By: Simon
Pro skateboarder Lyn-Z Adams-Hawkins talks to Kidzworld about skating with boys, skipping school and her secret skateboarding diet.
Simon: So, first off, tell me how you went from being a Lyndsey to a Lyn-Z?
Lyn-Z Adams: When I was a kid, I got sick of writing my full name out, so I'd always just write "Lyn-Z" instead. At the time, I was kind of hoping to get into surfing and my mom thought that if I ever became a pro surfer, Lyn-Z would be a cool surfer name, so it just kind of stuck.
Simon: How did you first get into skateboarding?
Lyn-Z Adams: My parents got me and my brother skateboards when I was two. So, I always skated with my brother lots - he was a big influence. Then, when I was 10 or 11, I really got into skateboarding and went to this contest called the All Girls Skate Jam. I placed well there and that got me into some World Cup events and then I got some sponsors.
Simon: Did you ever find it intimidating skateboarding around a bunch of guys when you first started?
Lyn-Z Adams: Not really. I always skated with guys - that's who I hung out with and they all really looked out for me. I know a lot of girls sometimes feel intimidated at the skatepark when it's mostly all guys there - but really, most guys are just happy to see a girl skating and they'll usually want to either help you out or just skate with you. Girls' skateboarding is way bigger now too. With time, girls are now doing better tricks, so we're getting more respect - which leads to more TV coverage and it gives girls a chance to get into the sport and have other skaters to look up to.
Simon: On the grip tape on your board, it says, R.I.P, Dad. What kind of influence did he have on you?
Lyn-Z Adams: He was really supportive of both me and my brother with skateboarding. He would watch us skateboarding for like hours and take us everywhere. I was really lucky to have him and I'm just glad he got a chance to watch me compete before he (died) and at the time, I never thought he really understood the moves I was doing but I think looking back he must have because he was always watching.
Simon: You skate at quite a few competitions and travel quite a bit. Does that mean you get to miss a lot of school?
Lyn-Z Adams: Yeah, it does. It's pretty hard though and really stressful. My teachers let me email my assignments in if I need to but it's just one more thing I need to worry about and I gotta try to be really disciplined to keep on top of things. But that doesn't always happen.
Simon: Do have any special foods you eat to keep in top skating shape?
Lyn-Z Adams: Diet is really important to me because the foods you eat are what you are. The way you fuel yourself up and what you put into your body makes a big difference on how you perform. So, I don't like to eat genetically engineered foods and I eat a lot of fruit - but I eat ice cream and candy too.
Simon: What's your favorite place that you've travelled to with skateboarding?
Lyn-Z Adams:I would say Australia. I've been there four or five times now and it's a beautiful place. Europe is nice too but Australia is much more like home and everyone speaks English.
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