Elissa mah ✨ | Wāhine Rider

​🧡Tell Us About Yourself:

Hello! Elissa here, I'm 31 (you're never too old to start skating) and from Christchurch. I'm one of those people who likes to do a little bit of everything! Variety is good, but it makes it very hard when you've got too many hobbies you want to take up haha. I grew up as an arty, non-sporty kid and only later in life discovered that I just hadn't found the right kind of physical activity that I enjoyed. Aikido was what started it all for me, followed by skating, which then led to all sorts of things :)

🧡Tell Us About Your Boardsports Journey:

I started skating back in late 2010 when my brother got a longboard. I jumped on it and was pleasantly surprised to learn that I did in fact have balance, and the free feeling of gliding along asphalt got me hooked. Back then, I never thought I'd get into downhill skating, but a relationship breakup led to me giving a bunch of activities a really good go in order to find myself again, and skating just kind of stuck.

🧡 Reasons You Love Boardsports:
So many reasons haha. It gets me outside, it's great exercise - good combo of strength, agility, and balance, and it just feels damn good. You can do it both on your own and in a group, and it can be whatever you want it to be - therapeutic, expressive, competitive, challenging, relaxing... the list goes on! I think it is also really empowering being able to buck stereotypes and participate in what's typically considered a male-dominated field.

🧡Your Favourite Boardsports Memory:

Bit of a cop-out, but I don't have a favourite memory - skating and other boardsports have been such a big part of my life, that everything is intertwined. I've been to places I never would've been, and met people I otherwise would never have met (including my partner). It's fostered a strong sense of exploration. 

🧡What Other Ways Do You Cherish (Manaaki) Yourself? (Personal Well-Being)
I have a lot of food allergies/intolerances, so I cook often and enjoy learning about food and keeping a healthy (but balanced ) diet. I want to keep skating and doing other activities I enjoy for as long as possible, so that means looking after my body. I do yoga and bouldering to stay flexible and strong, but knowing when to rest is important too!

🧡What advice would you give to other wāhine wanting to pursue a boardsports lifestyle?
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Go for it - the best time to start is now! Don't be intimidated by people who look like they know what they're doing, everyone started somewhere and people will be more than happy to help you learn :)

If you loved hearing her story give her some love on social or leave a comment below she would love to hear from you. 
Follow Her @_hazecat on Instagram.

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Arohanui WR Crew