Sky Brown flying high on her skateboard. Photograph by Anton Nilsson.
At just 13 years old, Sky Brown will be the youngest competitor at this year’s Tokyo Olympics. We met her back in 2019 when she’d just joined Great Britain’s Olympic skateboarding team and was ready to take on the summer 2020 Olympics.
That might seem like a lot of pressure for a kid, but the effortlessly cool skater has already faced her fair share of elite competitions and consistently competes with women twice her age or more. Sky even got to pick between joining two Olympic teams. Born to a Japanese mother and British father, Sky had the option of joining the skate team for Great Britain or Japan.
As if all that isn’t enough, Sky is also an accomplished surfer, a social media star and takes time to give back through charity work. We caught up with the pint-sized go-getter to talk travel, family, being a role model for kids and dreaming big.
How it all began: I was 2-3 years old. I saw my dad skating and surfing and kept begging him to try it. Finally he let me and I’ve been into it ever since.
Making the Olympic team: I still can’t believe it! I’m so honored to have the opportunity to join the team. It’s my dream to compete in the Olympics.
Dealing with nerves: I do get nervous. Not because of my age, but because I always try to push myself. If I’m not nervous, I need to push myself harder! Competing with teens and adults is super fun and makes me better.
Her family: I couldn’t do this without my brother and my parents. They support me in everything I do and we all push each other.
Sky poses with her younger brother at Graystone Action Sports Academy. Photograph by Lewis Royden.
Traveling for competitions: Everywhere we go is an adventure. I’ve gotten to go to places like Prague, Paris, Estonia and Norway and I loved them all. Being able to visit underprivileged countries is really eye-opening for me. I want to inspire girls everywhere.
Her charity: I work with Skateistan, which is a non-profit that mixes skateboarding and education. They build schools in third world countries and give kids access to an amazing education — and to skateboarding!
Sky hamming it up for the camera. Photograph by Lewis Royden.
Future goals: I always want to keep skateboarding and surfing. I also want to work on growing my Youtube channel and I might even try out acting.
Best advice: Being a role model for other kids around the world is the best gift I could ever have. I want kids to know you can do anything you put your mind to. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you. Just go out there and get it!
By Hannah Freedman
Sky is represented by Amy Neben at Select Management Group
Discover more