Breaking Into The Boys Only Club
Don’t tell my younger siblings this, but I think skateboarding sisters Rudy and Mac might be the coolest kids I have ever met.
Rudy, eight years old and Mac, seven, have been skateboarding for the past three years. Yes, your math is correct, they started skating at just four and five years old after getting penny boards at the age of three from their mum and dad. They’re not just regular parents, they’re cool parents. No but seriously, they really are a cool family.
Rudy and Mac’s parents have managed to raise them into vegan feminist icons before they have even hit an age with double figures.
“Some boys think that the girls are supposed to stay at home, play with pretty pink dolls, brush their hair and think about boys. But we get our hands dirty and face dirty and just come back really dirty… and it’s amazing!” Wise words for someone just seven years old.
The badass pair want to encourage more girls to get into skateboarding. When I asked them how we could do this they told me: “Maybe we should tell all the girls in the world that it’s not up to boys to tell you what to do and how to skate.” Which I think is a very, very good idea.
However, the girls are already doing something about it. The sisters, with the help of their mum, have started their own skate group called “Snagglerats”. Where does the name come from you ask? Well, “we all had snaggleteeth at the time and we’re technically rats in a way”, Rudy told me. You can’t argue with that.
The sisters are also planning a trip to America to participate in a skate camp with all of their friends they have made through Snagglerats.
The iconic pair have even met skating legend Tony Hawk. Which Mac told me was “really, really, really, REALLY exciting and… awkward.” They made such an impression that they are welcome to his house anytime. Imagine being able to tell your classmates at school that you’re friends with Tony Hawk, no biggie.
I am not surprised that they made such a good impression they now consider themselves friends of Mr Hawk, the pair really are great fun to be around. Their charming personalities left me feeling inspired. More importantly though, I left their company feeling optimistic for the future; their future, the future of skating and the future of skating for girls. Attitudes like Rudy and Mac’s are what’s encouraging more girls to participate in sport. Even after the increase we saw in 2020 of girls skating, the sport is still extremely male dominated and we want this to change.
“There are more boys that skateboard than girls because the girls are scared of the boys, when they shouldn’t be. We’re just the same”, said Rudy when I asked why she thought this was the case.
For beginners and girls wanting to get into skateboarding, the best advice they could is to “just go for it” and to “not be afraid.”
This is certainly something they are able to do as I watched them drop into the 9foot bowl without hesitation. I think my jaw dropped just as far to be honest. They were completely unphased about being, definitely the youngest, and one of the few girls at the Loading Bay skatepark in Glasgow. Rudy and Mac even showed me their “doubles”, when they drop in and skate in sync, just in case you thought you couldn’t be anymore impressed.
Going back to Rudy and Mac’s futures though. Rudy wants to be a professional skateboarder (obviously), however, Mac doesn’t feel the need to limit herself. Wanting to be a fashion designer, artist and professional skateboarder when she is older. All at the same time may I add.
So, why do they love skateboarding so much?
For Rudy, it’s a chance to meet new people and for Mac, it’s time that she gets to spend with her big sister who you can tell she adores. They have an amazing bond, and it is clear to see that they are not just sisters but best friends who are changing the face of skateboarding.
