He is too young even to explain the tricks he does on his skateboard, but 5-year-old Luka Peta makes it look like child's play.

The Gisborne boy has been riding a skateboard since he was 2 years old and is believed to be the youngest skater at his level in New Zealand and Australia *. His father, Errol, says he can perform tricks skaters much older than him can't manage

"He took to it like a duck to water. He makes it look like child's play," Mr Peta said.

Luka's parents contacted Skate Australia, which trains young skaters, about their son. It confirmed he was the youngest skater with as much skill.

Now they have gone to internationally renowned skateboard pro Tony Hawk * for help. Luka's mother, Lee, contacted Hawk's agent, who suggested skate organisations in America. However, his father says they want to see him stay in New Zealand.

Asked if he's a good skater, all Luka can say is, "Yeah I am" and "It's fun", but describing the tricks he pulls is too hard for him to put into words. He has been sponsored by Hallensteins and is about to set off on a North Island competition tour circuit.

He started competing last year at just 4 years of age. "It's just like second nature to him now," Mr Peta says. "He's riding spines, doing 50/50s, dropping into bowls. The one here in Gisborne is about four metres deep."

The Petas push the safety issue with Luka and make sure he wears a helmet and padding.

Luka says all he enjoys is hanging out with the other kids. Asked where he would like to go with his skateboarding, he first asks his parents for advice. Then he says simply: "I want to go as far as possible."

This article was originally entitled "Wunderkind soars on wheels *" and was found at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=4&ObjectID=10007516

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