By Claire Elliot

BUDDING skier Keilan Bremner is only six but is already competing against teenagers nearly three times his age.

The primary one pupil spends at least nine hours a week on the slopes perfecting his freestyle tricks.

He is too young to compete at national level, but the youngster has already made a name for himself, winning gold, silver and bronze in an under-16 cup series in Aberdeen.

He follows in the footsteps of his snowboarding brother Findlay, who, at just nine years old, has made it into the world rankings.

Their mother Katie, 28, from Kingswells, Aberdeen, said the pair’s natural talent has astounded her and husband, Stephen, 32.
 

“They’re amazing,” she said.

“I don’t know where they get it from, they’ve just got the knack.

“They watch quite a lot of skiing and boarding DVDs and just seem to pick up the tricks from them.

 “I’m just astounded at what they can do at the age they are.”

Keilan took to the slopes for the first time last year after watching his big brother in action at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre, where they train three days a week.

But with no other children of his age and ability, like his brother he is already competing against teenagers.
 

In the under-16 section of a recent Carpert Burn Cup series in Aberdeen, both brothers secured an overall third place in their respective sports.

At one point Keilan was even joint leader of the skiing competition, in which he won a gold, silver and bronze for different events.
 

Mrs Bremner said: “He’s definitely got the determination.
 

“But I didn’t think he would do as well as he has done.
 

“We took them to Alpe d'Huez in France last year and it was amazing. Keilan would pass you going backwards.
 

“The two of them are just completely fearless.
 

“They would live on the slopes if they could. They are just so passionate about it.”
 

Findlay even gave up playing football to concentrate on his snowboarding.

 He won Best Newcomer in his first competition in Glasgow and, despite only competing in a handful of national competitions, including the Lowlander and Highlander Scottish Freestyle Series, he has a growing collection of gold, silver and bronze medals.
 

His success has even earned him a 1,302nd place ranking in the World Snowboard Tour.
 

Mrs Bremner said: “It’s a really big achievement for him because that’s for all the competitions people enter and includes all the top boarders.
 

“I’m just so proud of them both. They are always upping their game and it‘s exciting to watch them.”

 Mrs Bremner, a pupil support assistant, said she and her husband, an offshore engineer, even had to take up lessons to keep up with their sons.
 

Findlay, who has mastered a variety of jumps, twists and turns, now plans to take part in more competitions across the country in a bid to improve his world ranking.
 

The up-and-coming boarder, who hopes to become a professional, said: “I think I have achieved heaps over the last couple of years.
 

“I’m really chuffed. My mum and dad gave me the encouragement to start this and everyone at the slopes helps me to improve.
 

“I just feel really confident in what I’m going to do, unless I’m trying something new.
 

"If I want to do something I forget about the landing and just go for it.”
 

In recognition of their success, he and Keilan have now been nominated for a Physical Achievement award as part of Aberdeen City Council’s Children and Young People's Service Awards 2009.