On the first Wednesday in November, a group of women gathered at a small concrete area near a bike trail in East Austin, united by their passion for skateboarding. Among them was Amanda Batchelor, who shared her journey of learning to skate just six months ago. Batchelor, who rode her skateboard to the meetup, reflected on how her newfound hobby has transformed her life. “I actually skated here from my house, so wouldn’t have been able to do that four months ago,” she noted.
Batchelor discovered the Austin Womxn Skate group, which has recently rebranded as Swirl Austin, through social media. This community, now affiliated with the GrlSwirl skate collective, meets bi-monthly to skate and support one another. “I feel like I just kind of fell in love with it,” Batchelor expressed, emphasizing how the group has helped her make friends in a new city.
Each first and third Wednesday, the women carve out time from their busy schedules to meet at various locations across Central Texas. Brii Valdez, a mental health and art therapist, co-founded the original Austin Womxn Skate group. She recalled how this summer, she and her co-founders would meet informally at Mueller Park, simply enjoying each other’s company while skating. “We saw kind of like a need in the community for women skaters and a space for women skaters to feel really supported,” Valdez explained.
At the meetup, laughter filled the air as members caught up and contributed to a donation box for diapers and extra skateboards. Organizer Carolina Montgomery gathered everyone in a circle, sharing the group’s fundamental rules: “Have fun, be safe, be kind and just remember this is a space for everyone.” The participants introduced themselves, fostering a sense of belonging while sharing light-hearted icebreakers.
Some women donned protective gear, such as knee pads and helmets, while others embraced a more casual look. Montgomery, who is in her early 40s, believes that wearing gear boosts her confidence. “I think that it’s made me brave,” she remarked. For her, skateboarding is about embracing risks, regardless of skill level. “It’s okay to take up space, even if I’m just a beginner.”
Another member, Sonya Herrera, reflected on her childhood experiences with skateboarding. Growing up, she felt a lack of representation in the sport. “I think not seeing anybody like me doing skateboarding made me really nervous,” she shared. Herrera is determined to make time to skate, viewing it as a chance to reconnect with her younger self. “I played all the Tony Hawk games…it definitely felt like giving my child self something back,” she stated.
Finding time to indulge in hobbies can be challenging, especially for women juggling multiple responsibilities. Valdez highlighted the importance of play in their lives. “When I’m like pushing my kid in the stroller, I’m skating at the same time,” she explained. “You need a way to decompress; if not, you can’t give your best to the community either.”
As the evening progressed, the women took a group photo, capturing the joy of their shared passion. They positioned their feet on the tails of their boards, found their balance, and pushed off down the bike trail, embarking on another group skate. This gathering is just one of many that fosters connection and empowerment within the Swirl Austin community, illustrating how skateboarding can be more than just a sport—it is a source of friendship and self-discovery.
