By Tim Kelly
OK, so they’re not exactly professional skateboarders. Not yet, anyway.
But 10-year-old Sophie Whelan, and brothers Constantine, 11, and Charlie Beseris, 7, seem to be well on their way.
All three youngsters, Ocean City residents and fixtures at the Cape May County Skate Park on Asbury Avenue, have been sponsored by the Downbeach Skate Company in Ventnor. Additionally, the Beseris boys have been named to the skate team of Heritage Surf and Sport shops.
Constantine, a student at Ocean City Intermediate School, summed up the trio’s emotions upon learning their skateboarding passion would result in free gear — and in the Beseris boys’ case, membership on a “travel” skate team — “It felt like Christmas! I was so excited. Like when you can’t wait to open your presents.”
Sophie, one of the few girls to be seen shredding on an almost daily basis at the park, has been skating since she was four and is also a gymnast. She will frequently do a handstand on her board and show off her athleticism.
“I like dropping in the big bowl and trying new things, and also old-school moves,” she said. One such signature move Sophie likes to display is the “Bert Slide” so-named after Southern California skate legend Larry Bertleman.
For the Beseris lads, having fun is the key to success. “I like to have more fun today than I had yesterday,” said Charlie, who is going into third grade at Ocean City Primary School. “The more fun you have, the better you skate.”
Downbeach Skate Co. (visit their website at http://www.downbeachskate.com/) provided the young prodigies with boards, sweatshirts, stickers and other tools and goodies of the trade, which the skaters display as they compete or just work on their moves at Ocean City’s park and other venues.
Sophie’s mom Michelle says her daughter, a fifth-grader, “has always been a gifted athlete,” and the gender aspect is not such a big deal. “As far as her skating so well and being a girl, it’s really a natural thing. She is a good skater, not a good skater for a girl.” Her dad is Greg Whelan.
A few weeks after Downbeach tabbed the trio, Heritage Surf and Sport called and invited Constantine and Charlie to be a part of their skate team. That meant more free stuff and also the opportunity to skate in competitions throughout the region on a squad that includes youthful skaters, young adults and a 28-year-old veteran.
The boys’ father, Steve Beseris, said their sponsorship was exciting, and more: “It’s great for them. It’s positive reinforcement for the effort they put into something they really enjoy.”
He said the selection to the Heritage squad was particularly gratifying for him and the boys’ mom, MaryBeth McKenna, because “those selections were made not just for skating skill but because they are (quality individuals). It is quite a compliment.”
Visit Heritage at http://heritagesurf.com/
