Marilyn Ebert of Chantler Road in Fenwick is one proud grandma.
Her granddaughter, Fay DeFazio Ebert, of Toronto, is a 13-year-old skateboard sensation who just won gold for Canada last weekend at the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile.
Wearing a feather in her helmet from her pet duck Richard for good luck during her winning performance, Fay is the youngest member of Canada's national skateboard team, and was also the youngest competitor when she represented Canada at the 2019 skateboard world championships in Brazil.
“Fay was born in the Toronto area and picked up the sport at age 8,” said Marilyn. “Her dad, Andrew Ebert, grew up in Fenwick and went to St. Anne's Catholic School, E. L. Crossley Secondary School, and Niagara College. He designed the Crossley Cyclone logo. We haven’t had a chance to speak with Fay yet. She’s flying home today, Monday, with her mother, Elizabeth DeFazio, who travels with her when she goes to competitions.”
Lots of family members in Pelham and across Niagara were cheering Fay on, said Marilyn.
“She's very determined young girl, practicing four hours a day, usually six days a week. She earned the nickname ‘Fay All Day’ from fellow skateboarders because she never gets tired, she can ‘skate all day.’ I think Fay is ranked something like number 23 in the world at present,” said Marilyn.
If she qualifies for the Canadian team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which seems likely at this juncture, Fay will be the youngest athlete to compete for Canada at the Olympic Games since swimmer Barbara Hounsell in 1964.
Speaking with CBC Sports after her gold medal performance, Fay said, "I can't explain how good I'm feeling right now. I'm so glad my mom's here. She supports me."
Fay usually trains with older skateboarders, but said that she is not intimidated by older competitors.
"Back home in Toronto, I skate with 20 and 30-year olds,” she said. “The friendships are important to me, and I like the pressure of having to perform in the moment. It's a good feeling doing a great kick-flip or getting big air. I compete and train because it excites me."
Fay is also featured in Subway Canada television commercials as a sandwich ambassador, and her promotional poster has been in the window of the Subway in Fonthill since September, said Marilyn.
Marilyn said that skateboarding is quickly gaining in popularity with girls since it became an Olympic sport in 2020, when it was featured at the Tokyo Olympics.
Nearly 500 athletes from Canada are competing at Pan Am Games in Santiago from October 20 to November 5. At the Pan Ams four years ago, Team Canada won 35 gold, 65 silver, and 52 bronze medals for a total of 152 medals. 2023 podium places thus far total 36, including 12 gold medals, 13 silver, and 11 bronze.
