NFL
By: Zachary Draves
17 year old Bryce Wettstein virtually has been skating before she was walking.
The Encinitas, California native who has been on wheels since she was five years old will make her Olympic debut in Tokyo in what will be the official debut for skateboarding on the world’s stage.
In the recent Dew Tour in Des Moines, Iowa, Bryce qualified for the team by placing 6th in the Women’s Park Final.
I got the chance to talk with her about what this moment means to her, her love for the sport, and what anticipates going into Tokyo.
- How would you assess your experience in Des Moines with the Dew Tour?
Des Moines was beautiful and amazing! We had to bob and weave around the rain a bit, but wow what an awesome new skatepark they built! All the COVID testing and protocol took some extra effort, but I managed to still hang out with a lot of international friends I hadn’t seen since 2019! Awaiting daily COVID testing results was a bit nerve racking too. But I can’t tell you how good it felt to be back skating together with everybody at Dew Tour and a real live event, finally! Thank you Dew Tour and Des Moines for making this happen after every other event was either virtual or canceled since 2019.
- Did you ever think that skateboarding would be an Olympic sport?
No I had never thought about skateboarding being in the Olympics, let alone me skating in the Olympics! There was never any elaborate plan! We are all just skating every day out of love and expression of an art. And then low and behold, now all of sudden I’m headed to Tokyo. How did this even happen?! Lots of giant thankyous to everyone along the way!
- What would it mean for you to be on the first ever US Olympic skateboarding team?
The Olympics and qualifying are definitely a dream come true, and I shall never take this opportunity for granted. I’m truly honored and humbled at the same time. And I did work hard for this to be honest. But I also know I was skateboarding long before the Olympics and will be skateboarding long after the Olympics. Skateboarding is a part of my soul. I will do my best to represent Team USA and my country when I go to Tokyo next month!
- Where do you get your enthusiasm for sport?
At some point, and I’m not sure exactly when, my skateboard became an extension of me, and a way to express my creativity. Also my skateboard has never let me down, and skating is something I always look forward to, and even turn to for healing and happiness. Skateboarding has enabled me to make so many connections, with friends, and traveling and opportunities. I’m not sure how it has evolved into what it has for me, but I do feel free when I skate. Maybe as they say, I’m truly in the present moment when I’m flowing on my board.
The Olympic Skateboarding competition will take place 25 July – 5 August 2021 with the Women’s Park Semifinal/Final events taking place on August 4.
Good Luck Bryce!
