DURBAN North’s Jamie de Villiers has been making a name for himself on the skateboarding circuit and he again proved his credentials as one of the emerging talents of the sport recently winning his third back-to-back competition.

De Villiers, a Grade 8 pupil at Northwood School won the Kimberly Midway Mayhem and also earned himself a wildcard entry into the SA Champs, the Kimberly Diamond Cup. He also won the No Pro’s Jam Skate and BMX contest where he participated in the open division as well as the Menlyn Skate Park Easter Festival in the U13 category.

“I was really pleased with my performances, especially at the Midway Mayhem. My goal was to win but also to have fun. I think this year I’ve been training harder and practising for longer. What has helped me is skating with older people, it’s thought me to overcome my fears and take on guys older than me. I’m so stoked to qualify as a wildcard entry, I thought it would take me a long time to get it,” he said.

The local skater is now aiming on improving his third placed finish at the SA champs.

“Nothing compares to how skating makes me feel. I started skating when I was eight and at first I fell a lot. I even had stitches in my shin, but every time I fell, I knew I wasn’t going to give up. I got up each time and practised and tried harder to perfect the moves. I’m looking forward to this year’s competition and bettering my bronze medal,” he said.