When viewers around the world tuned in to the women’s skateboard park and street competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer, it was the first time many of them had watched rising female skateboarders like 17-year-old Ruby Lilley of the U.S., 16-year-old Hinano Kusaki of Japan, 15-year-old Ruby Trew of Australia or 14-year-old Lilly Ericksen of the U.S.
But those who follow the industry more closely know that these skaters—despite their relative youth—have been on the rise for years. And most of them count women’s skateboarding competition Exposure as one of their very first events.
The annual competition put on by the nonprofit Exposure Skate is celebrating its 13th year in 2024. Led by Olympian and pro skater Amelia Brodka and cofounder Lesli Cohen, the event has become a fulcrum of the industry, especially for nontraditional skaters.
Brodka and Cohen “leave no stone unturned.” They are able to obtain some funding from grants and private donations. But sponsor support is always paramount.
“It seems like 13 years later, it’s kind of coming together and more of the industry wants to come in and support us,” Brodka said. “I hear from sponsors every year that ‘This year we’re gonna come out and dip a toe in, but then we’re going to come in big next year.’ I’ve been hearing that for so many years. But this year it does seem like people mean it.”
Exposure’s 13th annual event will run November 2 and 3 at the Encinitas Community Park. Attendance is free. In addition to vert, street and bowl contests, the event will include a family-friendly village with sponsor activations and activities, including learn-to-skate lessons with Woodward.
This year, Red Bull is supporting a livestream of Exposure’s pro divisions on November 3 starting at 10:30 a.m. PST on X Games’ YouTube Channel.
