Zorah Olivia comes to the party to talk photography, shifting creative focus during the pandemic and really really really missing her friends.  Zorah also gives us the dreamy power playlist we need– listen on Spotify.

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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

We had so much fun at this year’s Exposure competition in Huntington Beach, CA. Check out these snaps we’ve been saving from our friends Ruby & Boyz. Can’t wait to see more contests in 2020.

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

Welcome back to Quell Party. On this episode, we talk about our third issue, SLS and the Olympics. We speak to Amelia Brodka about the incredible things she's done with her documentary Underexposed and founding the non-profit Exposure.

If you love us, please rate us 5 stars and write a review! DM us @quellskate on Instagram or email info@quellskate.com with any questions, comments or concerns. Thanks for joining the party.EP 07 – Amelia BrodkaQuell Party 

WE THREW THE REINS OVER TO OUR FRIEND NATALIE THOMAS FROM LOCAL SKATE CREW, LATE SKATE, TO DOCUMENT EXPOSURE 2018.

San Diego, California- The days were hot and the nights were chilly. I was having a hard time deciding if I over packed or under packed. Under the afternoon beaming sun, I knew I would want my jeans and jacket at sundown. My first trip to California in my lifetime and my mission to skate was cut short by breaking my arm just two weeks ago. I was intent on not letting that ruin the trip. I set out to see the heights of skating at the all female skate competition called Exposure with my skate crew of amazing friends: Late Skate.

The Late Skate Girls

As we entered the Encinitas skate park for the first day of competition, we quickly became star stuck as we saw our whole Instagram feed standing before us. There was Nora Vasconcellos getting a line in her classic lavender attire. Breana Geering hitting a steezy grind across the park. Samarria Brevard was practicing their line not too far off. Here everyone was, all womxn skaters, gathering to push the limits under competition circumstances.

"THE GUARD OF PRESTIGE DIDN'T EXIST IN A PLACE LIKE THIS. EVERYONE SHARED THE LOVE OF SKATEBOARDING AND HERE, EVERYONE WAS WELCOME."

Some of the girls I was with attended a few years ago and were quickly greeted by the friends they made last time. It was like walking into your local bar where everyone knows your name. One of my Instagram favorites came right up to my friend and they reconnected. I was so nervous to meet her, intimidated by her talent, however my boundary of self doubt was shattered by her sincere friendliness. As I tried to remain cool I realized she’s just like me, down to skate and have fun. The guard of prestige didn't exist in a place like this. Everyone shared the love of skateboarding and here, everyone was welcome.

Lizzie Armanto

As we came back for the second day of the event, we prioritized seeing the Vans Pro Bowl competition. As we turned into the entrance of the bowl, it was an open seating arrangement of skating’s highest caliber. Glancing around the pool there was every pro skater you could think of: Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Bucky Lasek, Christian Hosoi, all there to support the best female skaters. Lizzie Armanto was warming up alongside Allysha Le, Nicole Hause, and Arianna Carmona amongst other notable competitors. It was an amazing moment to reflect on what my purpose was there. Though I may not be a pro skater, I had a place at the pool. The girls of Late Skate are a part of the new generation of skateboarding, female skateboarding. Writing history by participating, growing, and pushing our limits in the male dominated sport.

"I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH PROFESSIONAL SKATING AT SUCH A CLOSE VIEW. THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN COMPARE TO SEEING IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES, NOT ANY INSTAGRAM POST, PHOTO, OR PROFESSIONAL VIDEO, THERE REALLY WAS ENERGY RADIATING THROUGH THE PARK."

We found space to camp out at the side of the bowl right in front of the red boundary line. I couldn’t help but wonder if the purpose of the red line was also to protect the audience from the front side airs, steep rock to fakies, and the occasional no comply where trucks raced by at speeds that could merit a painful blow to the face. It was honestly terrifying to see the skaters charging towards our direction at full speed in order to fly above the pool. I had never experienced such professional skating at such a close view. There is nothing that can compare to seeing it with your own eyes, not any instagram post, photo, or professional video, there really was energy radiating through the park.

Each of the competitors 40 second runs flew by. My favorite was when Kody Tamanaha landed several slashes, one long crisp board slide, a frontside Smith grind revert out, to a shove onto the coping. Their run expanded my knowledge of what was possible in a bowl.

It’s always an incredible moment to see someone so in the zone, it doesn't matter if you are watching or not. At one point, as one of the contenders shot right in front of me to do a hand plant, I felt like everything froze in time only to resume as I heard her exhale after letting go to drop back into the deep end.

As the final moments of the competition came to a close, I had an overwhelmed and satisfied feeling. I was not expecting to see everyone I look up to in skateboarding in two days, none the less meet them, become friends with them and be front row to watch them compete. Late Skate and I returned to the street portion of the park to skate on the same ground as everyone who had completed that weekend. We were all so abuzz of inspiration. We left the park with a fervor, a sweet disposition to skate even better after seeing everyone compete at the event, with the newfound thought- that maybe next time that could be one of us.