happen. In fact, I sat at the 101 and wrote some articles for the site and checked e-mails (Did I mention that I LOVE Wi-Fi?) until 11, when Elissa Steamer, photographers Angela and Patrick, Angela’s assistant, Ben, and Jon, one of the filmers, showed up and ordered breakfast.
So at 11 a.m. we hadn’t left L.A., and we were already hopelessly behind on our schedule—which is completely normal. I’ve never yet attended a photo shoot that has been on time. While the L.A. crew finished eating breakfast, the O.C. crew showed up in the etnies RV. The group was comprised of Lauren Perkins, Alexis Waite, Leanne Pelosi, Sarah Whitmore, Tarah Gieger, Nick, the RV driver, Herb, the etnies art director, Grace, who’s in charge of the whole operation, Michelle, the stylist, and her assistant, BrisAnne, Tanika, the makeup and hair person, and Lisa, the other filmer. Why, may you ask, would I give you a full list of our group? To illustrate that organizing a group of 19 people is like herding cats—which is to say, a logistical nightmare. I can safely predict that we’ll be behind schedule for the entire trip. At around noon we finally gathered everyone up, loaded the etnies team van and RV with bags and gear, and we were off.
After a very pretty, very uneventful drive, we arrived in Ventura, our first location, around 1 p.m. Mary Osborne, who lives in the area, met up with us there. While Michelle, Tanika and BrisAnne helped the girls get ready for their photos, I scouted out a nearby bowling alley. To my complete surprise and utter joy, it had its own free Wi-Fi. Halleluiah! I settled in to post a couple of articles to the etnies Girl site and Elissa, Patrick and Jon got in some bowling.
For the next several hours, Angela and Patrick took photos of the girls in various outfits and groupings, and Jon and Lisa filmed them. Grace and I picked up lunch for the entire crew, and we watched Alexis and Leanne’s snowboarding movie, “As IF!”, until about 4:30, when we departed for Santa Barbara and the place we were staying that night, El Capitan Canyon.
El Capitan Canyon is beautiful, but when Tarah first saw it she remarked that it looked like the start of a horror movie—and she had a point. It’s essentially camping for people who don’t camp; it has adorable, fully heated cabins with indoor plumbing, but it’s in the woods and when we arrived it was completely pitch-black other than the light from the sliver of a crescent moon and the stars. We found our cabins, unloaded our bags, piled on some more clothes and wandered outside to the fire pit.
Time for a cookout! We were all starving at this point, so Nick, the gentleman that he is, got the fire going and we cooked burgers, veggie burgers and hotdogs over the fire. Then, to top off the perfect cookout dinner, we had a lovely dessert of S’mores. I was having flashbacks to Girl Scout camp. Elissa summed the day up best when she announced, “This day was the shit! Bowling, burgers and beer—it was the best.” Alright, that’s all for tonight! We have to get up early for a full day of photo shoots tomorrow.
Find out where we’re headed next by reading Team Road Trip: Day 2, and keep checking the Team Road Trip Photo Gallery, which I’ll be updating throughout the trip, for more behind-the-scenes photos. To see the real photos, look for etnies Girl ads in Teen Vogue, ELLEgirl and Seventeen magazines beginning in February 2006.
Later,
Sarah, etniesgirl.com editor
Free Ground Shipping With $65 Purchase
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 8, 2005
Believe it or not, there are only 16 more shopping days left until Christmas and Hanukkah! Lucky for you, when you make a purchase of $65 or more in the etnies Girl Online Store throughout the holidays you’ll receive free ground shipping. Happy shopping and happy holidays from etnies Girl!
etnies Holiday Festival Set for Dec. 16!
by: Sarah | Monday, December 5, 2005
- Some of the kids who attended last year’s etnies Holiday Festival
Yes, it’s that time of year again—when etnies brings a little happiness and joy to needy kids at the etnies Holiday Festival. This year’s festival will take place at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest on Friday, Dec. 16, from 2-5 p.m. etnies will be handing out about 500 pairs of shoes to kids from Orange County who are in need, as well as to kids who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Groups that have confirmed to attend the festival are the Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Town, Human Options, and families who were displaced to Orange County by Hurricane Katrina.
The event will include craft tables where the kids will be able to decorate stockings, ornaments and Christmas cookies, as well as color pictures and have their faces painted. Every child will receive a pair of brand new etnies, and we’ll also have Santa there to take pictures with the younger kids. Additionally, we will open the park to skaters from 12-5 p.m., and the etnies Skate Team will be available for an informal autograph session.
To view photos from last year’s Holiday Festival, visit the Photo Gallery.
Check Out MGT Snowboard Camp!
by: Sarah | Monday, December 5, 2005
If you’re ready to take your snowboarding to the next level, check out etnies Girl-sponsored MGT (More Good Times) Snowboard Camp, which was co-founded by etnies Girl’s own Leanne Pelosi.
- Leanne Pelosi
Operating camps during the winter and summer, the camp is intended for female snowboarders who want to have fun and progress their snowboarding skills, especially in the park and pipe. MGT provides coaching in the slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines as well as freeriding, and their campers are typically recreational snowboarders, as well as athletes interested in pursuing snowboarding competitively or professionally.
