by Guy Vilt
Although a lot less common, some kids prefer individual sports competition to team sports. One big difference to individual competition is developing drive, initiative, determination and confidence on your own. Recently I sat down with Tyler Hunger during a break from practice. Tyler, a local Sarasota skateboarder, has all of these traits and more. Even though Tyler, just 8 years old, has won more competitions than his age would ever indicate, he was polite, courteous and one of the most humble 8-year olds I’ve met.
Tyler’s been skating since he was 4-years old and you’ll see him and his two younger brothers (champs in the making) almost every day at the Sarasota Skate Park. He may not be Superman, but Tyler sure knows how to fly high, and may just be the next young star in his sport. Sponsored by The Compound, a skate shop with locations in Sarasota and Bradenton, he is the youngest member of the team. He has been competing, and winning in his age division since he was 5. On occasion, Tyler even competes in the 12 and under age division where his competitors are four years older, and he still wins!
Tyler told me his toughest trick is landing a 360, although he landed several of them the day I was there. “Sometimes I have good days and sometimes I have bad days. It takes a long time to land new tricks and sometimes I get really hurt,” said Tyler. However, as with any good athlete, it’s safety first, and Tyler wears a lot of protective gear to remain as safe as possible. To his credit, Tyler hasn’t had a broken bone so far.
I asked him why he chose skateboarding over other sports. “I like the challenge of landing different tricks and the chance to fly high in the air. If you play basketball you might dribble wrong, but in skateboarding, you can’t skateboard wrong,” Tyler said. “I think the best thing about skateboarding is trying to land new tricks. Sometimes on a new trick, I’ll fall over and over again, but when I finally land it, it’s worth it,” added Tyler. To give you an idea of his commitment, Tyler goes through about one pair of skateboard shoes a month!
Tyler’s favorite professional skaters are Ryan Sheckler, Tony Hawk and Paul Rodriguez. When he’s not on his board, he likes video games, going out on the family boat and watching skate videos.
Be sure to check out our local champ when Tyler makes his national television debut this September on Fuel TV.
tyler Hunger 2008 Contest Results
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4/19/08 S.P.O.T. Spring Roll Street 8&Under 1st Place
3/15/08 688 Winter Throw Down Street 9&Under 1st Place
2/24/08 King of the Groms Bowl Beginner 2nd Place
2/24/08 King of the Groms Street Beginner 2nd Place
2/23/08 688 Skate Park (WTD) Street Beginner 2nd Place
2/23/08 688 Skate Park (WTD) Mini Intermediate 5th Place
2/9/08 688 Skate Park (WTD) Street 9&Under 1st Place
2/9/08 688 Skate Park (WTD) Mini Intermediate 5th Place
1/12/08 Dunedin Pool Advanced 5th Place
1/12/08 Dunedin Bowl 9&Under 3rd Place
1/12/08 Dunedin Street 9&Under 2nd Place
1/6/08 King of the Gromes Mini Beginner 2nd Place
1/6/08 King of the Gromes Street Beginner 3rd Place
1/6/08 King of the Gromes Bowl Beginner 4th Place
