Miami Welcomes Street League Skateboarding: A Showcase of Global Talent

Street League Skateboarding (SLS) has officially landed in Miami, marking its first-ever tournament in the city. This international skateboarding event is drawing some of the best talent from around the globe, including a standout from South Florida.

In an exciting weekend ahead, CBS News Miami caught up with several skateboarders gearing up to compete. The tournament kicked off on Friday, showcasing legendary figures in the skateboarding scene, including the remarkable Rayssa Leal. At just 13 years old, she made history as the youngest Olympic medalist in 85 years, clinching a silver medal in street skateboarding at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Reflecting on her rapid rise to fame, Leal shared that her journey has been a whirlwind. "It all happened really fast," she remarked, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the process. "I mean like just having fun [with] every single contest," she added.

Since her Olympic success, Leal has continued to shine, securing back-to-back first-place titles at the SLS Super Crown World Championship in both 2022 and 2023. Her secret? Keeping the fun alive. "We fall, we go up and we go again," she explained. "It makes the skateboards feel like not only a sport -- we are like a big family."

This year’s competition holds special significance for another competitor, Jamie Foy. A South Florida native, Foy has earned prestigious accolades, including Thrasher Skater of the Year in both 2017 and 2024. He expressed his excitement about skating in front of his home crowd, stating, "I'm excited because we had a Street League in Florida but it was up in Jacksonville, which was a lot different. Now, we're here in South Florida, and to me, it's like South Florida is the real Florida."

Adding to the thrill, the skate course has been designed to reflect iconic South Florida skate parks. "Miami is a kind of Mecca for skateboarding," Foy noted, highlighting the city’s long-standing reputation as a popular destination for skaters since the '90s.

The action kicks off at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, promising an electrifying atmosphere as fans gather to witness the incredible talent on display.