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We caught up with Cape Town Skateboarder Jean-marc Johannes and chatted to him about Skateboarding life in CT, International comps, tricks, filming and the upcoming Maloof Money Cup.
See what Jean-marc had to say and check out the videos and photo gallery below:
Full Name: Jean-marc Johannes
Nick Name: JM
Age: 21
Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa.
Deck of choice: Almost Skateboards, Double Impact 7.75.
Sponsors: Red Bull, Volcom, Nixon, Almost Skateboards, Globe Shoes and GoPro.
Injuries: Thankfully Nothing serious yet, no broken bones. I’ve just had a lot of stitches, some of them I put in myself.
Unfortunately there is a lack of skate parks in Cape Town. Growing up in CT, how did you get into Skateboarding?
This is an unfortunate circumstance all skateboarders in Cape town have to work with but when I was younger I was very content with what I had. I basically found skateboarding from watching my friends ride the streets and the spots it had to offer, it started as something to do on a weekend. Everything evolved from there as time went by.
With the lack of skate parks in CT where do you practice?
At the moment I have built a few obstacles at my house, just the ones that I like skating and it’s the more basic obstacles one could find in any contest format. A launch, grind ledge, rail and a manual pad. It’s good to learn new tricks on basic obstacles before you take it to a street spot.
Has this determined the type of skater you are and what type would you say you are?
Yes it has. I spend many days skating these obstacles alone and its very peaceful in my area. It gave me the opportunity really focus on tricks and think them through in my own time, no matter how difficult the trick would be I could always be in my own zone breaking the tricks down and trying to figure out ways to do it. I think over time a became a more tech skateboarder due to the fact that I would always try and do tricks that either flipped in to grinds and out then setting a goal to do both.
Explain the feeling you get when skating the urban streets?
It is without a doubt the best feeling, it gives you a feeling of being free. Once you’re on a board, your board and you are unique in your own way. It’s a sense of belonging that every skateboarder can relate to.
What new tricks are you working on?
At the moment I have been trying to learn late flips into grinds. To this day there is only proof of a late flip being done into one variation of grinds. There are so many way’s to grind and any of these are possible to late flip into. It’s just a matter of time before I become more comfortable with doing this kind of flip trick into a grind trick I guess. It almost feels like learning flip grind combo’s all over again.
What trick would you say is one of your nemesis – that one trick that you battle to land?
I might sound strange to skateboarder’s because it’s one of the first tricks you learn when you start skating. Basic Heelflips, have always been a problem for me ever since I started. I eventually just wanted to do it switch because it was a constant battle to get a solid heelflip.
Where in the world has been the best place you have skated?
Skatepark Amsterdam has been the best experience for me as a skateboarder. The park is built perfectly. It has every obstacle any skateboarder could ask for and its indoor. One couldn’t ask for anything more.
You have been doing a lot of filming lately for Session Magazine, Red Bull etc. Tell us about the project and where fans will be able to catch the videos?
I have been filming since last year for my session magazine video part. As it is my first video part I am trying to go all out with tricks. Some of the tricks in the video I have only landed once or it was spur of the moment and it was caught on film. Hopefully everyone will enjoy watching it. There has been many other Project’s throughout the year, for example we just finished a video with Red Bull called Urban Disposition. It was filmed using a phantom and a red camera, I have never had the privilege of filming with those camera’s so it was definitely something to remember and it made skateboarding and basically any trick look amazing.
The Red Bull Urban Disposition video:
What is a day of filming like? Do you hit one spot to get that one trick and how long does it take?
These days in South Africa security is coming down hard on busting, so if I have a trick idea or a spot I want to film we usually go out only for that trick and if I land it in the first hour it’s best to move on to the next spot rather than just end up skating until you get busted.
Have you ever taken out the camera while filming?
Lucky enough I have not, I would always say to who ever is filming to perhaps watch out or try to position in a way that I dont end up destroying their camera.I cant even imagine breaking something that expensive.
Tell us about the “Ring of Fire” that you’ll be jumping through at K.O.G 3 on the 27th October?
Yes, King of the Grind is a national contest and with this being the third one for the year they wanted to try something new. They called me with the idea of jumping through a ring of fire. I never asked any question’s or thought twice about doing it, I agreed immediately. It’s basically a metal Ring that we’re going to set alight. Ollieing through it should be easy but flip tricks will make it that much more interesting. It will also be a first in South Africa for a skateboarder to jump through a ring of fire. I’m hoping everybody will be down there supporting and enjoying the contest and the skating.
Recently Nixon South Africa added you to their team. What has the experience been like and what’s it like to skate for them?
It has been a dream come true for me. I have admired the brand since I started skateboarding and I feel very lucky to be part of the Nixon Team. Everybody at Nixon has been supporting me so much. I really look forward to what the future holds.
This year you skated at the World Am contest and big trick event in Amsterdam. How did you do and what did you bring back from that comp experience wise?
This year’s Dam am contest has made a highlight in my skateboarding career. I could not believe how the level of skateboarding increased within one year. With one hundred plus of the world’s best amateur skateboarders competing I had to up my game and focus like never before. In the end thankfully I managed to rank myself in the top 50 of the world’s best am’s and on the second day I got on the podium for top ten in the best trick section. I learnt more about skateboarding in those three day’s than I did in the entire month. I came back with a total different mindset about competitive skateboarding. Focus and practise is one thing but imagination and will can change everything within seconds.
Will you be competing again and where are you aiming to finish up?
Yes, I will be competing again. Every year I learn more about the contest format and how to adapt to a new skateboarding environment and get creative. This year I did much better than last year, so next year as every year I will give it everything I can and god willing it will bring a new result.
Below are two videos from behind the scenes from where the photos in the gallery were taken. Check them out:
Last year saw the Maloof Money Cup hit South Africa in Kimberly. What did you think of the event?
I thought the Maloof Money Cup was one of the greatest things to hit South African skateboarding. It was a great event and a full weekend of skateboarding and skateboarders. It was a real honour to be a part of such a big contest.
What do you think the MMC has done for skateboarding in South Africa?
It was an opportunity for skaters to see their role models and favourite skateboarder’s in action and to meet them. It has inspired the youth to such a high extent. I can honestly speak on behalf of every skateboarder in S.A when I say that we needed that.
What can we expect from you at this year’s MMC?
Perhaps I will take a different approach to my runs this year. I have been working on a lot of new tricks that I’m curious to try at a contest. One of them worked in my favour at Dam am so I will have something new to try but none the less I will give it 110% and enjoy every second of it.
Tell us something about Jean-Marc that not many people know?
I am a lead guitarist in a death core band ,called The Plague.
Where are you looking to take you skateboarding career?
Basically take it as far as it can possibly go with everyday god gives me. Every year I will take on with a positive mind set and never forget the my goals and dreams. 2013 will probably be the toughest year yet.
Where in the world would you like to skate?
Barcelona. It will always be the dream for every skateboarder.
Have you tried any other board sports?
I have not tried any other board sports yet but there was something that caught my eye. Wakeskating, and the fact that real skateboarding flip tricks are being done .I have made plans with a few guy’s to let me have a go at it.
Photos supplied by Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar
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