It's never easy to take a spill, whether you're falling short of your own expectations — or quite literally wiping out. Few are more adept at rolling with the punches (both the literal and metaphorical) than Vans Global Skate Team Rider Lizzie Armanto. A California native who recently kicked off a Girls Skate workshop in India alongside skateboarder Atita Verghese, Armanto knows a thing or two about pushing yourself beyond your perceived limitations.
That's why we got Armanto's take on Girls Skate India, including her advice on how to fall — and how to pull yourself back up again, too. After all, when facing a new challenge (be it in the boardroom or skatepark), you're bound to get knocked down. The trick to getting back up is believing in yourself and what you're doing. We're partnering with Vans to share what happens when girls empower themselves through skateboarding. Check out our top five takeaways, then watch the Girls Skate India video below.
1. When Mastering Something New, Surround Yourself With People On Your Level.
If you struggle with comparing yourself to others who seem more advanced, don't sweat it! Instead, surround yourself with similarly minded folks who are on your level — but still moving toward the same goals. When it came to getting the girls in the workshop to accomplish new tricks, Armanto and Verghese made sure they were surrounded by others with similar skill sets. "We had the girls skating together in smaller groups based on skill and comfort level," Armanto says. "Then it was all up to them to go for it."
2. Don't Be Intimidated By New Challenges.
When you've gone out on a ledge and tried something different — only to fail spectacularly — keep moving forward. If you want to try something brand new, don't let other people's opinions intimidate you from going for what you want. When it comes to skateboarding in particular, Armanto says, "My advice would be to go for it and not to care about what other people think."
3. Learn How To Fall.
While it's true each fall in life will be different than the last, the helpful habit of picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and getting back on the board will always pay off. When talking about learning how to skate, Armanto says, "It takes time to figure things out and you’re probably going to take a spill or two the first time. Learning how to fall, not just slam, is one of the basic and most useful skills."
4. Perseverance Pays Off.
Every time you get knocked down, you're learning one more way to keep yourself standing. Armanto says, "The more you try, the more you will start to figure it out." The insight rings true when watching the progress of the Girls Skate India participants. They move from holding Verghese's hands on flat surfaces in one shot, to taking on the skatepark bowl rim solo the next.
5. You're Never Too Small (Or Too Young, Or Too Anything) To Make A Difference For Someone.
One of the best Girls Skate India moments for Armanto was an unexpected one. When she first arrived, she immediately joined local skaters in pouring concrete to construct the skatepark. "Shortly after, the smallest girl, Kamali, who was barefoot, grabbed a little cup and started helping, too," Armanto says. "I was in awe of how skateboarding brought me to that moment; being in India, building part of their skatepark alongside the local skaters, and that one of them is a seven-year-old little girl."
Watch Girls Skate India Empower Girls Through Skateboarding :
This post is sponsored by Vans.
