Wheels, Sisterhood, Freedom, Johannesburg
In Johannesburg, South Africa, skateboarding has become much more than a sport for a growing group of young women. It has become a way to build friendships, express individuality and claim a place in public spaces. Two communities that have helped bring attention to women in South African skateboarding are Island Gals Shred and Spectrum. Both groups developed within a skateboarding culture that has historically been dominated by men, while creating environments where women can skate, learn and support one another.
Island Gals Shred was founded by Thato Moet in 2019 after she became interested in skateboarding as a teenager. Moet began skating after seeing boys skateboarding in Johannesburg, but she encountered some of the negativity and unwanted attention that young women can experience in a male-dominated environment. She created Island Gals as a community where girls could learn tricks and enjoy skateboarding together in a more supportive atmosphere.
The organization has grown beyond simply being a group of friends who meet to skateboard. Island Gals has organized beginner workshops, skate sessions, competitions and street-skating activities. These programs give young women opportunities to develop their skating abilities while also building friendships and confidence. The organization has also worked to develop mentoring and social-media skills among participants.
Safety is another important part of the Island Gals story. Female skaters have described the importance of skating together rather than always navigating Johannesburg’s streets alone. Their presence in groups provides companionship and a greater sense of security while allowing them to enjoy public spaces on their own terms. Their skateboards therefore represent not only athletic equipment but also a means of movement, independence and self-expression.
Spectrum emerged from a similar desire for community among women skateboarders in Johannesburg. Members encountered one another at local skate parks and eventually connected through Girls Skate activities. They began skating together outside those organized events and developed their own close-knit crew. Their goal was to create a sisterhood of skateboarders while building greater visibility for women in the sport.
Spectrum’s story also illustrates some of the economic challenges associated with skateboarding in South Africa. The members have spoken about the expense of skateboards, shoes and other equipment and their hopes of receiving greater support from sponsors and local skate shops. Their experience demonstrates that increasing participation in a sport is not simply about encouraging people to participate; access to equipment and safe places to practice can also make a significant difference.
Although Island Gals and Spectrum are separate communities, they share an important connection: both have helped make women more visible within South Africa’s skateboarding culture. Their members are not simply participating in a sport traditionally associated with young men. They are helping demonstrate that skateboarding can also be a space for Black women to develop friendships, creativity and athletic skills.
Photography has also played an important role in documenting these communities. Photographer Karabo Mooki has photographed women skateboarders in Johannesburg, capturing them in parks, streets and other locations throughout the city. His work provides a visual record of a growing community and gives audiences an opportunity to see the personalities, friendships and determination behind the sport.
There is also a larger social meaning attached to these communities. Johannesburg is a city with a complicated history involving race, gender and access to public spaces. Within that environment, women riding skateboards through the city’s streets can be seen participating in urban life in a very visible way. They are creating their own experiences rather than simply entering spaces that were traditionally associated with men.
Island Gals Shred and Spectrum ultimately show how a skateboard can become much more than a piece of sporting equipment. For these young women, skating can provide friendship, creativity, confidence and community. Their stories also demonstrate the importance of representation: when girls see other women skating, competing and enjoying the sport, they can imagine themselves doing the same. From Johannesburg’s skate parks to its city streets, Island Gals and Spectrum represent a growing chapter in South African skateboarding—one built around visibility, sisterhood and the freedom to ride.
