Some women in China are finding out they do not have to be skilled like 15-year-old Olympic champion Nishiya Momiji of Japan to enjoy skateboarding. There is a version of skateboarding called surfskating that is a little easier for older people to learn. The city sport is giving women, like 40-year-old Mina Zhao, some time off from their COVID-19 worries. Zhao said she felt “cooped up” by Beijing’s recent COVID-19 restrictions. The measures closed exercise centers like gyms and parks. But she discovered surfskating on social media and decided to give it a try. She learned by going to a free lesson near Beijing’s famous Water Cube swimming stadium in May. At that time, the lessons had about 12 people. Now almost 100 come each week to learn from the teacher, a professional dancer named Duo Lan. Zhao even brings her husband and son. She said skateboarding “is having a positive effect” on her life. She said she has lost some weight and is not feeling as bad about how COVID restrictions may hurt her child’s education. Zhao said she feels good about herself now and she feels better spending more time away from home. She even changed her hair color. It is now lighter than her natural color. She said the sport helps her feel comfortable being herself.