Carry On: Oscar Loreto
June 23, 2011
Carry On: Oscar Loreto
Words: Robert Brink
Photos: Ian Ruhter & Robert Brink
Already Been Done, June 2011
The first few times I saw Oscar Loreto skate was at the Adaptive Action Sports X Games event in 2009 and 2010. Obviously, like most people would, I noticed he has no hands. But what I also noticed, was that he didn’t seem to care that it was an actual contest. He wasn’t gunning for a gold medal or anything, he was simply skating the course and having a good time.
As I got to know Oscar and we skated together more, I learned he was also missing half a leg, which blew my mind because he jumps down sets of stairs like it’s no big thing.
But you get over all that leg and hand stuff pretty quick and discover Oscar is down-to-earth and legit. He’s super mellow. He loves skateboarding and beer and film making. He’s not only an incredible ambassador for Adaptive Action Sports and amputees across the globe, but also an inspiration as a human being.
Skateboarding doesn’t need gold medals. But then again, if there are going to be gold medals in skateboarding, then Oscar deserves a few.
So what’s the word, Oscar?
Not much. I just left Element. They had a package waiting for me so I was driving back from Irvine.