This camp is exactly what you need to improve your snowboarding skills, and you’re sure to have a blast in the process.
With a name like “More Good Times” it has to be good!
Sign Up for etnies Girl Updates!
by: Sarah | Friday, December 2, 2005
Stay updated on all of the latest etnies Girl happenings, products, events and promotions by signing up for the etnies Girl Newsletter, Site Alerts and RSS Feed!
Win Free etnies Girl Shoes!
by: Sarah | Friday, December 2, 2005
Looking for a new pair of kicks, but don’t have the cash? Here’s your chance to win a free pair of shoes, courtesy of etnies Girl and URB Magazine!
All you have to do is name three pro skaters who have released albums. But you’ve got to act quickly—the first girl to e-mail the correct answer to giveaways@urb.com along with her full name, address and shoe size will win. Good luck!
World AIDS Day 2005
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 1, 2005
Today is World AIDS Day. Over 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Some 3 million of them are expected to die of AIDS this year.
There still is no cure for AIDS, but you can do your part in halting this epidemic by taking a moment to Learn the Facts.
You can also help make a difference by lighting a candle at Light To Unite. Bristol-Myers Squibb is donating up to $100,000 to AIDS causes for every candle lit. It only takes a few seconds to help spread the light and help save a life. One candle lit is one dollar closer.
Happy Birthday, Mary!
by: Sarah | Thursday, December 1, 2005
- The Birthday Girl
We’d like to wish a very happy birthday today to etnies Girl team surfer Mary Osborne. Hope you have a good one, Mary!
Photoshop 101: Even Models Have Flaws
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 30, 2005
- A model before and after being retouched using Photoshop
Have you ever flipped through a magazine and felt hopelessly fat and ugly? If you haven’t had that experience at least once, you’re either exceptionally self confident or you have a Y chromosome.
Part of the problem might be that you think you’re looking at something real. Huh, you might ask? Look through the pages of any fashion magazine and you’ll see photos that have been subtly, and oftentimes even radically, altered. Blemishes have been eliminated, teeth and eyes have been whitened, legs have been lengthened, wrinkles have been smoothed out, breasts have been made larger, thighs and hips have been trimmed…the list goes on and on. In short, if you think the images of models and celebrities that you see in magazines, on billboards and posters are the real deal, you’re really wrong.
Jessica Alba recently admitted to Access Hollywood that the poster for her movie “Into the Blue” was retouched, saying “They enhanced it,” pointing to her chest. “They always do it.” She went on to say, “It's a movie poster. It's all pretend. It's all airbrushed.”
Got that? It’s not real. To prove our point, check out these photographs of a model before and after being retouched using Photoshop. Pretty eye-opening, isn’t it?
So the next time you’re looking through a magazine and feel like you don’t measure up, take a deep breath and repeat the Jessica Alba mantra: “It's all pretend. It's all airbrushed.”
Doesn’t that feel better?
New etnies Girl Ad Gallery
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The etnies Girl Ad Gallery has just been completely revamped and updated with all of the ads from 2005. Check it out!
Free Ground Shipping With $65 Purchase
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Throughout the holidays, when you make a purchase of $65 or more in the etnies Girl Online Store you’ll receive free ground shipping. Happy shopping and happy holidays from etnies Girl!
Meet Jordan, the etnies Girl of the Month
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Meet Jordan, a 14-year-old skater from Tennessee and our newest etnies Girl of the Month!
etnies Girl: What are your interests?
Jordan: I am interested in action sports, skateboarding, soccer and music.
etnies Girl: What are your talents?
Jordan: Skateboarding, violin and sports.
etnies Girl: How did you get involved in skateboarding?
Jordan: When I was 12, I bought my first skateboard. My first set up was a Girl Paul Rodriguez deck, Independent trucks, Spitfire wheels and Reds bearings. I was inspired by Ryan Sheckler and some guys in my neighborhood.
- Jordan wearing her etnies Girl “Chola” beanie.
etnies Girl: What do you like about etnies Girl?
Jordan: I like etnies because it is one of the only companies that supports female athletes.
etnies Girl: Why are you an etnies Girl?
Jordan: I’m an etnies Girl because I am confident in my skateboarding, I believe in myself and I am not scared to do things because of what other people might think.
etnies Girl: What do you do for fun?
Jordan: I like to skate, play sports, play music, hang out with friends and surf the Web.
etnies Girl: Where do you find inspiration?
Jordan: I find inspiration in other girl skaters and when people give me compliments.
etnies Girl: What’s your biggest accomplishment?
Jordan: Landing backside flips and getting better at bowl.
etnies Girl: Why do you love skateboarding so much?
Jordan: I love skateboarding because it’s a tough sport and I have accomplished so much. Every time I land a new trick, I want to skate even more. I love it!
etnies Girl: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Jordan: “Every day is going to be better than the last.” Aaryn Vesperman told me that last summer because I was frustrated about landing kickflips and he told me that and I would get better every day.
etnies Girl: What’s really important to you?
Jordan: My family. My mom is the one who drives me to the skatepark and tells me what I am doing wrong. My sister is just very supportive.
etnies Girl: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
Jordan: I love meeting other girl skaters—especially if they are as good, or better than, me.
