I think skateboarding is going to be epic at the Summer Olympics this year. I’ve been watching a lot of videos getting ready for everything and you know Nyjah Huston wants that gold medal after he fell to Yuto Horigome in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
While I will forever be a fan of street skate innovators like Daewon Song, Eric Koston, Rodney Mullen, and Mark Gonzales, something about Nyjah has always been different. From his early years turning pro all the way until now, he just breathes cool. He’s very Tiger Woods like cool and in a sport like skating you just can’t lose like that. He inspires many with how he got to the top but he’s remained a humble kid driven to be the best out at all times.
I first fell in love with street skating going to Pacific Drive in Pacific Beach (San Diego) back in the 90’s. I always felt like buying a tee, stickers, or some kicks from Pacific Drive got me street cred back in the day. I always felt so intimated in there too… All these skater kids the same age as me and they had confidence through the roof. Nobody could tell them shit and I always admired that vibe. Seeing determined skaters try to perfect a trick over and over again is a sight to see. Straight blood, sweat, and tears out on that street.
Back in the Mid90s, I would go to my friend’s houses and even friend of friend’s houses to kick it. I remember one specific daytime party in the 90’s where a few skaters were watching Rodney Mullen vs. Daewon Song… It was that afternoon that I fell in love with street skating.
Underground hip hop and skating just went hand in hand so I loved that marriage between the two. The skate tape era was real… Like, really real. Rappers wanted to be skaters… Actors wanted to be skaters… Skate came all the way back from its heyday in the 80’s and it was so cool to see. Skate goes through peaks and valleys and I think we’re ascending right now… the Summer Olympics are the perfect vehicle to get more youngsters in the sport.
There aren’t many sports where men and women can both do their thing and be fully accepted. Everybody is welcome skating… maybe not at the skate parks at busy times but annnny other time and you’ll see environments that embrace others. That’s always really cool to see. Shout out to Aori Nishimura from Japan who will be doing her thing at the Olympics.
Seeing 13 year old kids hanging with the adults is so crazy to see at the Olympics. Heili Sirvio is only 13 years old but she will be ready to shred in Paris. 13 years old??? Just started skating during the pandemic… cmon!! epic storylines here.
I can’t wait to hear more about the skaters while watching them compete. San Diego has a few contestants which is always dope to see. I’m stoked to watch Bryce Wettstein from Encinitas. This will be her 2nd time in the Olympics… She’s got crazy style which is also something you absolutely get points for in skate… at least in my book. Getting a medal in the Olympics is always the goal but exuding cool at the games can also help young creatives kick down doors of who they want to become.
I’m 44 years old and still love skating. I know falls are inevitable but something about dusting yourself off and trying again is so cool to me. The accomplishment gained from doing a new trick is second to none in the coolest feelings in life. If you are reading this and don’t skate, it’s never too late. And don’t sleep on teaching your kids how to skate. Exercise with family outdoors is good for the soul