Submitted by Gabriela Levy; AmeriCorps VISTA Public Relations Associate

The world’s largest women-focused skateboarding competition is happening this fall in North County San Diego. More than half of the female-identifying skateboarders at the Paris 2024 Games got their competitive start at this nonprofit’s annual event before becoming Olympians.

Exposure Skate is hosting the 13th annual event on November 2nd and 3rd at Encinitas Community Park. Girls, women, and nonbinary individuals who sign up can choose from intermediate, advanced, or pro divisions for street, bowl, and vert skateboarding events.

Competitors will have the opportunity to win a portion of a $60,000 prize purse and gain recognition from leading figures in the action sports industry. Nearly 200 women, girls, and nonbinary individuals from all over the world sign up to compete at this unique event that prioritizes community over competition.

North County San Diego resident, Jordyn Barratt, is an Olympic skateboarder who has been participating in Exposure Skate's annual competition since 2013.

“Something that's so special about Exposure is that I get to see my friends from all over the world. They come here to Encinitas, and we all get to skate for a weekend,” Barratt says. “Everyone gets to show up and hang out. It's so fun.” 

Admission is free, allowing San Diego County residents and friends to witness some of the world’s most talented skateboarders and enjoy a family-friendly vendor village that offers a variety of interactive activities. Attendees can get a skate lesson, enjoy meals from food trucks, and participate in fun games at the different booths available throughout the weekend.  

Since the inaugural event, the nonprofit has helped raise $296,000 for survivors of domestic violence - a social issue that disproportionately impacts the communities served by the 501(c)(3) organization.  

Olympic skateboarder and commentator Amelia Brodka and social philanthropist Lesli Cohen co-founded Exposure in 2012 when there were no opportunities for women and girls to pursue skateboarding. 

For more information on upcoming events and Exposure’s mission to empower through skateboarding, go to exposureskate.org or @exposureskate on Instagram.