About Mimi

With 5 X Games medals under her belt, Mimi Knoop is one of the top female vert/bowl skateboarders in the world. Also winner of the 2008 ProTec Pool Party, Mimi is a hard-charging bowl skater who learned to skate while living in Cuba as a kid. Mimi arrived in the USA via the Mariel Boatlift

Mariel boatlift

The Mariel boatlift was a mass emigration of Cubans who departed from Cuba's Mariel Harbor for the United States between April 15 and October 31, 1980....

, her brother did not survive the journey and her father was subsequently imprisoned by the Cuban authorities. She is also a co-founder of the non-profit organization of female skateboarders, Action Sports Alliance (“the Alliance”). The Alliance has been instrumental in raising the standards in prize purses and exposure for professional girl skateboarding contests/and events. Also a graduate of Radford University in Virginia (with a BFA in visual arts), Mimi is a talented multi-media artist and has shown her work throughout the country. She often does freelance work for companies in the action sports industry, combining her two passions. She is also creator of the skateboard brand, “hoopla skateboards”.

Recent Contest Results

• Nov. ’10- Vans Combi Pool Classic: 3rd place
• Oct. ’10 – Johnny Romano Rock the Cradle contest: 2nd place
• Aug ’10 – Thrasher’s Chili Bowl: 2nd place
• Aug ’10 – X Games Vert: 4th place
• June ’10 – Boston Dew Tour Vert: 2nd place
• October ’09 – Johnny Romano Rock the Cradle contest: 3rd place (Missed the 2009 summer contest season due to a back injury).
• May ’08- Protec Pool Party: 1st Place
• July ’08 Soul Bowl (hosted at the U.S. Open of Surfing): 1st Place
• Aug. ’08- X Games Vert: 2nd Place women’s vert
• May ’07- Protec Pool Party: 3rd Place
• July ’07- Soul Bowl (hosted at the U.S. Open of Surfing): 1st Place
• Aug. ’07- X Games Vert: 2nd Place women’s vert
• May ’06- Protec Pool Party: 2nd Place
• July ’06- Soul Bowl (hosted at the U.S. Open of surfing): 2nd Place
• Aug. ’06- X Games Vert: 2nd Place
• Oct. ’06- Desert Dog Bowl Bash: 2nd Place
• May ‘05- Protec Pool Party: 3rd Place
• July ‘05- Soul Bowl: 5th place, 2nd place overall (team event)
• Aug. ‘05- X-Games Vert: 3rd Place
• Aug. ‘05- Slam City Jam Vert: 2nd Place
• May ’04- Slam City Jam Vert- 2nd Place
• July ’04- Soul Bowl- 3rd Place
• Aug. ’04- X-Games Vert- 3rd Place
• Sept. ’04- Vans Triple Crown Vert- 3rd Place
• Sept. ’04- Wicked Wahine (bowl event)- 1st Place

Miscellaneous

• Feb. ’09- Organized and executed a group skate trip to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Dec. ’07-’08- Ranked #1 in the world for women’s vert 2007 and 2008 (WCS ranking system).
• Oct. ’06- Was nominated in Arby’s Action Sports Awards for female skateboarder of the year.
• Aug. ’06- Helped negotiate positive changes (including more exposure and higher prize purses) for the women at X-Games during a sit-down meeting with the president of ESPN.
• April ’06- Skated on stage during Pink’s performance at the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards.

Education

Radford University Alumni Profile