We’ve feminine skate boarders of Australia within the late Nineties and early 2000s to thank for the launch of the skateboard shoe model, Gallaz, which was owned by Globe Industries.
On April 10th, 1999, the Ladies Road Skate Jam (sponsored by Break up Clothes / Hardcore Distribution/Globe) was hosted on Flockhart Road on the Sailyards Skate Park in Melbourne and the native media was stoked, even TransWorld famous the occasion of their June 1999 Trade information report. The competition adopted within the footsteps of the All Woman Skate Jam, which launched in 1997 in San Diego by Patty Segovia.
April 1999: Hardcore Ladies Road Skate Jam outcomes:
- Sally Clark ($1000) age 14
- Sally Affleck ($500)
- Hillary Pearce ($250)
- Colleen Hughson ($100)
- Jo Harrison ($100)
- Alicia Saye ($100)
Apparently, the “opponents ranged in age from 5 to twenty-eight years and skated earlier than a crowd of over 1,000. Break up plans to proceed this annual occasion with the potential for creating it into a national collection.” I believe the eldest skater was none aside from Stace “the Ace” Roper, the legendary Kiwi skater, and Sally Affleck was within the combine with numerous nice photographs:
Within the e-book, Unemployable (2016) by Jason Boulter, which explores the lengthy historical past of Globe, co-owner Mike Hill stated, “We noticed the variety of ladies skating the road and parks within the late ‘90s, Stateside and Oz, and thought these ladies have been actual skaters with actual expertise. The inventive and business hole was evident so Globe got here in with Gallaz to be the one model to fill this hole. Gallaz was a giant success from the get go!”
The advertising crew was additionally taking discover of how surfer Layne Beachley influenced Roxy, which dominated the board shorts marketplace for ladies for Quiksilver, so that they figured that Globe may step up as “the primary action-sports footwear for ladies and we got here out fairly hardcore.” Unusually sufficient, Kelley Meidroth stated that within the early 2000s their branding was deemed “masculine” and guys have been shopping for them, so they really added the tag line “Footwear for Females” to make clear their goal market alongside the brand, which was designed by Derek Yuen in 2000. See under:
To launch the brand new model, one other contest was held the next yr with Gallaz because the official sponsor. Primarily based on the NZ Herald, this occasion was gained by Jaime Reyes, and Kiwi skater, Georgina Matthews (who had gained the NZ Nationals) got here 2nd. The occasion was on April 29, 2000, on the Sailyards in Melbourne and was known as the Australian Ladies’ Road Skate Jam 2. *Does anybody have the total outcomes?*
Layne Beachley ended up designing an early signature shoe in 2001 and cherished the method. She stated, “It was cool. I felt like a particular a part of the crew, and it’s good to be on the forefront of one thing new and thrilling and to be thought of a beneficial member of that” (Boulter). Holly Monkman was employed to broaden the publicity of the model because the Gallaz Group Supervisor, which included feminine surfers, skaters, and snowboarders. Advertising in the direction of a distinct segment group of feminine athletes was formidable, particularly inside magazines and male-dominated industries that didn’t do their half to have a good time them and present assist.
Within the Gallaz Journal (2005), Australian skater, Monica Shaw mirrored on her sponsorship and the competition collection in an article known as “The Gallaz Skate Jam Chronicles.” She stated, “‘I simply occurred to be round in ’99 when the Gallaz Skate Jam began in Australia so I went down and checked ‘em all out. I’ve been to each one since and I may say that I’ve advanced with the occasions simply from being so younger and harmless and not likely understanding a lot about skateboarding. I’ve progressed clearly, like studying tips and getting higher and higher through the years from skating in these contests… I feel the very first thing I seen in 1999 was simply the shear incontrovertible fact that there was a woman’s contest and there have been ladies doing this. I hadn’t seen any of the ladies so it was only a actual eye opener.”
Images: Gallaz commercials in 2001 that includes Jaime Reyes and Lauren Mollica
In April 2001, the Gallaz Skate Jam 3 was held in Sydney and Monica gained the occasion, discovered the right way to crooked grind concurrently and was supplied a Gallaz sponsorship. Amy Caron was additionally grateful for the sponsorship. She remembered that it was simply after a contest in Hawaii, possible the 1999 All Woman Skate Jam when she was 14, that Gallaz introduced her on the crew. The plan was to create the largest / greatest ladies skate crew in historical past, which meant sponsoring Jaime Reyes, Vanessa Torres, Amy Torres, Lauren Mollica, Lyn Z Adams Hawkins, Monica Shaw, Violet Kimble, and Georgina Matthews, because the core crew.
