Dreaming Big with Khule Ngubane

The name Khule Ngubane has become a respected fan favourite in the world of Skateboarding. Khule was recently up on Joburg and we jumped at the opportunity to catch up with pro skateboarder during one of his sessions at the YBF Plaza. Big plans and big dreams are what lay ahead for Khule, see what he had to say in our interview with him.

Full name: Khule Ngubane
Nickname: Kool-Air
Age: 21
Hometown: Durban
Years Skating: 9 years
Sponsors: DC Shoes, Monster Energy, EQL and Nixon

So what’s been happening in the life of Khule lately ?
Ended off 2014 on a high note, coming 1st in the NSA, skater of the year ranking . After that I’ve been chilling at home and the beach. Also threw my 21st in December at my place. So I’ve just been enjoying the company of family and friends in the festive season. A balance with a bit of everything.

You were recently up in JHB. Why did you plane the trip and what did you get up to?
With the festive season is over, I had to get started on my activations for the year. Just happened I was having a few meetings and going through some negotiations in Joburg. Concerning new opportunities for my career . Can’t really go into detail about it yet. After business was done, I got to skate the city, party and hang out with friends there. Decided to stay 2 weeks longer cause Joburg was showing me such a good time [laughs].

Let’s talk the 2015 season. What are you looking forward to in terms of comps, progressions, trips, filming, etc?
The 2015 season kicks off with Ultimate X in Cape Town end of this month (27 and 28 Feb), which is a big one and also the first comp of the year. I believe each year life needs to move forward in my progressions, as a skater and a human being. Progression is essential to positive growth. This year I get to branch out, as Khule Ngubane being a household name beyond skateboarding. Planning on releasing more episode’s of my project called “Khule’s Journey” with Monster Energy and DC shoes. Basically it documents my trips all over South Africa on film, displaying our day to day activities and features SA’s top professional skateboarders which happen to be my friends as well.

You have always been a top finisher at Ultimate X. How do you rate Ultimate X to other comps happening during the year ?
Speaking from my own personal experience Ultimate X is like no other contest I’ve been to. It has skateboarding, BMX and FMX. In normal circumstances each of these extreme sports wouldn’t be together. Not because we enemies but cause there’s no platform that caters to all of us at once. So it’s really rad to get to see all these difference worlds come together each year and it seems to be getting bigger yearly! It’s even changed venues and it’s a two day event now, so shout out to the guys at Ultimate X.

What do you think it’s going to take to win Ultimate X this year and who do you think is going to be your main competition?
To be honest I don’t know the formula of winning comps even though I’ve won a few myself [laughs]. But one thing I do know, that life has taught me through skateboarding, too much expectations can also lead to failure in life. If I go with the mindset I want to win and then I don’t that can lead to heartache even if I get 2nd or 3rd place. Because of that expectation, I’ll feel like I haven’t accomplished anything and you’re not happy for your peers who did well. So my mindset is just to go there and have fun. The competition is myself. As long as I skate within my best ability I will be happy! Guys that always kill at these comps are Moses Adams, Dlamini Dlamini, Alan Marola, Kanya Spani and Shuaib Philander just to name a few to look out for.

What are your thoughts on Ultimate X moving to new indoor venue at GrandWest Casino ?
I think that change is a good thing. Anyone that has competed in Ultimate X can tell you, how hot Cape Town can get in February. You get tired and dehydrated quickly competing at a professional level in the sun from 9am till 6pm when it was at V&A Waterfront. Changing the venue , making it to a two day event and plus the event is indoors – I’m sure all the athletes are gonna be stoked about that.

You mentioned that you filmed a new street video part. Give us some insight into that?
Skateboarding in SA has two sides to it that keep it sustained. There’s the commercial side which is contests with big sponsors pumping big prized money into it. Then you get the core aspect of skating. Which is more for the core fans, to reassure your relevance as a skater. On a progressive and competitive scale. That’s the whole purpose of doing a street video part. My video part is already out now on (Audio Visual Skateboarding) AV Skateboarding issue 24. Also its recently been put online, via their website AVskateboarding.tv.

What are the pro’s and con’s of filming a video edit and how important do you think it is to the sport of skateboarding ?
Lets start with the con’s. Unfortunately some people don’t understand what we do. So they get annoyed or become rude. Also we get bothered by police and security pretty often. Getting kicked out of spot’s to skate, sometimes we’re trying to find a place to skate more then we actually skate [laughs]. Bad weather which cancels a skate day and last but not least injuries.

Pro’ s. We get to do what we love all day, go on amazing trips with friends. Documenting all of your journey’s and tricks on film is very rewarding, cause now it’s gonna be seen forever. That spot could be gone 5 years later so it’s cool to get to have it on film. Also travelling is a big wakeup call because you start to see the reality we live in, especially when we skate in rural or underprivileged areas of the country. That makes you appreciate your life and put things in prospective of what’s important in life. It is very important and fundamental to skateboarding lifestyle cause our edits motivate skaters to skate. I use to watch skate videos to get me hyped to skate and I know plenty guys still do.

You’ll be travelling to America in May this year. How do you think this trip will benefit your career?
It will benefit my career in a lot of ways like networking/ skating with people I’ve looked up to since I started skating. The best skateboarder’s from all over the world move to California because the skate industry is so strong there and self sustained. You can make a very good living out of it. Opposed to South Africa where it’s only recently becoming a developing and recognized sport. It will still need more time to develop to a point where you can make a living out of it. So I’m just expanding my opportunities and dreaming big.

What goals are you hoping to achieve while in the States?
My personal goals I want to achieve on my trip to the States is to just to create new relationships and bridge the gap that is making it harder for South Africans to make it big over there. We have the talents but lack exposure to the world and most importantly resources.

Any specific parks and spots you got your eye on to session while you there?
I’ll be chilling with some professional skateboarders from there so I know they will take me to dope spots. But one place I do have my eye on skating is the Berrics. It’s an invites only skatepark for the best skateboarder’s in the world. So if I get the opportunity to skate that I’d be super stoked. A dream come true type of stoked [laughs].

In terms of taking your career forward. Where would you like to see it go?
God willing. If I’ve been given breath for another 5 years to come. I see myself skating more on international contests overseas. Other opportunities from sponsors will revile themselves. Also I will start doing more projects concerning the youth and communities here in SA. Start my own business when the time is right. I’ve still got another decade or so my body can tolerate of skating [laughs]. Truthfully I’m trying not to limit my mental capacity by thinking in a box nor fear living my fullest potential in whatever direction life may unfold for me.

Any shout-outs?
Firstly wanna thank the Creator of the universe for giving me life itself. My grandparents Emmanuel Nguabne and Tina Ngubane for saving my life and getting my 1st skateboard. The rest of my family, I love you all. All of my sponsors for their support over the years. Also big thank you to all the people who I’ve met in JHB, DBN, CPT and other smaller cities in SA, that have treated me with positive energy, respect and compassion. Last but not least the guys at LW Mag for always supporting what I do. Peace and Blessings.