So far it’s been a mixed bag for San Diego athletes competing in the Paris Games Olympics. Some disappointments like Caitlin Simmers, Oceanside’s pride and joy, being eliminated in the women’s surfing competition in Tahiti – but plenty of stoked San Diegans in skateboarding and cycling, among other sports.

Skateboarding

Yesterday, Encinitas’ Tom Schaar won the silver medal with a 92.23 on his second run in the men’s park skateboarding competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics. (His silver medal adds to Encinitas’ Jagger Eaton’s gold medal that he received last week in the street event.)

Schaar, who grew up in Malibu before he moved to Encinitas, has had a highly successful career leading up to the Olympics, including being credited as the first skateboarder to land a “1080,” which requires doing three full rotations in the air, a mind-boggling feat. He’s also the youngest X Games gold medalist, a title he earned after successfully landing the first 1080 in a competition. Schaar has been a Dew Tour champion and been a standout in multiple X Games.

His journey began with a simple ramp constructed by his parents. Inspired by his older brother, Schaar’s natural talent quickly blossomed under the guidance of skateboarding legend Bucky Lasek. His skateboarding prowess has taken him around the world; in skateboarding circles, he is known internationally for his skills on a skateboard. But he has said that above all else, what he loves most is just skateboarding with his friends.

Cycling

Jennifer Valente, one of the most decorated cyclists of her generation, has already earned a gold medal in the women’s team pursuit, yesterday, Aug. 7, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, just the latest highlight in her impressive career. Valente, who was born and raised in San Diego, appears to be on another hot streak and is well positioned to win multiple medals in biking.

Next on her to-do list is tomorrow’s Women’s Madison and Sunday’s Omnium Challenge, a grueling event that tests a cyclist’s versatility across different disciplines. Given Valente’s track record of success and her strong performance in the team pursuit, the Cathedral Catholic High School alum is definitely a top contender for the Omnium as well.

Surfing Recap

Oceanside’s Caitlin Simmers, currently the #1-rated women’s surfer in the world, was eliminated by Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb. While the defeat was unfortunate for the regular foot surfer, she has her eyes set on the Corona Fiji Pro, the next and last contest on the 2024 World Surf League’s Championship Tour, which will be held August 20 – 29 at Cloudbreak. Regardless of how she performs in Fiji, she will compete for the world champion title on Finals Day, which will be held in September at Lower Trestles, just a hop, skip, and a jump from her home in Oceanside.

We should also mention, back to the Olympics, that San Clemente’s Caroline Marks, who was last year’s women’s World Surf League champion, took home the gold medal in Monday’s title match against Brazil’s Tatiana Weston Webb, which was held unfortunately in small surf at picturesque Teahupo’o, in French Polynesia, Tahiti.

Native son Kauli Vaast won the gold for France, beating Australia’s Jack Robinson, who walked away with the silver medal.