Jordan’s Favorite Things
Place: Any skatepark
Animal: Llamas, giraffes and camels
Color: Purple and dark blue
Hangout: Skateparks and the movies
City: Santa Cruz, Calif.
Song: “This is tough one, so I will name two favorites: ‘Dance, Dance’ by Fall Out Boy and ‘Learn to Fly’ by the Foo Fighters.”
Band: Fall Out Boy, AAR, Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, Bright Eyes
Book: The Harry Potter Series
Movie: “I love just about any comedy.”
TV show: “Degrassi” and “Friends”
Sport: Soccer, skateboarding and motocross
Game: Monopoly
Food: Steak, pizza and rice
Candy: Twizzlers and Starburst
Holiday: Thanksgiving and Christmas
Smell: Peach
Hobby: Skateboarding and laughing
Guilty pleasure: Coca-Cola
Athlete: Ryan Sheckler, Eric Koston, Brian Deegan and Elissa Steamer
Hero: Oprah
etnies Girl shoe: Gal 86 in brown/tan/gum
Be an etnies Girl of the Month
Would you like to be the next etnies Girl of the Month? Leave a comment telling us why you deserve to be the next etnies Girl along with your age and, if you’re extra nerdy (which we love) add a link to a picture of yourself. Make sure to leave your CORRECT (no funny business!) e-mail address in the e-mail field, or we won’t be able to contact you if you’re chosen. (Don’t worry, your e-mail address won’t show up in your comment.) If you’re feeling shy, you can also e-mail a paragraph describing why you should be our next etnies Girl along with a photo of yourself to etniesgirl [at] soletechnology.com, or send it to:
etnies Girl of the Month
c/o Sole Technology, Inc.
25422 Trabuco Rd., Suite 105 #235
Lake Forest, CA 92609
Don't forget to include your name, age, address and phone number.
We Love Sensitive Boys
by: Sarah | Tuesday, November 29, 2005
- Ronnie Creager's bird, Red (R.I.P.)
Some girls love bad boys, some girls love pretty boys, but we here at etnies Girl are coming out in defense of sensitive boys. That’s right: We love sensitive boys, and we’re not afraid to shout it from the rooftops! Case in point: Mr. Ronnie Creager. When we read the etnies Skate story about how he took care of an injured baby bird over Thanksgiving, our hearts melted just a wee bit. That’s right, Ryan Sheckler might have boyish good looks, but Ronnie is a caretaker, he’s a giver, and that’s why we love him.
Stuff + Cats = Awesome
by: Sarah | Tuesday, November 29, 2005
- Albert the cat and Cookie Monster be chillin.
OK, so Stuff On My Cat has exactly nothing to do with skating, surfing or snowboarding (or motocross and BMX, for that matter), but it’s so freaking awesome that we had to tell you about it. Check it out.
Enter the You’re the Designer Clear Cut Contest!
by: Sarah | Monday, November 28, 2005
Have you always wanted to be a shoe designer? Well here’s your chance! Enter etnies Girl’s You’re the Designer Clear Cut Contest for the opportunity to have your design vision become a reality.
Here’s the scoop: The Clear Cut, etnies Girl’s brand-new customizable version of the Callicut, comes with a clear logo window and interchangeable “E” insert options, including one blank so you can create your own design. That’s where you come in. Download the “E” insert line drawing and start designing, then upload or snail mail us your best design. The etnies Girl shoe designers will pick their favorite five designs, which we will post on the etnies Girl Web site so our readers can pick the winner.
The grand prize winner will receive five pairs of the Clear Cut that include the winning “E” insert design and a head-to-toe etnies Girl outfit. The four runners-up will receive a pair of the Clear Cut and an etnies Girl T-shirt.
All entries must be received no later than January 10, 2006, in order to be eligible, so get creative and start designing!
Happy Thanksgiving!
by: Brink | Thursday, November 24, 2005
- These turkeys are chillin'
Just one little post today to say Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families and friends from all of us here at etnies.
etnies Girl’s Travel Tips, Part I
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 23, 2005
It’s getting to be that time of year again—holiday travel is upon us! In fact, today, the day before Thanksgiving, is the busiest travel day of the year. Whether you’re preparing to fly cross country with the whole family to visit grandma, going on a snowboarding trip with friends or jetting off to a tropical island for some R&R (lucky duck!), here are some tips to help make your travels go more smoothly. Stay tuned for the second installment in our series of travel tips.
- Bag It: Pack a small bag with the following items and keep it within arms reach: eye drops, nasal saline spray, hand lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush, wet wipes and lip balm. We’ve found that using all of this stuff every few hours really keeps you from getting that haggard, dehydrated, I’m-on-a-plane-feeling. If you really want to feel luxurious, get Evian face spray—it’s heavenly!
- Pack Earplugs and an Eye Pillow: They’re perfect for shutting out the crying baby and arguing older couple that seem to come standard with every long flight.
- Don’t Forget Food: It’s easy to forget how disgusting airline food is and how hungry you’ll be until you’re on the plane looking at a smooshed, half-warmed sandwich and a wilted salad…if you’re lucky enough to get even that! Bring a few PB&Js (you’ll score major brownie points if you bring extras for your travel buddies), fruit, crackers and lots of water because you’ll need to stay hydrated.
