SKY BROWN

36"one of the youngestpro skaters in theworld"

S K YB R O W N

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S T O R Y B Y G R E G O T Y G A G L IA R D I P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K A M R I N O E L M C K N IG H T L E W IS R O Y D E N

38Q+ A

1. How you balance excelling skateboarding,surfing, and dancing? What amazes me how you excel at skateboarding, surfing, and dancing? That's incredible how do you not just balance all 3 but excel at 3 different sports. I try to skate and surf everyday! Depending on where I am I can’t always surf! The dancing side is new for me. I’ve always loved to dance but I never had any professional training until Dancing with the Stars: Juniors. Winning the show was an amazing experience and it makes me want to pursue dancing as well!

2. What is it like being your age in the skateboarding community are people accepting? Is the community excited to have someone so young partake or are they jealous of you? They are accepting, but I feel I have to prove myself even more because of my age and that okay, it’s about changing people’s perspective. I’ve had trouble with a few contests in the past who wouldn’t let me compete due to my age, which is very frustrating.

3. Where is your favorite place to skateboard? Venice beach!

4. Describe this: you're a 10-year-old girl about to drop in at a major competition in front of thousands of people...what does that feel like? It’s a feeling I can’t explain! I have so many nerves but I always just try to get out there and do my best! If I’m not nervous then I’m probably not pushing myself hard enough!

5. I understand you are British and Japanese and predominantly live in the United States. Do you ever visit Britain and Japan? What is your relationship like with those two nations? I also understand you will be competing for Britain's Olympic skateboarding team. I was born and raised in Japan and spend most of my time there! I have been given so much opportunity to travel and I love it. My parents have always wanted for our family to be able to travel to awesome places, recently I’ve had the opportunity with Nike to travel more to placeslike Prague and Paris. 6. Who are your role models and why?

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Leticia Bufoni - she's strong and skates like a man, but she’s also very girly and loves to dress up and wear make up. She’s super cool. I also admite a lot of surfer girls like Cocoho, Carissa Moore, Lakey Peterson. They are pushing the boundaries in surfing for girls. I also love Pink, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B. They are just powerful, tough and beautiful ladies.

407. How did you become involved with skateboarding, surfing, and dance?

I have watched my dad skate and surf since I was really young and I begged him to try! Eventually he let me start skating and surfing and I’ve been doing it ever since! I was about 2 or 3 years old when I started both sports! Dancing was definitely just for fun until ABC reached out for Dancing with the Stars: Juniors!

8. you've accomplished so much at a young age. You are a 10-year-old professional skateboarder, endorsed by Nike. What is your life like? Take me through a day in your life?

I wake up and go surf at dawn while it’s still dark outside before Japanese school. Then I come home skate, surf, do my homework and play with my friends. Everything is very laid back at home. I think I dream big and have a lot of different dreams that I fight for. This has given me alot of opportunities. Most of all, I hope I can inspire kids to get out there and live a rad life 9. Do you attend school? And how involved are your parents in career? Yes, I am in school in Japan. My parents support me in everything I do and I couldn’t do it without them.

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10. I understand your brother is also a skateboarder and you guys have a close and competitive relationship. Could you talk about your bond with him? I love Ocean. He is my best friend. We have a lot of fun together and love being silly, but we also push each other to be better. He’s gnarly. We do everything together - even sleep in the same bed!A lot of people say they argue with their brother or sister but we don’t, we are too busy having fun.