Skateboarder on a mission

An eight-week skateboarding tour of Europe sounds like a dream getaway, but it has a serious edge for Brisbane academic and skateboarder Indigo Willing who is committed to driving positive social change in the community.

The Griffith University researcher, Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology PhD, Master of Arts and Visiting Fellow at Sydney University is also a Vietnam War orphan and adoptee, and a Community Change-Maker.

This European sojourn is funded by her Churchill Fellowship which offers select Australians a life-changing opportunity to learn about an issue they are passionate about and share their knowledge for the benefit of Australia.

For Indigo, it’s all about making it easier for girls and women to start skating, while cultivating more female coaching programs and community-run projects like the organisation she co-founded – We Skate Queensland, and her award-winning project Respect is Rad/Consent is Rad.

“There is a genuine community movement and a handful of grass-level groups in Australia who make skateboarding more welcoming for everyone and ensure inclusive pathways,” said Dr Willing.

“There are also skate careers and skate programs being rolled out overseas that we can learn from including many that are run as non-profits and social enterprises, as well as mentoring programs that teach volunteers that it’s ok to rest and have boundaries.

“Overseas, there are people who create positive lives and careers through skateboarding, from coaching to building skate spaces to studying it and collaborating with industry and fashion labels.

“For instance, I met with Leo Valls in Bordeaux, France, who has changed the city to be more accepting and supporting of skateboarding through his skaturbanism approach that includes a city master plan and skateboarding guide.”

In Germany, Indigo met with Skateistan – the world’s largest skate non-profit that partners with thousands of skate groups across the world and helps activate seed grants and mentoring programs.

One of the biggest issues, Indigo says, remains breaking down old stereotypes about skaters, and groups like London Skate Mums are doing just that.

“Skating has been embraced by everyone from little girls in Afghanistan to women in Bolivia and Ethiopia who skate in their national dresses, so people are making it suit their own cultural expressions and communities,” she said.

“The power of skateboarding is that it has a low entry barrier and allows for a lot of freedom. No team memberships, expensive uniforms, classes or being told to follow exact rules.

“It changes the lives of people on the margins who find a sense of accomplishment, identity and belonging. Moreover, it is now an Olympic sport.

“Skateboarding is my oxygen. It allows me to do something physically rewarding with a great community who are highly passionate and dedicated to what they love.”

Dr Willing has led projects on diversity, equity and inclusion for Skate Australia and compiled research on anti-Asian racism and strategies to challenge it.

She recently won a Queensland Government Individual Achievement Award at the 2024 Outdoors Queensland Awards, which came as a shock.

“People thought I was in the emerging leader’s division as I’m a skateboarder and I look pretty young, even though I’m in my mid-fifties,” she said.

“It’s the perfect time for skateboarding to be recognised in outdoor sport and leisure awards because it creates a bridge for many different people of all ages and stages to play together and have fun.

“Skateboarding takes skill and is highly physical, but it’s also both a youth and an adult form of play and helps promote physical and mental health as well as a sense of social connection.

“I have been through a lot as a war orphan and I could see the negative side of the world but instead I choose to see the positive and love having fun and encouraging others to do so, and to be themselves.

“The best way to lead an active and healthy life is to do something that seems fun while also being open to failing and being bad before you see progress.”

Source
Queensland Government
Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games
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