Images: Gallaz adverts from 2002 that includes surfer Keala Kennely and Lauren Mollica
The annual Gallaz / Globe World Cup on the Rod Laver Enviornment in Melbourne turn out to be a key occasion for aggressive skate boarders to show themselves in entrance of an enormous viewers. In 2002, there have been 18,000 spectators in attendance. Monica Shaw recalled that, “2002 was the primary yr that the competition had gone worldwide, and in addition the largest prize in ladies’s skateboarding, so it was a giant deal. There was a automotive and a few cash [$6000]. And the course was like nothing else I’d ever skated as a result of it was simply large with lights and logos on it.”
Images: Jo Harrison and Tostee.com of the 2002 contest
February 2002: Gallaz Skate Jam 4 (Melbourne) at Globe World Cup
- Amy Caron ($2000, Ford automotive)
- Lauren Perkins
- Vanessa Torres
- Jaime Reyes
- Ianire Elorriaga
- Hillary Pearce
- Kelly Field
- Jen O’Brien
- Louisa Hawton
- Monica Shaw
- Jessie Van Roechoudt
- Esther Godoy
- Sally Clark
- Jacqui Baker
- Arna Michalczak
- Lisa Shairer
- Stacey Roper
This contest was additionally particular as a result of it was the lead-up occasion featured within the Gallaz documentary AKA: Woman Skater (dir. Mike Hill, 2003). I’ve devoted an entire put up to this video due to its international impression on ladies’s skateboarding. The video showcased the Gallaz professional crew (Reyes, Torres, Caron and Shaw) on their Australian roadtrip with bonus footage by Matthews and Mollica. Lisa Whitaker captured many of the motion, which made sense she was additionally sponsored by Gallaz!
The tour was additionally documented within the June 2002 Large Brother journal by Dave Carnie, in a big 14-page article known as “Gallaz in Australia: an all-female skate tour” stuffed with photographs by Jaya Bonderov (included within the AKA internet put up). Positively watch the video in its entirety to get an appreciation for the period and the skaters concerned in pushing the boundaries.
Images: sequences of Jaime Reyes and Vanessa Torres by Jaya Bonderov 2002
In a vogue article known as “The New Manufacturers in City” from Girls’s Put on Every day (WWD Journal), it was shared that Gallaz was included for a giant showcase in November 2002 at a New York bar known as Idlewild, with Reyes, Mollica, Caron and Torres turning up for the celebration. “Aimed toward women and girls between the ages of 12 and 24, Gallaz attire has unfinished touches, like uncooked edges, burned-out logos, reversible prints and scissor-cut necklines, to enchantment to ladies who wish to customise their garments… First-year projected wholesale quantity is lower than $2 million.”
Monica Shaw felt that the 2003 contest was a lot better than the earlier yr as a result of “they launched the ‘Jam’ format, which enabled us all to simply jam collectively and skate. They did it in three zones and there was like six skaters at a time and we’d all simply skate for like 10 minutes and be judged extra on issue or tips than on consistency since you don’t lose factors for tips you don’t land in a jam. It’s nearly what you do land which is form of higher in the event you aren’t a contest skater and are only a avenue skater.”
February 2003: Gallaz Skate Jam 5 (Melbourne) at Globe World Cup *30 ladies registered
- Vanessa Torres
- Elissa Steamer
- Jaime Reyes
- Lauren Perkins
- Ianire Elorriaga
- Monica Shaw
- Louisa Hawton
- Lucy Adams
- Sally Clark
- Esther Godoy
- Paige Hamilton
- Sally Affleck
Images: 2003 winner Vanessa Torres accepting her cheque and that includes in two Gallaz adverts
Kiwi skater, Stacey Roper additionally reported on the occasion for Push journal (Spring 2003) which was centered on feminine skaters, edited by Denise Williams of Halifax.
