ENCINITAS — Fifty competitors took to the 11-foot bowl and 13-foot vert ramp at Magdalena Ecke YMCA Skatepark to vie for part of the Exposure $20,000 prize purse on Nov. 8.
The competition was open to female skateboarders only, and drew top professionals including Lizzie Armanto, Julz Lynn, Allysha Bergado, Arianna Carmona and event founder Amelia Brodka.
Hopeful amateurs, as young as 7, also had an opportunity to get in front of sponsors, show their chops and skate away with part of the prize money.
Brodka held the first Exposure competition in 2012 in response to the women’s skateboarding division being cut from the X Games. It was also the year she was set to compete as an alternative.
Her goal in organizing the Exposure competition was to give female skateboarders an opportunity to gain prize money and recognition. She said sponsors sometimes overlook female athletes.
“There’s the perception that girls don’t do hard tricks,” Brodka said. “Females of all ages are pushing the level of skateboarding, and the (skateboarding) industry should be aware of that.”
Brodka also launched Exposure nonprofit, and produced a documentary film on the challenges female skateboarders face gaining financial backing.
This is the third year the Exposure skateboarding competition has been held. There is no charge for competitors or spectators, which encourages more participation.
Pro skateboarder Nicole Hause said the all-girl event is friendly and inspiring.
Brodka said female skateboarders, who are outnumbered by males 4 to 1, develop strong camaraderie and friendships on the professional circuit.
“Despite the competitive aspects, they are friends,” Brodka said. “They are inspired by one another.”
During the daylong competition, skateboarding, fashion and healthy lifestyle vendors and nonprofits set up booths. There were also free yoga sessions and skateboarding clinics.
Doug Works, general manager of Aura Skateboarding, had a booth at the event. He said the competition drew an impressive lineup of international women professionals.
“It’s an awesome showcase of girls from all around the world,” Works said.
The Exposure competition is sponsored through company and private donations.
The event also raises funds to aid survivors of domestic violence. Since 2012 Exposure has raised $16,000 for women’s scholarships and Carol’s House women’s shelter.
