The Swirl Girls love each other’s shoes. Not the kind hidden beneath cropped wide-leg jeans, but the ones that peek out just enough as they roll by on their skateboards. Shoes that are cheetah print. Shoes that are bright green. Even the white ones, smudged with black scuff marks from kickflips gone wrong—proof of progress in their skating journey. Flat, grippy shoes that make them feel one with their boards as they glide over gravel, weaving under moveable school signs just because they can. The Swirl Girls love their shoes endlessly, because those shoes let them do what they love most: skate.Recently, I joined SWIRL Orange County, a chapter of the women-led skate collective GRLSWIRL, for their final group skate meetup of the year at San Luis Rey Park in San Clemente. GRLSWIRL is dedicated to bringing people together worldwide by fostering genuine community connections.As soon as I arrived, I was welcomed with smiles, laughter, and, of course, plenty of skateboards. One of those warm smiles belonged to chapter leader Natalie Urrego, a longtime surfer-turned-skater.Urrego shared the origins of GRLSWIRL: “It was founded in Venice by a group of women who just wanted to skate together. I think there were eight of them. They realized how much fun it was and how the experience shifted from being catcalled while skating alone to being cheered on when they skated together as a group. They felt there was something really special there.”From those very humble beginnings, GRLSWIRL grew into the world’s largest skate collective, with chapters around the globe. SWIRL Orange County officially launched in September, thanks to Urrego and her team: Sutton, Callie, and Trinity. “We’ve been hosting group skates, and turnout ranges from 15 to up to 35 or 40 people,” Urrego said. “We teach girls of all ages—from 5 to 65—and create a space for everyone, from beginners to advanced skaters. It’s all about community, building friendships, and creating a space where everyone can play together.”When asked what inspired her to start the Orange County chapter, Urrego spoke of her time in Los Angeles while attending UCLA. “I skated with the Venice chapter and made close friendships so fast,” she said. “I felt empowered and became an active member of the community, even participating in skate mentorships in Compton and South Central LA. When I moved back to Orange County, I couldn’t stand not having a chapter here. There was such a demand for it, and I saw how much it could bring to the community.”Through word of mouth, social media, and sheer enthusiasm, SWIRL Orange County quickly grew. “Even at our first skates, girls we didn’t know just showed up. Those same girls still come today,” Urrego said. The chapter also focuses on giving back to the community, hosting events such as beach cleanups and clothing drives, and it plans to start skate mentorships for underserved kids in the coming year.Urrego emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming space in skateboarding, especially for women. “Skateboarding is an incredibly male-dominated space, and it can be intimidating to show up alone,” she said. “But GRLSWIRL shows the power of community—uplifting each other individually. It’s OK to be a beginner, to fall, and to try. The goal is to make friendships and support one another along the way.”When I arrived at San Luis Rey Park for the SWIRL Orange County meetup, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d never been on a skateboard before, and to be honest, I was nervous. But the girls quickly put me at ease, offering smiles, encouragement, and, most importantly, patience. They handed me a beginner-friendly board, and chapter leader Urrego stepped in to teach me the basics. “Just take it slow and feel the board under your feet,” she said, steadying me as I found my balance. The group cheered me on as I wobbled forward. At first, even the slightest incline felt like a mountain, but Urrego showed me how to zigzag down the slight incline to control my speed. “It’s all about leaning gently to one side, then the other,” she explained, demonstrating with effortless ease.I practiced the zigzag technique a few times, gaining confidence with each attempt. Before long, I was gliding around with the group, the board feeling less like a foreign object and more like an extension of myself. We skated along smooth paths near the park, weaving between signs and unsteady gravel, the gravel crunching softly beneath our wheels.By the end of the meetup, I felt comfortable skating on flat ground—though I still wasn’t ready to tackle any uphill climbs. “That’ll come with time. I even have trouble with those,” Urrego assured me with a laugh. Every girl in the group was welcoming and supportive, offering tips and high-fives with every small victory.It wasn’t just about skating; it was about the connection, the laughter, and the shared joy of learning something new together. The experience captured exactly what SWIRL Orange County is all about—creating a space where everyone, from beginners to seasoned skaters, can feel supported, empowered, and free to have fun.The local skateboarding community has embraced SWIRL Orange County with open arms. “The response has been incredible,” Urrego said. “We’ve had skaters tell us how the vibe at the skate park changes when we show up—there’s music, people smiling, and so much support. It’s all about creating positive energy and respecting the lineage of skateboarding.”For Urrego, some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing beginners overcome fear and embrace skating. “Most of them say they’re just there to hang out, but by the end of the skate, they’re on their boards, smiling and learning. It’s beautiful to see,” she said.Looking ahead, Urrego is excited about the chapter’s goals for 2025. “The installation of a pump track at Richard Steed Memorial Park will be the first of its kind in Orange County. But I’m most passionate about mentorships. Teaching skateboarding to kids in underserved communities and instilling confidence in them is powerful. It’s about giving back and uplifting the next generation,” she said.As SWIRL Orange County continues to grow, Urrego remains inspired by the collective’s founders and the global skateboarding community. “This effort has never been about just one person. It’s the people who show up that make it what it is,” she said. “The love, confidence, and community they bring have made SWIRL Orange County so special.”

