NIKITA NATION

Repost from Dew Tour - 

Nikita Clothing has partnered with the Dew Tour for a second year and is now officially set to host their G.W.R. (Girls Who Ride) women’s streetstyle ski and snowboard event at Copper Mountain during Dew Tour weekend from February 6-9, 2020. The event is currently slated to take place on the Streetstyle course, conveniently located at the base of Copper Mountain for ease of viewing, on the afternoon of Saturday, February 8th. 

This announcement marks the second time the G.W.R. competition will be hosted on the Dew Tour Streetstyle course, and both Nikita and Dew Tour are proud to be able to bring the event to Copper Mountain.

“Nikita is more excited than ever to come together with Dew Tour for the second Nikita G.W.R. women’s streetstyle event. With the amazing support from the female community, a new location and an even more developed pool of talent to showcase at the event, this event is going to be something no one will want to miss. “— Jenna Kuklinski, Nikita Marketing Manager

G.W.R. is an invite-only ski and snowboard event which sets out to showcase the best female riding from a global perspective. Standing for progression and creativity in ski and snowboarding, G.W.R. gives a platform for advancement and growth in the next generation of female competitors.

Our first ever team edit NikitaNation will premiere online on Oct 18th EST. 

 Keep this page open or favorite it on Youtube - it'll be live soon!

Filming / footage
Lucas Chemotti
Jenna Kuklinski
JP Schlick
Ryan Sheetz
Gabe Marziller
& Friends

Directed By
Jenna Kuklinski

Edited By
Lucas Chemotti

Art Direction 
Alexis Sepkovic

Producer 

You can't know where you're going unless you take some time to look back at where you've come from. 

That's how we met this rad sister duo of Unnur and Anna - two sisters from Iceland that caught our attention. They live in a nice small town called Kópavogur, which is next to the capital Reykjavic, our town of birth.

Both girls are addicted to snowboarding, gymnastics and windsurfing. They do almost everything together; going to the same school, have same friends and almost all hobbies in common.

We had the chance to sit down and talk a bit to the girls and ask them about life in Iceland. 

How do you feel about Iceland, your home country?

Unnur: I love my town and my country. I love the freedom in Iceland and the bright summer nights.  I love that I can stay out till the night in the summer and I love that I can snowboard in the winter.

Anna: Yes I love my town and my country.  I love going to the north of Iceland in the winter.  That’s where the best snowboarding is.

What, to you, is special about living in Iceland?

Unnur: I think for kids and teens it’s the freedom.  I have met kids in Europe, and it seems like they don’t have as much freedom. Iceland is very quiet and calm place to live in, I think.

Anna: Iceland is very different from other countries. Very dark days in the winter and sunny nights in the summer.  The winters can get very crazy, but that is usually just means cozy times, because then the schools close and we can stay home.

What´s your favorite thing to do in Iceland? What should a tourist do in Iceland when they come to visit?

Unnur: My favorite thing to do here is snowboarding and mountain biking and wall climbing, and I also love going to gymnastics practice.  Besides the classic outback nature viewing and tracking a tourist should probably go to the swimming pools. That is the only thing that is guaranteed all year round.  Most Icelanders go to the outdoor swimming pools regularly, in all weathers. And the weather can get very bad here. The worse the weather is the cozier the pools get.

Anna: My favorite thing to do here is snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding, swimming and going to gymnastics practice. 

Tourist should go to the highlands in the middle of Iceland.  Very beautiful and nice to track or bike.  And they should bring swimsuits to bathe in hot rivers. If they are staying in the city or any town, they can also go swimming in the swimming pools. That’s what Icelanders do regularly all year round.

Join us October 3rd at the White Owl (1305 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97214) with US Outdoor Store in Portland, OR for the first ever viewing of our team edit from this past season - NikitaNation alongside Japan-based ski movie Jyosei!

