Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Get Ready To Rumble

Promising big crowds, excellent vibes and world-class skating, FMS Group Rumble on the Reef is just around the corner bringing some of skateboarding’s best talent to the region.

Last year’s Rumble on the Reef Skateboarding Champion, Tommy Fynn, is making his way to the competition for the third time and is excited to bring his energy to the people of Mackay.

“I feel like the people in Mackay are super supportive of skateboarding and that happening up there brings everybody out to watch,” he said.

“It’s always good energy, good vibe.”

Growing up in South Africa and New Zealand, Tommy started skateboarding when he was 12 years old, borrowing his cousin’s board until his parents bought him his own.

Tommy continued to skate and has gone on to kick goal after goal, currently skating on the Plan B Skateboards team, competing in competitions all over the world and vying for a spot on the Olympic team.

“I’m pretty close already, they had an Olympic qualifying event for Paris two months ago in Italy,” he said.

“I was up there in the top 25 in the world, so I’m planning on going to Paris.”

He said he never expected skateboarding to grow to an Olympic-level sport, but it only means good things for the industry.

“More kids are going to get into it and skating’s going to get more structure from a high-performance level, which is great for skateboarders in general,” he said.

“You get fitter, you have more support, there’s more opportunities to make money and a solid career that you can live off.”

The Brisbane-based skateboarder is involved firsthand in developing the next generation in preparation for Brisbane 2032.

“I do a bit of coaching as well, coaching our next generation, and seeing these 12- to 16-year-old kids doing crazy, crazy tricks at such a young age, it’s awesome,” he said.

“I kind of give everything I’ve learnt and share my expertise where I can and help these kids with their careers heading towards the Olympics, it just feels cool to be a part of that.

Not only do regional competitions like Rumble on the Reef bring world-class skaters like Tommy, Dennis Durant, Canada’s Matt Berger and Aidan Campbell from the US to smaller centres, they also shine a light on the talent in the region.

“It’s a way of finding and nurturing talent,” Tommy said.

“These kids skate against each other, they skate against other skateboarders from around the country who might be better than them so they can push themselves.

“I love how they do Rumble and these national events because it means all these skaters from all over the country can compete and get inspired and go harder.”

Rumble on the Reef is happening from September 20-24 at the Sugar Bowl Skatepark.

“That skatepark is actually up there as one of the best skateparks, so it makes the event super fun,” Tommy said.

“Going up there and competing is always fun because you get good obstacles, you get a good skate park and you can progress there.”

WHAT: FMS Group Rumble Skateboarding Championships 2022

WHERE: Sugar Bowl Skatepark Mackay

WHEN: September 20-24, 2022

Last year’s Rumble on the Reef Skateboarding Champion, Tommy Fynn, is making his way back to Mackay and hopes to inspire the next generation of skateboarders. Photos supplied: Rumble on the Reef

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