A KID THAT JUST LOVES SPORT!
For anyone who knows Lexi, it’s clear that she’s always greeting people with a big smile, boundless energy, and an enthusiasm for not just sports, but life itself. A sun-kissed, bright-eyed, and active twelve-year-old, Lexi leads a busy life filled with sports, school, and hanging out with friends. It’s rare to find her just sitting on the couch at home.
Lucy from Sunshine Coast Sports recently caught up with Lexi and her parents, Dane and Kate, to ask about her experiences as a young athlete on the Sunshine Coast. Lexi participates in multiple sports, including skateboarding, wakeboarding, and running, explaining, "I compete at different levels for all my sports."
When it comes to skateboarding, Lexi shared, “I just enjoy the sport and do it for fun now, but I’ve competed in many competitions within Queensland in the past.” The weekly parkrun is a favourite family tradition, with Lexi adding, “I attend parkrun weekly with my family, and whenever there’s a Queensland event, I try to participate.” This year alone, Lexi has completed 10km races at the Noosa Marathon Festival, Gold Coast Marathon Festival, and Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival—just a few of the major Queensland events she’s taken on!
For wakeboarding, Lexi generally competes in local competitions at her home park, Bli Bli Wake Park, which hosts a range of events throughout the year. She is a member of the Sunshine Coast Wakeboarding Club, where the winter series keeps members connected and ready to hit the water.
In September, the World Wake Association hosted the World Wakeboarding Championships on the Gold Coast, where Lexi competed and finished 5th in her division. Reflecting on her sports journey so far, Lexi said, “All my sports make me a better athlete because competing in different competitions gives me the confidence to try new things and helps me improve.” It’s clear that Lexi is thriving with the support and encouragement of her parents, Dane and Kate, and her friends. She shared, “If I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t be where I am. They encourage me to become a better person and athlete.”
Balancing it all isn’t easy, Lexi admits: “It’s no secret that keeping the balance is a juggle. But I manage to get my schoolwork done (mostly on time!) and my sports are flexible, so we work around schooling and spending time with friends.” Lexi’s younger brother, Renni, is also active, especially in the BMX scene, and her parents shared, “When we had kids, we didn’t expect to be so involved in sports like wakeboarding, skateboarding, and BMX racing, but we love watching them grow in their sports and being part of these different communities.”
With her packed schedule, Lexi enjoys fueling herself with nutritious food (and loves a scoop or two of ice-cream!) While Lexi admits there’s not much downtime, “I love the occasional sleep in. When I’m not out playing sports, I enjoy art, spending time drawing or chalking the driveway.” Living in an active neighbourhood Lexi can often be found playing handball, basketball, or even water fights with friends.
Lexi’s sports have introduced her to a diverse circle of friends, stretching from Queensland to Bali and the Canary Islands. Her dad, Dane, noted, “The friendships she’s made are incredible and based on a shared love of their sport. It’s helped Lexi grow into a confident yet humble young lady, and as parents, we’re extremely proud.”
While Lexi picks up most sports quickly, she laughs about one experience that didn’t go so smoothly: “Last Christmas, we went to Japan. I picked up snowboarding quickly, but trying to get off the chairlift with one foot strapped to the board felt like a game of Twister! I ended up wiping everyone out as I exited.”
Time with Lexi reveals a few key things: she’s not afraid to laugh at herself, loves a challenge, appreciates what sports can do for her, and carries a positive attitude into everything. Her family is her biggest support, and she loves simple moments, like going for a jog with her dad or riding with her mum and brother. As her dad puts it best, “She’s a kid that just loves sport!"
Connect with Lexi via Instagram.
Article written by Lucy Bowden
Created November 7, 2024
Photos provided by Lexi Pascoe