An Oldham skateboarder is on his way to the Big Apple to take part in skateboarding world championships.
Lloyd McLeggon-Watkinson is off to New York to show off his skating skills at the Red Bull Manny Mania World Championship in August.
The 21 year old has only been skating for 5 years, but has already reached a world class standard. He is still considered a newcomer, and if all goes well, he is hoping to give up his job as a phlebotomist at the Royal Oldham Hospital, so that he can skate professionally.
He said: “Ever since I first stepped onto a skateboard I’ve been hooked. I practicse every day and never go anywhere without my board. It’s like a part of me. The dream is to be able to make a living from doing what I love and go professional. I love doing big jumps off flights of stairs, the feeling of floating in the air is unbelievable, but being able to do a trick and go straight into a wheelie is a real buzz as well.”
Lloyd was introduced to skating five years ago by a friend, and has been obsessed with the sport ever since. The Failsworth local would miss lunch and save his lunch money so that he could afford new equipment. Although he has suffered from broken bones, his perseverance has paid off. The newcomer stormed the Red Bull Manny Mania UK Championship last month.
Lloyd said: “I never expected to win the UK competition and just went out there and enjoyed myself. That’s the same way I’m going to approach New York. You never know what could happen.”