By RUSSELL BENNETT
“I DIDN’T get nervous at the nationals – I get excited because I’m there doing it.”
That’s one amazing attitude to have for a 10-year-old, but that’s just young Caribbean Rollerama skate star Trinity Walter.
She’s following in the footsteps of her mum Rachel, but in just 14 months as a competitive skater, Trinity has already started to blaze her own trail in the sport.
She’s guided by internationally renowned coach Jayson Sutcliffe – a former world champion and 14-time World Championship representative – so she couldn’t be in better hands.
A member of the Ferntree Gully-based club, Trinity has more than just the spirit of a winner – she has a swag of medals to boot. She’s already a state and national champion – having claimed the Australian crown in Brisbane earlier this month – and now has to wait for her age to catch up so she can compete on the world stage as a teenager.
Skating involves an array of moves, jumps and spins set to music and shares some of the characteristics of artistic gymnastics, and many from ice skating.
Young skaters advance through the age group categories as they go and with each step more is expected of their routines.
“You’re definitely not judged for your looks,” the Endeavour Hills youngster laughed.
“I know that for sure because if you were, I’d probably get gold for sure because my costumes are really nice, and my make-up and my hair.
“They judge you by your technique – how you form your arms – and then there’s technical merit (including footwork, hands, jumps and spins).”
Rachel is thrilled that such a well-respected and proven coach is mentoring her daughter.
“He’s employed pretty much all over the world to go and teach their skaters how to skate, so to have him as our coach is just amazing,” Rachel said.
Trinity loves the sport of skating, in part, because of the quality of people involved and the friends she’s made out of it.
She’s got all the skills – height on her jumps, speed, and a fearless mentality.
But there’s always more for her to work on if she’s to achieve her ultimate goal.
“I just want to make it to the Oceanias and Worlds. That would just be awesome,” she said.
