Skating to the next level
Many competitions are held around the country for skateboarders to compete against each other in order to win prizes and gain recognition from sponsors.
Jordan Hunter, sophomore, and seniors Stephen Beckman and Nick Logan, are all downhill skaters who compete in skating tournaments to win cash pots and new skate gear.
“I started skating because I thought it would be amazing, new and fun,” Logan said.
Logan’s love for skateboarding started skating around town, but he now competes in different tournaments such as Downhill Disco, Menlo Park Skate Jam, and Santa Barbara Skate Jam.
Hunter’s experience in downhill skateboarding has helped him become the skateboarder he is today and hopes to be in the future. “I hope to possibly become a professional skateboarder or to make skateboards,” Hunter said.
Various skateboarders are supported by sponsors that help them become more noticeable to other skateboard companies. They help pay for costs associated with holding events in exchange for wearing their products.
“I’m a team rider for Rider Approved Designs (RAD) and flow rider for Sector 9 Longboards,” Beckman said.
Beckman’s love for skateboarding keeps pushing him to advance and improve his skills through tournaments and skating with friends.
“I would love to continue this passion. I have grown to love skating as a career, but I’m not sure what the future holds for me, I guess I will see,” Beckman said.
Beckman’s interest for downhill skateboarding began from watching his friends skate. Soon enough, he tried it himself.
“My very first attempt I (fell), but I got right back up and tried again. I’ve loved it ever since,” Beckman said.