- Bring Your Own Entertainment: Teen Vogue, Seventeen and ELLEgirl become your best friends on a long flight, and a good book beats out watching a lame airline movie on a tiny screen any day!
- Emergency Row: If you’re 15 years of age or older, always ask for an emergency row seat when you’re checking in. (You can’t request them when you buy your flight.) They have the most leg room so you can stretch out.
- Get Comfy: A track suit is the perfect outfit to travel in; it will keep you warm and it’s as comfortable as PJs, but fashionable enough that you won’t feel like a dork in the airport. Flip flops are great for planes too because you can slip them on and off easily and they don’t take up much room. Just make sure to bring comfy socks to slip on when you get on the plane, because otherwise your tootsies will get cold.
- Final Tip: Don’t sit by us, because we’ll talk your ear off/ask personal questions/giggle incessantly/make you play the “Who Would You Rather Kiss” game the entire flight.
Happy Thanksgiving and happy travels from all of us at etnies Girl!
November’s Skate Team Report
by: Sarah | Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Here’s a quick update on what Elissa, Lauren and Evelien have been up to this month…
Elissa Steamer has been at home in San Francisco, Calif., since the etnies GvR and Push, the etnies Girl Jam contests in October. She’s been skating pretty much everyday (weather permitting), finding time to golf and enjoying some downtime. She’ll be heading to Southern California soon for an etnies Girl team photo shoot. The photo shoot, which is scheduled for Dec. 5-9, will be a road trip in the etnies RV that will take the girls from the etnies headquarters in Lake Forest up to San Francisco. Lauren Perkins will also be on the shoot, as will girls from the snow, surf, motocross and BMX teams.
Speaking of Lauren, she’s been at home in Huntington Beach, Calif., for awhile now, as there haven’t been any contests lately and she hasn’t had any other travel plans. She’s just been keeping herself busy with school and finding time to skate whenever she’s caught up with her schoolwork. As mentioned, she will be on the etnies Girl team photo shoot road trip next month, before enjoying some time at home for the holidays.
Evelien Bouilliart has been at home in Belgium taking care of her school commitments before she gets a big break for Christmas…only a couple more weeks to go, Eve! Outside of school, she has found some time to skate—mainly at the indoor skatepark near her house, since the weather has been pretty cold in Belgium. School, skating and getting rid of her nagging injuries (ankles, especially) are what she has planned for the next couple of months.
Keep checking the site for updates and photos from the etnies Girl team photo shoot road trip, and Happy Thanksgiving from the skate team!
Catch etnies Girl at Bling Fest 2005 Nov. 19!
by: Sarah | Thursday, November 17, 2005
Catch etnies Girl this weekend at Active Bling Fest 2005! Active’s annual best trick contest and music festival will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 1-5 p.m., at the Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Stop by the etnies Girl booth to customize free T-shirts, learn how to DJ and for the chance to win tons of prizes! Tickets are available at all Active store locations and cost $10 pre-sale and $15 the day of the event.
This is one event that is not to be missed!
Pro Contest Prize Purses: Are Female Skaters Getting a Fair Cut?
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 16, 2005
- Geoff Rowley received the same $2,000 check for showing up and not competing at the 2005 X Games as Elissa Steamer (center) did for winning it.
This past summer, Flip pro Geoff Rowley received the same $2,000 check for showing up and not competing in X Games 11 as Elissa Steamer did for winning the gold medal in Women’s Street. The question is, is this fair?
etnies’ Rob Brink explores the issue of female skate prize purses and sheds some light on the Alliance, an organization of female skaters working together to create a new voice for women’s skateboarding, in his article “The Alliance: Are Women Skaters Being Undercut in Pro Contests?”
Check out the article and weigh in here with your opinion on this issue.
etnies Girl “323 Denim” on The OC Nov. 17!
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Mischa Barton’s ever-so-stylish character, “Marissa Cooper,” will wear the etnies Girl “323 Denim” on the Nov. 17 episode of Fox’s hit show, “The OC.”
Word on the street is that Mischa has been in search of the perfect slim-leg jean and finally found it in etnies Girl’s “323.” She loved it so much that she ordered four extra pairs for herself!
The five-pocket denim pant, featuring a narrow fit, one zippered pack pocket and a deep black wash, is from the Fall 2005 collection and is in stores now. Catch them on “The OC” Thursday, Nov. 17, at 8/7c on FOX.
The etnies / Deftones Skateboard Contest!
by: Brink | Tuesday, November 15, 2005
All you Deftones fans know damn well the band can blow minds with their music. You might also know, like many of us, the boys grew up just hangin out on their skateboards and chasing their dream of becoming musicians one day. Well, from skateboards to selling out venues all over the world, the Deftones are proof that dreams come true. To celebrate the release of their new B-sides and Rarities CD, etnies has teamed up with the Deftones to give away some kick-ass prizes to the fans. Three winners will be selected from all those who have a bit of good luck and take a minute to fill out this form.
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Check Out Lauren Perkins on Icelounge!
by: Sarah | Thursday, November 10, 2005
Have you visited Icelounge lately? Head on over to the site and check out the profile of etnies Girl skate team rider Lauren Perkins!
