Women’s skateboarding event rolls to Encinitas Community Park

The Encinitas Community Park will have its first big skateboarding event later this year.

At its June 17 meeting, the Encinitas City Council unanimously approved Exposure 2015, meant to spotlight women’s skateboarding. More than 5,000 people are expected at the Nov. 7 event, which will feature a skateboarding contest for women and girls, as well as learn-to-skate clinics.

After the meeting, Amelia Brodka, the founder of Exposure, said she was grateful and excited.

“The design and layout of the Encinitas Community Park is a great place for the community to gather,” Brodka said, adding it’s an ideal spot to share “our empowering message.”

“Each year, we are excited to give back to Encinitas by donating proceeds of our event to the Community Resource Center’s domestic violence program,” she said.

Brodka created Exposure to garner more attention, cash prizes and sponsors for female riders. In her documentary “Underexposed,” she chronicled how tough it is for female skateboarders to make it professionally, given so few sponsorship opportunities.

The council welcomed the event, though Deputy Mayor Catherine Blakespear said organizers and the city should “hold the line” on helmet rules during Exposure.

In March, Sheriff’s deputies cited five helmetless riders at the community park, drawing criticism from skateboarders. A month earlier, the council approved an update to the city municipal code in order to make it clearer that all skateboarders must wear helmets.

Exposure’s contest will have vert, street and bowl events, according to a city staff report. Also on tap: yoga clinics.

Last year, Exposure was held at the Magdalena Ecke YMCA skatepark. It featured $20,000 in prize money.

The 13,000-square-foot Encinitas Skate Plaza is located in the 44-acre community park, at 425 Santa Fe Drive.