The 2004 contest had a little bit of drama, which was described in a information function for TransWorld (Feb. 19, 2004)! A number of of the skaters, together with Elissa Steamer, Georgina Matthews and Violet Kimble have been actually going for the enormous handrail. In an interview with the Gallaz Journal (2005), Violet shared that her worst wipeout / beating within the line of skateboarding obligation was on the 2004 occasion in Melbourne: “I went for the massive rail and principally obtained hung up and I fell on my face… not very enjoyable (may I add it was Valentine’s Day).” Monica confirmed that the bail was fairly gnarly and bloody however spectacular that she was going for it! Apparently, some stitches have been required!
February 2004: Gallaz Skate Jam 6 (Melbourne)
- Elissa Steamer
- Alison Matasi
- Vanessa Torres
- Georgina Matthews
- Hillary Pearce
- Jen O’Brien
- Amanda France
- Lyn-Z Adams Hawks
- Violet Kimble
- Esther Godoy
Images: Gallaz Skate Jam 6, Feb. 2004
November 2004: Gallaz Skate Jam 7 (Torrance Skatepark, CA) *a qualifying occasion for Globe World Cup in Melbourne
- Leo Baker
- Patiane Freitas
- Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins
- Sasha La Rochelle
- Violet Kimble
- Lauren Mollica
- Felicity Correl
- Stefanie Thomas
Describing the Gallaz Skate Jam 8 in 2005 Monica stated, “The terrain was fairly loopy, like actually, actually quick and massive and there have been some extra issues for ladies to skate than in different years. [Elissa] Steamer gained and there was simply carnage with ladies operating into one another and shit… it was fairly cool.”
February 2005: Gallaz Skate Jam 8 (Melbourne)
- Elissa Steamer
- Lauren Perkins
- Vanessa Torres
- Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins
- Jessica Krause
- Monica Shaw
- Leo Baker
- Georgina Matthews
- Violet Kimble
- Shannon Cranko
- Patiane Freitas
- Sophie Poppe
- Esther Godoy
- Hillary Pearce
- Lauren Mollica
Gallaz was so vital for girls’s skateboarding as a result of they prolonged their sponsorship to newbie skaters all world wide! Émilie Rougier (Montpellier, France) was seen by Gallaz and picked up a sponsorship. There’s even a video that Émilie took in 2001 skating with the Gallaz professional crew on the 2001 Gallaz Skate Jam in Seignosse, France:
The same gathering was hosted in 2002, however in Munster, Germany. Chrissie Stegt took just a few photographs to seize the vitality, which included Karen Schirm (Germany) and Louisa Menke (Netherlands / Algeria), who was the primary European feminine skater with a professional board!
In 2004 there was one other worldwide Gallaz Skate Jam however in Dortmund, Germany, to maintain up the present of assist for European skaters and showcase what ladies may do. Apparently, Torres shocked the gang with frontside smith grinds down the massive handrail, taking dwelling $2500 (versus the boys’s avenue winner, Bastien Salabanzi who nabbed $10,000).
- Vanessa Torres
- Lauren Perkins
- Lyn-z Adams-Hawkins
- Ianire Elorriaga
- Monica Shaw
- Patiane Freitas
- Sophie Poppe
- Steffi Weiss
Ianire Elorriaga, the Basque skater from Bakio who gained the European Championships six occasions between 2003 and 2010 was picked up by Gallaz. And once they supplied a Gallaz Skate Jam in Anglet, France in 2003, Ianire took first place for avenue. Patiane Freitas, the kickass avenue skater from Brazil, was additionally introduced on the crew after competing within the 2003 Gallaz Skate Jam in Munster, Germany. Different sponsored riders of observe included Sasha LaRochelle (U.S.), Sophie Poppe (Belgium), Stacey Roper (New Zealand) and Steffi Weiss (Germany).
Picture: Patiane Freitas for Examine it Out journal #17 on the 2004 Gallaz Skate Jam
Monica Shaw acknowledged that “Gallaz was one of many solely firms on the time prepared to place down the {dollars} for us to journey round and I’m really grateful for the expertise” (Huston). Monica was referring to the European tour that Gallaz sponsored, which was featured in situation #17 of Examine it Out journal. Violet Kimble echoed Shaw and of that European Tour she was quoted as saying, “That journey would truthfully must be the very best journey I’ve ever been on. All these ladies are all rad and there was no drama. So thanks, Gallaz for placing that tour collectively! It was superior.”
