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Flying high

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Justin Robertson is still essentially in one piece – and still flying high with his unique repertoire of scooter stunts at Tillsonburg’s Skate Park – and beyond.

“Nothing new I know of yet,” he smiled Sunday at the park, in response to a query regarding fresh broken bones, or cuts requiring stitches.

This spring’s weather hasn’t been ideal for scooter, skateboard or stunt bike riders.

“Can’t ride when it’s cold out,” said Robertson.

But apart from Sunday’s sunny skies, he had reason to smile, coming off a victory in the Inflow Skate Jam’s Pro Scooter Division at Dundas’s Inflow Skate Park a day earlier. Roughly 40 scooter stunt artists competed in total, said Robertson, including around 10 in the pro division.

Competitors were judged on two one-minute runs, based on criteria including overall impression and consistency.

“How big of tricks you did, how much you landed,” he explained.

Robertson competed two years ago at the jam, finishing second at the pro level. Saturday, he moved up a rung to the top of the ladder, in part on the strength of a ‘wall ride 450’, heading up a banked vertical wall with speed, and executing a one-and-a-quarter rotation upon exit.

“It’s a really good trick,” said Robertson. “Scored me good.”

He picked up $340 in first-place prize money, solid payback on a $20 entry fee. Unfortunately for Robertson, the pro scooter tour is not lucrative enough for a full-time pursuit, and he continues to balance work with figuring out what he wants to do ‘when he grows up.

“Haven’t figured it out yet,” he admitted. “Working on it – hopefully something to do with scooters.”

In the interim, Roberston has been booked for another week-long scooter exhibition series, this through Scooter Zone, toward the end of June in San Francisco.

“Just ride around, get to explore the city, hang out,” he summed up.

Longer term, Robertson is considering the possibility of a position at the Scooter Zone’s retail outlet in California, which may become available in August. Although a ways from home, it would offer employment in his chosen field, with what one assumes would be something of a life experience opportunity.

“Well, I’d imagine so,” he concluded with a smile.

 

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