Ride With Ruby: How 15-year-old Olympic skateboarder went from pupil to master

At just 15, Ruby Trew is already organising her first skateboarding holiday event, at the very skatepark where she was once learning the ropes.

Fifteen-year-old Olympic skateboarder Ruby Trew came full circle today, hosting her first skateboarding holiday event, “Ride With Ruby,” at Sydney’s Monster Skatepark - the very place where her journey began a decade ago.

The event, which drew a massive crowd of young skateboarding enthusiasts, showcased Trew’s transition from wide-eyed novice to Olympic mentor.

The skatepark buzzed with controlled chaos, filled with the sounds of wheels on concrete, shouts of excitement, and the occasional clatter of a fallen board.

“It’s super sick that all these kids come here and I can skate with them and give back to skateboarding,” Trew said, her excitement matching the energy around her.

“I’m super stoked they all came.”

Amid the whirlwind of activity, Trew’s commitment to nurturing young talent shone through.

In one touching moment, she held the hands of a little girl who needed help navigating the intimidating vert ramp.

Together, they built momentum, gradually going higher and higher, the girl’s confidence visibly growing with each pass.

Ruby Trew and Jarryd Hughes put young skateboarders through their paces at the Monster Skatepark at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Ikko Ehode Arimoto

Trew, who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics in women’s skate park, spent the day teaching skills and sharing her experiences with aspiring skaters.

The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on her.

“Monster Skatepark... I think it’s my first ever skate park I went to,” she reflected.

“I’ve grown up here, learned how to skate with everyone.”

The “Ride With Ruby” event, part of a school holiday program run together with fellow Olympian and snowboarder Jarryd Hughes, offered young skaters a unique opportunity to learn from one of Australia’s brightest skateboarding talents.

Sponsored by Hot Wheels Skate, the event featured giveaways and prizes for the best tricks.

For Trew, however, the real reward was inspiring the next generation.

“I just want to give back to the kids like I got (taught),” she explained.

Ruby Trew and Jarryd Hughes put young skateboarders through their paces at the Monster Skatepark at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Ikko Ehode Arimoto

“If one kid picks up a skateboard because I inspired them, then I’m happy about that.”

Trew’s journey from novice to Olympian is nothing short of remarkable. She vividly recalled her first day at Monster Skatepark, a moment that shaped her future.

“I first came here when I was five,” she reminisced.

“I saw the big vert ramp and I was just looking for some small ramps with my dad.

“I think I found a little one and I was like, ‘Oh, this is so amazing.’”

That wide-eyed five-year-old has come a long way.

By ten, Trew had won silver for Australia in the women’s vert contest at the 2019 World Skateboarding Championships in Barcelona.

Now an Olympian, she’s eager to share her passion with others.

Throughout the event, Trew emphasised the importance of enjoyment in skateboarding.

“Always have fun,” she said, when asked for advice.

“That’s one of the main things.

“Most skateboarders, they don’t want to just go to the Olympics.

“They just skate because they love it.”

This love for the sport shone through in Trew’s interactions with the kids. She spoke of the skateboarding community with genuine affection, describing it as encouraging and inclusive.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are, how old you are, tall or short. If you’re skating, then you’re just encouraging each other,” she said.

The massive turnout at the event demonstrated the growing popularity of skateboarding in Australia, particularly since its inclusion in the Olympics.

Trew’s vision for the future extends beyond personal achievement. She sees events like “Ride With Ruby” playing a crucial role in nurturing young talent and growing the sport.

“I mean, just keep enjoying it. That’s the main thing,” Trew said of her future in skateboarding.

“You’ve got to love your sport... It’s one of those sports you just got to love, until you’re like 50 years old.”

Originally published as Ride With Ruby: How 15-year-old Olympic skateboarder went from pupil to master