Quinn Dubois is right in the middle of it. As the District of North Vancouver discusses options for the Longboarding Boom in their city, 12 year old Quinn Dubois tells his side the story before it’s too late.  Of what it’s like to be Longboarder, in a community, that is still on the fence about whether or not to accept the sport.

As the midday sun breaks through the clouds, Quinn squints his eyes, pulls his leather gloves tight, and mentally charts his course down the grey asphalt slope.A moment later he licks his lips, drops his skateboard to the ground, and begins pushing himself forward. The sound of the board’s soft urathane wheels rolling over bumpy pavement is the only noise in the otherwise quiet neighbourhood.

Quinn is only 12 years old, but already he’s a world champion in the growing sport of longboarding. In fact, a Google search of his name reveals dozens of articles, photos, and videos hailing the Cove Cliff Elementary student as the “future of speedboarding.” And after watching him maneuver on his board, it’s not hard to see why.

With his knees slightly bent and a look of determination on his face, Quinn weaves his way down a steep road as smoothy and effortlessly as a professional snowboarder carving through fresh powder. It’s a skill he’s been developing since he first hopped on a longboard at the early age of eight, and it’s one he hopes to keep working on for years to come — so long as local governments don’t try to give the sport the cold shoulder.

“I guess what I really love is that it’s just me and my board. I was never that into team sports. I like being in control of all aspects,” says the freckle-faced champion, sitting in his family’s living room, doodling on his hand with a ballpoint pen. “And I like the speed,” he adds with a grin. “It gives you a bit of a rush.”

From North Shore Outlook