To Colt Cannon, there's no sport like skateboarding.
While the Los Altos Hills resident is also a skilled soccer player, he said nothing beats cruising around on those four tiny wheels.
"I love it because I can do it anytime and it's independent," Cannon said. "You have to rely on your own abilities."
These abilities have served Cannon well. On Dec. 6, he was crowned state champion of the California Amateur Skateboard League's 15-16 age division.
The two-day championship event, held at the Skate Street Skateboard Complex in Ventura, was no walk in the skate park. Cannon said the competition was stiff - and so was the judging.
"The judges are all skateboarders, and they were really strict," he said.
But Cannon, who was competing on the course for the first time, still found a way to impress the judges with his skating tricks.
This isn't the first time the 16-year-old has come out on top. Cannon said he's won at least 10 competitions over the past three years.
Cannon attributes his success to discipline and a commitment to being a first-class, all-around skater.
Cannon, who took up the sport some four years ago, honed his skills at the skateboard park outside the Hillview Community Center in Los Altos.
The Gunn High junior now spends the bulk of his practice time at more challenging skate parks in San Francisco, San Jose and Palo Alto.
"He practices constantly and he's really good," said Joe Cannon, Colt's father. "He does some things you wouldn't believe."
Colt also manages to find the time to play varsity soccer for Gunn. He starts at forward and scored a goal Dec. 12 against Saratoga.