LOOK OUT, Christian Homer, the next Trinidad and Tobago youth to bring home an Olympic gold medal just might be a skateboarder.

The Skaters Association of Trinidad and Tobago has begun putting steps in place to ensure that skateboarding becomes a national sport in the not-too-distant future.

On Aug. 28, skaters from across the country gathered at the Harvard Cricket Club grounds at St. Clair, Port of Spain, for the first national skateboarding tournament to show off their skills.

Gareth Owen, the organizer of the Bambora Redbull Game of S.K.A.T.E. competition, said skateboarding is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and the Association wants to create such an interest here as well.

"Skateboarding is more than a sport, it is a way of life, and if we can get more kids and teenagers involved, soon enough it could become as big as cricket or football is in this country," Owen said.

He added that the Association is aiming to one day send a Trinidad and Tobago skateboarding team to participate in the Olympics, since the International Olympic Committee is considering introduction of such an event at the London 2012 Games.

The Game of S.K.A.T.E. competition showcased 20 young, talented skaters, mostly teens but also kids as young as 9, performing many popular tricks such as flips, aerials, boardslides, grinds and freestyling, among others.

It follows the rules of "H.O.R.S.E." in basketball, where, in this instance, skaters are paired up and one player performs a trick while the second player has to replicate it. If he or she fails to do so, then the skater will receive a letter from the word "SKATE," and the first player to spell the word is eliminated.

Little did the skaters know that participating in this mini-competition was more than just a chance to win a prize. "Those who are serious about becoming professional skaters have a chance to do so, since American company DC Shoes is looking forward to sponsoring a local skater who is skilled, approachable and waiting to be a star," Owen said.

At least two local boys have already been sponsored by clothing stores, including the young, dynamic Ken Medford, whose sponsor IOS (Island of Sun), has backed him to become one of the most popular skaters in the country.

Natushka Latchman, the manager of IOS at the Falls West Mall, remains supportive of local skateboarders. Latchman said, "If youngsters like Ken can devote to a sport or skill, it can give them a positive attitude, and besides that, skateboarding can get kids out the house to have fun and exercise all at once."

The Skating Association is also currently awaiting approval from the government to acquire a piece of land to build the first skatepark in this country, to assist in the development of the sport.

This idea has garnered support from several community skate groups who are desperate to get their boards rolling on some decent facilities. Sherwin Rampersad, a young member of the "Influence Riding Society" based in Central Trinidad, is thrilled that skateboarding is getting its due respect.

"For so long, we have been forced to use carparks to practice the sport we love the most," Rampersad said.

Rampersad said he hopes the Association continues to promote skateboarding, as it provides an avenue for youngsters to participate in a positive activity. "If we get encouragement to skate, it could even prevent fellas from drinking or fighting and get them to develop a skill from a young age, plus skateboarding also provides a good sweat," he added.

This overwhelming response to skateboarding in Trinidad and Tobago can be attributed to the availability of increased skating resources such as easy-to-access YouTube videos, television shows such as Rob Dyrdek's "Fantasy Factory" on MTV and coverage of events such as the X-Games on ESPN.

However, Gareth Owen and the Skaters Association are keen on removing the stereotype that all skateboarders are "slackers." Owen says the perception is totally false and that once his group is successful in promoting the true nature of the sport, it will be easier for parents to encourage their young ones to get on a board and skate.

Although the sport may be male-dominated, there is a growing interest in skating amongst young females as well. According to market research firm American Sports Data Inc., 85 percent of those who have used a skateboard in the past year are under 18, of which 75 percent are boys.

The data paints a picture similar to local skaters, and while some of these youngsters wish to use their skateboards for merely a pastime activity, there are those who are hellbent on being local heroes.

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