Top Scooter riders in the UK to look out for
Since the early 2000s Scootering has grown from a small community to a huge outdoor sport with international competitions, bursting into the mainstream over the last 5 - 10 years
Today, we’re going to talk about the top scooter riders in the UK to look out for in 2024. We'll be discussing their journeys in the stunt scooter world with Jordan Clark, Jayden Sharman, Lucy Evans, Sophie Molyneux and Jamie Hull. They'll share their experiences, from overcoming fear in competition settings to being a 5-time World Champion. Want to know what it takes to be a pro scooter rider? Then read on!
Jordan Clark
Jordan Clark got his first scooter at the age of 13 and has been riding for 11 years now. Some of his biggest achievements include being 5-time World Champion, 3-time European Champion, and 1-time UK Champion. When asked what it's like being a 5-time world winner, his reply was, “It’s an amazing feeling, as when I was a kid, I always dreamt of just winning it once, but to win it five times is truly something I can't put into words. Just a lot of hard work and determination to constantly do my best year after year.”
What is it like going into competitions trying to hold the title, having to improve every year? Jordan replied, “Going into competitions trying to retain titles is always a hard thing, but as long as you are confident in your ability and the way you feel on the scooter, then that's the best chance you can give yourself going into competitions.”
How do you tackle your nerves? Jordan replied, “I struggled when I was younger with nerves as I didn't know how to channel them in the right way in the competition, but as I have grown older and done more and more comps, I have learned to use the nerves to the best of my ability, and when it comes down to the run, I'm fully focused and ready to go.”
Jordan Clark was also involved in ACTION SPACE Prepping for Worlds - The Making of a World Champion last year. “Riding with the best riders and not only giving my input on how others can improve, but I was also happy to receive some feedback from the other riders on my riding. So overall, an amazing week.” Their coach is Dakota Schuetz. Kota is also someone Jordan looks up to; he says, “I looked up to Kota at a young age. I just loved the way Kota was so consistent and always winning competitions.”
Jayden Sharman
Jayden Sharman started scootering at the age of 8. He said, “It all started when I rode a little bike to the local outdoor skatepark. I saw some people scooter riding, doing whips, bars, etc. I thought it was sick! I got my own scoot, and the journey started!”
You may know Jayden from his most significant achievements, which are the European champion, UK champion, and World number 2. Jayden has recently won Men's Park at Extreme Barcelona. We asked, what was it like taking first? He replies, “Barcelona Extreme is always the one you want to win. All your friends and family are there, the location is perfect, and lots of aspiring pros come to watch! It was an amazing experience, and I’m chasing more moments like it!” We followed by asking what he is currently working on, and what does the future hold? Jayden replied, “I’m always working and progressing to become a better athlete and a better version of myself. For me, I look forward to achieving greater achievements, pushing the sport's limits, and helping the younger generation to do the same.”
Jayden Sharman was also involved in ACTION SPACE Prepping for Worlds - The Making of a World Champion last year, and said, “Action Space Prepping for Worlds is always a great time. Having Kota on your back and helping you turn your weaknesses into strengths. A very useful couple of days for me and my friends who were there too!”
Jamie Hull
Jamie Hull started scootering at age 9. He said in a past interview, “I loved trying to learn new tricks, and although scooters weren't allowed in hardly any indoor skateparks, as soon as we could get to a park that would let them in, I really pushed myself to learn as much as I could in the little time we had. When Deeside Skatepark opened, I was just 10 years old, and it made all the difference. Although it didn't have any foam pits or resi ramps, just being able to ride in an indoor park was amazing. I really progressed my tricks, but not only that, I created some amazing friends. Without them and that park, I probably wouldn't be riding today.”
You may know him from his biggest achievements: 2x UK Champion, European Champion, and 2x Fise Park Champion. Last year, Jamie won the World Skate World Championship. When we asked what this meant to him, he said, “Being World Champion means the world to me. Ever since I watched the 1st Deeside World Championships when I was 10 years old, I am so happy and proud to represent my country in Argentina and take home the Gold Medal. It means everything and has made me want to ride and progress even more now than I did before. I love my sport.”
Jamie Hull was also involved with ACTION SPACE Prepping for Worlds - The Making of a World Champion last year. When we questioned him on who he looks up to, Jamie replied, “I look up to many riders, but especially Dakota Schuetz. He was one of the first riders I started to watch on YouTube. When I saw him at the 1st ISA competition, I thought WOW, he was awesome, I'm so happy to be able to say that he is one of my close friends now, and I have learned so much from him. He has been a true inspiration and mentor.”