Lucy Adams’ Manchester Girlie Skate Camp Journal
by: Sarah | Thursday, November 10, 2005
- 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
ASEC Giveback Follow Up!
by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 9, 2005
The ASEC Giveback event we told you about last week was a huge success, with about 500 people showing up throughout the day. Once the ramps were opened up for skateboarding, the kids went wild on their new community skatepark!
Thank you to all of the sponsors and to everyone who came out for helping ASEC and etnies bring a positive message to this community through skateboarding and for donating Good Wood to the Hood.
Girlie Skate Camps 2005 Photo Gallery
by: Sarah | Friday, November 4, 2005
etnies Girl was proud to sponsor Girlie Skate Camps again in 2005 after a successful inaugural year in 2004. Check out photos from the series of all-female skate camps held in four different locations throughout Europe, including Prague, Czech Republic; Montpellier, France; Manchester, United Kingdom; and Madrid, Spain.
Visit the Photo Gallery to view the photos.
Snow Team Halloween Hijinks!
by: Sarah | Thursday, November 3, 2005
- Leanne channels Ali G while Wille, the Finnish Frenchman, just looks confused...
Ali G, a Christian folk singer and a Frenchman walk into a bar…
- Alexis, the birthday girl!
No, that’s not the beginning of the worst joke ever—it’s the beginning of our snow team’s Halloween night! Check out these Halloween photos of etnies Girl snow team riders Leanne Pelosi as Ali G and Alexis Waite as a Christian folk singer. (She met up with the rest of her “band mates” later.) The French guy in the photos is etnies snow team rider Wille Yli-Luoma, who just happens to be Finnish.
We also belatedly want to wish Lexi a happy birthday, which took place Oct. 30!
Did you do anything fun for Halloween? Let us know by posting a comment in the blog.
Action Sports Environmental Coalition: Giveback
by: Brink | Wednesday, November 2, 2005
This Saturday, November 5, from 12-6 p.m., ASEC (The Action Sports Environmental Coalition) has teamed up with etnies, Element, Stonyfield Farms, Silk, Clif Bar, and others to give back another Good Wood for the Hood Festival. These organizations and companies have gathered to donate ramps from this year’s X Games to the Lennox Community Youth Center.
The Elemental Awareness guys will be giving out product to the amateur with the best trick, DJ Episode will be spinning along with DJ Icy Ice of the Beat Junkies. Show up to skate the ramps and you might even bring home some free stuff from your favorite companies!
The Lennox Youth Activity Center is located at: 11911 Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, CA
Leanne Pelosi on TW Snow Online!
by: Sarah | Tuesday, November 1, 2005
- Leanne showing off her softer side in Iceland (photo via Scott Serfas/TW Snowboarding)
Check out TransWorld Snowboarding Online for an interview with etnies Girl rider Leanne Pelosi about getting sponsored via the Internet, giving up soccer for snowboarding and co-founding the all-girls MGT Snowboard Camp, and to view a slideshow of her trip to Iceland.
Meet Justine, the etnies Girl of the Month
by: Sarah | Monday, October 31, 2005
Justine, the etnies Girl of the Month, thinks that there need to be more skaters without a Y chromosome in the world. When we spoke with the 18-year-old from Kamloops, BC, Canada, she stated her mission plainly: “I want to try and get as many girls as possible into skating because I’ve always skated with guys, which isn’t a problem, but I think there need to be more girl skaters.” Justine’s solution is simple—to teach one family member and friend at a time. So far, she’s gotten her younger sister and a friend involved, and something tells us that before she knows it, she’ll have an entire posse of girls skating around Kamloops.
etnies Girl: What are your interests?
Justine: Well of course skateboarding, but I also love snowboarding in the winter as much as I can. I found that it was easy to learn how to snowboard because I already knew how to skate. Plus, I’ve found that snowboarding has improved my skating a little bit.
etnies Girl: What are your talents?
Justine: I guess you could say that I’m artistic and athletic. I love anything and everything to do with art and sports!
etnies Girl: How did you get involved in skateboarding?
Justine: When was about nine or so my dad let me try his old skateboard that he made in his high school shop class—it was just one of those old banana boards without any griptape. It was fun just to ride around on at the time, but I really wanted to get into it, so I asked my parents if I could get my own skateboard for Christmas. That Christmas they bought me one and I’ve been in love with skateboarding ever since.
etnies Girl: What do you like about etnies Girl?
Justine: I love everything about it, especially the team and of course the shoes. It’s so awesome to see skaters like Elissa Steamer and Lauren Perkins skating like they do, which is insanely well. I think they’ve shown everybody that girls can skate and they can skate well.
etnies Girl: Why are you an etnies Girl?
Justine: I think that I am an etnies Girl because I just like to have fun and I try not to care about what people think about me. I’m my own person and I would never change the way I act or dress just to fit in with a certain group of people.
etnies Girl: What do you do for fun?
