When you will the impossible, you have to accept the inevitable… there is something about traveling no more than four inches off the ground at 60km/h, and sliding around a hairpin corner that really gets ones blood boiling, whether you’ve been doing it for a while or even if its your first time.
Skating down hills at break neck speeds and surfing are 2 totally different poisons, but share some similarities… the intense drop on a 6ft + wave and cruising 3km of virgin downhill; a powerful bottom turn that makes your friends jealous and a hairpin corner that you nail making Valintino Rossi look like a pansy, whatever the comparison, you catch my drift.
I’ve always been into the skate scene, starting off with the whole street thing, then getting inspired by the Red Bull Downhill Extreme, I decided to go longer and faster… no pun intended. Purchasing my first setup from a surf shop in town, I was carefully guided by Kent Lingeveldt, a skateboard enthusiast, creator of Alpha long boards and probably one of the first guys to sign up for the DHX.
I’m no competitor and I ride for the thrill and not for the glory (but respect to the guys that do), it's an easy sport to get into, even if just to carve on those waveless days or race your buddies down your street after a couple of beers, the fun is what counts.
I’m fortunate enough to work at The Corner Surf Shop, which is one of the few stockists of downhill equipment in the area, most of the more serious guys order their stuff directly off the web, but the equipment you need all depends on your style of skating.
The downhill scene is growing rapidly in South Africa and I’m glad to say that our local boys seriously represent, nationally and internationally. To name a few: Stuart Bradburn (winner of DHX 1999 and loads of international events), Craig Mckune (Ranked 4th on the International Gravity Sports Association in 2003) and not to forget the guys in the area sliding around the hills of the southern suburbs: Timo, Matt Fuller and Patrick Pretorius, just to name a few.
Fortunately enough, not only were we blessed with some of the best surf breaks in the world, but also, thanks to the City of Cape Town, hills and mountain passes and an almost competent municipality to build us decent roads to rip up… whatever!
Well that brings me to the end of a brief introduction to the world of downhill skating; hope I was of some inspiration. Haha. Thanks to The Swell Guys for letting me share the stoke.
If you’re keen on getting into the scene grab some equipment from The Corner Surf Shop (021 788 1191), Kent @ Alpha Boards (072 982 1312) or get in touch with me by clicking here.
Many thanks to Darryn Cuff and Timo Chaplin for contributing this article.