Sophie Molyneux
Sophie Molyneux is a street scooter rider from Bristol and has been scootering for 10 years, she said “I've always had a scooter like most kids do, but as I got older I'd always be asking my mum for a better one. I moved house around 2013 and my neighbour rode a scooter too. We’d grind the curbs and anything else we could find in our street. When I was old enough my mum started letting me go to the skatepark more often and by myself, a lot of my the people I rode with quit as we got older but I didn't want to stop.”
You may recognize Sophie from her active participation in UK Street scooter jams; she's a regular at these events. Notably, she recently secured the first-place position in the women's street category at the Extreme Barcelona competition. We asked What was it like taking First in Female Street at Extreme Barca? “I felt super proud of myself. Landing a perfect first run followed by landing my first two best tricks, I was super stoked. Seeing your name at the top of the leaderboard is such a cool feeling too. After watching the men's street at Extreme Barcelona for the last two years being able to compete there is a dream come true.”
Sophie Molyneux is also part of Team Blunt since her Welcome to Flow video came out 9 months ago, we asked her What was it like filming her Welcome to Blunt video and her favorite moments. “I managed to choose the coldest week of the year to film my Welcome to Blunt video so it was pretty rough. One of the days it snowed overnight so we had to change our plans entirely but it was still overall a super fun experience. Choosing Indy to film and edit it was 100% the right choice for me. He was so patient when I was struggling to land tricks and didn’t complain once. There were so many highlights whilst filming but Indy and I were able to bounce ideas off each other, finally landing a trick after an hour of trying it and seeing the video for the first time fully edited was a good few to name. It was so cool to see the 4 days of riding come together after every emotion I had been through.”
Sophie is a familiar face at most street scooter jams. However, what you might not know is that earlier this year, she hosted her very own Street jam event right in her hometown of Bristol. When asked about this she replied “So myself, Josh Peace and Ferdie Keeling came together to put on the first Bristol Street Jam after a lot of the UK scooter scene mentioning it would be something they’d want to see happen. Seeing so many friends and riders from all over the UK, even a couple from America, in the city I grew up in was pretty surreal. Hearing such positive outsider opinions on Bristol made me have a new appreciation for the city too.”
One of the final questions we asked was Where do you think female riding is going to go in the future? Sophie replied “The Olympics for sure. I think it would be an incredible opportunity to showcase that women are welcome and appreciated at skateparks. Growing up I didn’t always feel welcome as the only girl so I just hope women's scootering is promoted to the point girls feel confident enough to pursue their dream despite hardships they will face.”
Lucy Evans
Lucy Evans is a professional scooter rider for District Scooters, she said “I used to skateboard but I never really progressed much with it. Back in summer 2009 I picked up a scooter and did a bunny hop. I then went straight onto YouTube and the first video I watched was one of Kota. From that moment I was hooked!”
You may know her from Winning the 2021 world scooter championship for Female Park and also founding girlscooternews, when asked about girlscooternews and what made you set it up? Lucy replied “I realised that competitions were really confusing and women in the sport didn’t know where they were held or how to sign up for them. There also seemed to be a running theme where women weren’t sure if they were good enough to enter. I’d like to think that doing recap videos after each girl's competition around the world helps to encourage girls as they see riders of all abilities competing.”
Where do you think female riding is going to go in the future? “It’s only going to get bigger and better. I watch a lot of female BMX and the difference in riding has been incredible since they were given equal opportunities in their sport. Now scootering has World Skate offering equality in scootering I can already see the female riders raising the bar. New women are appearing every day landing crazy tricks we never thought would be possible!”
Lucy Evans not only rides for District but also holds the position of team manager, She says “It’s so awesome to be able to give opportunities to new and talented riders. I recently picked up both Helian González and Davey Sanders. They’re super talented and definitely ones to watch out for in the next few years on the competition scene.”
Our Final question for Lucy was What are you currently working on and what does the future hold for you? Lucy replied “I recently got robbed on a front flip combo on the Adrenaline Alley airbag where I landed then lost balance a few seconds later. I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Hopefully, my future has that trick landed successfully in it! I’ve also been working on my competition weaknesses and consistency ready for ISF worlds out in Australia this month.”
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