Justine: I always skate for fun, but I also like to hang out with my friends and watch movies or just hang out with them at the mall. I also like to build skate ramps and grind boxes and for the past few years I’ve been trying to make as many things as can to set up on my street. It’s great because with gas prices being so high here in Canada I find it hard to make it out to the skatepark, so I just set up all of the ramps and things in the street and have a blast in my own little makeshift skatepark
“With skateboarding, I can do whatever I want without people telling me what to do. It’s just me, my board, some music playing and I’m good to go.”
etnies Girl: Where do you find inspiration?
Justine: My friends, family and basically anyone I see who strives to do their best are the people who inspire me. I also find inspiration to go skate just by popping a skate video into my DVD player. I find that after every time I watch a skate video I have to go out and skate. They always motivate me to go out and skate hard.
etnies Girl: What’s your biggest accomplishment?
Justine: I think my biggest accomplishment was probably surviving high school. I did well in my studies throughout it, but it was just the stuff that went on there socially that was difficult—the peer pressure and trying to be myself and not worry about what other people thought about me. It was definitely a time in my life that molded me into the person I am today. Another big accomplishment was competing in my very first skateboarding competition this past summer and placing second. I almost chickened out because I get nervous when I skate in front of huge crowds, but I thought to myself, why not try and just see how you do? Plus, my mom kept telling me that I should just go out there and have fun and not care about what place I came in. I think that if she wasn’t there with me I would have backed out and headed on home!
etnies Girl: Why do you love skateboarding so much?
Justine: I love everything about it, but mainly because it’s not like the other traditional sports like soccer, basketball and so on. With skateboarding, I can do whatever I want without people telling me what to do. It’s just me, my board, some music playing and I’m good to go. Skateboarding never gets boring because there is always something new that you can try. Plus, it’s also a great stress reliever for me and a way for me to express myself. It’s a way for me to just get away.
etnies Girl: Have you gotten anyone else you know into skating?
Justine: I got my little sister into skating and she really enjoys it. I really like teaching her how to do stuff because she’s so eager to learn. She’s also a lot younger than me and we don’t usually spend time together, so skating with her gives me a chance to spend time with her. I also got my good friend Carmen into skating. Before high school ended we would make frequent trips over to the skatepark and just skate for hours. She just started skating a little while ago, so I’ve been teaching her all the basics and stuff. I want to try and get as many girls as possible into skating because I’ve always skated with guys, which isn’t a problem, but I think there need to be more girl skaters.
etnies Girl: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Justine: I think the best piece of advice that I’ve ever gotten was from my mom at the competition I competed in. She said to me, “Just go out there and have fun and not worry about the people watching you.” I was so nervous about the whole thing that I felt sick to my stomach, but I took her advice, went out there, skated hard and had a good time.
etnies Girl: What’s really important to you?
Justine: Right now, the most important things to me are my friends, family, doing well in school, focusing on it as best as I can, and just skating as much as possible when I’m not at school, studying or working.
etnies Girl: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
Justine: People always assume that I am really shy, which I can be at times, but once you get to know me I can be very outgoing and fun to be around.
Justine’s Favorite Things
Place: “Any good skate spot.”
Animal: Giraffes, dogs, clown fish, dolphins
Color: Pink, yellow, green
Hangout: “Any place as long as I’m with my friends.”
City: “Well considering I have never even left my country, let alone my own province, I’m going to have to say Vancouver, BC!”
Song: “Oh” by Ciara, “Speed of Sound” by Coldplay, “Pon De Replay” by Rihanna, “We Be Burnin’” by Sean Paul, “When the Night Feels My Song” by Bedouin Soundclash and “Black Balloon” by the Goo Goo Dolls
Album: “Way too many to choose from!”
Band: Foo Fighters, Theory of a Deadman, Green Day, The Arcade Fire, Mötley Crüe, Our Lady Peace, Coldplay
Book: “I don’t read much, but I did like ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ by Ann Brashares.”
Movie: “Red Eye,” “Anchorman,” “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Encino Man,” “The Goonies,” “Mean Girls,” “Freaky Friday,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “Stand By Me,” “The Longest Yard”
TV show: “‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien.’ That man is hilarious!”
Sport: “Skateboarding, of course, snowboarding and soccer.”
Game: “Tony Hawk’s Undergound 1 and 2, The Sims and computer Solitaire. I’m addicted to it!”
Food: Pizza, chicken, spaghetti
Candy: Skittles, Sour Patch Kids
Holiday: Christmas
Smell: “Gain Laundry Detergent. Man, that stuff smells good!”
Hobby: Photography, painting, building skate ramps
Guilty pleasure: “McDonald’s food—especially the cheeseburgers. I eat there way too much.”
Athlete: “Ryan Sheckler, because he’s got killer style, and Elissa Steamer, because she’s just an amazing skateboarder.”
Hero: “My mom, dad and all of my friends.”
etnies Girl shoe: Debut
Be an etnies Girl of the Month
Would you like to be the next etnies Girl of the Month? E-mail a paragraph describing why you should be our next etnies Girl along with a photo of yourself to etniesgirl [at] soletechnology.com, or send it to:
etnies Girl of the Month
c/o Sole Technology, Inc.
25422 Trabuco Rd., Suite 105 #235
Lake Forest, CA 92609
Don't forget to include your name, age, address and phone number.
