Mooloolah’s Haylie Powell takes on Paris
By Kirra Livingstone
IT might be the purpose built bright pink skatepark in Haylie Powell’s front yard.
Or it could be the memory of Haylie, who as an 11-year-old, designed a laptop homescreen with the Olympic rings and word ‘Skateboarding’ underneath.
Whatever the case, the tenacious and fearless Mooloolah street skater has always aimed big and this week those dreams become a reality as she steps up, or rolls in, to represent Australia at the Paris Games.
Haylie will be a part of the women’s street event and as the third-ranked Australian, is in play for a strong showing.
Haylie, known as Micro to her friends, still remembers watching as skateboarding debuted at the Tokyo Olympics.
It’s hard not to, she explains, because it was from her hospital bed after dislocating and fracturing her elbow in a “silly fall”.
“It was still a really cool experience to watch it,” she said.
Inspired by what she saw, Micro was back on her board in no time at all, cast and all, despite some misgivings.
“I just skated with the cast on. And they said not to, but how are you going to tell a skater not to skate for six weeks?” Haylie said.
Fast forward four years and that ‘silly fall’ has been filed under ‘learning experiences’, and she is competing for the highest of sporting recognition.
It has been far from straightforward though, and even the selection process proved a rollercoaster of emotions.
“Basically, my mum and someone from Skate Australia were doing the calculations, and they weren’t sure if I had made the team, and I was devastated and stressed out,” Haylie said.
“My friend and I decided to work it out ourselves, and I was in shock. I was like, I actually did it.
“I was so happy when Skate Australia confirmed I made it.”
Haylie Powell was born and bred in Mooloolah, and first started skateboarding representatively at 13 years old when she competed in her first international competition.
Haylie grew up playing a multitude of sports, leaning towards surfing before settling with skateboarding when she realised it was her true passion.
“My dad and my uncle grew up in Caloundra, and they were surfing and skating, mainly surfing, so that’s what I started doing as a kid,” Haylie said.
“I got to a point where I found skateboarding more fun and enjoyable.
“I was doing all sports since I could stand up, really. I was such a sporty kid. I played soccer, oztag, touch—I played all those sports you could think of as a kid.
“I was riding scooters, bikes, skateboards. I was just doing everything, and then everything kind of got pushed to the side, and I just found skating the one I enjoyed the most.”
Few teens are as focused as Haylie has been on an Olympics goal.
“I found out about the Olympics when I was in year six,” she said.
“I had the Olympic rings on my laptop screen with skateboarding written underneath. Everyone questioned me, but I always thought I could do it.
“I knew that I could do it and understood how much work I’d have to put in to do it, and I definitely worked hard to get to where I am. I’m very grateful to friends and family for their support.
“2022 is when the Olympic trials started for Paris, and it’s definitely been a long journey, but it’s always been a dream for me to go to the Olympics.”
Haylie is playing down her medal chances, but is confident the competition will lift her to another level.
“It’s super exciting for all us skaters to go out there and represent our country. It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot for my family to go over to Paris in an Australian jersey,” Haylie said.
“It means so much to me.
“I watched all types of sports growing up. I want to represent Australia and just do my country proud and do the best I can with that green and gold jersey on.
“For me to be representing Australia feels like I’m also representing a bit of where I’ve grown up as well in Mooloolah, which means a lot.”
Haylie and her family’s passion for the sport is wherever you look at her home, but it’s hard to look past the bright pink skatepark built in her front yard.
“I am very lucky and very fortunate to have this sitting in my front yard,” Haylie said.
“I thought it would be more hidden with the trees, but it’s bright pink.
“We have thought about changing the colour, but the pink looks nice.”
Speaking to Olympics.com, Haylie said the thought of competing against some of her childhood heroes was almost as exciting as the prospect of a medal.
Brazil’s Pamela Rosa is one of the skaters Haylie will ride alongside at the Paris Olympics.
“I still trip out sometimes,” she said.
“Especially when I’m next to her because I just grew up watching her and Leticia [Bufoni]. Now, I get to compete in the same practice heat as her.”
Haylie competes in the Women’s Street Preliminaries on Sunday July 28 at 8pm (AEST).
The finals begin hours later at 1am, Monday, July 29 (AEST).
Congratulations and best of luck to Haylie and the Australian Olympic team!
kirra@gcnews.com.au
