Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/14045
F eminism has become more fun, competitive, and even inspirational, with The Annual Supergirl Jam Series blend of sport and girl power. Advertised as the industry's only large-scale, all-girls actions sports competition, its organizer, action sports events producer ASA Entertainment, describes it as a celebration of female strength, independence and empowerment. In its fourth year, and already into the second of its three event series, the Supergirl Jam brings together 100 of the world's top female action sports athletes (talented female pros and up-and-coming amateurs) competing in surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and inline skating. "We are very proud to present the Supergirl Jam for its fourth year," said Karen McTier for Warner Bros. Consumer Products, one of the event's organiser's. "It's an honor to once again provide an opportunity for these young women to take center stage and be applauded for their talent, dedication and inspiration." The first event, the SUPERGIRL AM JAM held on June 30 at the SKATELAB in Simi Valley, recognized emerging female skateboarding talent. Twenty-five of the country's best amateur female skateboarders competed at the Southern Californian indoor skate park in a series of trick-filled heats that left the judges impressed. The ultimate winner was Brooke Whipp of Salt Lake City who rode away with the title and qualified for a spot competing against the female pros in the Supergirl Jam Skateboard Street contest on August 22 at Venice Beach. The event announcer described Whipp's victory as a "silent attack" which culminated in a kick flip down the turf gap that helped clinch the title. "This feels amazing - it feels great!" said Whipp. "It's so awesome to see so many of the girls here. I never see this many girls skating at home. But, put them all together - they're so good!" The next event is the SUPERGIRL PRO JUNIOR (in conjunction with the 26th Annual Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club Contest and Beach Festival) at Oceanside on August 14. A Grade-4 event on the Association of Surfing Professionals North American Pro Junior Series, the surfing competition boasts the richest purse in Pro Junior history. As such, the very best 20-year-old-and- under female talent will be taking to the water around Oceanside Pier. The 2008 U.S. Open of Surfing champion and world's current #1 female junior pro surfer, Malia Manuel, will be competing alongside Coco Ho, the 2009 Women's World Tour Rookie of the Year and 2008 Supergirl Pro Junior Champion, and Carissa Moore, #1 on Surfer Magazine's Hot 100 list and the youngest surfer to win the Triple Crown event at Haleiwa in 2008. After Oceanside, the third and final event will take place the following weekend, on August 22, at Venice Beach. The SNOWBOARDING RAIL JAM will see 80,000 pounds of manufactured snow dumped on the beach, attracting competitors such as two-time defending champion, Laurie Currier, and former Supergirl Rail Jam medalists, Chanelle Sladies and Leanne Pelosi, along for the ride to try to thwart Currier's historical bid for a three-peat crown. Nearby, on the same day, thirty of the best skateboarding and inline skating pros will be competing on a custom-built street course. Huntington Beach rivals, Lauren Perkins and Amy Caron will be vying with one another for the SKATEBOARD STREET CHAMPION title (won by Perkins in 2008, but captured by Caron the following year when injury sidelined Perkins from taking part) as well as taking on the talent from overseas. This year, Rampworx Skate Park in Liverpool, England, held the first international qualifier for the Supergirl Jam, with the winners from both Skateboard Street and Inline Street contests invited to compete at Venice Beach. As with all the best things in life, the Supergirl Jam events are free to everyone, and if you're feeling lazy you can watch from the uncrowded comfort of your own home on CBS, Fox Sports Net and Fuel TV. And, for those who think that only three events is far too little, the good news is that additional surfing and snowboarding contests are being planned for the winter. Keep up to date with the latest news on the website at www.supergirljam.com The Fourth Annual Supergirl Jam is bringing the Best Young Female Action Sports Talent to Oceanside and Venice Beach. By: Chris Allsop SUPERGIRL Malia Manuel carves the waves and advances to the finals in the 2009 Supergirl Pro Junior in Oceanside, CA 42 LIVEMAGS.NET AUGUST>>10