Skateboarding Typically

SKATEBOARDING TYPICALLY isn’t a sport that displays the common etiquette of “ladies first.” Men dominate the highlight films and headlines. But at the 2003 Gravity Games in Cleveland, Ohio, the women had a time to shine on the 12-foot halfpipe.

Although the event was a demonstration, spectators packed the bleachers and stood near the action to get a glimpse of five fearless riders. San Diego’s Mimi Knoop nailed numerous backside 5-0s and a handful of handplants. Vert skate veteran Cara-Beth Burnside also displayed how far women’s vert has come. Other riders, such as Jen O’Brien, showed a graceful style up and down the halfpipe, throwing in fluid backside ollies and frontside airs for good measure. Holly Lyons caught some nice air, but perhaps 13-year-old Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins captured the crowd’s fancy more than anyone else. The fearless and energetic teen squared off in an unspoken battle with Burnside to see who would be the first to land a kickflip indy before the end of the competition.

With every attempt, the crowd cheered, hoping one of the women would land the stunt. But at the end of the 45-minute competition, neither had ripped the elusive trick and time had run out . . . or had it?

While the women cleared out and the men warmed up for their competition, Hawkins refused to walk away. She kept working at it and finally stuck a clean kickflip indy.

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POINT The 2003 women’s vert demonstration surprised everybody. Despite having the men’s skate street finals going on at the same time, the women’s competition drew a large crowd and awed those in attendance. Plus, it gave all eyes a glimpse of what’s ahead in women’s vert—and it’s going to be big.

Then a teen showed her championship drive by trying time after time—risking injury with every attempt—to nail a tough trick. And Lyn-Z’s perseverance was rewarded. She hit the kickflip indy.

God wants his followers to show that same kind of perseverance. He wants us to keep pursuing him as he makes us more like him.

GOAL! Is there anything you want to do or any character trait you want to develop for God . . . but you just can’t seem to do it? Commit to keep trying and not give up until you’ve succeeded.