Looking back, we had so much fun at this year’s Exposure competition in Huntington Beach, CA.
Check out this recap video by Joel
Photo by Ruby
Photo by Ruby
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Ruby
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Ruby
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Photo by Boyz
Exposure this year was one of the biggest and best yet. The contest drew women of all ages and from all around the world to hang out, skate, and maybe even win some money and prizes. We had such an amazing time chatting with everyone we met, so many inspiring women!
We caught up with some folks and asked them a few questions about the contest.
Alex White
What does exposure mean to you?
Exposure is a long running contest. Exposure in its beginning was because there were no other events– as to give girls literally exposure, get them out there, get them publicity and have a contest for them. It’s evolving now and Exposure means probably quality and bringing in more people. We’re exposing that this actually exists out there and there’s a lot of girl skaters or non-binary skaters that also rip and want a community.
What brings you here?
I come here every year to judge but also i like to come. This is a great contest. There used to be only two women’s contests so this was 1 of 2 not serious contest that you can come and have fun.
What’s your favorite part of all of this?
My favorite part of Exposure is just seeing how much it grows every year and just seeing new talent and new skaters. I also like seeing the events like 30 & over.
Spencer B.
What does exposure mean to you?
Exposure is just a nice way to see all the upcoming girls in skating. I been doing exposure since I was about eight, since when it first came on to just the progression of all the girls now and all the new little girls who are just killing it.
What brings you out here?
I’m just here because I like this contest. It feels like a community and not competitive and I really like that energy. I get to see all my friends that skate
Who was your favorite skater of today
Probably Ruby because she did a 540 on the vert ramp.
Nora Vasconcellos
What does exposure mean to you?
Exposure is probably the premiere girls event that we have going, and the most important part about it I think is just having the younger generation here. There are a lot of options for girls who are just learning and getting into their first contest.
What brings you here today?
I am just getting to watch my friends, that brings me back every time.
Who was your favorite skater today?
Nicole Hause, because of her big air on the vert got to watch her shred. She’s coming back from a knee injury so it’s cool to see my friends healthy and skating
Arianna Carmona
What does Exposure mean to you?
Exposure is my favorite contest of the year. I like that it’s all girls and we’re just supporting each other the whole time and it’s just a really fun event.
Why do you come what brings you here?
I been doing the contest for the past few years, since the beginning. I’m really happy that it’s here at Huntington this year because i really like this park and it’s so much fun.
Do you think that it’s important that there are events like exposure that cater primarily to women?
I think it really empowers a lot of younger girls who have never done a contest before to enter. This a greater starter contest because it’s not as serious park series or anything else it’s just a really fun time.
This year, was a special year in women’s skateboarding in general. It’s the year that skateboarding contests really started to “mean” something due to Olympic qualifying events. We’ve seen an insane amount of talented women coming from all over the world to compete in these events. However, long before the Olympics were on the horizon for skateboarding, Amelia Brodka saw a lack in exposure for women skateboarders and sought to fix that with the Exposure Contest and Non-Profit.
Exposure brought a lot to the table this year. The contest changed locations to the Vans Skatepark in Huntington Beach, CA, had a record setting prize purse ($60k with each top 3 finalist getting money, and each category earning the same amount), and had a large amount of international competitors.
The thing that stood out the most to me was the general positivity and communal vibes that literally oozed out of every moment I experienced. From an outside perspective, you would almost think it was a skate jam, without any pressure, just a whole lot (150+) of friends, getting together to skate. The only way you could really tell a contest was going on was by hearing the commentary on the microphone (I happened to have preferred most when Amelia was on the mic).
I’m mentioning this because I think this year marked a notable turning point at Exposure as it was no longer one of the only contests for a woman to attend. During a time of intense Olympic qualifying events, I think Exposure was more impactful to skateboarding as a passion and a community. There was not a competitive vibe in the air for the entire weekend. It was truly a celebration of a love for skateboarding. After watching other contests, I can’t tell you how refreshing this was for me, and I think… for the women competing.
Take a peek into the weekend with the photos below…
Lizzie Armanto humble as always
Arianna Carmona living up to her Instagram name during the vert contest
Alex White and Vanessa Torres showing us that the best way to judge is in your socks…obviously!
Lesli Cohen, co-founder of the Tony Hawk Foundation, presenting the check to the first place Vert winner Sakura Yosozumi along with Jess Robledo, volunteer organizer.
Steve Van Doren made a point to say hi to quite possible, EVERYONE in attendance
Margielyn Arda Didal took home 1st in Street and Best Trick in Street - hailing from the Philippines, her infectious energy spread through the entire park
Loved meeting so many girls who made it into our magazine! Pictured: Christine Cottam who placed 3rd in Street ages 6-14
Veronica St. Jane dropping into her first big competition
You’d never guess by her run that Bryce Wettstein arrived just minutes before she competed
After going big in her home country of Brazil, São Paolo, Yndiara Asp earns back-to-back wins by taking on Montréal's newest addition to the skate scene - more than 38,000 square feet of VPS-certified park terrain.
As a rider who feeds on the crowd's energy, Yndi was in her element with packed stands eager to see how she was going to make her mark on Canada's first ever VPS legacy course. And what a mark she made! We're lucky that the "VANS" logo is as tough as Yndiara Asp is or it wouldn't still be standing after the fastplant she laid on it to close out a solid run.
Yndi's speed combined with big transfers like her FS air over the hip, and her diverse trick selection pleased everyone from the stands to the judges earning her another well-deserved first place finish. In a close second, Jordyn Barratt out of Haleiwa, HI dialed in a powerful run with a clean BS Blunt 180 into the bowl. Not a moment wasted and Jordyn set the crowd off with a smooth FS 5-0 Revert.
Lizzie Armanto's ingenuity shone through with her run including an ollie to boardslide transfer on the Thrasher Spine. Lizzie, riding for Finland, hit every wall showcasing her distinctive style and earning herself a podium finish. Thank you to Vans Park Series and Olympic Park for donating this flawless legacy course - free and open for anyone to use. The opening of this Vans Skatepark has the potential to perpetually open doors for the Montreal skate community to evolve.
More photos of the event below
