Twenty-year-old Bryce Wettstein has been skateboarding for nearly so long as she’s been alive. She’s had a skateboard in her hand since she was 5, and the 2024 Paris Olympics are her second Olympic video games—she’ll be competing because the top-ranked American in ladies’s park skateboarding.
Born in California, Wettstein credit her success on the skateboard to her household. She was taught by her dad, who inspired her to compete early on.
“Once I was 7 years outdated he acquired me to enter my first competitors in Irvine. I used to be the youngest one and I acquired seventeenth place,” Wettstein laughs.
“He was all the time the one which stood behind me and stated, ‘It’s as much as you. That is your day. How do you wanna go about it?’ And now he watches me skate and we surf collectively on a regular basis.”
By the point she reached highschool, Wettstein earned her first USA Nationwide Champion title in 2019, and competed within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the primary Olympics with skateboarding as a sport. Along with her sights now set on Paris, Wettstein says she’s nonetheless in disbelief.
“I don’t suppose it ever will get outdated speaking about it. It’s loopy saying it out loud, understanding I made it. I really feel like crying, it is so superior.”
When she’s off-duty—both prepping for a contest or having fun with downtime in Cali—there are some things that Wettstein depends on to maintain her thoughts and physique feeling good.
5 objects Bryce Wettstein must skate on the prime of her recreation
1. Her ukelele
Wettstein is a lady of many skills on and off her deck. Together with skateboarding, she grew up enjoying music, and most lately bought a ukulele to be taught to play in her downtime exterior of competing. Along with her ardour for music, it solely is sensible that she’s sponsored by Twisted Wooden Guitars. Her ukelele is made by the identical model.
She additionally writes and performs her personal music, releasing a number of authentic songs on Spotify and Apple Music.
“I didn’t understand how a lot music is in skateboarding till I began doing the 2 collectively,” she says.
Tyro Ukulele
Wettstein performs a lovely ukelele from Twisted Wooden Guitars, considered one of her sponsors, however if you happen to’re simply beginning out in your uke studying, you may snag one from them beginning at $105. This one is light-weight and sturdy, so you may simply take it to from the bowl to the seashore.
2. Journaling
Exterior of the skatepark, Wettstein likes to clear her thoughts by journaling. Placing her free-flowing ideas on paper brings her peace after lengthy days of coaching.
“I by no means knew what it was wish to have a quiet thoughts. Skating does that for me, and so does writing,” she says. Her favourite journal is by the model Denik, lined in colourful flowers that deliver her pleasure.
Journaling is a confirmed technique to extend optimistic feelings and reduce anxiousness. Training gratitude was linked to considerably reducing stress ranges in an October 2018 examine in Psychology, Well being & Medication.
3. Studying
One other psychological escape for Wettstein is studying books. Her favourite genres vary from fiction, nonfiction, and thriller, relying on her temper. Her favourite guide? Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
“Quite a lot of instances I’ll go for nonfiction, however then generally I flip the tables and want one thing to enter that inventive world. I often go for the genres conceivable actually clearly, nearly like film scenes.”
4. Motion
Even when she’s not shredding it on the skateboard, Wettstein continues to be staying energetic. Her second love is browsing, which she realized to do across the similar time she realized find out how to skateboard as a child.
“In my downtime I’m both within the ocean or doing ballet,” she says. “It offers me that very same quiet feeling that skating and writing brings me.”
Customized Encinitas Surfboard
Wettstein rides a customized surfboard from John Kies, the longtime proprietor of Encinitas Surfboards in Encinitas, California. In order for you your individual, you’ll should name or cease by the store, however you should buy T-shirts, surf gear, and extra on their website.
5. Holding cool
Sonic Drive-In signed on because the occasion associate for the 2024 X Video games, and as a part of the collaboration, athletes, together with Wettstein, acquired to hang around with followers and share their favourite Sonic drinks. Wettstein’s go-to drink is the Lemonade Cream Cooler.
“I believe it is good for a pick-me-up. I do not get hungry usually earlier than contests, but it surely’s a cooler that is enjoyable and refreshing.”
You may catch Bryce Wettstein competing in Girls’s Park Skateboarding on August 6. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer season Olympics, however you you may also watch Bryce Wettstein on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Community, CNBC, and E!
