Future Olympian leads Lismore skateboard clinic

RISING skateboarding star Felicity Turner visited Lismore this week as part of the Olympics Unleashed tour, running a demonstration workshop at the city’s new skatepark.

Turner, who has competed internationally, said she had been looking forward to visiting the park.

“I saw the designs of the park, and I knew how good it was going to be once it was finished,” she said.

“I’ve been travelling around the country competing and doing some workshops in regional communities. This was one I was really looking forward to. I enjoy teaching and helping kids, and I travel as much as I can for competitions.”

Based in Wollongong, Turner is close friends with Tweed Heads skateboarding star Chloe Covell and narrowly missed joining her at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She now has her sights set on representing Australia at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

“Mum and dad have been really supportive, and I’ll have a little more time to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers this time around,” she said.

“I was always the only girl at the skatepark, but we have a lot of talent coming through now.

“I was originally a gymnast. I found my first skateboard in a rubbish pile while walking home one day.

“I found being on the board really freeing and I’ve been in love with it ever since.”

Turner has also travelled with the BIG hART and Totem Collective group to remote Indigenous communities in the Pilbara in Western Australia.

She took it upon herself to learn new languages to help with communication and even skipped her high school graduation to prioritise community work.

“It was such a memorable trip, the kids and families were welcoming and open to learning skateboarding,” she said. “They taught me so much as well.”