EP014 - Natalie Porter

Natalie Porter is a skateboarder and author, who uses herlibrarian superpowers to curate and maintain the Womxn Skateboard History (https://womxnskatehistory.ca/)website, the most comprehensive database of female skaters from the 1940s to 2010s. She has compiled a select group of skate stories into her new book, ‘Girl Gangs, Zines and Powerslides’, released in September 2025. This discussion highlights Natalie’s early beginnings in skateboarding, the challenges faced by women in the sport, and the significance of community building among female skaters. It’s a delightful conversation that highlights the importance we all play in preserving history and creating community in skating.Chapters00:00 Opening Credits and Music00:15 Intro to Skateboarding Librarian, Natalie Porter01:44 Natalie's Skateboarding Background and EarlyInfluences03:36 The Importance of Having a Girl Network of Skaters05:43 The Genesis of Documenting Women's Skateboarding10:04 Initial Reception of Natalie's Book, Girl Gangs, Zinesand Powerslides12:34 The Importance of Sharing Women's Stories17:42 Highlighting Matriarchs in Skateboarding History18:41 How Natalie Found Skaters Through Research22:58 Historical Context of Women's Skateboarding for GirlsToday24:10 The Importance of Sharing Heavy Topics25:58 Sharing Lived Moments in Skating27:04 History of the Girls' Meetups29:56 The Role of Zines in Community Building32:03 Role of Skate Shops in Connecting Girls and Women34:06 Best Ways to Preserve Our Own Memories38:03 The Importance of Legacy in Local Skate Communities41:12 The Impact of Events Like Exposure43:46 Celebrating Connections with Skate Icons47:49 Finding Our Way in Skating Through Different Roles51:02 Natalie's Return to Skating in Her 40's55:52 Womxnskatehistory Website Archive56:46 Work with the Smithsonian57:29 Just Say YES to Opportunity58:21 Where to Pick Up Natalie's New Book59:50 Advice for New Skaters01:01:13 End Credits and Music