Skateboarders Alice Smith and Faith Shona Nandy are the pair behind Skate Safe Space, a collective that aims to connect and keep female and gender non-conforming skaters safe

Faith Shona Nandy skating at the ramps in Bermondsey

Image: Faith Shona Nandy

Skate Safe Space (SSS) is an online community, created for skaters to discuss and share experiences of harassment, abuse, and general worries. Male-dominated skate parks can cause other skaters to feel unsafe and intimated and both Smith and Nandy have unfortunately experienced discrimination and microaggression while trying to enjoy a day at the ramps. Their Instagram page was launched in March and has already accumulated over 5,000 followers. Skaters with concerns are encouraged to reach out via direct message and are ensured that their issues are treated with confidentiality and understanding. Whether in need of advice or just a chat, SSS are on-hand to support their community. We spoke to the founders about their experiences and the importance of inclusivity within skating.

One of Alice Smith's many sponsers is Nike SB

Video: Toby Batchelor

Hey, would you like to introduce yourself to the Missile readers?

ALICE: Hello, I’m Alice Smith, a sponsored skateboarder based in Birmingham. I'm 22.

FAITH: Hey, I’m Faith and I’m based in Bermondsey. I’m 24, a trainee Dramatherapist and sponsored skateboarder.

What sparked the idea to create SSS?

A: It was the continued issue of abuse in the skate community, mainly directed at women and non-binary people. Being a historically male-dominated activity, skateboarding continues to function under the premise of the cis male gaze, oppressing those who don't fit into typical standards. As a result, women and non-binary people experience abuse, whether through microaggressions such as gendered/misogynistic comments or physical acts of violence such as assault. SSS aims to combat this abuse by offering people the opportunity to reach out and seek help. This help could be in the form of direction towards therapy or help contacting the police

F: The catalyst was a string of allegations released about a group of skateboarders abusing women (many underage). It reminded me of when I was younger and what I went through, thinking it would eventually change. I hoped that, with the growing population of female and GNC skateboarders, the abuse would lessen and not be tolerated. Unfortunately, I think it put a target on our backs and frankly, we've had enough.

Male skatebaorders usually pose no threat, it is the few that make the environment so unsafe for female and gender non-conforming skaters

Image : Alice Smith

Faith, you said that you can see what happened to you, happening to other young people. Was it partly your own experiences that motivated you to create this community?

F: 100%. We have both experienced abuse in the years we have been involved in this environment.  Hearing more of it, despite the massive surge in non-male skateboarders, made us decide we wanted to do something to make a difference. I experienced assault by someone I considered a friend and was manipulated by other male skateboarders over the years.

A: When I was 15, I dated a skater who was four years older than me. I never acknowledged how bad the stuff he put me through was until years later because I wasn't educated properly on consent. There was a real power imbalance because I was younger than him and new to the skate scene. Because he was older and more “experienced”, I felt powerless.

What has the response to SSS been like?

A: The response was huge, but it has been a mixture of good and bad. It's been great because so many people were sharing the page and backing us. But we have received a lot of “not all men” comments, which are laughably boring now.

F: Huge! We are so grateful for the amount of people who are supporting us and sending us the kindest messages. We still have a lot of work to do but we are committed to our goals. The page itself has slowed a little but the amount of work happening behind the scenes is crazy! As Alice mentioned, we have had some nasty comments and messages but that just adds fuel to the fire and proves how much work still needs to be done.

HBO's 2020 show "Betty" highlights the lives of female skateboarders in New York City during the pandemic 

Image: Daniel Arnold

Why is it so important to get young women and GNC people involved and interested in skating?

A: We need inclusivity. It is something so important to the progression of skateboarding as a community, and I don't understand how it is still something that we're having to fight for? Skateboarding, on the most basic level, is an act of rebellion against social norms and still, there's so many that segregate women, GNC people, POCs, queer people.

F: There should be no reason we can’t do something that other people can. The skateboarding scene needs a good shake up. The traditional notion that "skateboarding isn't for women" and that you should look a certain way, act a certain way or risk being isolated from your environment because you don't fit the mould, needs to be eliminated. How can that happen if the only people in this scene are the ones who agree with them? In getting involved in skateboarding, you are joining the fight for equality and diversity.

When did you both start to skate? What does it mean to you?

A: I started to skate in 2013, casually at first but properly a year later. For me, I enjoy the rebellious nature of skateboarding. It gives me a completely different perspective on life and people. It allows me to push myself in ways that normal everyday activities maybe wouldn't. It has helped me through so much.

F: I have been on-and-off skateboarding for almost a decade, starting when I was 14, back in 2012. I took a couple of years out due to my mental health but really got back into it over lockdown. Skateboarding is my therapy, where I find serenity and peace and is a great channel for frustration or negative emotions. It is so rewarding and might just be the love of my life. It keeps me fit, it gives me a healthy social life and I always have the most fun when I skate.

What can individual skating communities do to stop or help reduce these issues?

A: Honestly the biggest one is call out your friends. Hold them accountable, these conversations need to happen for real change to occur.

F: I agree with Alice. Call out your friends, don't prioritise someone's popularity over someone else's safety. Educate yourself and your mates, report attacks and help people when they need it. I cannot reinforce this enough - I have seen far too many girls in skateparks alone, crying, and not a single guy checking if she's okay. Stop being a coward and help.

You can support the pair on their journey to changing the skateboard scene by following the community Instagram @skatesafespace.