Surf Like a Girl ::: Getting to Know Pro Feature: Skateboarder Cara-Beth Burnside

The day Cara-Beth Burnside ("CB" to her friends) traded in her roller skates for a skateboard, women's skateboarding changed completely. There were a handful of girl skaters out there when Burnside was growing up, but CB was good (real good). In order to compete, she had to go up against the guys. Money and sponsorship was tight as a female skater so CB switched over to snowboarding, there she received sponsors, traveled the world and came in fourth at a little event called the Olympics. Now that women's skateboarding has gone more mainstream (thanks in part to CB's efforts), she is able to compete—and often win—at events such as the X Games, the All Girl Skate Jam, and the Vans Triple Crown. She was also recently honored at the Female Vert Skater of the Year at the World Cup. By creating the Alliance, Burnside hopes to organize women's skateboarding so they can sanction competitions and ultimately get more exposure and prize money. No one has done more to further the sport of women's skateboarding than CB. We can't wait to see where she takes us next.

Last song you downloaded: "Give it Away" by Zero 7
Best vacation: Australia
Last book you read: "The Journeys of Socrates" by Dan Millman
Guilty pleasure TV: Lifetime movies
Favorite comfort food: Chocolate
Champagne or beer (or other): Beer
Last splurge: 2007 Audi A3
Advice for beginners: Believe in yourself.
Heroes: Mom and Oprah
Worst experience skating: A concussion snowboarding in France. I spent two days in the hospital.
I'm most proud of: I've always done what I believed in and never given up. Even when times got really hard or frustrating, I've always made a living being a professional skateboarder/snowboarder. I don't work a "regular job."
Favorite rainy day activity: Stretching and hanging with my cats.
Pet peeve: Superficial people
The perfect date: A night out with Matthew McConaughey. Anything he plans will be perfect!
Pets: Eight cats. Beni, Silver, GG, Boots, Cali, Tigger, Leo, and Jezzie.
Why I skate: Because I love it!
Words to live by: Do what you believe in and don't let the naysayers tell you "that won't work" or "you can't do that." Be a leader, not a follower!

To see more of CB, visit cara-beth.com, Action Sports Alliance. Also read her forward in "Skater Girl".

We asked Cara-Beth what she brings
on an everyday skate session.

Plan B skateboard
Pro-tec helmet
Bones wheels
Mechanical Griptape
Hurley beanie and sweatshirt
A cooler full of healthy snacks and water
iPod with speakers