Scooter teen is Youtube sensation

Buy photos » Danny Roberts in action. 08.012.013.rug.jg3

A TEENAGER from Rugby has become a global scootering star making and featuring in his own videos of the extreme sport shot around the world.

Danny Roberts is a TV and film production student at Warwickshire College in Leamington by day, but in his spare time he is sponsored by a scooter magazine to jet off to the likes of California and Barcelona showing off his exceptional skate park skills.

Having tried his hand at many other sports, the 18-year-old realised scootering – the non-motorised version - might be the thing for him when he first had a go just over two years ago.

Since then he has perfected many tricks and also played his part in the local community by helping petition Rugby Borough Council to carry out improvement works to the skate park off Featherbed Lane in Hillmorton.

He is also now in the process of opening his own shop in the town - Supreme Scooters in Windsor Court - selling scooters and accessories.

Busy Danny told the Observer: “You have a fair few slams when you are trying out tricks but I suppose that's what you learn from, getting up and trying again.

“I used to spend most of the money I had travelling to skate parks in Milton Keynes and elsewhere and I guess like most sports I was then scouted and asked to join a company.

“Now I'm with well known scootering companies 81 Customs and also Scoot Mag, which is the UK's first magazine dedicated to scootering, and they sponsor me and pay for my promotional trips abroad.

“It's been amazing, going to place like Los Angeles and Barcelona and we will be touring Australia later this year.

“What's great is that because I do a TV and film production course at college I can make and edit my own videos and have already been offered a job doing that, plus riding, once I finish college later this year.”

Danny said the sport was really now starting to take off in the UK, catching up with places like America and Australia, and most of the young people he now saw at the Rugby skate park were choosing to scooter rather than skateboard or rollerblade.

Asked what the appeal of it was, he said: “It's like a combination of skateboarding and bmx biking so balance and co-ordination are crucial, and once you've bought a scooter there aren't really many costs so its something everyone can have a go at.”

Speaking about Danny's achievements, proud mum Adele said all his spare time was taken up with the sport which had brought him many opportunities.

She added: “I am really proud of his achievements and his willingness to take a risk. Hopefully he will be able to encourage more young people to get involved in the sport and follow their dreams.”

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2vMk4bvG4U to view one of Danny's videos.