Semper erit aestas.

How to be a skater girl in New York City:

I’ve been shredding all over Manhattan for about six months now. When I began, I didn’t know grip tape from wheels, and I thought trucks were what my boyfriends drove in high school.  These days every time I pop into a friend’s apartment or our preferred brunch spot avec deck, I hear the same sweet song: “I want to learn!” Buddies, you now have no excuse not to join me on my next island cruise.

• Find a veteran sk8r boy to show you the ropes. This will require about forty-five minutes of pushing yourself forward while gripping his arm and then two or three beers. (Bonus points if he asks you to brunch within the next 72 hours.)
• When you know you’re ready to devote yourself (and your wallet) to the cause, get decked out. (Pun intended!) Head to Autumn in the East Village to build your board and endure some light mockery on behalf of the staff.
• Invest in a pair of flat-soled sneaks. I swear by my Jack Purcells (as pictured above and paired this afternoon with a white matchstick jean and selvedge chambray shirt, both by J. Crew).
• Fill your iPod with classic slacker jams. I listen to a lot of Sublime and Citizen Cope whilst weaving through traffic.
• Now it’s time to hit the pavement! I taught myself how to skate in a straight line by following the white lines that border the bike trail along the West Side Highway.
• Find a secluded spot to perfect those kick turns.
• Stay out of the Meatpacking District. The cobblestones are not conducive to coasting, and it’s the only ‘hood where I have ever been embarrassed to be on my board. (The hostess was kind enough, however, to park it behind the bar at SoHo House.)
• Skate with purpose. My favorite excuse for breaking out the board is to meet my girl friends for lunch, dinner, and happy hour dates. Since I always leave my apartment at the time I should be arriving at my destination, I have added incentive to skate really fast. The less time I have to worry about screwing up, the better I handle my wheels. It’s like shooting a free throw. Stop thinking.
• Skate to the bars! Nothing, I repeat, nothing will make you and your gang of lady ruffians look cooler than hanging out with your board propped against the bar at your friendly, bro-centric, neighborhood watering hole. My preferred public house is Brother Jimmy’s. You’ll own the place without even trying (very hard).
• Remember that despite the torn jeans, bloody palms, and scabby elbows, you are a total bad ass. There is nothing you can’t handle. You’re a girl on a skateboard in New York City!