This edit brings together Summer Fenton, Jennifer Charlene, Elena Koenz, Ari Morrone, Brooke Potter, Kendra Long, Nadja Flemming, Audrey Freiss, Alisa Fessl, Ashley Thornton, Eunice Chang, Janthavy Norton, Sarah Delat, Ty Schnorrbusch and more and showcase them each doing what they do best. And don’t think we’re doing this alone; the all-female movie Jyosei will be screened as well, making sure everyone gets a healthy dose of winter stoke as we round the corner into the winter season.

There will be giveaways, female Dj’s spinning records after the movies possibly a few cameo appearances from the team and a whole lot of fun. We can’t wait to see you there!

Every season we update the Dusk Tee Ringer with a brand new graphic. We're looking back at a graphic by Bend, Oregon artist Janessa Bork and how one of our other team riders takes it out this season. Janessa is a ripping snowboarder and skateboarder who is equally talented with her paint brush and pen. She represents Nikita in her riding and we could not have been more excited to have her make a custom graphic for one of our best-selling tees.

Check out the Dusk Tee with its newest graphic and see how team rider Audrey Friess makes it her own on a trip out to the fair this last month.

After being covered from head to toe all winter, nothing feels better than throwing on a simple cotton tee. Nikita Ambassador @audraaayy shows us how to keep it fresh in denim shorts, dunks & our super-packable nylon crossed jacket in case of rain on those warm summer night

The Munich Skateboarding Jam Session for women and girls celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. Hot Curbs & Cool Pools (HCCP), hosted by Skateboarding München e.V. will take place at the Skate Plaza of the Feierwerk Munich on the 10th of August. In addition to the street style contest and several coachings, riders are able to represent their skills at the mini ramp Jam.

 Push each other to the next level, have lots of fun and conquer the park. Whether with free coaching for all skate levels or as a contest participant - everybody will be satisfied at this weekend.

WOMEN TO THE FRONT

Besides contest and coaching, HCCP offers women in the skate scene a platform to show their skills and to get in contact with international riders, media and sponsors. Networking was and is an integral part of HCCP.

The morning consists of free coachings with experienced trainers who can help in making first steps on the board or give valuable tips to advanced girls. Even absolute beginners are invited to show up thanks to free rental equipment.
This year, HCCP could not choose better partners than Blue Tomato and Nikita. Both brands have been behind women in action sports for years and provided them with the necessary clothes and equipment.

The contest will be held for one day and is aimed primarily to female street / park skaters. Divided between pros (sponsored), rookies (unsponsored) and U16 / Ü16. An important part of HCCP is to reward the girl´s performance suitably. To cross out the gender pay gap, the winners will be rewarded not only with prizes but also with a total of € 3,500 in cash.

In the late afternoon, after hitting the mini ramp, a relaxed BBQ with cold drinks and good music will be the perfect end to the perfect day. The prizes and prize money will be also given here.

Further information: https://www.hotcurbscoolpools.com/

Photo Credits: Maximilian Thaler

On 22nd June, the eighth Suck My Trucks (SMT) event, the ever growing women’s skateboard contest, took place. This year it was a part of the “Mellow Jam” music & culture festival with good music and yummy Food! About 200 people came over and enjoyed the contest.

Of course, Nikita was there for girls who ride and sponsored the popular Spot Tour which was held one day before the main event at the Global Go Skateboarding Day. About 35 girls participated in the tour. 

And thanks to Sarah de Laet, our Belgian Nikita Rider, who gave everything for the tour and spread a positive vibe all the time, the atmosphere during the tour was great.

The next day began the contests: a street session, a mini ramp challenge, the street race was one day afterwards. 13 girls competed in the street session and Aldana Bertran from Argentina won the competition. In the mini ramp challenge, our Nikita Ambassador Alissa Fessl from Austria took the first place. The 9-year-old girl, Roxana Howlett from UK, won the 2nd place.

Take a look for yourself and see just how fun the Suck My Trucks 2019 Contest and the Nikita Spot Tour Event were this year! 

For our latest Snapshot, we catch up with Mirte to hear a little more about where she finds herself right now. All images from Mirte herself on a trip this past season to one of her favorite places, Iceland. Enjoy!  

Where are you right now?

Fitou, France, Mediterranean coast.

What do you see directly in front of you (not your phone)?

