Yesterday, he got to live that dream.
The 19-year-old has cerebral palsy, so just walking is a challenge.
He usually gets around in his trusty wheelchair and just watches other young people on skateboards.
"Skateboarding is not something I would usually think of doing — I never thought it would be possible," he said.
"But because the opportunity came my way, I thought ‘why not give it a go?’.
"It was an interesting experience — that’s for sure. It gave me some freedom.
"It was a cool little set-up. It gave me the opportunity to experience the freedom of skateboarding."
The second-year Otago Polytechnic Te Pukenga communication design student was one of hundreds of people from around the country who attended the Have a Go Sports Day at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday.
It was held as part of the launch of the International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (June 25-29), which is being held for the first time in New Zealand.
The symposium is being hosted at the University of Otago and brings together delegates from 23 countries to share research and best practice ideas on all areas of adapted physical activity.
The five days have been designed for academics and practitioners to showcase their latest research and practice ideas.
Experts from across the globe will also be giving keynote addresses with an overarching message of "global innovation, adaptation and accessibility in a changing world".
