Name: Amy Bradshaw

Where were you born? Inglewood, Ca 1964

Where did you grow up? Cypress, Ca

When / how / why did you start skating?

I think I was about 9. I was 5th of 6 sisters. One of my older sisters had a skateboard. We all sort of shared everything. The first one had metal wheels. It was just one thing to do. We were outside kids, riding bikes, skates, skateboards. Another skateboard showed up with pink "chalk" wheels. I got pretty good on it, riding fast into corners and making sharp turns off the few concrete or smooth asphalt driveways (ours was gravel).

Then I guess in about 1976 I found Urethane wheels and the San Gabriel river. It was a giant concrete banked riverbed and I became obsessed with it.

What are some of your earliest/ favorite memories of skateboarding?

I had a friend who lived across the street who also had a skateboard. We would ride through the neighborhood together and just find new things to try. Jumping of ledges, sliding on banks. I used to "hippie jump" over my sister's 10 speed bike. Soon Skatopia Skatepark opened and I became obsessed all over again. I made the Vans Amatuer team and got to go to a bunch of parks and meet lots of other people

What are some of your favorite or most memorable recent sessions?

There are so many ? I skate a lot lately. I went a couple weeks ago to the Orchid Ranch with a group of women. Its a wooden skatepark in a beautiful setting near Santa Barbara. We were all different abilities, but we each had a goal. Everyone was pushing and laughing. We really enjoyed ourselves. There's a cool thing that happens in sessions where you really want to land your tricks and your friends help you believe it can happen. It comes out of nowhere. Kind of like magic!

Did you ever put stop skating over the years? (if so when and why)

I stopped at about 15. The parks were closing and I started high school. I was a pretty good athlete and I got into track and field, and basketball. After high school I started working. Then life, marriage, kids. You know, adulting.

I started again in my early 40s. I think it was 2006. I contacted my friend Ken Hada. He was a Skatopia local. I met him at Bellflower Skatepark with another friend and it was like I never stopped. It really is just like riding a bike ?

I've been skating ever since.

Favorite skateparks back in the day and favorite skateparks now.

Skatopia, of course! But I also really liked Big-O .

I think my two favorites now are Venice Beach and Alex Road in Oceanside.

What’s in store for 2023?

I just recently retired so I have more free time. I'd like to travel and skate. There are so many places to skate now! I want to skate everywhere! While I still have time

Why do you enjoy skateboarding? What other stuff are you into?

I really don't know why. I just do. Even when I wasn't skating, I was thinking about skating. It's just something that becomes a part of you that never goes away.

I like all sports. I've played a little basketball and soccer. Lately I've been bowling. I love to run. Ride my bike. I'm a crappy guitar player, but it's fun. I like to make lame video edits for social media!

I have 2 granddaughters that I love to play with.

What do you do for work?

I worked for Ralphs Grocery Co. For 41 years and just recently retired. So I guess, I'm just a skater now!

Random question - are you related to Asher Bradshaw? Do you know how Asher is? And have you seen Asher lately?

I'm not related to Asher, but I do know him and his dad. I used to see them around alot. I haven't seen him in a long time. He was amazing as a little guy. Whatever he's doing, I hope he's still having fun! He was really fun to skate with.

FAVORITES

Foods: Hamburgers.

Books:  The #1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Mcall Smith

Places you have been: Nowhere. Lol I've barely stepped out of the continental US.

Places you would like to visit: Everywhere. Anywhere I haven't been is an adventure

SKATE GEAR

Deck: Antihero Brian Anderson

Trucks: Ace 55

Wheels: Bones 56s

Bearings: Bones reds. Maybe bones Swiss if I'm feeling fancy

Grip: It's really just an art medium

Shoes: Vans Oldskool ultracush

Helmet: S1 Lifer Helmet Color: Slate Blue 

Pads: S1 Pro Knee Pads Gen 4.5

Big Thanks to Cindy from @girlisnota4letterword for organizing interview and @ianloganphoto for shooting photos

follow Amy @oldlady_skater