Contributions from Jessica Holland | Huck
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Jessica Holland

The concrete haven where skateboarding is just the start

When two friends made plans to restore a derelict skate park by hand, they also set out to reignite a community. The result is a brand new chapter for Hackney Bumps, a DIY sanctuary in the heart of East London.

  • Huck 77
  • Jessica Holland

Roller skating’s revival signals a fresh fight for public space

Spin city — In the past year, roller skating has exploded. But with its new wave of popularity comes a fresh set of challenges for custodians of the scene – particularly those flying the flag for underrepresented groups.

  • Magazine
  • Jessica Holland

Rae Smith is pushing the boundaries of who skate is for

Beyond Binary — Rae Smith grew up not realising she was born intersex, leading to years of emotional upheaval where she kept her true self secret. Then she found skateboarding.

  • Magazine
  • Jessica Holland

How outdoor adventures help teens overcome anxiety

Huck x The North Face — Young Brits are facing an epidemic of anxiety, but the Outward Bound Trust is turning things around for teenage girls by getting them out in the wilderness.

  • Outdoors
  • Jessica Holland

The DJ who took a u-turn to follow her dream in life

Huck x The North Face — Carly Wilford had it all – from the perfect house to the successful business. But something was missing. Now, as a DJ bridging the gender divide, she’s found her calling.

  • Music
  • Jessica Holland

The adventure-seeker who found her purpose in the wild

Huck x The North Face — Megan Hine is a survival expert who consults on adventure TV shows like The Island, helping to keep celebrities alive in the wilderness. She may be the only woman in a field of macho men, says longtime friend Bear Grylls, but she’s stronger than 99% of the guys.

  • Outdoors
  • Jessica Holland

At just 17, Ashima Shiraishi is climbing's fastest-rising star

Huck x The North Face — She began bouldering aged six, started smashing records at 11 and can outclimb her peers regardless of age or gender. Is Ashima Shiraishi the revolution that rock climbing needs?

  • Outdoors
  • Jessica Holland

The ultra-runner conquering the world's highest mountains

Huck x The North Face — Fernanda Maciel set a world record when she summited Argentina’s Aconcagua mountain, because she was the first female to ever run the entire way. But for a woman who grew up in a family of fighters, running up mountains is all in a day’s work — and the stuff of dreams.

  • Culture
  • Jessica Holland

The encryption activists fighting mass surveillance

Feel like you're being watched? — Big Brother is no longer science fiction. In the age of Trump and heavy-handed states, our every move is being monitored and watched. But there's a way to protect your data and survive the coming storm... if you know who to call.

  • Activism
  • Jessica Holland

The fierce pioneers of Lebanon's first female roller derby team

Shiny Tiny — Roller derby has made its way to Beirut and slammed down with an intentional thud. These women aren’t just pioneers: they’re the architects of a new future.

  • Outdoors
  • Jessica Holland

The young women activists leading Standing Rock to victory

Major Win for #NODAPL — The indigenous activists of Standing Rock, North Dakota, won a major victory on Sunday in their battle to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline. In an unprecedented move, the Department of the Army - under Obama's watch - said it would block construction below the Missouri River at Lake Oahe and force stakeholders to look for alternative routes. It's an enormous breakthrough. But it wasn't easy - and the decision could still be overturned under Trump. So, what does it take to push a movement to this point? Huck met the activists holding fort at Standing Rock as they buckled down for winter and the hope of victory was still a distant dream. This is their story.

  • Culture
  • Jessica Holland

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