A yurt (where I sleep tonight). And the sea (where I will not swim in yet).

What do you see when you look out the closest window?

Hills, trees and a curvy road that is excellent for some skateboarding.

How many new people have you met in the last 24hrs

When you count the new born baby of my best friend too, it will be five people in total.

Where’s the last place you [skated/rode/adventured] and what was your favorite thing about it?

Iceland. I loved the peace, it is quiet and even when there is a lot of tourism, yet you don’t really notice it. The mountains are beautiful and it is very special to ride from mountain top to sea level. 

Our team riders and members of the Nikita Nation are always on the move and discovering new places, parks and people. There's no way we can capture the entire view of what that's like and how they get to experience ever day, but we want to help share what they see and where they are with you so you can get to know them a little better.

So, without further ado- here's our first installation of a Snapshot look into where our team is and what they're doing. 

Today we caught up with European Skateboarder Alissa Fessl

Where are you right now?

In Copenhagen, Dänmark

What do you see directly in front of you (not your phone)?

My friend Karin ;) (the one we did the shooting last year with)

What do you see when you look out the closest window?

There are no windows in the skatepark. 😎

How many new people have you met in the last 24hrs?

A lot of people in the Skatepark. 

Where’s the last place you [skated/rode/adventured] and what was your favorite thing about it?

 I have been to the super amazing Fælledparken in Dänmark and we skated some cool streetspots there as well! I think the coolest thing in this park is the Vert Ramp, because it is super easy to ride it. 

Every year Boarding For Breast Cancer works the hardest they can at spreading awareness, education and information about breast cancer. They share information about self-testing, resources for those who need it or are looking for support and encourage females of all ages to keep up active and healthy lifestyles (who doesn't love that!)

In addition to all of this, each year B4BC hosts Survivor Retreats; events created for the sole purpose of providing a space for those who have faced breast cancer and overcome it. Survivors are brought out on a spring retreat where they enjoy classes in yoga, health and wellness all while surrounded by a group of their survivor peers.

A key part of these retreats is time spent on snow and Nikita had the privilege of again contributing outerwear to several of the survivors who attended the retreat. In both March and April the retreat-ees were treated to fresh snow, amazing company and a wonderful weekend. Check out a few of the highlights from the retreats below, give B4BC a follow or just a digital high-five to show them support and keep yours eyes peeled for more coming soon.

Images by Andy Wardrop and Kathleen Harris

This interview with pro skateboarder Amelia Brodka originally appeared in the pages of our newest collection's catalog. Enjoy!

Amelia Brodka is a Polish-born skateboarder who moved to the U.S.A. with her family for what her parents told her was, a “summer vacation” when she was 8 years old. Amelia started skating in 2001 and has since had an extremely full and well-documented career. She’s not only claimed (and continues to claim) podiums for herself, but also found a way to give back to the female skate community along the way by founding the non-profit organization Exposure Skate. Currently residing in Southern California and enjoying the good life, Amelia splits her time between organizing all-female skate days and seeking out the best vert ramps and parks to skate for herself.

What’s your favorite part about skateboarding?
My favorite part about skateboarding is the feeling you get when you overcome fear and self-doubt and finally roll away from a new trick.

What drew you to choose transition (vert and bowl) over street?
I skated mostly street when I lived on the East Coast but lost interest in jumping down stair sets when I moved to the land of abundant skateparks.

What are challenges you have faced or still face?
Challenges are constant but they are opportunities for growth.

Describe Exposure in two sentences or less
Exposure Skate is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers women and girls through skateboarding.

How many events does Exposure put on every year?
Exposure runs one major event each year- the world’s largest women’s skateboarding event which features Pro and Am Vert, Bowl and Street competitions as well as skate clinics and a vendor village. Additionally, we run monthly Skate Rising youth events focused on community service and skateboarding as well as adult clinics and girls’ sessions.

What’s the best thing (to you) that’s come out of Exposure Skate?
I love seeing the global community of girls’ skateboarding come together to share their love for the sport. It’s such a treat seeing beginner, amateur and professional street, bowl and vert skateboarders from 15 different countries all in one place!