A recent Point Loma High graduate is living his dream as a member of the United States Olympic team at this year’s games in Paris.

Tate Carew, 19, will wear the USA uniform when the event begins on July 24 and compete in the park skateboarding event set for Aug. 7 with prelims at 3:30 a.m. San Diego time and finals at 8:30 a.m.

This event takes place on a varied course combining bowls and numerous bends, which are used by athletes to gather speed that allows them to perform tricks mid-air. Contestants are judged by the height and speed of the tricks they display during jumps as well as the capacity to use the entire surface and all obstacles. Each athlete is given three 45-second runs with the best score recorded.

“I have no idea what to expect for Paris, but I think it’s going to be the best contest, park-wise, that we’ve seen in a long time,” Carew said. “I’m very excited.”

The road to Paris was a bumpy one for Carew.

It was famed rider Tony Hawk who encouraged Carew after he won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships. Carew ended up flying twice to Australia over the past 10 months, eventually meeting good friend and reigning gold medalist Keegan Palmer. Working with Hawk and Palmer put Carew in the mental place to shine at the recent Olympic Qualifying Series (OCS).

Carew won the first OCS in Shanghai, moving him from No. 4 to No. 1 in the world rankings. He continued to excel, with a top score in the second OCS held June 20-23 in Budapest, Hungary. Carew’s winning score at the Shanghai OCS was 93.33 (of 100)

Carew credits his time with Hawk for his ascent in the sport. The two had known each other before their time in Australia but learning from the 10-time X Games champion about everything from performing tricks to overcoming mental blocks proved the difference for Carew.

A few months earlier, Carew had broken his collarbone during a fall. Even after being cleared to compete, Carew felt something was limiting his performance.

“I felt like I wasn’t skating as best as I could just because I was a little bit in my head,” Carew said in an Olympics-released statement. “He (Tony) kind of made me realize that that’s all part of it.”

Hawk’s talks and those with Palmer, who lives in Australia, were effective. Carew finished third in Budapest and qualified for the Olympic team.

Skateboarding first appeared in the COVID-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.

When he isn’t on his skateboard, Carew has other interests including playing guitar and chess, tennis, or golf as he attempts to create a good balance for himself.

“I think the biggest thing that I’m looking forward to is just the experience,” Carew said. “I’ve spoken to a few friends that went last time and they just said, ‘There’s no contest like it.’ Once everyone makes it to the Olympics, all the hard work has paid off and you just let your muscle memory take over and you let your skating do the talking for you.”

Compete in confidence, Tate, and go for the gold!