Local skater, international competition

As Bert Wootton drops his board, hops on and glides over, it seems as natural as walking. And maybe it should be; the 21-year-old has been skateboarding since the fourth grade.

"I thought, 'This is the funnest thing I've ever done in my life,' and that's all I did from then on out," Wootton said.

The Chuluota resident has since won two Red Bull Manny Mania competitions, one for his region at Universal CityWalk in Orlando, and the last in Woodward, Pa., to earn his slot to represent the U.S. at the world competition.

Wootton is headed to New York City for the Red Bull Manny Mania Amateur World Final on Saturday, Aug. 21, and will compete against skaters from every continent (except Antarctica.) The winner gets $10,000 and a spot to participate in the Manny Mania Pro competition against professional skaters.

That's a big deal for Wootton. For him, skating is it — there's no backup plan. And a chance to skate in these competitions could launch a professional career.

"Then you're living the dream," he said.

Wootton already skates as if it's his job. He spends at least five hours a day, six days a week skateboarding at skate parks and around town.

"He just loves it. He lives it, eats it and breathes it," said mom Kathy Wootton. "If it's not raining he's skating."

And that's what makes Wootton such a good skater, along with his creativity, his friends said.

"He brings something new to the table — he's not a cookie cutter skateboarder," said Ryan O'Connor, Wootton's friend and sponsor through Rip N Dip Clothing, also based in Orlando.

Fellow skater Kevin Eubanks agreed with O'Connor. He said that Wootton's style is unique because he looks at skating obstacles in a different way, and does tricks no one else thinks to do.

"He gives me inspiration to try new tricks, be creative and skate differently," he said.

Wootton likes that he can inspire other skaters, especially those younger than him. He hopes his drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle will serve as a good role model for young skaters, and will represent the sport, sometimes stereotyped as one for stoners, in a different, more serious way.

"People are stunned that I don't drink or do drugs, but you don't need that if you're really into skating," Wootton said. "I just hope to set a good example for the little kids at the skate park."

He does. Parents at Riverside come to him and thank him for being that role model, Kathy said.

But things haven't always been easy for the skater. He's had a dream future dangled in front of him before, just to have it smashed. There have been times when he's been sponsored and almost turned into a recognized amateur, but then nothing happened, Kathy said.

"It's disappointing for the whole family," she said.

But right now hopes are high, and Wootton can't wait to head to New York City for a chance to get noticed and maybe start "living the dream."

First, he has to get over competition jitters.

"At first I'm really nervous, butterflies and shaky legs, until I land that first trick, and there's a spark and I'm in the mode."

The national competition

The competition will be in New York City under the Manhattan Bridge on Aug. 21. The winner gets $10,000 and a spot to participate in the Manny Mania Pro competition against professional skaters. For more information about the competition, visit www.redbullmannymania.com.

Local sponsor

To check out local sponsor Rip N Dip Clothing and to buy a skate video featuring Wootton, visit www.ripndipclothing.com.