Poe Pinson, a 19-year-old skateboarder, had an incredible summer, making a name for herself with a standout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics and beyond. Her unique style, blending classic techniques with spontaneous creativity, has captured the attention of the skateboarding world. From street spots to Olympic stages, Poe’s journey is a testament to her skill and dedication.
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Poe’s recent achievements include joining There Skateboards, making a strong impact in their latest video and Dunk release, and showcasing her skills in Nike’s Quickstrike video. She also competed fiercely, reaching the finals in the Women’s Street Olympics. Her skating combines calculated moves with an intuitive approach, making her a captivating figure in skateboarding. A long-time follower, I’ve always been intrigued by her journey, especially with her connection to my own Florida roots, leading to a conversation with Poe after the Olympics, focusing on her experiences, the perks of being an Olympian, and her unique perspective on skateboarding.
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Olympic Perks and Encounters
The conversation started with some lighthearted questions about her Olympic experience and the perks that came with it. I asked her, “Have you ever dropped the “I’m an Olympian” card to get something you wanted?” Poe admitted she gets things for free now without even having to ask, a perk she didn’t anticipate. She also shared her encounter with LeBron James, describing how she debated asking for a photo for ten minutes before finally going for it. One of the most memorable moments for Poe was when she met Sha’Carri Richardson, who simply asked her for directions to the bathroom.
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The Olympic Skate Experience
Skating in front of the Olympic crowds was a surreal experience for Poe. She expressed her surprise at how many non-skaters were genuinely interested in the sport, appreciating the skill and excitement of skateboarding. “I didn’t know that many people gave a fuck about skating,” she said. This led to a discussion about autograph requests at skate events, which she finds amusing, especially when it happens to her non-skating friends. One such instance involved a friend at a Jackalope event getting swarmed with autograph requests despite not participating in the competition.
Coaching and Contest Mentality
Poe’s experience with her skate coach, Alexis Sablone, is unique. She describes their relationship as more relaxed than a typical coach-athlete dynamic, focusing on jokes and discussions about scoring strategies. Alexis guides her but ultimately encourages Poe to trust her instincts. “Contests are all intuition-based thinking. It’s super split second,” Poe explained, highlighting her ability to make spontaneous decisions during competitions. Her ability to adapt and pull off unexpected tricks is what makes her skating so exciting to watch.
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Hometown Hero and Celebrations
Being part of Team USA had a significant impact, especially back home in Fernandina, Florida. Poe’s Olympic journey was a big deal for her small town. “Literally everyone heard about me going to the Olympics,” she noted. The town even named the local skate park after her and presented her with a key to the city, which, to her surprise, didn’t actually open anything. She was also honored with a parade, not just a small gathering, but a full-fledged town parade complete with gymnastics classes and local schools. For Poe, though, the Olympic experience felt much like any other competition, but with a particularly good outcome.
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Sponsors and Contest Realities
When asked about her ultimate sellout sponsor, Poe jokingly mentioned Publix for the free groceries or AMEX for the pure financial aspect. She also discussed the challenges of contest skating, particularly the multiple rounds in Olympic competitions, which can lead to exhaustion. Poe admitted to having intentionally tanked a contest due to being tired. She also recounted a time in Rome when she chose to not push herself further due to being sore and injured.
Fan Interactions and Personal Purchases
Poe was surprised to learn about a fan Instagram account dedicated to her. She has seen some crazy TikTok edits that often include clips of her failing tricks. Discussing her financial gains, Poe revealed a memorable, if slightly extravagant, purchase: a Gucci belt and bucket hat after winning five grand, a decision she now sees as “kind of ridiculous.”
Poe Pinson casual skate
Nostalgia and Beach Town Roots
Poe reflected on her early skating days, recalling the iMovie edits to rap music, a time she views with nostalgia. She sees her current video edits as an evolution of that style, but with a different font. Growing up in a beach town, she believes skating without socks is a “criminal” act, whereas board shorts at the skatepark are “inevitable”.
Influences and Identity
Poe described a transition phase in her skateboarding, influenced by surfing and her visits to Kona Skatepark with her dad. Despite not having a local bowl, she was drawn to bowl skating and even entered a bowl contest at Exposure. Her early inspirations included Alexis Sablone, Elissa Steamer, Marissa del Santo, and Leticia Bufoni. Poe recalls watching Extremely Sorry as a kid, being particularly impressed by Louie Lopez and Bob Burnquist. When asked if she’s annoyed by being called a “contest skater,” she explains that she doesn’t identify with labels. “I don’t identify with only contest skating, core skating, or anything. Those are just labels that people come up with,” she stated, emphasizing that she’s going to skate regardless of labels.
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Filming and Mansplaining
Poe emphasizes that she enjoys filming and creating edits with her friends, regardless of industry recognition. She finds joy in both professional and casual filming, which takes the pressure off. “I’m going to do that regardless of whether or not I’m making an industry name or making money, because it’s just something I like doing.” Despite her success, Poe still encounters mansplaining at skateparks. Rather than being confrontational, she listens and is sometimes open to learning from others. She believes in everyone doing their own thing and wishes for a more ego-free environment. “I wish people would meet me at a level where egos don’t have to take over,” she stated. She also shared her past love of late shuvits, even though she admits they don’t always look great.
Random Interests and Personal Quirks
Poe’s love for the number three Dale Earnhardt hat is simply because she happens to have it, rather than being a racing enthusiast. She humorously admits to being ignorant about the racing world. Beyond skating, Poe is interested in writing and has considered writing a book. She also has a brief obsession with golf, and journals with her left hand to potentially improve her switch skating. She believes it stimulates the same side of the brain.
Poe Pinson Nike Dunk
Happy Place and Summer Vibes
For Poe, skateboarding is her happy place, even on bad days. She’s adopted a mindset that allows her to be content, even if she doesn’t land a trick. She also finds solace in walking on the beach at night. When asked about having a “Brat summer”, Poe admitted she was listening to Charlie XCX, including songs like “365”, “Mean Girls”, and “Girl, so Confusing” with Lorde. While she doesn’t fully understand what that means, she feels that she might have been having one, regardless.
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Conclusion
Poe Pinson’s journey from a small beach town to the world stage is inspiring. Her unique blend of classic and spontaneous skating, combined with her down-to-earth personality, has made her a beloved figure in the skateboarding community. Whether she’s navigating the challenges of Olympic competitions, filming with friends, or just messing around at the local skatepark, Poe’s passion for skateboarding shines through. Her story reminds us that it’s not just about the tricks, but also about the joy and camaraderie of the skate community.
