San Diego County recognized three skateboarders Monday for their impact on the sport and the advancement of women.
Bryce Wettstein of Encinitas was 15 years old when he competed in the newest Olympic sport at the 2022 Summer Olympics. She is currently ranked 9th in the world in the women's park skateboarding event.
Encinitas native Jordan Barrett is also a member of the U.S. Olympic Skateboarding Team and has been competing on the world stage for more than a decade. Barrett volunteers with Exposure Skate, an empowerment organization that promotes women, transgender and non-binary people through skateboarding.
Amelia Brodzka, co-founder of Exposure Skate, was Poland's first Olympic skateboarder to represent her country at the Tokyo Olympics. During her time at the University of Southern California, Ms. Brodzka produced a documentary highlighting the glaring lack of opportunities for women in skateboarding.
All three were celebrated by San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson Roemer at the Encinitas Skate Park this Women's History Month. In her choked-up, Lawson-Remer emphasized the progress made in a previously male-dominated sport, thanks to women like Wettstein, Barrett and Brodzka.
“You all truly inspire me, so I wanted to honor you all as women of influence,” said Lawson Roemer during Women's Impact Day on March 18 in San Diego County. He said this at a commemorative press conference. “It makes me cry, because when I was growing up here, girls didn't skate. We surfed, but none of the girls skated. I'm sorry, totally. I'm crying. That's why I think you're so wonderful.''
Brodzka said she was able to share Lawson-Remer's experience, which motivated her to start a foundation to encourage young women, transgender and non-binary people to enter sports.
“Honestly, no matter what tricks I learned, they always made fun of me and basically made me feel unwelcome. So what we want to do through exposure is It's about providing opportunities for the next generation,” Brodzka said.
Their activities seem to be influencing the younger generation. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, all medalists in Women's Park and Women's Street were teenagers, including some as young as 13 years old.
Barrett said she doesn't think women's skateboarding would be where it is today without the pioneers of women like Brodzka and groups like Exposure Skate.
“It's definitely a great honor to be here and be with these girls,” Barrett said. “It's been an incredible journey growing up with these girls, skating with them, and seeing what Amelia brings to the world of women's skateboarding.”
Looking ahead, all three women have their eyes set on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. While Barrett and Wettstein are competing in the trials for a spot in the Olympics, Brodzka will compete this year in a different capacity: as a commentator for the women's skating competition.
In addition to opening up the world of skateboarding, Exposure Skate serves the community by raising money for victims of domestic violence and encouraging girls to participate in other social service activities. I aim to give back.
