How a Two-Year-Old Sparked a Family Skateboarding Revival
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
A quick stop at a newly opened skatepark was meant to be nothing more than a look around, instead, it sparked a family obsession.
The moment Jay MacAskill’s two-year-old daughter Skylah saw the park, instantly brought him back to the sport he thought he'd left behind forever.
While he occasionally rolled along the beach with his eldest daughter Ava, skateboarding was largely a thing of the past. That was until a new skatepark opened next door to his youngest daughter Skylahs' daycare.
Next weekend, Jay and daughters Ava and Skylah will line up together at Townsville's Rodeo Rumble, celebrating a skateboarding journey that has transformed their family life.
Showcasing a family story built on shared passion, persistence and plenty of time spent at the skatepark.
"We went over to have a quick look and she basically jumped in between my legs and went crazy for it," Jay laughed.
"It all started from there when she was about two years old."
For Skylah, who turns five next week, it was love at first ride.
"After rolling down once she was saying, 'again, again'," Jay recalled.
"What started as a little ritual turned into something much bigger. After a couple of weeks I bought her a board and from there it all started happening."
The family's skateboarding journey was further fuelled by the welcoming local community.
Enter Sk8 M8s, a Townsville social skateboarding club founded by Leonie Johnson, whose weekly free skate sessions bring together skaters of all ages and abilities.
"There are so many different types of people there," Jay said.
"You'll see 50-year-olds learning to skate for the first time so they can skate with their daughters. It really helped Skylah seeing other girls skating and having role models around her."
Before long, Ava, 14, was joining in too.
"My eldest would come up during the holidays, go along to Sk8 M8s and give it a go," Jay said.
"Seeing girls her own age skating and dropping in gave her confidence. She absolutely went crazy for it."
Neither daughter's involvement was planned, but both quickly embraced the sport.
Within months, casual sessions became something more serious. The family travelled to compete at Rumble events in Mackay and their commitment continued to grow.
"They both went crazy for it, and it wasn't even planned," he said.
"I told them if they wanted to get serious, we'd start training and I'd help them."
Now, the MacAskills are a skateboarding family in every sense of the word.
Most sessions take place at Garbutt Skatepark, but with Rodeo Rumble approaching, the family has been spending more time preparing at Murray Skatepark.
"We skate six days a week, sometimes twice a day, before school and after school," MacAskill said.
"We've been focusing on Murray because it's the competition venue. It's especially important for Skylah because it's a much bigger park."
For Jay, watching his daughters develop through skateboarding has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
"It's a good feeling coming back to skateboarding and having my kids involved," he said.
"Looking back at old videos, I forget just how much they've improved."
After years away from the sport and injuries suffered through motocross, he never expected to find himself back on a skateboard.
"I never thought I'd return to skateboarding after the injuries from motocross."
Now, he finds himself helping guide two young athletes with big dreams.
"The girls are keen, they want to make it to the Olympics."
As the family prepares for Rodeo Rumble, Jay is excited not only for the competition but for what it means for skateboarding in North Queensland.
"I'm really excited to do something in Townsville again," he said.
"I hope it's good for the Townsville skate scene because it's a really great community."
When competition day arrives, Jay's advice to his daughters remains simple.
"I tell them to focus on themselves and their own scores, especially because Ava hasn't been skateboarding as long as some of the other girls."
Despite the competitive environment, success isn't measured by podium finishes alone.
"It's about having a good go," Jay said.
"I know they want to be serious and become Olympians, but I still try to remind them that it's also about enjoying themselves."
"If we get a medal, we get a medal."
More than trophies or results, skateboarding has given the MacAskills something far more valuable.
"It's brought us all together."
"I've noticed Ava coming out of her shell and skating has helped her at school.
"Even with Skylah, I can see the positives it brings to her creativity."
For Jay, the impact is clear every time the family heads to the skatepark together.
"Skateboarding has helped me, and now I can see it helping the girls too."
Next weekend at Rodeo Rumble, the MacAskills won't just be competing together, they'll be celebrating a journey that has strengthened their family one session, one trick and one ride at a time.
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