I’ve been skateboarding for 50 years and I’ve never seen so many girls take up the sport
A Blackpool skateboarding veteran known simply as “Woody” is helping more girls than ever get involved in the sport through dedicated monthly sessions at Ramp City Skate Park.
For more than 50 years, Woody has been part of the skateboarding scene and now the Blackpool enthusiast is helping inspire the next generation to get on a board.
The owner of has spent the last six years running dedicated girls-only skateboarding sessions at Ramp City Skate Park, encouraging newcomers to try the sport in a supportive environment.
Held on the last Monday of every month, the sessions were launched by Woody and his wife Andrea Clayton. These nights are a team effort involving Jess Winter, who first pushed for a Girls Online noght over 6 years ago and has helped out since day one running these nights and was very soon joined by Kayleigh Algie from RealSkate Northwest who recently pushed them to doing the Boys Only Nights which have proven to be a huge success.
Live Like Ralph have been helping local and not so local skaters out including these nights with special thanks to Neil Bayntun-roberts and Fiona Bayntun-Roberts.
“We wanted to give girls a safe space to experience skateboarding,” said Woody. “Without lads charging around, it can be a much more relaxed introduction to the sport.”
The sessions have proved hugely popular. While attendance averages around 30 skaters, some nights have attracted as many as 90 participants.
Skaters of all ages take part, from children as young as four to women in their 50s, reflecting what Woody says is the fastest-growing area of skateboarding.
“At the moment, the biggest uptake in skateboarding is girls getting into the sport,” he said.
The monthly events run from 6pm to 9pm and include free raffles with prizes donated by local businesses and skateboard companies. The group also hosts themed events throughout the year, including popular Halloween sessions.
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Following the success of the girls' nights, Woody and the team introduced boys-only sessions, which now take place on the second Monday of each month.
Ramp City users can also look forward to a major vert skateboarding competition on July 5, featuring riders tackling the park’s towering 13-foot half-pipe.
For Woody, however, the focus remains on making skateboarding accessible to everyone and ensuring newcomers feel welcome to give it a go.