My Life on Board Downhill Skate Ambassador Sherwin Uy

From being an OFW to downhill longboarding people’s champ, Sherwin Uy is one of the most respected downhill racers in the Philippines. Considering his age, he knows how to build strong camaraderie with his fellow longboard athlete. Sherwin started his career in downhill racing when his friend introduced him to the sport. In the article that he wrote for  My Life on Board last 2011, he stated there, “If it wasn’t for Joel Belcina, I would have never got into longboarding.” 

When asked what keeps him motivated to push the longboarding scene in the Philippines, Sherwin said,”I am inspired to push the longboarding scene in the Philippines because in my opinion, this is a unique sport that really needs to have discipline and responsibility among members of the community not only in looking out for each other when skating but also it promotes an eco-friendly sport activities. There is a strong brotherhood and camaraderie among skaters. Even if we compete among each other, we still respect one another and even develop friendship among the locals in every spot that we visit. Longboarding also promotes tourism, we are able to showcase the richness of nature, mountain ranges and beautiful roads in the Philippines. In the future, it will be a milestone if we will be able to represent our country in foreign competitions as well.”

Sherwin’s source of unlimited stoke is when he is watching longboarding videos of local and foreign longboarding counterparts. He’s having lots of fun skating with friends which gives him more time to learn new style and slides and being able to put them to use during downhill race competitions.

“I recall how funny I looked doing my first tuck, Joel kept on teasing me saying “ano ba yang tuck mo” ( What’s the matter with your tuck). Because of that silly experience, I bought my own board and started practicing.”

Now Sherwin Uy is active in teaching and imparting his knowledge and skills to the next generation of longboard athletes. He conducts slide session clinic in his home town in Santa Rosa, Laguna during his free time. Recently, he volunteered in an event called  Share the Stoke Sessions: back to Basics, which was organized by the United Skateshop where Sherwin is a sponsored team rider. More than 20 new longboard enthusiast were inspired and gained their confidence in riding their longboards during that event.

Photo by Mr. Owen Licop

Sherwin is aiming to join a big race and represent our country this coming 2013. His courage, determination and passion for the sport greatly motivated him to race hard and continue to share the stoke.