Skating is What I do
Brandon Boroody wasn’t sure how it happened, or for that matter what happened, but he found himself separated from bike, dodging his competitors as they raced to get to around the fallen rider on the dirt motocross track at the Hampton Coliseum. The collision that caused his fall left Boroody shaken and bleeding, but his competitive instinct forced him to get back on his bike and finish the race.
For Brandon, finishing the race wasn’t an option, “You always have to finish, it doesn’t matter what the sport is, you have to end on a positive.” In this situation that meant dragging his bleeding body onto to his broken motorcycle and finishing what would turn out to be his final motocross race. That same competitive spirit helped Boroody earn a Virginia state title his 7th grade year in club wrestling, another sport he no longer participates in.
Today, Boroody competes in only one sport, skateboarding. “I was a little disappointed,” admits Brandon’s father, Sonny, “I thought he had a great future in both wrestling and motocross, but Brandon made up his mind.” As I get better acquainted with Mr. Sonny Boroody, and his son, Brandon, I learn they share a relationship built on both mutual admiration and respect. Brandon is free to make his own choices, and compete without any undue pressure from his Dad.
With a lot of hard work, and attention to detail, Brandon has enjoyed a fair amount of success since becoming a competitive skateboarder. His daily practice routine includes several hours of skating focused on becoming more technically proficient on tricks he’s comfortable with, as well as pushing the envelope with new combinations. The scars on his arms and legs are a testament to his determination. “I try to get better every session,” states Boroody. “I don’t learn something new everyday, but I do try and improve my overall ability.”
Skating on a small half-pipe, Brandon shows me a trick he calls a “Front Side Grind to Fakie.” He’s going one direction, the axles of his skateboard grinding on the lip at the top of the ramp, gravity kicks in and he starts down the face of the ramp, then he suddenly changes not only directions, but ends of his skateboard. Not believing what I just saw, I ask Brandon to do it again. He sets up to repeat the maneuver, but this time his board leaves his feet, and he ends up in a heap at the bottom of the ramp. Without hesitation, and little discussion, Boroody performs the trick three times in a row flawlessly. “You have to end on a positive,” he repeats.
That kind of determination and commitment will go a long way to helping Boroody reach his goal of becoming a professional skater. His commitment to skating also led Brandon to convince his father to let him enroll in a Home-Schooling program last year. Not only has the program removed any potential conflicts between his skating competition and school work, but Brandon’s self paced academic workload will allow him to graduate High School this spring at the age of 16.
“Brandon’s maturity and confidence go well beyond his year’s,” say’s Ken Hunt, a sales representative for clothing manufacturer Billabong, adding, “One minute he’s giving tips to a younger skater, and the next he’s introducing himself to a professional skater.”
Boroody and Hunt were first introduced at the dedication ceremony for the Mt. Trashmore Skate Park this past March. “We gave the microphone to Brandon, and he started describing the maneuvers the professional skaters were doing, urging them to go higher and faster, he brought a real energy to the event,” stated Hunt, “Then he jumped on his board and tore the ramp up.” That encounter led Hunt to offer Brandon a sponsorship with Billabong. Recognizing opportunity when he sees it, Boroody jumped at the offer.
With a burning desire to make it to the professional ranks, and the sponsorships to help him get there, Brandon is determined to avoid the distractions and pitfalls he has seen other talented riders fall victim to. “I see a lot of stupid stuff at the skate parks,” say’s Boroody, shaking his head, “I just avoid the distractions and skate.”
Brandon has been patient and polite, but our discussion is winding down. He jumps on his board, with what appears to be little effort or thought, and starts carving up the ramp again. “Skating is what I want to do,” he explains, “For me it’s just a natural part of my day.”
