AYRSHIRE’S RISING STARS
LOGAN HOPPER
Gill Sherry
At just 12 years of age, Logan Hopper is already showing huge promise in the sport of speed skating. So much so, he won the British Short Track Championship title in Nottingham earlier this year.
Logan is a member of The Ayrshire Flyers Speed Skating Club in Stevenston and he sat down with Ayrshire Magazine to tell us more about his sporting achievements and ambitions, which aren’t just limited to speed skating!
How long have you been skating?
I started when I was three. My dad took me to hockey sessions, but we started doing speed sessions because it was the only sport where a parent could skate with their child. My dad is still speed skating as well.
At what point did you realise you were good enough to compete?
I think about three years ago.
When was your first amateur competition?
My first competition was when I was 9 or 10. I finished third.
You won gold at the British Short Track Championships in January this year. Tell us more about that.
I was quite nervous. I didn’t expect to win. We went down on the Friday to do a training session but our speed skating club had finished for Christmas a few weeks before so I hadn’t skated for a while. I didn’t think I would be on par with the rest of the people there. But I won!
How often do you train?
I usually train on a Thursday and a Sunday.
What do you enjoy most about speed skating?
I enjoy the competitions because I’m quite competitive. And it’s nice to spend time with my dad too.
Speed skating is obviously good for you physically, but does it have any other advantages?
It’s good to go to different places that other kids my age probably don’t get to go. And it’s nice to meet other people and make new friends.
Presumably your family is very supportive of your speed skating?
My dad makes a big effort to take me to places for training and competitions. He’s given up a lot of his time to give me what I enjoy.
Tell us a wee bit about your coach(es).
Archie Marshal is my coach, he’s competed in the Olympics, but Euan Taylor is doing quite a bit of the coaching now. Euan is a very good skater… he’s good because he can be on the ice and show you how to do it.
Are you setting your sights as high as the Olympic Games?
I don’t quite know yet… but it would be good to go to the Olympics maybe one day.
We understand The Ayrshire Flyers is looking to attract more members. What advice do you have for other youngsters wishing to take up the sport?
It’s good if you’re competitive and you want to race people. I think it’s more competitive than, say, football because it’s an individual sport rather than a team sport. It’s also very sociable.
What equipment do you need?
The equipment is quite special. You can’t just go to a shop to buy it. But The Ayrshire Flyers has equipment for the ‘Come and Try’ sessions, so you can borrow boots, helmet and safety equipment to see if you like it.
Apparently, you’re pretty good on a motorbike as well. Is that right?
I won the 140cc pit bike championship last year. I didn’t win it this year because I went on holiday and missed quite a few rounds! But I’ve been going to the FAB rounds in England. I went there and got 7th but I’ve got better since then so I could maybe try again next year and hopefully get top five.
Which sport do you prefer?
I think I prefer the speed skating right now even though the motorbiking is probably just as competitive as speed skating. Plus, motorbiking is a lot more expensive. I enjoy both.
And you play rugby too?
I play for my school team and also Glasgow Accies.
So, what’s next?
I have qualified for the speed skating British Championships again in Nottingham in January. And Euan and Archie have been trying to get me to quality for StarClass (a regional competition series for short track speed skating in Europe). You need to get under a 55 second lap for StarClass or under 1 minute 24 seconds for seven laps. I’m a second off so I can hopefully get that this year.
It’s been a pleasure to sit and chat with Logan who at just 12 years old is already showing a great deal of maturity. Mum, Suk Hopper, believes he has his speed skating to thank for this.
“There’s a lot of interaction with people of all different ages as opposed to just your own age group,” Suk tells me. “Logan is one of the youngest ones, so it helps with language, development and maturity. It’s a great benefit, and it’s great for mental health as well.”
The team at Ayrshire Magazine wishes Logan every success in all three of his chosen sports. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll be cheering him on in the Olympics!
