We’ve all seen the typical YouTube videos of tricks people can do on a skateboard, but how many mind-blowing performances have you witnessed on a razor scooter? Brandon Knapp, a freshman at the University of South Carolina just so happens to have that hidden talent, as many of his videos prove.
The broadcast student started out with a skateboard, but made the switch when he was still young. “I saw one of my friends doing tricks on a scooter. I thought it looked fun, so I started trying it and I picked it up pretty quick,” Knapp says. “I really got good at it after two or three years.” Five years later, Brandon has multiple YouTube videos showcasing his amazing tricks.
His stunts consist of grinding down stair rails, riding on the sides of buildings and getting major air. He is even able to spin the board a full 360 degrees multiple times while flying through the air. Brandon says the scooter is much easier than a skateboard, which is why he chose to ride the two-wheeler. “A lot of my friends skateboard and I can’t even comprehend how they do what they do,” Brandon says.
Does the Brandon get equal respect using the scooter as opposed to the skateboard? “I get mixed reactions when people see the scooter,” Knapp explains. “Most people are bummed at first, but then when they see some of the stuff that I can do, they get hyped. But there are always the people that just bash it no matter what.”
Many may think the scooter is limited to certain tricks, but Brandon disagrees. “I see new tricks in videos and I will try and learn them,” he says. “Or sometimes I just think of stuff that could look cool and start trying to make it work.”
Even getting the scooter in the air seems like a challenge, but Brandon taught himself how to do all of his tricks on his own. “I picked it up really fast it was never really that hard for me,” Knapp says. For now, it seems he plans to stay with “scootering” rather than transitioning to a skateboard. “At this point I just ride my scooter for fun with some of my friends,” he explains. “I don’t take it too seriously anymore its just about having fun.” Nonetheless, Knapp is well on his way to becoming a scooter master.
