A Skate In The Park
The power of learning to fall
I finally have a moment to sit down and process my thoughts about the Paris Olympics; and no, not surrounding the various controversies about its broadcast, athletes or medal results – rather there is something a little more positive and productive I'm keen to explore.
Being in a personal season of doubt with anxious thoughts occupying my mind most days, I've struggled to take action on my goals – the creative ambitions which are always circling my mind but always seem so out of reach.
My anxieties have been triggered by various health issues which are technically in my control, but the need for control somehow causes me to spin out of it. It is a kind of mental anguish that perpetuates the negative habits; a poor diet, inadequate sleep and irrational cleaning routines. Simply put, I am not operating at 100% right now.
Watching people thrive and accomplish wonderful physical feats over the last few weeks has provided some welcome inspiration for me, a kind of hope that if I dare to take risks and work hard, then success might be inevitable.
Granted, my consumption of the Olympics has largely been through social media clips, replays and news highlights coverage, but I have enjoyed what I've watched, as I did four years ago when athletes competed in Tokyo during the throes of a global pandemic. I tuned in back then with great excitement for the inclusion of skateboarding, having followed the bright, young talent of Sky Brown, the youngest ever professional skateboarder (she turned pro at just 10 years old!).
My introduction to this little champion was her appearance on Dancing With The Stars: Juniors, where she took out the title with her pro partner JT Church and coach Alan Bernsten. I'd never heard of Sky prior to this time but was immediately blown away at her courage, positivity and work ethic - an instant source of inspiration and role model for me (despite being double her age, and then some).
Watching Sky win her first bronze medal in the skateboard park final in Tokyo brought me so much joy; especially having witnessed the way she went about her runs. Falling on the first two attempts rattled my nerves as a mere spectator, yet not hers as the athlete, gaining her composure to perfect her third run, incorporating the 'kick flip' which caused her to fall in the first two attempts. The sheer resilience of this then 13 year old blew my mind and I found myself jumping with glee at her successful final attempt.
How was she able to overcome the disappointment of falling and failing the first two times? How did she find that extra gear to perform at a higher level at the highest point of pressure? How is this possible for a newly turned teenager competing on global stage?
Fast forward four years and learning about Sky's history of physical accidents and injuries, to see her once again win a bronze medal in Paris; served as a reminder to me about the power of learning to fall. And to fail.
The sport and lifestyle of skateboarding teaches you both.
Once again, this year's Skateboard Park event drew my interest; not only as fan of Sky Brown, but as a new fan of a sport that is glaringly rich with positive impact, on a personal and community level. It transcends gender, race and even age, with both an 11 year old and 51 year old competing this year.
It promotes camaraderie and a friendly spirit of competition where every skateboarder thrives by helping others to thrive; which is not always the case in many other individual sporting endeavours.
To watch Arisa Trew (at only age 14!) and Keegan Palmer take home the gold for my beloved Australia, was the cherry on top of another enjoyable Olympics as a skateboarding spectator.
Gold medals aside, I am inspired by the sheer courage it takes to engage in something that guarantees you will fall – literally speaking – and that the ultimate joy and freedom experienced as you fly through the air is worth any potential failure that occurs when your feet slip off the board.
Skateboarders have mastered the art of falling and failing, learning to do it well and safely each time. Their resilience and determination to get up and try again, over and over, is absolutely admirable and especially worth emulating.
The challenge for me has become clear – it isn't about eliminating the doubts and fears that plague my mind, for failure is certain; but that purpose must be my focus – purpose which will be worth every cut and scrape I'm assured of each time I fall.
