ABOUT US

The Female Boarder Collective in Thunder Bay, Ontario is a nonprofit organization promoting accessibility in the skateboarding and snowboarding communities. When Vanessa Bowles was young, only beginning to dip her feet into the skateboarding community, she found that it was this lack of inclusivity and a feminine presence that made it so difficult for her to feel comfortable in this community. In her own words Vannesa stated, “These barriers are still felt by many females” (Bowels). She decided that the best idea was to create a safe space and community where there previously was none. The Female Boarding Collective was created and led by Vanessa. She started off small with one to two young members who she taught skateboarding skills to one day at a time. Skateboarding, being as hard as it is for a young person to learn due to possible injuries, allowed for lessons of confidence to be taught. Teaching skills on and off the board have continued to be very important in the life of the collective. In creating the platform for this group, these sentiments will be emphasized in a way that is digestible for all ages.