SKATERA thinks GRO rocks! We share the same vision of getting more girls on skateboards and feeling the stoke! What is GRO you ask? It is the brain child of a skater girl with a vision! Courtney wants to get the word out to America that girls can and should be skating and she has been doing it one city at a time! She has spent the last year touring the US building skate girl communities and getting more girls on skateboards. We had a chance to catch up with Courtney when she was on our home turf in Southern Cali.

- Tell us about GRO?
Girls Riders Organization, Inc. (GRO) is a nonprofit designed to inspire, educate and support girls in action sports. Our current mission is to raise awareness and participation of girls in skateboarding and BMX. GRO is the only national organization, for women, by women who is reaching out to provide accessibility to all girls through tours and community programs. GRO empowers workshops, education, the network and future opportunities for girls of all ages to grow through action sports to become leaders of tomorrow.

- How did GRO come about?
In 2004 a new skatepark opened in Bloomington Indiana, my hometown. Visiting the park with Parks and Recreation was just another day. Then came those two questions that changed my life. "Do you skate? Do you want to learn?" I began skating on that day in May and never stopped. It did not take long to notice the severe lack of girls skating both in and around Indiana. Why don't girls skate? Why didn't someone introduce me to skateboarding years ago? Something had to be done. A year later the first GRO van was purchased and the travels began.

- What do you see in the future for girl skaters, or what would you like to see?
Girls have been involved in skating since the beginning. However, we have only just begun to grow on our own. It all begins with the interest. There are more girls wanting to learn and buying boards than ever. The participation is growing and with that comes the talent and competition. As the sales and skills grow, so will the support, opportunities...everything. What we see now for girls is just a scratch on the surface. The next five years will mark significant change in beliefs of what we can achieve and the support to prove it.

-Please tell us about upcoming events.

November

15 Gro Session and Workshop at Calvary Skate Park – Albuquerque, NM
21 Gro Session and Workshop at Hoffman Action Sports Park – Oklahoma City, OK
22 Gro Session and Workshop at Alliance Skatepark – Grand Prairie, TX
28 Gro Session and Workshop – Doc 36 Skatepark – Jackson, MS
29 Gro Workshop and Session – Skate Spot – Lafayette, LA

December

3-6 Tampa Am at Skatepark of Tampa- Tampa, Florida

Gro Sessions and Workshops are an opportunity for girls of all ages and skill levels to gather to grow in skateboarding. These events are all donation based and provide something for everyone. If you are a beginner or just curious about the sport, come out to learn the equipment, safety and basics of riding. If you already ride, come out to learn more from experienced riders and if you are advanced, volunteer to help teach the next generation or get noticed. These events are the most fun when you come with friends. So leave the sandals at home and come out and ride. All equipment is provided for use that day, but bring your own if you have it. All ladies under 18 will need a parent or guardian to sign up.

Other stops on the tour are contests. Some contests have ladies divisions where girls can come out and compete. Other contests have no ladies division and GRO is there to raise awareness and help develop future opportunities.

- How can girls get involved in GRO?
Any girl can get involved with GRO through many ways. You can come to an event, become a member, join a local crew, or begin your own. Annual GRO Memberships will become available December this year and provide girls with benefits and tools to grow themselves, their communities and skills. Girls can get involved every day they step on board and give back to girls in their hometowns. GRO is always in need of volunteers, local leaders and so on. To learn more please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

- Please tell us anything else you think skater girls would like to know. :)
Girls skate. They skate all over the world. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. This is such an exciting time to be a part of skateboarding and all action sports. Change is coming fast and furious and it is good. It is time for us to join together and push forward into the wild blue yonder. Stay aware, stay active, stay strong. To keep up with all the action visit girlsriders.org for new posts everyday.

Courtney we love you! Thank you for sharing your words and vision with us! Until next time.....