The Society was founded by Barb Odanaka, author of the popular children's book Skateboard Mom. In just a few years the International Society of Skateboard Moms has grown from a small group of moms to an international phenomenon, with hundreds of women who now call themselves "skateboard moms" or "aunties" (as the club's non-mom members are called). Their motto: Women Who Dare to Have Fun!
Patti Hurst, 39, is an environmental trial attorney with the US Department of Justice--and, as of a few months ago, a proud member of the Skateboard Moms club. Odanaka says Hurst is one of their more "enthusiastic" members. "Patti is relentless in her drive to improve," Odanaka says. "She got on a board for her first time in April of this year, and was dropping in--despite big slams--within a couple months. With that kind of determination, it's easy to see how she got through law school!"
Hurst, mother to a young daughter, lives in Arlington, VA. She will be among the many participants of the East Coast Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama on Sunday, August 13th in the Washington D.C. area. For more information on the event, check out www.skateboardmom.blogspot.com.
We talked with Patti by email:
1. The International Society of Skateboarding Moms has nearly 400 members now. How did you become a part of it?
I started skateboarding in April 2006 and I surfed the internet quite a bit at first for information about all aspects of skating. I didn’t know anyone in my area who skated and, as I was searching for other adult skaters, I stumbled across Barb Odanaka’s site: www.skateboardmom.com. From there, I quickly found the International Society of Skateboard Moms. I was psyched to learn that there are many other women out there like me who harbor a skateboarding obsession.
2. Were you at all hesitant to get on a skateboard?
From the moment I decided to get on a board for the first time, I was enthralled with the idea. But getting to that decision took me a while. I’ve got terrible knees – the result of 25 years of running -- and I debated with myself for a long time about whether I should be skateboarding if it would make my knees worse. I finally decided that having fun now is more important to me than the prospect of having better knees later. Now that I'm actually doing it I can say with relief that my knees seem to take it pretty well.
3. What did you find the most challenging initially?
The most challenging part of skateboarding was, and still is, getting past my own pre-conceived notions of what I’m capable of doing, and where my limits are. Learning to skate has forced me to push beyond the comfort zone that I established for myself decades ago. Every time I learn something new, that boundary gets pushed farther and farther out. The challenge for me now is to see exactly how far I can push it. I begin each skate session by telling myself that I’m going to take it up one more notch.
4. Why skateboarding and not more "typical" sports like jogging or swimming or tennis?
I commute to work on my bike, and I jog once or twice a week, but there’s nothing about those activities that remotely approaches the thrill of being on a skateboard. I live for the day that I can air out of a bowl at a skate park. When I sleep, I sometimes dream that I can already do it. When I have a free moment, my attention almost always turns to some aspect of skating. I could spend hours imagining what a particular run would feel like, or watching “how to” videos while learning a new trick. I also love the fact that most people can’t even conceive of a 39-year-old grey-haired mother who skates. When those people see me skating, I’m challenging them to give up their own pre-conceived notions.
5. Tell us a little about the skate mom club. Who would you say this club appeals to?
The International Society of Skateboard Moms is a really fun group of women who share a passion for skateboarding and other “extreme” sports. You don’t have to be a mom to be a part of the group; you just have to love skating. I think the group appeals to women like me who enjoy sharing their skating achievements with others who can really appreciate them, and the camaraderie of skating with other women. I like skating with the kids at my local park, but I’m always psyched when I see another women walk through the gate and start to pad up! The Skateboard Moms have also offered me valuable technical advice as I learn the basics of skateboarding – how to drop in, kick-turn and carve. The kids at the park typically lack the vocabulary and the patience to explain how they do what they do.
6. You're a government trial attorney. How do the folks at work view your new passion?
Most of my co-workers think I’m crazy, but they’re happy that I’ve found something I love to do. Early on I fell hard off a ramp ... Read more on page 2!
