Building Community: Skate Hunnies
In our Building Community series, we're featuring stories from neighbors who are coming together to build a more inclusive and equitable Culver City community. Today, we’re hearing from Jennifer Yonda of Skate Hunnies.
Jennifer Yonda, founder of Skate Hunnies.
Photo by Julia Harris
Hey there! I'm Jen, founder of the Skate Hunnies, one of the country's most active roller skate communities, founded right here in Culver City! Female-founded, community-focused, and fueled by fun, we provide meetups, pop-up events, entertainment, skate lessons, and more. Join us for our free weekly community meetup, Thursday Night Skate, on your bike, skates, scooter, or PEV!
Our Culver asked me to give a run down on our community, so, here's the story of how the Skate Hunnies came to be, and why you might just want to join one of our upcoming events.
Back in 2020, when the world was on pause, I had this lightbulb moment. After moving to LA from the East Coast, I got hooked on the whole skating scene. There was this awesome energy at the LA Friday Night Skate, but it felt like there was room for something more inclusive, especially for women and those just getting comfortable on their skates. That's how the Skate Hunnies came to be. Imagine a bunch of us meeting up every week, starting small and then, boom, we're a crew of 50+ skaters rolling through the streets. It was magical.
Culver City, with its bike-friendly lanes and cool spots, became our playground. It's like the city was designed with the people in mind. We've zigzagged through LA's iconic neighborhoods, but there's something about Culver City that feels like home. The bike lanes and friendly community always made us feel at home, and so Culver City became a staple for our community. We host our most inclusive "First Thursday" meetup every first Thursday of the month in Culver City, welcoming beginner skaters and attendees on all wheels to come join our rolling parade.
What's the Skate Hunnies all about, you ask? Simply: empowerment, inspiration, and connection. It's about that awesome feeling when you're cruising on your skates, the wind in your hair, surrounded by people who get it. We're here to make sure everyone feels welcome, whether you're a pro or just curious about how to not fall (because we've all been there).
Our mission? To show that streets are for people, not just cars. We host free community rides, skate lessons, and the coolest pop-up events. It's all about getting healthier, happier, and more connected with each other.
We actually have a big pop-up event happening at the end of the month! Our "Easter Roll" Skate Picnic at Ivy Station is on March 30. It's going to be fun for all ages, and it's the perfect chance to see what we're all about. Check out our Instagram for the latest updates and to come meet the crew.
Trust me, it'll be a guaranteed good time!
Want to stay connected with Skate Hunnies? Here's how:
Follow our adventures, join our meetups, and let's make some memories on wheels. See you out there!
Website: www.laskatehunnies.com
Instagram: @la.skate.hunnies
Email: hello@laskatehunnies.com
Add your voice to the conversation. Send your stories to ourculver@gmail.com.