Twenty-year-old Bryce Wettstein has been skateboarding for almost as long as she’s been alive. She’s had a skateboard in her hand since she was 5, and the 2024 Paris Olympics are her second Olympic games—she’ll be competing as the top-ranked American in women’s park skateboarding.
Born in California, Wettstein credits her success on the skateboard to her family. She was taught by her dad, who encouraged her to compete early on.
“When I was 7 years old he got me to enter my first competition in Irvine. I was the youngest one and I got 17th place,” Wettstein laughs.
“He was always the one that stood behind me and said, ‘It’s up to you. This is your day. How do you wanna go about it?’ And now he watches me skate and we surf together all the time.”
By the time she reached high school, Wettstein earned her first USA National Champion title in 2019, and competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the first Olympics with skateboarding as a sport. With her sights now set on Paris, Wettstein says she’s still in disbelief.
“I don’t think it ever gets old talking about it. It’s crazy saying it out loud, knowing I made it. I feel like crying, it’s so awesome.”
When she’s off-duty—either prepping for a competition or enjoying downtime in Cali—there are a few things that Wettstein relies on to keep her mind and body feeling good.
5 items Bryce Wettstein needs to skate at the top of her game
1. Her ukelele
Wettstein is a woman of many talents on and off her deck. Along with skateboarding, she grew up playing music, and most recently purchased a ukulele to learn to play in her downtime outside of competing. With her passion for music, it only makes sense that she’s sponsored by Twisted Wood Guitars. Her ukelele is made by the same brand.
She also writes and plays her own music, releasing several original songs on Spotify and Apple Music.
“I didn’t know how much music is in skateboarding until I started doing the two together,” she says.
Tyro Ukulele
Wettstein plays a beautiful ukelele from Twisted Wood Guitars, one of her sponsors, but if you’re just starting out on your uke learning, you can snag one from them starting at $105. This one is lightweight and durable, so you can easily take it to from the bowl to the beach.
2. Journaling
Outside of the skatepark, Wettstein likes to clear her mind by journaling. Putting her free-flowing thoughts on paper brings her peace after long days of training.
“I never knew what it was like to have a quiet mind. Skating does that for me, and so does writing,” she says. Her favorite journal is by the brand Denik, covered in colorful flowers that bring her joy.
Journaling is a proven method to increase positive emotions and decrease anxiety. Practicing gratitude was linked to significantly lowering stress levels in an October 2018 study in Psychology, Health & Medicine.
3. Reading
Another mental escape for Wettstein is reading books. Her favorite genres range from fiction, nonfiction, and mystery, depending on her mood. Her favorite book? Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
“A lot of times I’ll go for nonfiction, but then sometimes I turn the tables and need something to go into that creative world. I usually go for the genres that you can imagine really clearly, almost like movie scenes.”
4. Movement
Even when she’s not shredding it on the skateboard, Wettstein is still staying active. Her second love is surfing, which she learned to do around the same time she learned how to skateboard as a kid.
“In my downtime I’m either in the ocean or doing ballet,” she says. “It gives me that same quiet feeling that skating and writing brings me.”
Custom Encinitas Surfboard
Wettstein rides a custom surfboard from John Kies, the longtime owner of Encinitas Surfboards in Encinitas, California. If you want your own, you’ll have to call or stop by the shop, but you can purchase T-shirts, surf gear, and more on their site.
5. Keeping cool
Sonic Drive-In signed on as the event partner for the 2024 X Games, and as part of the collaboration, athletes, including Wettstein, got to hang out with fans and share their favorite Sonic beverages. Wettstein’s go-to drink is the Lemonade Cream Cooler.
“I think it’s perfect for a pick-me-up. I don’t get hungry often before contests, but it’s a cooler that’s fun and refreshing.”
You can catch Bryce Wettstein competing in Women’s Park Skateboarding on August 6. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, but you you can also watch Bryce Wettstein on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Network, CNBC, and E!
