New Zealand’s best freestyle scooters were at Mount Maunganui Destination Skate Park on Saturday, November 23, to inspire Bay of Plenty teens who dream of competing internationally.

Women’s world No 6 Alana Reardon, 15, started in the sport two and a half years ago after seeing her brother doing it, and now she wants to encourage other girls to get involved.

“If they just go out there and do it, and even if they get scared, just do it anyway,” Reardon said.

Alana Reardon shows off some of her tricks at Mount Maunganui Destination Skate Park. Photo / Tom Eley

There are two styles of professional scootering: street and park. Street scootering involves tricks on rails and stairs, while park scootering focuses on using the skatepark bowl for more hang time.

Reardon said that park is her style, and she loves getting a lot of air when doing her tricks.

The 15-year-old Reardon is the youngest competitor in the women's world competition. Photo / Tom Eley

She is the youngest skater worldwide in women’s competitions and competes with other women who are sometimes much older than she is.

“It is just something I’m proud of.”

Cory Griffiths came second at an international pro tour stop “FISE Shangahai” which is the first New Zealand Mens Podium finish at the event. Photo / Tom Eley

Reardon was joined at the “jam” by Cory Griffith, who came second at an international pro tour stop, the 2024 International Extreme Sports Festival (FISE) Shanghai.

The 24-year-old Griffith has scootered for over a decade and has seen the sport evolve from one where he used to “Frankenstein” BMX and skateboard parts together to one with sponsors and a large community.

“It’s gotten so much more popular,” he said.

“When I was younger, we didn’t have the pros coming from the skatepark. We just watched YouTube to find all these scooter rides worldwide.”

Cory Griffiths, showing off some tricks at Mount Maunganui's Destination Skatepark. Photo / Tom Eley

Griffith grew up in Dunedin but moved up to Auckland a year ago as there are more skateparks and areas where he can practise.

He said that scootering can introduce you to a community of friends and teach you many life lessons, both on and off the skatepark.

“You build that self-discipline and self-determination, which also correlates into the real world,” he said.

“You really want to land this trick? No one’s forcing you to do it, but you are out in the park, on your own, forcing yourself to do it.”

Jordan Chan runs Just Scootering in Auckland where he teaches people the basic of how to scooter. Photo / Tom Eley

Griffith was joined by Jordan Chan, who ranked sixth worldwide in 2022 and has been involved with the sport for 11 years.

“I was initially doing BMX racing and got over that.

“Then I found a warehouse scooter. And ever since then, I have been doing freestyle scootering.”

Chan runs Just Scootering, providing lessons to beginners, intermediates, and professionals – ages 5 and up.

Jordan Chan bought his first scooter from The Warehouse and has never looked back. Photo / Tom Eley

Freestyle scootering has grown massively and is now one of the fastest-growing sports in New Zealand, Freestyle Roller Sports' design and development manager Niam Kerr-Bell said.

“New Zealand is also punching above its weight on the international stage,” he said.

At the Oceania championships street scootering final, New Zealand could field seven athletes while Australia only had one.

He said the sport does not get recognition from councils throughout New Zealand and that some of the skateparks around the country were in terrible condition.

The sport doesn’t necessarily get the recognition from mainstream councils or just councils in general, he said.

“Skate parks have a negative connotation, from those in the general public, the places where people drink places where bad people will culminate.

“Actually, it’s the exact opposite.”