Dallas Oberholzer interviewed by Stefan Hauser 5-2-05
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a feature on skateboarding in South Africa, Thanks to Stefan and Placed to Ride Skateparks.
Give a little background on yourself and the South African skate scene.
Our skate scene is only limited by numbers. Skating in SA is a way of life for few in a mostly mainstream kind of community where sports like Rugby are preferred. Skateboarders are mostly viewed as outcasts and social rejects – much like it was in the 80’s in the USA.
What is it like growing up as a skateboarder in South Africa?
Its like you are constantly dreaming of good sessions with the masters of skating and you’re constantly thinking how far away all those good skate parks are.
It was largely thanks to the movie; Thrashing, that got us all amped in the 80’s. Then it was pretty much up to skating in tight groups of friends which allowed for the progression of our skating. Now being one of the old timers on the scene, its time to pay my dues and give back to skateboarding.
Do you see a difference between skateboarders in SA and say those in North America or Europe?
No essentially skaters are the same, it’s just the age make up which is very different, skaters in SA all seem to be teenagers. Whether this new generation become die hards, will decide the fate of skateboarding in SA.
Where is in Indigo Skate Camp located and how many years has it been together?
Our camp is situated in a Zulu village in the Valley of 1000 Hills, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. It started three years ago.
Why did you start the camp?
Because I enjoy traveling and would like to make traveling in my home country better for travelers, especially traveling skateboarders. Then there are the scares which apartheid left behind, like the issue of class difference between the people who have and those that seem to have been left behind. I looked to the rural Zulu villages around Durban to find a community that would benefit from the skate camp’s presence, as they would have an opportunity to learn to skate and in turn learn about the hospitality industry.
Credit must also be given here to Bruce Martin, who I met in Marseilles in 2000. You were an inspiration to pull off a long standing dream – thanks man!
Do you see the camp providing any special benefits to the community?
For sure, just having English spoken around the Zulu community can only help its residents with the language barrier, which is intimidating for the young Zulu skaters. A small tea room shop has already opened at the now popular household where the mini ramp is found. In the future I intend to provide employment to many locals through the youth camp.
How do you see the camp evolving and on a larger picture the scene in South Africa?
Now that we have secured a board sponsorship from Element Skateboards we are working on providing the kids with more skate terrain at the skate camp so they may become all round rippers. We are planning to build a concrete skate park, until then our new vert ramp will give them the courage to follow their dreams in skateboarding.
As for South Africa, we need to get more skaters oversees and host more visiting skaters in SA. Essentially we just need to get over our isolation at the tip of Africa and become more connected to the rest of skateboarding. We have a lot to learn from Brazil.
Our skaters in SA need to be exposed to quality skateboarding, as X Games events are unlikely to evolve here due to little sponsorship money, the only way we can be connected to the international skate scene is to welcome skaters from around the world to visit South Africa.
Do you have any travel stories you would like to share?
One of my most memorable sessions was pushing through the streets of Cairo to arrive at the Pyramids of Egypt for Sunrise. In ’97 / ’98 I drove from Canada to Argentina. In Brazil I was stuck in the mud of the wetlands and while scouting for a way out, I walked into a Jaguars lair and managed to frighten off one of the gnarliest things I have seen.
Brazil has to be one of the best places on earth. When I first arrived there, I had been driving for days through jungle. I was so happy to see concrete and couldn’t resist a little roll around the plaza. I locked up on the sketchy concrete and fell straight forward, jacking my shoulder. Locals took me to a Red Cross clinic where they gave me morphine, mixed with the pharmaceutical alcohol I had been drinking, I was spiraling upwards like never before…
Now, do you prefer to be at home or traveling in a distant land?
Right now I am traveling so much within SA that I might as well be traveling around the globe. In a couple years I plan to know what it is like to have a home again, that home will be at skate camp.
Your future plans?
To skate with the Amazulu skaters as much as possible and build the Indigo Skate Camp, which is the surest thing created with my skating.
Do you have any additional comments or final words you will share with us?
For the past 5 years we have held a bowlriding contest at Germiston Bowl in Johannesburg ( rated by Jake Phelps as one of his top ten skate spots ). This year the contest will take place on the 8th of October. Please make contact if you would like to make the trip. The web site is www.indigoskatecamp.co.za
To all the skaters out there, thanks for all the guidance.
Interview by Stefan Hauser
www.ptrskate.com
Placed To Ride, inc.
PO Box 887
Seaside, Oregon 97138
U.S.A.
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