Hey, don’t worry—we're not here to make you feel old (we don’t want to be the only ones feeling it)! Instead, we want to introduce you to Duke Tansey, an 11-year-old skateboarding prodigy and future entrepreneurial superstar. As the eldest of five, he makes those jaw-dropping tricks look like a walk in the park. And for him, they really are!

Don’t you know it’s dangerous to talk to strangers?

Yes, but my parents monitor all my conversations on social media and they weed out the creepers or spammers for me. So basically they tell me who I can respond to and they delete the rest or just don’t show them to me.

What’s the one thing that totally freaks you out?

The thought of sitting in a school all day or like an office all day totally freaks me out. I’m what they call unschooled which means I learn as I go vs having school classes and stuff. Instead I read lots of books (lots of books).

I get to learn what I want but my mom says every moment is a learning moment so school for me never really starts or ends, it's just constant learning. If I ask a question about things like black holes during dinner that might lead to a lesson about black holes or we might find a museum or go to the library and get books on it. Which leads to these crazy rabbit holes of learning that’s honestly really fun. One day I’m reading all about black holes the next I’m learning about the Gunpowder revolt of 1609. You just never know.

What do you value most in a friendship?

Trust and they have to like being outside doing stuff. I hate sitting inside staring at phones or video games. I like games for a little bit but after a while I just wanna go skate or surf or wrestle or jump on the trampoline.

How do you let your parents know you appreciate them?

I say I love them a lot… like a lot. I cook for them, I make them laugh a bunch and I help watch after my younger brothers and sisters.

What song is currently on repeat in your life?

Sidewalk Slams by Gnarley Nick, he’s a skater and rapper from Raleigh. I also like this local punk band called Clovers Curfew. I like Tom McDonald, Eminem, DC Talk, and Coolio basically I listen to a lot of rap or punk.

Secret you hope your parents never discover? (We promise not to tell!)

I hide bottles of sparkling water (mostly Liquid Death) in my room. When everyone is not paying attention, I make a glass of ice and then sit under the ramp and drink it without being bothered by my brothers or sisters.

Got any wisdom for the grown-ups out there?

I’m not like a wisdom teller or anything but I guess, spend more time with your kids. Take them on more adventures.

Left to right: Duke at the Skate Park, Durham, NC; Duke (middle) with his siblings and father, Eric Tansey. Photos by Jackson Keys.

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Duke Tansey

Light Lane in Durham

Isabel Lu