Being a girl entering the world of skateboarding, it can be hard to find other girls to look up to.
Most girls who skateboard professionally live out in California where the weather is always perfect, and dreams really do seem like they come true. But for a New Englander, it doesn’t really feel like anything cool ever happens here, unless you consider blizzards in October something special…
That’s why I was so shocked to learn early into my skateboarding journey that a professional female skateboarder grew up right here in Massachusetts!
Like, there ya go! That’s something that we can brag about.
Her name is Nora Vasconcellos, and she has become someone I look up to on a daily basis.
Nora is 27, and originally from Pembroke, Ma (although now currently residing in California). She skates professionally for the Welcome team (as the first female skater that they have ever had on their team might I add) and is sponsored by companies like Adidas, OJ, Bronson, MOB, Krux, Stance…etc.
Nora is mostly known for her transition skating, and her insane backside airs, but also for her bubbly and goofy personality. Watching her skate reminds me that you can still be a professional athlete and have fun. She puts in hard work, but never takes life too seriously. It is especially important to have a balance of both work and play, which is why I consider her the perfect role model. Not to mention she is an artist and an avid cat lover, which I appreciate immensely.
I first heard about her on a show/ weekly radio station called The Nine Club. The host Chris Roberts and co-hosts Roger Bagley and Kelly Hart (who interview pro and amateur skateboarders, and other figures who share a love for skateboarding) invited Nora on as a guest, and through the interview I learned a lot about her early life (like her love for Reggie Rocket) and journey into skateboarding.
If you want to learn a little bit more about any of your favorite skaters, I definitely recommend checking out The Nine Club’s videos, which can be found on YouTube or on their website.
I think that Nora is the ultimate female figure for young girls and girls in general to look up to in terms of empowerment. And for all those growing up in a small town, just remember….
if you have big dreams, anything is possible!
Skate Like A Girl 