Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
THE SKATEPARK — Live television is a risky business.
From unsecure ropes to sprinkler systems (and much more), field reporters have only so much they can control.
But with great risk comes great reward, and the perfect live shot can be done.
In this instance, the perfect live shot happens because a reporter who has been skateboarding since he was 8 years old got assigned to a story about the opening of a skatepark.
Victor Williams of WDIV in Detroit could have stood there and made some reference to his skating past, but that's not the kind of reporter he is. Instead he pops atop his deck and shreds his way to telling his community about free lessons at the new skatepark.
Free skateboarding lessons are happening at a new skatepark in Detroit. Of course I had to show the kids something on @Local4News. In all seriousness - as a child, I would have killed for a new park and mentors in the skateboarding community. Glad to see it's happening in Detroit pic.twitter.com/3fvC8VJvDq
— VICTOR WILLIAMS (@NewsWithVictor) October 14, 2021
The kids at the park watching the segment don't seem super impressed, but Williams' colleagues back in the studio can't get enough of the unique live report. "I knew he was cool, but that's a whole new level," one of the anchors exclaims.
The internet liked it too, and the clip has been retweeted over 25,000 times in three days.
Of course, it all works out so well because Williams is all in on the skate park. With the clip he tweeted, "As a child, I would have killed for a new park and mentors in the skateboarding community. Glad to see it's happening in Detroit."