Breaking The Streets: Sparking a skateboarding revolution for Kiwi girls
Amber Clyde never imagined that a random movie on a PlayStation portable would ignite a passion that would revolutionise women’s skateboarding in New Zealand. As an only child, she had to entertain herself, but watching “Lords of Dog Town” at ten years old was a game-changer. “I was mesmerised,” she recalls. Amber begged her parents for a skateboard, and soon she was practising tirelessly on her driveway. Facing intimidation at skateparks as the only girl, Amber’s determination never waned.
Her journey took an unexpected turn when she became a mother at 18. Her daughter Ella, born in 2015, brought new responsibilities and challenges, including post-natal depression. Seeking a mental health boost, Amber returned to skateboarding. Empowered by motherhood, she felt stronger and more capable than ever. “After giving birth, I realised I was unstoppable,” she says.
Amber’s newfound confidence transformed her experience at the skatepark. One day, she noticed a young girl on the outskirts, intimidated just as she once was. Amber offered her help, and this simple act of kindness was the catalyst for Girls Skate NZ. “It was the best two hours ever, I just loved helping her like I wish someone had helped me. Soon she started bringing friends and before I knew it I was taking little classes!”
Even though it started with informal lessons, Girls Skate NZ has grown exponentially, hosting over 1000 girls through 350 classes in 2023 alone. Amber created a safe space for young women to learn, grow, and find confidence. “Skating often attracts kids who want camaraderie without the pressure of team sports,” Amber explains. Her community supports a lot of neurodivergent kids, helping them transform from anxious beginners to confident skaters.
But Amber’s impact goes way beyond skateboarding lessons. She provides a haven for girls facing tough home situations, offering them a place to escape and find joy. Her collaboration with Auckland Council, Sport NZ, and her role as a high-performance coach for Skateboarding New Zealand underscore her influence. Amber serves on the High-Performance Advisory Panel for Skateboarding New Zealand and is a proud board member. As a Hera Ambassador for Aktive Auckland’s young girls and women initiative, her influence extends to promoting wellness and empowerment.
Amber’s achievements are equally impressive. She secured 3rd place at Verticus 2024 and 4th place at Mangawhai Bowl Jam 2020. Her sponsorships from Vans NZ/Australia, Stem Distribution (Santa Cruz, Independent Trucks, Mob Grip, OJ Wheels), and Pit Viper highlight her standing in the skateboarding community.
Amber’s vision extends to creating events tailored for girls, ensuring fair play among different age groups. Despite the challenges of single parenthood to her two daughters, her community rallied around her, supporting her in balancing her responsibilities.
Amber’s ripple effect is undeniable. She’s coaching girls like Jess Ready, who recently placed 17th in the world at an Olympic Qualifying event in Shanghai in May and is off to Budapest next month to hopefully qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024. “I was privileged enough to be able to go with Jess to Shanghai, and it was amazing to see her participate in an event of that calibre on the international stage.”
Amber’s next challenge is working with the Halberg Foundation to introduce disabled kids to skateboarding, proving that “anyone can skate.” Her commitment to creating inclusive spaces makes her a true trailblazer. “It was amazing to recently work with some quite severely disabled kids recently – and see the delight in their eyes when we got them on a board. One boy just squealed the whole time with joy.”
“I feel so lucky to have found something so meaningful to do with my life,” Amber says, reflecting on her journey from a scared, anxious girl to a revolutionary force in women’s skateboarding. “I can’t wait to see what comes next.”