Needless to say, the trip to Paris was one to remember for Poe Pinson and those who accompanied her.
“I never really set expectations on competitions or trips, kinda just vibe in the moment and feel stuff out,” Pinson told the News-Leader through text message.
Pinson had a spectacular showing at the preliminaries and finals of the Women’s Street Skateboarding event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She finished fifth overall and made history for American skateboarding when she and Paige Heyn qualified for the Finals.
Her smile lit up screens across the globe and it spread to the faces of those in attendance.
Pinson’s father, Kenny Pinson traveled to Paris with her. “Her smile was infectious and contagious and she displayed the joy of the sport of skateboarding,” he said.
Meilani Pruitt also made the trip to Paris with the group. She has worked with Pinson for the last five years as her personal trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Performance Enhancement Specialist.
“My favorite part of watching Poe was her amazing smile and attitude,” Pruitt said, “Her camaraderie with not only her teammates but also her competitors was admirable, inspirational, and contagious.”
Kenny Pinson said, “My favorite memory of the competition is her catapult from the preliminaries into the finals.”
No one expected two Americans to qualify for the event in Paris. Skateboarding has only been an Olympic sport for two Summer Games, but Japan has dominated the sport so far. The country has been the only one to qualify more than one skateboarder for the women’s final until now and has taken two of the three medals on the women’s side during both the Tokyo Olympics and now the Paris Olympics.
“Heading into the Olympic final was epic. We laughed. We cried. It was such a blast,” Pruitt said.
Kenny Pinson said, “When she reached the finals, I was mesmerized and excited because the chances were marginal and would take a Herculean Trick on her part.”
When Pinson hit the 50/50 Backslide that earned her highest trick score during the preliminaries, Kenny Pinson said, “I was screaming and hollering and cheering and tearing all at the same time.”
“I couldn’t believe I had landed it. I was just hoping to be able to walk away in one piece,” Poe said.
She said heading into the final she was very tired.
“Everyone was. It was so hot and Alexis of coaching kinda simplified it by telling me that all I had to do was pop my board like 10 more times and then it would be over,” she said jokingly.
Poe finished the finals at No. 5, with an overall score of 222.34 with Heyn right behind her at No. 6 with a 163.23 overall score.
Gold and silver went to Japanese skateboarders Coco Yoshizawa with a 272.75 and Liz Akama with a 265.95. Bronze was picked up by Brazilian skater, Rayssa Leal with an upset, knocking the Chinese skater Cui Chenxi to the No. 4 spot.
Pinson and Heyn set the tone for American skateboarding in the 2024 Olympics. In the men’s event on Monday, American’s Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston grabbed the Silber and Bronze medals.
Pinson’s showing also granted her a shoutout from skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk. He posted on social media about his experience watching the Olympic competition.
The Instagram post, paired with video clips from the event read, “It was an honor and a privilege to see the women’s street finals here in Paris this afternoon … Other highlights (for me, a curmudgeonly vert skater): kneeslides, kickflip melons and a 540 attempt (thanks Poe!)”
The competition wasn’t the only enjoyable part of the trip for the group from Fernandina Beach. Kenny Pinson said his favorite memory was when they first settled in at a Paris Cafe. He said he embraced Poe after she skated to their table.
“I’ve loved everyone I’ve gotten to see and hangout with,” Poe said.
Pruitt said she also has enjoyed the wonderful interactions and genuine human connections they have experienced.
They both said there have been no bad parts of the trip.
As far as the future of Pinson’s competitive skateboarding, her support team doesn’t know what the future holds.
“I can’t say much for the future but we are just happy to be here. She plans on continuing her passion of filming.” Pruitt said.
Kenny Pinson said, “Poe is always excited for competitions, and me too. So much excitement to reach the Olympic Stage and I’m sure she is anxious for a vacation.”
Kenny Pinson said the trip was made possible only with the help of a Go Fund Me set up for the family by Archeologists Natalie Adams Pope and Carl Steen, as well as all the donations made.
“The GFM was crucial in my journey to Paris 2024 Olympic Games.” he said. “Thanks to everyone for the assistance to witness Poe’s transformation into an Olympian Athlete, and, as well as my own transformation into an Olympian ThingamaJing.”
The group will return to a parade in Pinson’s honor, to be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16
“I feel pretty overwhelmed returning home to a parade,” Poe said. “It should be a lot of fun but it’s crazy to me that everyone cares enough to throw a parade.”
“It wasn’t my idea, but I’m down,” Poe said. “But pretty flattering.”
She added, “They should definitely throw parades for like firefighters and stuff too, saving cats out of trees and burning houses.”
“We are honored to have such strong support from home. The outpour from the community has been utterly heart warming,” Pruitt said.
“We are excited about the Homecoming Parade and are honored with the fanfare and outpouring of the Fernandina Beach community,” Kenny Pinson said.
achandler@fbnewsleader.com