This tour will need to have included a cease in Hossegor, France as a result of Claire Barbier-Essertel posted a video of a Gallaz Skate Jam there in July 2004 with Gallaz professional skaters Torres, Mollica and Shaw, and many British and European ladies like Lucy Adams, Steffi Weiss, Sonya Kentech, Claire Alleume, Lisa Jacob, Ianire Elloriaga, and native French riders, like Anne Laure, Jeanna Beaugrand, Marie Guillet, Mathilde Bouvet, Pascaline Pouzols, and members of Les Poseuz Crew.
The subsequent yr, in 2005, the Gallaz crew went on one other Australian tour, as a lead-up to the World Cup which was reported on within the Ladies Skate Community web site. Lisa Whitaker was the designated filmer (and driver) and shared that she was despatched to Australia by the Gas TV present GKA, whereas Leo Baker had gained a Gallaz Skate Jam in California, which meant a ticket to the Globe World Cup.
There’s photographs of Australians Hilary Pearce, Monica Shaw, Sally Clark and Esther Godoy, together with Patiane Freitas, Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins, Sophie Poppe, Leo Baker, Lauren Mollica, Jessie Van Roechoudt, and Vanessa Torres.
Gallaz additionally produced a brand new video in 2005 known as You Remind Me of Me (dir. Jamie Brisick), which included a variety of feminine athletes that have been sponsored by Gallaz as surfers, snowboarders and skaters together with Violet Kimble, Monica Shaw, Lauren Mollica, and Patiane Freitas.
It turned out that 2005 was the final yr that the Globe World Cup was hosted, with a contest known as “The International Assault” in 2006 being the ultimate skateboarding occasion at Rod Laver Enviornment. It was an finish of an period. Monica stated, “I can actually map out my years of skateboarding with these occasions as a result of it’s been an annual factor and I can take into consideration what I’ve carried out within the years main as much as that, or I can inform if I’ve progressed in a yr as a result of I can bear in mind what I did final yr within the contest. The competitors’s not that vital to me, but it surely’s undoubtedly vital to me to see my mates yearly and to go journey and simply have enjoyable skateboarding.”
When Gallaz went defunct (apparently the advertising turned too fashion-oriented with an emphasis on disposable “quick vogue”), a brand new crew known as Globe Woman was created and Claire Alleume in France, the 2007 French Nationwide skateboard champion, was among the many first to be a part of this new imaginative and prescient with an on-going vary of useful skate footwear in smaller sizes beneath the Globe model.
Take a look at the e-book Unemployable: 30 Years of Hardcore, Skate and Road (2016) by Jason Boulter, which features a chapter on Gallaz and is a an extremely thorough account of the Australian firm Globe Worldwide and the Melbourne-based brothers, Stephen, Peter and Matt Hill. Talking of Stephen, within the AKA: Woman Skater video he said that the Globe / Gallaz Skate Jam was the largest contest on the planet for ladies and that feminine skaters ought to have been “handled equally because it ought to have all the time been.”
Thanks, Globe Industries for taking a chance on ladies in skateboarding, exhibiting assist by way of contests, excursions, sponsorship, and in commercials. The Gallaz adverts have been usually the one presence of a feminine skater in a complete skateboarding journal, and have been diligently cut-out and pasted to our partitions for inspiration as a result of a Gallaz sponsorship was the last word dream and motivation within the early 2000s as a result of they have been considered one of few firms, like Rookie skateboards in NYC, who took us critically.
References:
- Boulter, Jason. Unemployable: 30 Years of Hardcore, Skate and Road (Thames & Hudson, New York, 2016).
- Huston, Sarah. “Discovering the steadiness with designer and skateboarder Monica Shaw,” Yeah Woman (Might 31, 2019).
- Kimble, Violet. “The Gallaz Group European Tour.” Examine it Out Ladies 17 (2004), 31-33.
- Roper, Stacey. “Gallaz Skate Jam 5.” Push journal (Spring 2003), 6-8.
- WWD Workers, “The New Manufacturers in City,” Girls’s Put on Every day (January 2, 2003).