WE SKATE TOO: Quell
Photography by Alex Hilliard and Kyle Dunn
Women, non-binary, and queer individuals have long been on the outskirts of skateboarding and the dialogue surrounding it. But now, things are drastically changing. Quell Skateboarding, based in New York City, is leading that change to a new, inclusive wave of skateboarding media. Quell Skateboarding was founded in 2017 by Adrian Koenigsberg with the intention to fill a void in the media that excluded non-cismen in the skateboarding realm.
Currently, this intention has manifested into an internationally known reality. From publishing bi-annual magazines, hosting a podcast on Apple Music, throwing skateboarding events in NYC, and posting online content that spotlights women skaters, Quell fosters a sense of liberation and freedom for non-traditional skaters. Quell Skateboarding proves that one simple idea doesn’t need approval from the outside world; it can be created by women for everyone.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Koenigsberg, the founder and director of Quell Skateboarding. Koenigsberg discusses her journey to building the brand from the ground up, the rise of women-identifying individuals in skateboarding, constructing a media empire, and why fostering a community serves as the ultimate testament of bridging the gap towards inclusivity.
Can you discuss with me the birth and identity of Quell Skate?
Quell Skateboarding is a media company by women, for everyone. Our main goal at Quell is to champion visibility for non-traditional skateboarders. Quell started as a senior thesis project I was working on in college at the Pratt Institute. I started the project with all spec work, but a year later I started a Quell Instagram and put out a call for submissions for our first magazine. Everything kind of just started happening from there.
What does Quell Skate represent for the skateboarding community?
At least the way I see it, Quell is a safe space for non-traditional skateboarders to be seen for not only their abilities but their passions and interests. I think the skateboarding community extends so far beyond just the board and I want to showcase all the ways people impact it.
It’s been an absolute treat to see the rise of women-run skate collectives such as Quell come into the community to foster a safe place for women, non-binary, and queer individuals. Do you feel that collectives like Quell have allowed non-traditional skaters to feel a sense of community?
Thank you for saying that. I do think that collectives have allowed not only females but anyone who is of a marginalized gender– including women, non-binary folks, and trans men, to feel comfortable in skateboarding. The more we all feel comfortable, the more we’ll participate and show up and I think naturally that drives community. With Quell, providing a safe space for learning and growing does allow you to see typically “scary” areas like skateparks in a new light.
How important is it to keep women-run skate collectives alive? Why?
I think the more you see people who present themselves as you, doing the things you want to do, you will continue to participate. Representation and visibility really do matter.
The culture of skateboarding has always been drastically dominated by cis-men, so what challenges arise when making sure you stand for what you do?
Yeah, absolutely it has been. While it is challenging to break through the voice of these established media companies, I think it’s not difficult to find skaters that represent what we do at Quell. There are so many people of all races, ages, gender expressions that are in skateboarding now and social media does an amazing job of displaying that.
Are there certain stereotypes you see labeled on women-identifying skaters?
I honestly don’t pay attention if there are. I think I really just try to focus on the amazing stories and people I come across, I don’t really think to see if they’re “breaking boundaries.” I think being a woman in skateboarding is breaking the stereotype anyway.
What have been some of your favorite moments/highlights while creating Quell?
I love every single magazine we put out with Quell. It makes me so happy to see people read through it and see themselves or people that look like them. Additionally, when we get messages about how our platform has changed people’s lives, that’s something you can never anticipate. It’s all such fulfilling work and I love Quell with all my heart.
What does the future for women-identifying individuals in skateboarding look like for you? Also, what do you hope to see or change within the world of skate?
I really hope to see more and more women-identifying individuals on major skate teams and in major publications as well as more diversity. There are so many people of all backgrounds that deserve to be recognized and paid fairly for their sponsorships. I would ideally like to not have to differentiate between male and female-oriented skating as well.
