GIRLS THAT SKATE ARE BADASS

Huntington Beach’s Own Lauren Perkins Wins the Gold Medal and $5,000 in the S3 Supergirl Jam Street Contest

The S3 Supergirl Jam concluded last weekend in Huntington Beach, Calif. with hometown hero, Lauren Perkins, winning the Skateboard Street Contest and a check for $5,000, and snowboarder Laurie Currier of Wrightwood, Calif. dominating the competition to win both the Snowboard Rail Jam and the “Best Trick” award. The S3 Supergirl Jam, a three day all-female action sports event, featured top professional and up-and-coming athletes in surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and inline skating. A total of $60,000 in prize money was awarded over the course of the weekend.

Perkins fought a field of 17 competitors through the preliminary round and the finals to capture her first S3 Supergirl Jam title before all her family and friends. Perkins started the competition with an introductory run that set the bar for the rest of the competitors. In the Jam session, she held her own with a consistency that not only demonstrated her strength and talent, but also secured her the number one position.

“I knew I needed to nail everything because there were more competitors here than any other event lately, and all the other girls are extremely talented,” stated Perkins. “To me it says a lot for the future of women’s skateboarding. I want us to get to the point when we’re compared to the guys.”

Comparison to the level of men’s competition is not far behind when fellow finalist Evelien Bouilliart is landing tricks like a “front blunt to fakie” to capture both the best trick award and third place overall in the Jam. Bouilliart repeatedly landed one amazing trick after another in the Jam session to pull herself out of last place. Rachel Reinhard of Colorado Springs, Colo. finished second.

Earlier in the day, the girls took to the Snowboard Rail Jam course. Ice blocks ground into snow blanketed the course for two 30-minute preliminary heats and a 40-minute final round which showcased the innovation and daring character of the competitors. After all was said and done, Laurie Currier landed in first place. Rewarded for her seemingly effortless style, she received $5,000 and also claimed the Best Trick prize of $1,000 for a combination of technical tricks — a “hard way frontside 180 switch 50/50 switch backside 180.” Finishing behind Currier was Canada’s Raewyn Reid and Newport Beach, Calif.’s Chanelle Sladics.

“It’s the first time I’ve been on the snow in three months,” said Currier in amazement of her success. “I took the summer months off. What a way to come back.”

Spectators at the S3 Supergirl Jam were treated to a plethora of other activities in the S3 Supergirl village over the weekend including hair cuts by Paul Mitchell, live music by The Donnas and The Clique Girlz, autograph signings by the cast of “Blue Water High” and top female “actionistas” as well as sampling by Dibs Ice Cream Snacks and free giveaways at the Cosmo Girl booth.

S3 Supergirl Jam is designed to promote and celebrate female strength, independence and empowerment by creating a platform for today’s athletes to compete in multiple action sports disciplines. The event featured top female athletes in surf, skate and snow, as well as female bands and a variety of other activities. This year’s S3 Supergirl Jam showcased elevated levels of competition, increased prize purse, and broadened appeal for spectators. The S3 Supergirl Jam will air as part of event producer ASA Entertainment’s TV programming on CBS Sports and cable television. Please stay tuned to s3supergirljam.com or check your local listings for more broadcast details.