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Get to know Cape Town local and 20sk8 member, Ryan Naidoo. We chat to the 25 year old about everything Skateboarding and what it means to him.
Full name: Ryan Naidoo
Nickname: Goat
Age: 25
Hometown: Cape Town
Years skating: 14 years
Sponsors: KFD Skateboards, Revolution, Killer Speed Co, Tensor Trucks and Etnies.
How you got into Skateboarding and what attracted you to the sport?
Well it all started when my mom and I moved to an area called Bergvliet, I was 11 or 12 at the time. I never had friends in the area and always saw these dudes skating past my place till one day I decided to talk to them. Next thing, I asked my dad to buy me a board from Game, I remember, it was some cheap plastic board and ever since then my skateboarding kicked off.
How has your skating career progressed from there?
Well I couldn’t stop skating. I became totally addicted to skateboarding. Every afternoon after school, I couldn’t wait to get on my board and just mess around. I made friends with so many youngsters, all with one interest, skateboarding. It is through some of these friends that I eventually got sponsors.
What are some of your career highlights?
One of my greatest highlights was getting recognised and getting my 1st sponsor. I remember Justus Kotze from KFD Skateboards still approached me and said they looking for a new rider and I’m the perfect candidate.
What type of skater do you consider yourself?
I would say I’m more of a street skater. Skating handrails, stairs ledges, anything the streets have to offer and is not a bust because the cops be on your ass [laughs].
What are some of your best spots to skate?
Skate Parks are always fun to skate like the park in Kimberley is definitely my all time favourite park. But when it comes to street spots I would say Cape Town Civic Centre, they have nice ledges and stairs to skate, which are pretty decent.
Give us some insight into 20sk8 and what is means to you?
Yoh, where do I start? 20sk8 has always been there since day one of skating. We are just a group of skaters that grew up skating together since Boogaloos days in Canal Walk. I will never forget those days of endless fun. I remember, we couldn’t wait for the weekend and school holidays, just so we can all link and have the session of our lives.
Your top 5 tricks that you have dialled?
Geez now you asking something difficult but I love Kickflips, I will always end up doing a Kickflip down stairs or over something. Another four tricks I would say; Front Feebles, Back Smiths, Nollie Krooks and another flip called a Nollie Flip. [Laughs] I just love flips.
Which was the hardest trick for you to learn, and why?
There are so many hard tricks, damn. But a Nollie Flip Krooks is the one that’s still messing me around. I just don’t know what is it with that flipping shit, and it gets frustrating at times.
What are your views on Skateboarding in South Africa at the moment?
Skateboarding in SA has grown so fast from where it’s come. Since Maloof Money Cup came to Kimberley it has grown. There are also so many young kids that are skating and they’re progressing so fast. I mean look at Tyler Kammies and Ethan Cairns, they are super small and kill handrails. When I was their age I wasn’t even thinking of skating big handrails.
Which local skaters do you look up to?
My good friend Moses Adams and his younger brother Allan Adams. The level of skating they are on is definitely on an international level. The bag of tricks they have, OMW. Just too good, plus they super chilled and down to earth.
Which international skaters do you look up to?
Uhm, new school is Luan Oliveria. That niggas style is just too steezy, there’s just so much power in his tricks and the way he does them. My all time G will always be Mark Appleyard, just a super chilled out style and always seems so relaxed when he’s skating.
What events/ comps are you looking forward to competing in during 2016?
Definitely going back to Kimberley to compete at Midway Mayhem that they have in the middle of the year and then the main event that they have towards end of the year. Besides Kimberley events, just any local comp they got going here in Cape Town. So long as I’m skating, I’m happy.
Where would you like to see skateboarding take you?
It would have been awesome to have skateboarding as a full time career, but at the moment opportunities are few and far between especially in South Africa. If I get an opportunity to travel and see the world while skating I would jump for the opportunity.
What advice would you give anyone keen to get into skating?
Start early at a very young age, dream big and do not stop. It’s definitely a good idea to have an accomplished person who has excelled in skating, as a role model.
Any shout-outs?
First I would like to thank God for giving my life and for all my blessings. Then my mom and dad that bought me my first stink plastic skateboard [laughs]. My sponsors for always keeping me fresh and rolling. Salute to all my 20sk8 homies Shuiab, Justin, Tooth, Bfake, Rashaad, Jody out in Thailand, Grant, Peds, Frank, the young GG&apos’s, Manie and the young and lazy krew, Marcell, Van Staden brother, there just so many. Salute to all my homies, basically the whole skate scene. One love.
Photos by Grant Mclachlan
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