Khule Ngubane on KDC 2015

We chat to Khule Ngubane about his experience at the 2015 Kimberley Diamond Cup Skateboarding World Championships and what it was like skating against the world’s best.

What were your thoughts on being back and competing in the 2015 Kimberley Diamond Cup Skateboarding World Championships?
Firstly, a great honour to be one of the few people representing South Africa against the best skateboarders in the world. People that we personally look up to which is such an amazing thing because I used to see these guys in videos and look up to them and here I am now in the same league, so for me it’s a humbling experience and also it’s something that’s been a dream of mine. It’s cool that I’ve got to experience this once again in 2015 at the Kimberly Diamond Cup.

How would you rate KDC compared to any of the other big skateboarding events from around the world?
Well it’s already unique on its own. First of all it’s in south Africa and theirs no contest like this which has FMX a whole bunch of entertainment, some of the best local entertainment that comes nightly and it’s a 3 day contest. Some contests are just one day so it’s cool that we get to experience such a different vibe and bring skateboarders from all over the world, Pro and Am, from each country. It;s amazing what skateboarding can do and how it brings people together.

The Kumba Skate Plaza in Kimberly is one of a kind. How do you enjoy the course and how does it match up other skateparks in SA?
To be honest there is no other place I can match it up with in SA. It’s probably one of the best skateparks in the world. I mean I’m hearing pros being hyped on this park saying it’s one of the best parks they’ve ever skated. I think its on another level and it will be cool to see more parks like it because every year you get to see how these local kids from Kimberley progress, so it would be amazing to see parks like this all over Africa. It would be cool to see how big skateboarding would get and how we would push the level, and hopefully one day a south African will win this contest.

If you could make any changes to the course, what would they be?
To be honest I wouldn’t change anything except just a little bit more space on some of the sections, but other than that I love how every thing is setup. It’s what I skate and that’s what u find in the street; hubbers, rails and all that stuff, just at this park is a lot more smooth so its the perfect environment to be experimental and try cool tricks.

What’s it like skating and competing against some of the best skaters from around the world?
It’s a huge privilege, these are the people I looked up to and the fact that I got to skate is amazing. They treat me as one of their own and to be seen as a good skateboarder by people I look up to is a big highlight for me.

What does skating against them do for you, your skating and your career?
It pushes me to another level and makes me want to progress even further than I already have. Seeing how consistent they are makes me want to work harder.

Come competition time, what goes through your mind when you are about to start your run?
God I hope I land everything I try [laughs]. Uhmm, I really cant say, I think you just have to live in the moment and do what you need to do. You just focus on your tricks and your, to be honest I don’t think much.

Any words for your fans that were out supporting you at KDC?
Thank you! As much as they like to say I inspire them, for me they have been the greatest inspiration because I just think I’m just a random kid skating around and they show me my value in this world. They actually give me a reason to want to get up and to want to keep filming video parts to want to keep skating contests. I get excited for that because they are my biggest drive and support.

Photos by Grant Mclachlan