The skateboarding world has been watching out for Brazilian youngster Rayssa Leal ever since she was 7 years old, when a video of her heelflip down a small stair set while wearing a blue fairy costume caught the attention of Tony Hawk and went viral after he reposted it.
Last year was full of new fairytale twists for Rayssa – it’s pronounced “Hi-ee-sa” – as she made her Street League debut in January 2019, shortly after her 11th birthday, then won the Far N’ High contest in Paris in May. She opened the qualifying period for the Tokyo Olympics with a surprise podium finish, taking 3rd at Street League London, also in May. In July she traveled to Los Angeles and made history as the youngest person ever to win a Street League event, then finished 2nd at the Street League World Championships in São Paulo, Brazil. She’s currently #2 in the World Skate Women’s Skateboard Street rankings, behind fellow Brazilian Pamela Rosa, who has been a friend and mentor to her as she’s been on the rise.
We caught up with Rayssa via email, with a translation assist from Tatiana Braga, to find out how it feels to be winning big as a tweenager and all but guaranteeing herself the chance to be representing Brazil for skateboarding’s Olympic debut in 2021.
Let’s start by talking about that first event of the Olympic qualifying season last year. 2019 was your first year competing outside of Brazil, and you came out on the podium in 3rd at Street League London.
Finishing on the podium in that tournament was certainly one of the most important moments of my year. Getting on the podium in an SLS contest was one of my biggest dreams. And it was even more amazing because there were two Brazilians on the podium that day.
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Tell me about that moment when you realized that you not only belong at that level, but that you could truly compete, get on the podium, and beat out top skaters like Leticia Bufoni, Aori Nishimura, and Alexis Sablonein the process. Did getting on that podium set the tone for the rest of the year for you?
There was not a moment when I realized that I could compete, it just happened. I skate because I like it and have fun doing it. And I also really like being able to get to know new people and places. Skateboarding gives me that.
At Dew Tour you finished 5th in quarter-finals and 10th in semi-finals. That must have been super frustrating to miss the finals after the success in London. I’m curious about how you handled that disappointment, especially now that we know how the rest of the year worked out for you.
When you are on a skateboard, you fall a lot and need to get up and try again to get the trick right. The same goes for tournaments. I know I won’t always win, but I will always try to win! And I’m also happy to know that I inspire other girls who want to be skateboarders, and that’s as good as getting up on the podium.
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A few weeks later you went and won Street League Los Angeles, becoming the youngest person ever to win a Street League event. You looked so calm and confident out there! Rewatching that contest, you have such a positive attitude and look like you’re having so much fun, like there’s no pressure at all. It reminded me of your Instagram clips where you’re grinding with your arms crossed, staring at the camera, like, “No big deal.” Where does that confidence come from?
I believe it’s my family’s support. They don’t pressure me to always win and be first, they encourage me to do what I like, which is skateboarding. Their support, along with the lack of pressure, allows me to be calmer and more relaxed to have fun all the time, even during tournaments.
After seeing you rock so much confidence I almost wasn’t expecting to see how truly surprised you were by the win. After Pamela’s score came in, you burst out crying in the stands before people started coming over for hugs and high-fives. Tell me about that first wave of emotion when you realized you’d won.
I can’t explain the feeling exactly. I just felt! I think that’s why I cried with such happiness. It was really cool. It was a moment that I will never forget.
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Let’s rewind for a minute. How did you first get into skateboarding? We all know the story about your heelflip in the fairy wings, but where did your story start?
I got a skateboard as a birthday present when I was 6 and I started riding it around the house. My dad had some friends who were skateboarders and I started riding with them on the street, but my skateboard was too big for me and I didn’t have that much strength in my legs yet. But I practiced a lot and I got to a point where I didn’t have so much trouble anymore.
How much has it helped you to have support from other Brazilian skaters like Leticia Bufoni and Pamela Rosa and Kelvin Hoefler who have already had a lot of success?
They inspire me a lot, and their stories inspire me, and it was really cool when I got the chance to meet them. Having Brazilians as a world reference in skateboarding is inspiring and makes me want to keep going.
When you look back on everything you’ve accomplished in the last year, what are you most proud of?
In fact, I’m proud of everything. Each achievement brought out a different emotion. I am very privileged to be able to achieve so much by doing what I like most.
How did all your success in the last year change things for you and your family?
Things have improved a lot and my parents are very dedicated, so it changed everyone’s routine in some way.
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Now that all of the contests, including the Olympics, have been canceled or postponed, how have you been spending your time?
My school activities are still taking place, except they are online now, so that has not changed much. And now my home skateboarding park is ready, so I can ride more. I’m not riding outside yet, but I hope to be back as soon as all of this is over. I think the focus now should be on health and enjoying the time I have with my family, since I traveled a lot in 2019. I spent a few days away from my brother, but now we are spending a lot of time together.
Tell me about Slinky! I know all your fans will want to know about your new puppy!
He is so cute and smart. And he likes skateboarding too! You can see him on his Instagram profile @slinkyleal. He’s a friend to me and my brother.
Now that you have an extra year to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics, do you have any new goals?
I want to keep riding a lot and make sure that I have a spot for the Olympic Games and be able to have a lot of fun in Tokyo. Japan must be really cool.
What’s something I haven’t asked about that you’d love to talk about? Everyone, especially girls, should do whatever they like. Don’t worry about discrimination, because we girls can be whatever we want to be.
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