WaveMaker Spotlight: Ireland Young

Some girls are born performers. 

For Ireland Young, that showed up early. She took her very first gymnastics class at just 18 months old, stayed with the sport on and off through childhood, and joined the competitive team at age 7. 

Now, Ireland is a gymnast, a two-time state vault champion, and one of the first girls in our NextWave community to receive her suit. 

Built for the Moment

Ireland's favorite event is vault, which feels fitting for someone who seems so comfortable launching herself into the air.

But behind every strong vault, clean landing, or confident salute is a lot of work most people never see. Ireland has had to practice through fear, frustration, and skills that did not come easily right away. 

This summer, she worked through fear around a few difficult skills, including her handstand on high bar and her giants. With help from her coach, she broke each skill down piece by piece until it started to feel less intimidating. 

That part of her story stood out to us. 

Because confidence is not always instant. Sometimes it is built in small pieces: a correction, a repeat, a deep breath, a coach who knows when to push and when to slow the skill down. 

Ireland did not pretend the fear was not there. She worked through it. 

Born to Perform

Ireland's mom said she has always loved performing for a crowd, and we believe it. 

At her Level 3 state meet, Ireland accidentally saluted the audience before saluting the judges. That same meet was the first time she ever placed first on any event. 

Focused enough to compete, confident enough to perform, and fun enough to make the moment her own. 

And with two state vault championships behind her, it is safe to say the performance side is working for her.

Outside the Gym

When Ireland is not at gymnastics, she loves to swim and recently tried artistic swimming. At the pool, her favorite thing to do is flip into the water, which feels exactly right for a gymnast.

Ireland also recently received her NextWave suit, and her mom told us it fits perfectly. 

Her favorite feature? The hidden pocket in the bottoms for a hair tie.

Ireland's favorite color combo is Surge Green and Coral Rush, and her next item she has her eye on is the Crossline Top in Deep Tide with Coral Rush Straps to wear with her Coral Rush Bottoms.

We love that she noticed the pocket, because those are the details we care about. The ones that may seem small until a girl is actually wearing the suit, moving in it, swimming in it, and realizing someone thought about how she would really use it. 

Ireland's Advice for Other Girls

When we asked Ireland what advice she would give other girls, her answer was simple and strong:

"When someone says something to put you down, don't believe them. The best thing to do is just say 'thank you' and walk away. People like that are not worth your time."

We love to celebrate that kind of bravery and confidence: not the kind that needs to be loud, not the kind that depends on everyone agreeing with you, the kind that knows when to keep going and when to walk away.

Ireland is strong, focused, funny, and full of personality. She works hard, performs big, and knows that not every opinion deserves her attention. 

That sounds like a WaveMaker to us. 

Know a Girl We Should Feature?

We are always looking to celebrate girls who are doing amazing things in and out of the water, whether that is through sports, creativity, leadership, kindness, courage, or simply being brave enough to try something new. 

Know someone we should feature?

Email us at hello@nextwaveswim.com to nominate her for a future WaveMaker Spotlight.