Coupeville Sports

The explosion of YouTube, clip shows on TV and other social media allows young riders like Kalt and Kortuem to both be noticed, and to pick up valuable lessons from other riders, while still living on a rock in the middle of nowhere.

“Yeah, back in the old days, we’d have to use a quill pen and write a letter,” Kortuem joked. “Dear sir, how did you do that trick? Please write and tell me.”

“You just have to accept it. It’s going to happen. You’re going to hurt yourself. Just don’t do it that often,” Kortuemsaid.
Kortuem has actually been fairly lucky so far, getting an array of bruises but no broken bones. Kalt knows the pain of broken bones, something his mother regards with a mix of dread and loving acceptance.

“Although biking comes with many injuries, breaks, sprains, and contusions, I see that my son is just being who he is,” Annette Kalt said. “So even though I frequently suck in my breath when I hear a crash, I don’t hold it; I just grab an icepack and go outside to see what’s up.”

The duo have thought about going pro at some point, and they bounce from skate-park to open street to interesting looking railings and curbs outside businesses.

Unfortunately, a lot of local business owners don’t take the time to appreciate their skills and realize they’re not just random punks causing a disturbance.

Finding places to ride — especially in a town like Coupeville that doesn’t have a skate-park or similar riding area — isn’t always easy.

Kalt’s parents have provided him with a modest home park to use, and he and Kortuem and their friends use parks in other towns, but having a central location in their hometown would help the duo while potentially drawing in other skaters and riders.

Frankly, if someone was smart, they’d build one in the lot where Lumberman’s used to sit, which would put it in close proximity to both of the local schools.

Not every kid wants to play team sports or sit inside playing video games, and it makes one wonder how many more talented riders are out there who don’t have the drive to overcome a lack of opportunity like Kortuem and Kalt do.

“We’re not hurting anything. We’re careful where we ride,” Kalt said. “We just want to show people what we can do.”

And what they can do is pretty amazing.

As they rode for me that day, I saw moves that would have fit in quite nicely with what you see on TV, and I came away impressed with two well-spoken, polite young men who had a quiet confidence in their abilities and a delight in showing off their moves.

It would serve the community well to do for Kalt, Kortuem and the countless other current or future riders what Kalt’s mom did. Listen to them, encourage them and give them an outlet for the skills.

“When Orion was little, I found a quote I will butcher,” Annette Kalt said. “But it was to the effect of, if you want your children to be successful, find out what they are interested in and encourage them to do that. So that’s what we do.”