More GvR Photos!
by: Sarah | Monday, October 31, 2005
We just added another batch of photos from the etnies GvR (Goofy Vs. Regular) of Skateboarding to the site! Check out the Photo Gallery.
Girlie Camps Contest Winners!
by: Sarah | Monday, October 31, 2005
Congratulations to the winners of the etnies Girl and Journeys Win a Trip to Girlie Camps in Europe Contest!
The grand prize winner, Anne from Miami, Fla., won an all expenses paid trip for two to Girlie Surf Camp in Biarritz, France. Here’s what she had to say about her trip:
The trip was awesome! I had a blast and wish it could have lasted longer. When I got on the plane for Biarritz, I definitely had no idea what I was getting myself into—which, in the end, may have been better!
Well, first of all, I caught some waves! That feeling alone was worth the trip! For someone who had never tried to surf before, the first few days were hard and sometimes frustrating. You get beaten back by the waves and knocked off your board more times than you can count. But it’s all worth it when you manage to stand up on your board and ride a wave in to the shore!
And the friends you make! They make the trip tons of fun. I had hilarious conversations and awesome times hanging out with girls from all over Europe: Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, France, the UK, and the list goes on.
With all the group support, I found myself trying things I would have been too scared to try on my own. Together we explored the beautiful sites of Biarritz and attempted to skate together at the skatepark.
The food was delicious. The views were awesome. Surfing is one of the most fun things you can do. The only downside is that it only lasted a week!
I am so grateful I got to go on this trip; there were nothing but good times and good memories. I definitely would love to meet up with the Girlie Camps crew again and learn to snowboard or skate! Until then, I hope everyone at Girlie Camps is having a blast whether it’s in surf, skate or snow!
The retail winners were Janay from Mesa, Ariz., and Kristen from Douglasville, Ga., who each won an all expenses paid trip to Girlie Surf Camp in Ireland.
Here’s what Janay had to say about her experience:
I just want to thank everyone at etnies who made this happen! You guys are so awesome and the trip was well worth it! I had a lot of fun and learning how to surf was one of my dreams come true. It was so gorgeous up there and it was just an unforgettable experience that I am so happy I got to have. Thanks again and I truly appreciate everything.
And finally, here’s what Kristen had to say about her trip:
I thought the trip was wonderful. It was a great experience and I'm glad I had the opportunity to go. The camp instructors, pro surfers and all the people involved were so friendly and welcoming. If I had the opportunity to experience another one of the camps I would definitely go. Thanks so much for the chance to meet wonderful people and do something I wouldn't normally have the chance to do.
Again, congratulations, ladies! If you would like to learn how to surf, skate, snowboard, or ride motocross or BMX, check out the Learn to Ride page.
Leanne Pelosi in TW Snow!
by: Sarah | Friday, October 28, 2005
Check out the December issue of TransWorld Snowboarding for some Leanne Pelosi coverage, including her answer to a reader’s question about staying in shape in the Truth or Dare section.
October’s Skate Team Report
by: Sarah | Friday, October 28, 2005
- The Push, the etnies Girl Jam finalists flanked by etnies CEO Pierre Andre Senizergues on the left and etnies VP of Marketing Don Brown on the right.
Elissa Steamer, Lauren Perkins, Evelien Bouilliart and flow riders Jessie Van Roechoudt, Kenna Gallagher and Stefanie Thomas were all at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest over the weekend for the etnies GvR (Goofy Vs. Regular) contest weekend blowout. The GvR weekend’s festivities included the final event in the Push, the etnies Girl Jam contest series on Saturday, Oct. 22, which is why the girls were in town. Elissa ended up in third place, Evelien in fourth, Lauren in fifth, Jessie in seventh, and Kenna placed eighth. Congratulations to all of them on a successful weekend!
- Elissa Steamer signing autographs at GvR for her fans…
Elissa flew back to San Francisco on Monday. She’ll be up in SF for the next month or so just skating and doing her thing.
Lauren is busy with schoolwork and even more important things, like figuring out what she’s going to be for Halloween! Hopefully we’ll get some photos—you’ll just have to check back to find out.
Evelien flew back to Belgium on Sunday night, while the GvR contest was finishing up. It was a quick trip (three nights only) because she had to return home for school.
Jessie will be in the Southern California area for a couple of weeks skating and trying to plan out an art show she has been working on for awhile.
Kenna also headed back up to San Francisco after the weekend. Like Lauren and Evelien, she had to get back to her schoolwork (the only difference is that Kenna is in college, not high school).
Stefanie is back at home in Long Beach, Calif., skating everyday to accumulate footage and photos.
That’s it for now…check back soon for more team updates.
Elissa Steamer in Skateboarder!
by: Sarah | Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Want to know what it’s like to be Elissa Steamer? Check out the December issue of Skateboarder for Elissa’s answer to a reader’s question about just that in the Question Authority section.
etnies Goofy Vs. Regular 2005 Photos!
by: Sarah | Tuesday, October 25, 2005
The first batch of photos from the etnies GvR (Goofy Vs. Regular) of Skateboarding held last weekend are in! (Team Goofy beat Team Regular in case you haven’t already heard.) Check out photos from the weekend—including ones of GvR, Push, the etnies Girl Jam, the Ladies Bowl Jam, the GvR Street Festival and the SPACEJUNK Art Show—and stay tuned in coming days for even more pics.
