WOODWARD, Pa. — Woodward, Pennsylvania has a population of about 80 people, yet Olympic athletes have been traveling to the small community from around the world in preparation for the summer games.
Located in Centre County, Woodward PA has become a mecca of action sports training, best known for its summer camps focusing on extreme sports, the facilities have been attracting athletes like Australian Skateboarder Kieran Woolley.
“Woodward, Pennsylvania -- there’s pretty much nowhere else like it in the world,” said Woolley, who placed fifth in the Tokyo Games, is looking to earn his second Olympic appearance.
“I'm super excited. I got lucky enough to compete in 2021, and hopefully going to go back this year,” said Woolley.
Street skater Haylie Powell is wrapping up a 3 month stint in the U.S. with a week at Woodward. Her sights are set on Paris and her first Olympic appearance.
“I’ve just been training super hard, and hopefully I can just show all my work and hopefully I can make it happen,” said Powell.
Australian Coach Beau Mitchell says the resources available here in Woodward PA allows athletes the chance to work one skills without distractions.
“The facilities here and world class where you can, in the same day, take a trick from it’s infancy to having it on lock,” said Mitchell, “that’s very hard to do in normal parks because they don’t have all of the facilities in one park. You have to keep going from one to the other, constantly and they’re never the same.”
This makes the journey from the land down under, to the Keystone State, well worth it.
“The outcome on the day I can’t control, that’s up to the judges. The preparation I care about, and the way we hold ourselves as a country is what I care about,” said Mitchell, ”I’m excited, I’m a little nervous but only for the fact that I know how much work is being put in, and I just want them to achieve their dreams.”
Woodward PA isn’t just for Olympic athletes.
The organization offers a wide array of skateboarding, BMX, scooter and parkour camps for children and adults with all ability levels.