Local 12-year-old wins first place for skateboarding

SEAN GOULDEN/Special to The Acorn HIGH FLYER-Tyler Goulden demonstrates one of the moves that helped him bring home first place in California's Amateur Skateboard League competition. Pop shuvits, ollies and kickflip backslide fiveo's are all maneuvers Tyler Goulden, 12, used to win first place in California's Amateur Skateboard League competition.

The competitions are held at skate parks throughout Southern California. Tyler competed against 45 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls in the novice division and is now aiming for the gold in the state championships scheduled for Dec. 9 at the Woodward West Skatepark in Tehachapi.

Tyler, who lives in Agoura Hills and attends Chaminade Middle School in Chatsworth, has been skateboarding since he was a preschooler. According to his father, Sean Goulden, the boy prefers to compete in street competitions where riders "slide down rails, jump off stairs and do acrobatics with their boards."

"I like to grind," Tyler said. Grinding takes on many forms, including Smith grinds, anchor grinds, barley grinds, feeble grinds, crooked grinds and nose grinds. The differences between the tricks and grinds are subtle. Goulden explained that variations often come down to approach and skateboard angles.

"Almost every trick has a front side and a back side," Goulden said. "It's all in how do you approach an obstacle."

"Tyler began riding a skateboard at 4 years old and has always dreamed of becoming a professional skater," his father said. "I think his personality and drive will set him apart and make him successful in his skateboarding career."

If Tyler wins the state championships, he wants to participate in the X-Games, an extreme sports competition. The X-Games offer athletes sponsorship opportunities and eventually entry into professional competitions, Goulden said.

Training in skateboard competitions is scant. "I learn this as I go," Tyler said. Practice is key to moving up the ladder of competition. Tyler practices so much that he wears out his shoes on a monthly basis and needs a new skate deck just as often.

"It's not too expensive to get into the sport, but once you get going you customize-like all sports," Goulden said.

"Wood decks lose their 'pop' and the pop helps you get air," Goulden said. He likened the expense to baseball bats that wear out.

The closest skateboarding facility, Skatelab, is in Simi Valley, but Tyler finds other places to perfect his grinds and jumps.

The ultimate trick would be to conquer the El Toro High School 20-stair rail, Tyler said. "It's long and big, and you'd probably get a cover of a magazine, or . . . a lot of sponsors if you do that (rail)," Tyler said

Tyler's mother, Tamara, supports her son's dream of skateboarding fame. "I think he has great potential," she said.