From those very humble beginnings, GRLSWIRL grew into the world’s largest skate collective, with chapters around the globe. SWIRL Orange County officially launched in September, thanks to Urrego and her team: Sutton, Callie, and Trinity.For Urrego, some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing beginners overcome fear and embrace skating. “Most of […]

From those very humble beginnings, GRLSWIRL grew into the world’s largest skate collective, with chapters around the globe. SWIRL Orange County officially launched in September, thanks to Urrego and her team: Sutton, Callie, and Trinity.For Urrego, some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing beginners overcome fear and embrace skating. “Most of them say they’re just there to hang out, but by the end of the skate, they’re on their boards, smiling and learning. It’s beautiful to see,” she said.“This effort has never been about just one person. It’s the people who show up that make it what it is,” she said. “The love, confidence, and community they bring have made SWIRL Orange County so special.”Urrego emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming space in skateboarding, especially for women. Looking ahead, Urrego is excited about the chapter’s goals for 2025.“Even at our first skates, girls we didn’t know just showed up. Those same girls still come today,” Urrego said. Through word of mouth, social media, and sheer enthusiasm, SWIRL Orange County quickly grew. By the end of the meetup, I felt comfortable skating on flat ground—though I still wasn’t ready to tackle any uphill climbs. “That’ll come with time. I even have trouble with those,” Urrego assured me with a laugh. Every girl in the group was welcoming and supportive, offering tips and high-fives with every small victory.The Swirl Girls love each other’s shoes. Not the kind hidden beneath cropped wide-leg jeans, but the ones that peek out just enough as they roll by on their skateboards. Shoes that are cheetah print. Shoes that are bright green. Even the white ones, smudged with black scuff marks from kickflips gone wrong—proof of progress in their skating journey. Flat, grippy shoes that make them feel one with their boards as they glide over gravel, weaving under moveable school signs just because they can. The Swirl Girls love their shoes endlessly, because those shoes let them do what they love most: skate.“The response has been incredible,” Urrego said. “We’ve had skaters tell us how the vibe at the skate park changes when we show up—there’s music, people smiling, and so much support. It’s all about creating positive energy and respecting the lineage of skateboarding.”As SWIRL Orange County continues to grow, Urrego remains inspired by the collective’s founders and the global skateboarding community. When I arrived at San Luis Rey Park for the SWIRL Orange County meetup, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d never been on a skateboard before, and to be honest, I was nervous. But the girls quickly put me at ease, offering smiles, encouragement, and, most importantly, patience. They handed me a beginner-friendly board, and chapter leader Urrego stepped in to teach me the basics.It wasn’t just about skating; it was about the connection, the laughter, and the shared joy of learning something new together. The experience captured exactly what SWIRL Orange County is all about—creating a space where everyone, from beginners to seasoned skaters, can feel supported, empowered, and free to have fun.Urrego shared the origins of GRLSWIRL: “It was founded in Venice by a group of women who just wanted to skate together. I think there were eight of them. They realized how much fun it was and how the experience shifted from being catcalled while skating alone to being cheered on when they skated together as a group. They felt there was something really special there.”I practiced the zigzag technique a few times, gaining confidence with each attempt. Before long, I was gliding around with the group, the board feeling less like a foreign object and more like an extension of myself. We skated along smooth paths near the park, weaving between signs and unsteady gravel, the gravel crunching softly beneath our wheels.As soon as I arrived, I was welcomed with smiles, laughter, and, of course, plenty of skateboards. One of those warm smiles belonged to chapter leader Natalie Urrego, a longtime surfer-turned-skater.The chapter also focuses on giving back to the community, hosting events such as beach cleanups and clothing drives, and it plans to start skate mentorships for underserved kids in the coming year.Recently, I joined SWIRL Orange County, a chapter of the women-led skate collective GRLSWIRL, for their final group skate meetup of the year at San Luis Rey Park in San Clemente. GRLSWIRL is dedicated to bringing people together worldwide by fostering genuine community connections. “Just take it slow and feel the board under your feet,” she said, steadying me as I found my balance. The group cheered me on as I wobbled forward. At first, even the slightest incline felt like a mountain, but Urrego showed me how to zigzag down the slight incline to control my speed. “It’s all about leaning gently to one side, then the other,” she explained, demonstrating with effortless ease.“I skated with the Venice chapter and made close friendships so fast,” she said. “I felt empowered and became an active member of the community, even participating in skate mentorships in Compton and South Central LA. When I moved back to Orange County, I couldn’t stand not having a chapter here. There was such a demand for it, and I saw how much it could bring to the community.”“Skateboarding is an incredibly male-dominated space, and it can be intimidating to show up alone,” she said. “But GRLSWIRL shows the power of community—uplifting each other individually. It’s OK to be a beginner, to fall, and to try. The goal is to make friendships and support one another along the way.”The local skateboarding community has embraced SWIRL Orange County with open arms. “The installation of a pump track at Richard Steed Memorial Park will be the first of its kind in Orange County. But I’m most passionate about mentorships. Teaching skateboarding to kids in underserved communities and instilling confidence in them is powerful. It’s about giving back and uplifting the next generation,” she said. “We’ve been hosting group skates, and turnout ranges from 15 to up to 35 or 40 people,” Urrego said. “We teach girls of all ages—from 5 to 65—and create a space for everyone, from beginners to advanced skaters. It’s all about community, building friendships, and creating a space where everyone can play together.”When asked what inspired her to start the Orange County chapter, Urrego spoke of her time in Los Angeles while attending UCLA.