Sunshine Coast skateboarder embraces Olympic dreams after national success

He’s only been skating for three years but Freddie Arnold already has Olympic dreams as he shreds against the sport’s best at national competitions.

Freddie Arnold, 13, has gone well in national Under 16 competitions in Newcastle, Mackay, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

He's only been skating for three years but Freddie Arnold already has Olympic dreams as he shreds against the sport's best at national competitions.

The Sunrise Beach 13-year-old has enjoyed a big six months, earning top honours at a number of national level under 16 competitions.

He took out the Mackay Moneybowl Bowl Championships in September, won the King of Concrete in Brunswick this month and also placed second for his age at Bowlzilla, the national championships, on the Gold Coast in March.

Freddie Arnold, 13, has gone well in national Under 16 competitions in Newcastle, Mackay and Melbourne and came 2nd in the Gold Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

"It's amazing, all that practice pays off and it's the best," he said.

"I just practice every afternoon and I've been doing a bit of fitness training by building my legs up stronger so I can go higher and faster."

It's a remarkable feat for the teenager, who only took up the sport at 10-years-old.

"Mum got me a skateboard for Christmas and then it just went from there and I got addicted and have skated every day since pretty much," he said.

"I just love going fast and going big and the feeling of landing a new trick is amazing, you get the best buzz."

Freddie Arnold, 13, has gone well in national Under 16 competitions in Newcastle, Mackay and Melbourne and came 2nd in the Gold Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Vert and bowl are his go to styles, with Freddie often found hitting up his local Sunshine Beach skatepark.

"They've got that little metal half pipe and I just shred that all the time," he said.

The 540 is his favourite trick at the moment, with Clay Kreiner his favourite pro-skateboarder.

His craving for success isn't just restrained to local, state and national competitions either, with the teenager eager to test his skills against the world.

"My goal is to get to Paris 2024 (Olympics), it'd be amazing," he said.

"I just need to keep practising and get tricks none of the others are doing and keep working on my fitness."

Freddie has been quick to garner plenty of support in his short time in the sport and thanked sponsors for jumping on board.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast skateboarder embraces Olympic dreams after national success