Hi my name is Lyndsey Adams Hawkins but I go by Lyn-z. I made it up in the 4th grade when I didn’t want to write my whole name anymore. I grew up in Encinitas, CA until I was 9 years old, playing every sport you can think of. At 9 my family and I moved to Sayulita, Mexico for 6 months out of each year. We did this for 3 wonderful, fun packed years. Living there, surfing every day and helping run my Grandma’s bed and Breakfast was an amazing experience.
          When returning from Mexico we moved to Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA. Our first summer back for good was 2001. This was the summer when I really got into skating. I started competing and learning to do more then just drop in. By the next year I competed in my first pro event at 12 years old.
My parents have always been a huge factor in what I do. They supported me in everything I wanted to do and would take me wherever I needed to be when I couldn’t drive. My Dad passed away in December of 2003 when I was just 14. It was a really hard experience for me. I had competed in 30-40 contest and events during the next year, making it the busiest year of my career so far.
          The loss of my biggest fan (my Dad) and so much going on left me burned out and wishing I had time for regular school, rather than home schooling. I know now that even though it felt like I didn’t have much time to be a kid, I was creating who I am today. I was learning life lessons that I’m guessing only a handful of kids my age learn that young.
          Although it has been a tough few years since then, with a few big injuries, I somehow have ended up through my competitions in the X Games with 1 Bronze, 3 Silvers, and 2 Gold Metals in Women’s Skateboarding. I’ve worked hard and sometimes my life has been hard, but I have to remember that I’ve had a lot of great experiences while still being a teenager!
          Living in Cardiff, CA and most of the winter in Mammoth Lakes, CA certainly helps me live this amazing life. I guess you could say I live the best of both worlds at the beach and in the mountains. I hope to continue to push myself progressing in everything that I do. I realize that these years to come are paving the way for the rest of my life, and all the little girls coming up behind me. I’m excited for what’s in store for me… in fact, for women’s skateboarding, and action sports in general!