While he’s racing skateboards down hills at more than 100km/h, one thought regularly goes through the mind of Connor Nonas.
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“I usually think to myself why the hell am I doing this and about to get myself killed?" he said.
Despite the dangers involved in his chosen sport of downhill skateboarding, the 17-year-old has notched up one of his biggest achievements to date.
Nonas took home silver in the junior division of the Newtons IDF World Cup event held at the Mount Panorama racetrack in Bathurst last weekend.
The Deakin resident was one of around 150 riders from around the world competing in the two-day event.
While car drivers can often find the Mount Panorama circuit difficult, Nonas said it's even more challenging for skateboarders.
“The course starts at the top of Skyline and it went down through The Dipper and through to Forest Elbow,” he said.
“The tracks is a very technical course, and so there’s a lot of line work but it's more of a sprint hill as well.”
Nonas said he didn't expect a podium finish out of the competition, but several well-timed runs in qualifying put him in a good position leading into the final.
Despite falling off his skateboard in the final, the Canberran managed to find his feet and finish in second place.
“A few people crashed out on Forest Elbow, and it was kind of a race after that to see who could get back on their board first,” Nonas said.
“I was falling off my board all weekend but I’m used to it. You have to be in the right head space when you’re racing so you can get back up on your board and win the heat.”
The teenager has been downhill skateboarding for the past four years, with this being his second year of competing,
He said he was inspired to take up the sport after seeing videos online.
“I used to skate around with other amateur skaters and I wanted to learn more about it," he said.
The most recent event in Bathurst will be Nonas’ only competition this year, as he will spend the rest of the year focusing on finishing year 12.
However, he said he plans to join the world circuit next year.
“I plan on going to events in the Philippines and China,” he said.
“It does get fairly competitive.”
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