Visit the Photo Gallery to view the photos.
Goofy Defeats Regular at GvR!
by: Sarah | Monday, October 24, 2005
Team Goofy destroyed Team Regular at the second annual etnies GvR of Skateboarding yesterday. Congrats to Jereme Rogers for winning, to Ronnie Creager for winning Team Goofy MVP and to Chris Cole for winning Team Regular MVP.
Final Results
Team Goofy
- Jereme Rogers
- Nyjah Huston
- Ronnie Creager – MVP (etnies)
- Darrell Stanton
- Nilton Neves
Team Regular
- Chris Cole – MVP
- Bryan Herman
- Arto Saari (etnies)
- Ryan Sheckler (etnies)
- Ernie Torres
Be sure to catch all of the action from the etnies GvR of Skateboarding on Fuel TV. Check the etnies site for show times and additional details.
Push, the etnies Girl Jam Results From GvR!
by: Brink | Saturday, October 22, 2005
Here's how the final Push, the etnies Girl Jam held during the etnies GvR of Skateboarding ended up. Congrats to all the ladies for ripping hard.
- Evelien Bouilliart (photo via the Skatepark of Tampa)
Final Results
- Vanessa Torres
- Amy Caron
- Elissa Steamer (etnies)
- Evelien Bouilliart (etnies)
- Lauren Perkins (etnies)
- Lacey Baker
- Jessie Van Roechoudt (etnies)
- Kenna Gallagher (etnies)
Ladies Bowl Jam Results From GvR
by: Sarah | Friday, October 21, 2005
The Ladies Bowl Jam took place this afternoon as part of the etnies GvR of Skateboarding at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest. Congratulations to Apryl Woodcock for winning the contest, and to all of the finalists.
- Heidi Fitzgerald (photo via the Skatepark of Tampa)
Final Results
- Apryl Woodcock
- Nicole Zuck
- Anne Sullivan
- Mandy Esch
- Holly Lyons
- Heidi Fitzgerald
Keep checking back here and at the GvR website for more details about the GvR Weekend.
Catch etnies Girl at the GvR Street Festival!
by: Sarah | Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Make sure to catch the etnies Girl booth this weekend, Oct. 22-23, at the second annual etnies GvR (Goofy Vs. Regular) of Skateboarding taking place at the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest! The booth will be part of the GvR Street Festival, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day.
Booth activities will include raffles of etnies Girl gear every two hours, a professional DJ teaching girls how to scratch, spin and mix records, and a D.I.Y. T-shirt design station where girls can customize free etnies Girl tees using stencils and spray paint. We’ll also be taking Polaroid photos so girls can get pictures with their friends.
While you’re checking out the etnies Girl booth, make sure to also drop by the B4BC booth. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so we’re getting the word out about breast cancer and we’ve committed to donating one dollar of every etnies Girl shoe sold through our Online Store to B4BC for the entire year.
The GvR Weekend running from Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 23, will also include a Pool Contest for Pros, Masters and Women on Friday; the Push, the etnies Girl Jam all-girls street skate contest on Saturday; Goofy Vs. Regular; the SPACEJUNK Art Show presented by etnies; live music by an amazing lineup of artists, including Bucket of Weenies, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Letter Kills, The Skulls and DJ Peyote Cody; and more!
Visit the GvR website for more information about the weekend, parking and directions to the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest.
The MySpace Tour!
by: Brink | Tuesday, October 18, 2005
etnies and etnies Girl are proudly sponsoring the upcoming Myspace.com Tour featuring Greeley Esates, My American Heart, A Change of Pace, Agent Sparks and The Confession. The tour is kicking off October 26 and hitting 44 cities in the U.S. Get to the shows early and you might get some free etnies goodies.
etnies Presents: SPACEJUNK Art Opening
by: Brink | Monday, October 17, 2005
etnies Presents: SPACEJUNK Art Opening:
Thursday, October 20, 2005: 7pm-11pm
Sole Technology R&D Building
26921 Fuerte Drive
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Enjoy food, drinks, live music and artwork by featured European artists:
Nicolas Thomas
Long before Nicolas ever picked up a paintbrush, he was riding a skateboard and snowboard. He is most known for his use of vivid color, numerous materials and various techniques. His ubiquitous use of fine lines in his paintings gives his figures a fragmented look, as if trapped within an imaginary world.
Léonard Accorsi
From drawings to abstract paintings, the work of this impassioned artist is the result of a tragic-comic view of the world. Léo possesses a unique vision that is represented in his work; black yet not dark, opinionated yet unbiased, the work of this snowboarder is an open door into the imagination of daily life.
Gallery hours:
Friday, Oct. 21–Saturday, Oct. 22: 10am-7pm (during etnies GvR contest)
Sunday, Oct. 23: 10am-3pm
Monday, Oct. 24: 10am-5pm
Exhibition continuing October 21st-24th with live painting demonstrations and artist meet and greet.
About SPACEJUNK:
Based out of Grenoble, France, Spacejunk is the only European gallery dedicated exclusively to the art of Board Culture. As a non-profit organization, Spacejunk bridges board sports and art together through internationally showcasing art