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A super-talented teen skateboarder is the latest world-class east Auckland athlete turning heads in her chosen sport. Jessica Ready has been lighting up top-quality competitions in New Zealand and abroad over the past few years and is ambitious to fulfil her promise and make it to the top of skateboard global rankings. If she does, there’s potential for more large viewership XGames appearances and Olympic Games representation. But first things first. She’s keeping her feet firmly planted on the ground apart from when she’s manoeuvring her board skilfully on skating courses. “My goal is to keep on skating for the fun of it,” Jessica tells the Times. “I will be going to my first World Skate comp for the LA28 [Los Angeles Olympics 2028] cycle next month in Japan. “Hopefully I’ll get to some more World Skate comps in the lead up to LA28 and earn enough points to get through to the Olympics. “If I get a call up, I’d be keen to go to more XGames as well.” She’s earned the right to be contesting big-time skateboarding competitions here and overseas through eye-catching agile performances. “I started out doing comps in New Zealand then Australia,” says Jessica, a 15-year-old Macleans College student, where her nickname is Decca. “Over the last couple of years, I’ve been to some World Skate events and had the chance to visit Tokyo, Dubai, Shanghai and Budapest. “It’s been amazing meeting and skating with people I’ve admired for years. This year I also got to go to XGames in America which was a great experience.” That appearance in the United States is highly memorable as Jessica became the first New Zealander to win an XGames medal, a bronze in the women’s street competition. Her achievements on the global stage have been acknowledged on her home turf this year, being awarded the Junior Sportswoman of the Year at the Howick Sports Award. “I was really surprised and happy. That night I was on my way to northern Queensland for a comp with some other Skateboarding New Zealand skaters.” One of her mentors, Aaron Martin, president of East Skate Club (ESC), accepted the prize on her behalf. “He messaged the news when we were collecting our luggage.” Over the past year, Jessica had a very successful run, claiming first-place at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Skateboarding Championships, New Zealand Skateboard Nationals, and NZ X Air. “Jessica isn’t just a champion athlete. She mentors younger skaters, training at local facilities and inspiring the next generation of girls in action sports,” said Wendy Meyer, MC at the Howick Sports Awards. Jessica started skating with her dad, Alan, when she was aged nine “and it took off from there”. “Once I started going to my local park at Barry Curtis, I was influenced by the guys skating there, especially Lenard Tejada. He inspired me a lot,” she says. “When I was starting out, I met Amber Clyde from Girls Skate NZ. Being part of that group really influenced my progress plus I made some good friends.” She’s also a well-established member of the popular, motivated ESC. “I’ve been there from the start. Aaron Martin at ESC is the best and he always looks out for me.” When asked, what’s the best feeling about skateboarding? Jessica says: “The freedom. “I get to approach skateboarding the way I want to. The greatest part about skateboarding is the community. I have met some really cool people along the way. “Thank you to all my old coaches at Howick Gymnastics Club. I gained confidence through learning gymnastics and competing individually and that has helped me heaps with my skating. “Thank you to Skateboarding NZ and High Performance Sport NZ. Big shout out to my coach, Simon Thorp.” Jessica Ready has the Instagram @double__decca She’s very grateful to her parents Alan and Diana for their constant support, and to sponsors Boardertown, Irrom Distribution, Nike SB, Monster Army, Toy Machine, Jessup, and Corgi Wax. For an earlier Times’ story about the 2025 Howick Sports Awards, read: https://www.times.co.nz/uncategorized/east-aucklands-sporting-stars-crowned-at-howick-sports-awards
