Reporters like to get as close to the action as possible so their reports have maximum impact. For Mike Armor, the maximum impact wasn't what he expected.
Here's a great example that proves some people are born with talent. 2-year-old Kahlei Stone-Kelly isn't even fully potty-trained but he's becoming an amazing skateboarder.
As kids, we all did things that we'd never try as adults. It's the 'no fear' mentality of the young, we seem to lose as adults, that make them want to try something as daring as a back-flip from one skateboard to another.