Alberta scooter kids heading to California for North American finals
Two southern Alberta scooter riders will be competing with the some of best in that sport this weekend at a skate park in California.
The North American scooter finals take place at Woodward West near Bakersfield, Calif., with riders from Canada and the U.S. competing for rankings and the chance to qualify for the world championships.
Scootering is similar to competitive skateboarding, with riders competing in skate parks, completing difficult tricks to score points.
11-year-old Dex Foster in his signature pink helmet at his home town skatepark in Carstairs. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)
11-year-old Dex Foster, who is competing in the novice category, only started the sport two years ago, spending hours at his local skate park in Carstairs, Alta. He recently placed first in the Alberta Open.
"Practicing every day, and going to skate parks whenever you're bored," said Foster, when asked about how he got so good, so quickly.
"I get nervous sometimes but I just practice the tricks and memorize what I'm going to do. I practice it over a bunch and that helps a lot," he said.
Dex Foster hangs upside down in the air halfway through a backflip at Carstairs skatepark. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)
Dex's mother, Laura Foster, says he wants to go pro in the sport and the family supports that dream.
"Anytime we go anywhere, we have to find a skate park. We're always on Google Maps," she said.
"He practices with all of his heart. I've seen how hard he practices and he is so confident doing what he does."
13-year-old Kage Schafers is in California this week to compete in the North America Scooter Finals near Bakersfield. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)
Kage Schafers from Airdrie, Alta., will be hitting the ramps in the intermediate category. The 13-year-old placed second recently at the Alberta Open.
"My grandparents got me a Razor scooter and I just started riding that around," said Schafers, going back to how he got started in the sport.
"Flips are my favourite now. They're just fun."
His father Todd says making it to the North American finals is the reward for many hours of hard work, and fun, at the skate park.
Kage Schafers flies through the air above Chinook Winds Skatepark in Airdrie, practicing for the North American Scooter Finals in California. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)
"We couldn't be happier and it's a fantastic opportunity. He spends probably 8-10 hours per day, 5-6 days per week over the summer out there with him and his friends," he said.
"The commitment that these kids have for this sport is incredible to see," said Schafers.
The two families are travelling together to California and are stopping by Disneyland during the trip.
13-year-old Kage Schafers completing a trick at his home skatepark in Airdrie. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)
The competition takes place in Stallion Springs, Calif., southwest of Bakersfield, staring on Friday, Aug. 25.
