A hodgepodge of camping gear and staggering number of skateboards filled the majority of the van, as old-time friends and newcomers came together for a California road trip up the coast. The weeklong excursion that kicked off in San Francisco with a consisted of skaters and do-gooders whose primary mission was to give back by shining hope on communities where children need it the most.

Day one was spent in the Mission District of San Francisco at Everetts Middle School. We were greeted by Cory, the organizer of their after school program. Upon arrival we noticed dozens of energetic kids on the blacktop, some with boards and some without, but they were all eager to hang out and have a skate session with the girls. Poseiden met up with Erica from Skate Like a Girl came out for support. She was there to support the movement. Having Erica present was a morale booster because she understands the importance of youth empowerment and confidence building through sports.

The middle school provided a couple rails and boxes set up for the girls to do a demo.  Afterwards, the girls did a meet-and-greet with the kids and participated in a skate session with the kids. Poseiden put on a mini "best trick" contest with exciting awards like free skateboard decks and t-shirts. Jen, Aurora, Vanessa, and Sophie demonstrated some of their classic moves while the children expressed their own creative skills.

Most of the kids who attended the skateboard demo come from low-income families and many are unable to buy skateboards, many sported used goods. The chance for Poseiden to share their passion of skateboarding to the kids reveals that those in the organization are also capable of shaping their own lives for the benefit of others

The second day of the tour had the Poseiden group ready for Ida B. Wells Continuation High School. Ida B. Wells is an alternative school structured for kids who are potential drop-outs or students who have needs beyond which other high schools could not provide.

In cooperation with Skate Like a Girl, Poseiden put on a 15-minute skate demonstration for the high school students during their break. Stacy, who works with Skate like a Girl, helped set up some rails, a couple mini ramps, and a box. Vanessa and Sophie skated the rails and as the shyness quickly melted away, kids followed in their footsteps. We gave away prizes for those who landed some tricks and anyone else who wanted a little souvenir grabbed some sponsor goodies.

Poseiden asked girls who never skated before to try and push across the court. We had a couple girls who successfully made their way across, and they received t-shirts and stickers for their effort. Everyone walked away with a little something to keep in their pockets and in their hearts.

The girls enjoyed donating their time at the school and expressing their creative energy on their boards. Our movement was moving full steam ahead and felt unstoppable as we went around town giving gifts and spreading hope.

The next stop was the Chili Bowl. The crew left early in the morning for the 5th annual Chili Bowl Contest that was being held at Potrero Park in San Francisco. Toad from Thrasher magazine was kind enough to allow Poseiden Organization to be a part of the Chili Bowl, letting our organization share a booth with the Girl Riders Organization (GRO).

The heat intensified the day as banners and umbrellas popped up and a park full of admirers looked on as the sessions flowed freely.  The women's contest ended with Lexi Barclay taking first place followed by Jen O' Brien in second place with Vanessa Torres taking third. Poseiden handed out goody bags, which were provided by the girls' sponsors and supporters of Poseiden. All the excitement spurred a "best trick" contest that was held after the contest was over. The winner scored a complete skate deck. All the people who were in attendance got to bask in the sun, lay in the grass, and watch some great skating. The laid back atmosphere combined with the flurry of laughter and fun made it an overall wonderful day at the park for anyone who was lucky enough to be there.

After the Chili Bowl event Poseiden’s crew headed off to  Barrios Unidos, a Santa Cruz-based organization that promotes social equity and stopping gang warfare within the inner-city ethnic youth community. The organization was founded by Nane Alejándrez, a peace promoter and activist. He began his newfound life mission by spouting peace on street corners, and it has evolved tremendously through the great efforts of people who run its day-to-day business.

"'Art through Peace'", says Carmen, who helps manage Barrios Unidos, "is the main objective in captivating youth into a more positive outlet and away from gang violence." Barrios Unidos owns the entire block and rents out space to small local businesses, as well as owning a silk screen printing business. The shop is run by Joaquin, the manager, and employees are either working off their probation sentence, volunteers that simply want to learn the art of silk screening, or anyone who want to make some money and have fun doing it.

Joaquin states, "Instead of the kids graffitiing on walls, they can put it on a shirt and wear it." This idea of transforming creative upwelling into positive results is truly inspiring; programs such as the Cesar E. Chavez School for Social Change, Community Outreach, and Community Economic Development give assurance to the youth a brighter future by providing tools and support at an early stage. Through learning about their own culture and doing meaningful activities, it builds character, confidence, and strength to achieve greatness in the real world.

Poseiden Organization was warmly greeted by everyone in the Barrios Unidos facility. Lacey and Sophie held it down and skated a bit with the kids. They were so stoked to ask them questions about traveling and being a professional skateboarder. Afterwards we passed out goodies and a "best trick" contest was held, the prize being a deck. The winner was Ariel Torres, 19, from San Jose, came to Barrios Unidos to skate and meet the girls, and after talking to him for a bit, Poseiden decided to invite him for the evening with us on our tour van.

Poseiden hung out at Barrios Unidos and they were kind enough to print up shirts for us as parting gifts. The kids were stoked on all the skate gear and Poseiden felt extremely lucky to be so welcomed into a tight knit community. Driving off, the group headed to the Mike Fox Skate Park and all the girls and Ariel skated their hearts out for the rest of the evening.

The tour led the crew south on the 101 highway. The beautiful drive along the coastline added to our delightful moods as that day was shaping up to be a historical moment for women’s skateboarding. Courtney Payne-Taylor from Girlsrider.org was wonderful enough to set-up the Poseiden girl’s session at the Berrics. It would be the first time the Berrics would be bombarded with ladies that dominate the skate scene. Poseiden invited Leticia Bufony, Abisha Alshebaiki, Amy Caron, to join the girls from the tour: Sophie Poppe, Lacey Baker,Vanessa Torres, and Jen O'Brien

Thanks to Chase, who films for the Berrics, who caught the action as well as private interviews with some of the girls. This is to be posted on their website (www.theberrics.com). The guys that worked at the Berrics showed a lot of respect and welcomed all the girls that came, with or without a board. They hosted a nice air-conditioned lounge with Lowcard magazines for some quick literature. Sadly it was a blistering hot day and the refreshment center would not take any dollars.

The girls skated for awhile and towards the end enjoyed a cool break with refreshments in the parking lot across the street. Poseiden’s tour assistant happily walked across the bridge and came back with a box of goodies. It was the perfect way to end the tour. It is nothing like putting aside everything else for the greater good and have so much fun all the while. Giving back is more than passing out products, it is communicating to people who might doubt themselves otherwise. The message is to have a kid say to themselves, “if they can do it, I can do it.”

It is important that kids dare to dream outside the confines of their own mind and of their own community. As all of us watched the kids have fun on the boards, trying things they might be afraid to do otherwise, it was proof that the Poseiden crew planted a small seed in their minds to fuel their own desires.  In growing up, young people should see that there are no limits to their goals and they can defy their initial expectations of themselves.

Being on the Poseidon skate tour meant being a part of something important, the type of importance that one is not fully consciously aware of the great impact it made.

Maybe not, until upon reflection on a lazy Sunday afternoon when one comes full circle with all the events that have taken place. When you think about how everyone you met, or spoke to, you potentially influenced or inspired in some way or another. This was what the trip was all about, connections that otherwise would have never been made, were indeed made and that energy is out there. It is knowing we are all in it together, and it was what kept the van going. It was what kept us all going and inspired us to continue our mission.