Wednesday, September 18

AKA: Girl Skater

Press Release

AKA: Girl Skater, a documentary film that provides fascinating insight into the world of female skateboarding, reveals the emergence and strength of women both in skateboarding and action sports. Featuring professional skaters Amy Caron, Vanessa Torres, Jaime Reyes and Monica Shaw, with special appearances by Dave Carnie (AKA: Mom) of Big Brother Skateboarding Magazine, AKA: Girl Skater captures each athlete's personality and explores the challenges, achievements and rewards integral to their careers as professional skateboarders.

Comparing female versus male skateboarding, Dave Carnie comments in the film, "I much prefer to see this little secret society [of female skateboarders] with their own rules and mores – it's untainted by fame and grandeur, which a lot of the male skateboarding world is being poisoned by right now. Everyone is just too cool to even skate – but the girls just go at it."

The Gallaz-sponsored Whyte House Production, AKA: Girl Skater, not only showcases the best female skate footage ever collected, but is also a film about the skater's identity and is honest, entertaining, enlightening and inspirational. The film proves that the level of female skateboarding has become highly progressive and that the athletes are deserving of such acknowledgement and respect. Furthermore, AKA: Girl Skater identifies the beginning of what is rapidly becoming a widespread female activity.

"Given the current standard of women's skateboarding, a film that finally gives a voice to this subculture, and the phenomenal athletes that represent it, is well overdue," says Mike Hill, director of AKA: Girl Skater.

Filmed during a skate tour featuring all professional female skaters along Australia's east coast and culminating at the Gallaz Skate Jam in Melbourne, Australia, the 26-minute film will be released in October 2002 on video with a DVD scheduled for release in November. Gallaz will host a VIP world premiere of the film at the Action Sports Retailer trade show September 6th in San Diego, CA and is planning additional worldwide premiere dates to be announced soon.

The release of AKA: Girl Skater is the first of a larger film initiative supporting and celebrating independent girls' lifestyles. Spring 2003 will see the release of a feature film about all-girl rockers and later next year, Whyte House Productions plans to produce AKA: Girl Surfer and AKA: Girl Snowboarder which will explore the urbanity behind these sports. Focused on the women's market, Gallaz will continue its quest to showcase and support female culture in both art and action sports. Gallaz will announce additional information about AKA: Girl Skater and other upcoming film projects soon.

"It was a natural for Gallaz to support this film since the brand has been supporting female skateboarders for over two years already," says Kelley Meidroth, marketing manager for Gallaz. "We're really pleased that a film has come out that exposes the incredible abilities of today's girl skaters."

The Gallaz team of skaters is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. Vanessa Torres won the 2001 World Cup Skateboarding points championship during her rookie pro season, and also won the All Girl Skate Jam and Triple Crown of Skateboarding thus far in 2002. Amy Caron has also racked up a string of wins in 2002 by taking first at the Gallaz Skate Jam in Melbourne, Australia and the Slam City Jam contest in Vancouver, Canada. Jaime Reyes landed in the record books by becoming the first female to be featured on the cover of Thrasher Magazine and Monica Shaw is often referred to as the best female skater to come out of Australia.

Gallaz is the first action sports footwear brand specifically for females and now also offers a complete line of clothing and accessories. Developed with input from its team of professional surfers, skateboarders, and snowboarders Gallaz offers quality products that integrate style, performance, durability, and comfort. Gallaz, a division of Globe International, has headquarters located in Torrance, California and distributes its products throughout the world. For additional information, log on to www.gallaz.com.