Roadshow Thrills Some Of Mackay’s Youngest Skaters

By Hannah McNamara

Ollies, kickflips, grinds and drop-ins were among the many impressive stunts and tricks displayed by our local skaters last Thursday afternoon at the Rumble Roadshow.

The event took place at Camilleri Street Skatepark in Blacks Beach, providing a safe space for some of Mackay’s youngest skaters to come together, skate, and learn. Participants had the chance to pick up top skateboarding tips and tricks, not only from experienced skaters but also from fellow enthusiasts who share a passion for the sport.

Staff member Andy from Toowoomba has travelled with Rumble On The Reef for the last five years and says that he loves coming to Mackay because the weather always puts on a good show.

He emphasised that events like Rumble bring people together.

“There’s always good vibes, good times, and the amount of people from all over Australia, such as WA, Melbourne and Adelaide etc, just shows that we all share a love for skateboards,” Andy said.

Australian Olympic Skateboarder, Haylie Powell was also on-board (figuratively and literally) at the event, mentoring and encouraging younger skaters as they experimented with new tricks and techniques.

Powell started competing in skateboarding events at just six years old, progressed to the international stage by 13, and most recently competed in the Olympics at 18.

Acquiring the travel jersey to the 2024 Paris Olympics is among her most treasured moments.

“Putting the travel jersey on when we were travelling to Paris just meant so much to me, it almost brought a tear to my eye honestly…I worked so have over the last four years, trying to get to where I am.

“I’m very honoured and grateful that I get to represent the green and gold,” she said.

Now, she encourages and coaches’ other young skaters, particularly girls, to follow in her footsteps.

“There’s a lot more girls skating now compared to when I was growing up, and especially younger girls which is really great to see.”

On the day, she taught a young skater how to pump down, carve, kick-turn and drop in.

This is Ms Powell’s fourth time in Mackay and she said that it’s good to be back here with everyone.

“Donny has done so much for the skate community here and I’m super grateful with how far skateboarding is going in Australia,” she said.

Donny Fraser is the Head of Development for Rumble On The Reef and has been a key figure in creating opportunities for young skaters in regional areas such as Mackay.

“It’s a really good way to activate these kinds of facilities in the region,” Fraser said, “And a lot of these guys weren’t booked in for the demo but they’ve come along anyway to bring that community spirit which is really cool.

“Events like the Rumble Roadshow cater for the whole audience, so not just people who can skate, but also for those who maybe just want to watch or have a go for the first time.

“Most of our skateboarders aren’t from big towns or cities, so it’s really important for us to provide this opportunity to a place like Mackay.”

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Skaters of all levels joined the Rumble on the Reef crew for an action-packed day at Blacks Beach. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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