Every Friday, weather permitting, Mila McDonald heads to her local skate park before school. Having recently perfected her “air out” – a trick that involves getting air when coming off a ramp or half-pipe – after two years of practice, McDonald has a lot to be excited about when it comes to her favourite hobby. The nine-year-old started skating during COVID pandemic lockdowns, which also happened to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics, where skateboarding made its debut .
When her brother Rocco, 14, started skating, McDonald was desperate to follow his lead, even though none of her friends skated at the time. Mila McDonald, 9, doing an air out at Bondi Skate Park. Credit: Janie Barrett An increased interest in skateboarding, particularly among girls, has been noticed Australia-wide.
It’s something professional skateboarder Chloe Covell took note of after the 2020 Olympics, as more and more kids started skating at her local park. Covell started skating when she was six. Growing up in Tweed Heads, it was a boy living across the street who got her into skating.
Now 14, she is hoping to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics – and it’s a lot more than just a pipe dream. At 12, Covell won the bronze medal in women’s street at the X Games Chiba in 2022. And after winning gold at the X Games California in Ventura, she became the first athlete with two X Games podium finishes before turning 13.
Tweed Heads local and Olympic hopeful Chloe Covell, 14, attends the “Nike on A.
