Work in Skateboarding, Indigo Skate

THE VALLEY OF

1000 HILLS

I N TE R VI E W S W I T H DALLAS OBERHOLZER

CONNOR MULLEN

MAZWI MSOMI

I N T ER V IEW W ITH

Dallas Oberholzer

BY JACOB G EN T Z What was your life like before you built the park?

I thought I had direction while always looking for the next skate event, but I felt like I lacked purpose beyond personal stoke.

Living event to event, I gradually grew frustrated that I was not building on something more solid and meaningful in my life.

Skateboarding had already given me so much so I started thinking up how I may give back to the greater community of skateboarders.

How has Indigo changed your life, deeper than just the surface?

Just about everything before the camp I could do alone, but attempting to build this camp was a realization that I needed what we call here “Ubuntu� the spirit of togetherness.

The camp has expanded my interests on so many levels; from nature to anthropology to rural development to architecture all while being immersed in the real deal Africa.

This unfolding Indigo story gives me a sense of hope for my country and for skateboarding, I wanted to try make a difference break down be it only temporarily the barriers of inequality so that we could all simply meet ‘playing skateboard’. Now watching the kids at camp I am constantly reminded why we all started skateboarding, for fun and it brings people together.

What does skateboarding mean to you?

Skateboarding is a way to be fully present in my body, It’s always been a satisfying way to burn up energy and turns it into a calm fluid state of clarity and creativity connecting me to my surroundings. Its always reminded that we are the masters of our own craft.

How were you introduced to skateboarding?

There was always a skateboard around in my youth, but then around the age of 10 the movie Thrashing came out exposing us for the first time to the culture of skateboarding and what was possible on what I thought was a limited wooden plank for bombing hills. Skateboarding for us here in a then isolated South Africa seemed like a way to connect with the world, we then had to study videos and try link up with other skaters to try and unlock together the wizardry of skateboarding.

What brought you to the valley of 1000 hills and what made you want to stay?

Pure curiosity I guess as I remember passing a sign on the highway that read, Valley of 1 000 Hills, the place just sounded so

adventurous but in those days it was a place where few whites would go, it was mostly unknown to city people and regarded as a dangerous volatile area for good reason as there were all sorts of violent instabilities there. But amongst all that bleak circumstances there was an undertone of peace and content that made me want to stay.

What was your first impression of the village and its people?

It was like traveling back in time, leaving behind a consumer culture and going back to the raw essence of civilization. The village was an intensely impoverished place, sure youths had a massive natural playground but they had little stimulation beyond their imaginations. I would often see children left bored staring into nothingness while their parents would be caught up in survival mode collecting water from the river or looking for

environment everything was as authentic as could be, what it came down to was simply having trust amongst the local people. I was attracted by this simplicity I truly felt as if I had stepped back in time to a time where time didn’t matter.

Were there any legal processes you had to go through to build Indigo?

Not really, it was just a matter of steadily presenting each step of the journey to village elders and chiefs, but when it came to asking for land we had to sit through many community meetings. Best thing about this was that we were awarded land for free, you gotta love rural Africa.

Was there ever a time were you didn’t think that Indigo was going to work out? firewood in the forest. But the children I met were happy and hyped, I could sense their fearlessness which would make them charge on a skateboard, but they made me worry when their desperation would take over at times when it came to handing out some skate product or select a few skaters for a trip to the city. As for the elders, they were mostly weary and unsure if they could trust me.

What inspired you to establish Indigo in the Valley of 1000 hills and not somewhere else?

There were a couple of items on my checklist while I scouted the Durban surrounds for a place to build a skate camp, first was nature, in this Valley it was pristine, next was participation, which was overwhelming and finally it was the fact that even though it was lawless and wild, that held some attractions to me as there would be no bylaws and restrictions, no red tape. In this tribal

Oh yeah there was a dark season in our story.

It was around 2008 when we had just started receiving funding for our after school skate program. This was what we were hoping for, finally our work with skateboarding was being acknowledged but with this power came greed and some young employees got all too excited and turned to piracy. A couple young men turned thugs and attempted to kick me out of the village, as they wanted all the funding to themselves. This type of shit is notorious in Africa, people would always warn me that my day would come and I had seen all too many people go through this, hell some people even end up dead.

people would always warn me that my day

would come and I had

seen all too many people go through

this, hell some people

even end up dead

But it was just this experience that made me cautious of overwhelming an always fragile situation. I mean I was an outsider from the village and my vision was to bring in some jobs and money into the community. I had to be cautious not to receive too much funding not to get all too flashy, from then on I thought it best for our longevity to do it slow and yes to live the struggle and work with just a humble budget to rather avoiding the over excitement we had just experienced with overfunding. So from then on it became a plan to rather work hard, to develop a work ethic, where my staff would get rewarded according to the amount of work they did. At this time we had to look for work opportunities beyond the valley and so we began raising funds by building skate parks and running events. This is how we have for the most part built our facility.

Being all too cautious of ‘overfunding’ or just plane paranoid I turned down partnerships with the German Government and big sponsors as it just didn’t feel right and working within a mostly uneducated community things would just go pear shaped if there was all too much investment or money in our delicate balancing act.

Did any skateboard companies go above and beyond when it came to turning your idea into reality?

Attempting something this unique it was hard to find support initially, but then both financial and moral support came from our now longstanding partners the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation. As for skate companies it was the Element camp and its founder Johnny Schilleriff that was so into this far out concept that they gave their full support however they could.

What have been the major milestones achieved at Indigo?

In 2007 after countless meetings with tribal authorities Indigo was awarded a vast area of land adjacent to the village of Isithumba, neighboring a pristine forest and river. It was all I could have ever dreamed of and event better it was for free.

Once we had established the camp we started taking our skate instruction sessions to other villages, and then cities, this is how we grew into Indigo Youth Movement.

What was Mazwi (the local camp project manager) like when you two first met?

Mazwi was mostly like his friends and peers, very respectful, kinda shy and reserved as a youngster. I saw an artistic flare in him at an early age as he used to draw characters on the dusty ground outside his moms hut. Him and his brothers were creative at play, always making something out of nothing in their yard full of trinkets left behind from their Dad who had passed a few years earlier.

How does it feel to see the progression of everyone at the park? Especially Mazwi?

It’s great to watch Mazwi skate, he is a leader and carries the nickname ‘Captain’ very well. Just about everyone at camp has steadily become more confident individuals, I saw this developing years ago in the way our skaters would walk to camp with swagger and confidence. As for Mazwi he has found himself and his place for now in skateboarding, he recently got a 3rd place at a bowl riding event we put on annually at Germsiton Bowl in Johannesburg. Mazwi now heads up the after school skate instruction sessions as well as share responsibilities

of hosting volunteers and visitors. Just recently Mazwi was the project manager of a small skate park build at another Zulu village along the South Coast on Natal.

What are some of the extra classes outside of skating that the kids participate in and why did you decide to include them?

English improvement has been a major goal for everyone at the camp, without proper spoken English life can be challenging. Most visitors and volunteers coming to camp want to engage in English, which is another motivator to speak up. Towards this in our classes we involve spoken English as much as possible, whether it be dissecting the lyrics of a hip hop song or acting out a movie scene on a stage. Further towards English improvement we have a resource library. Beyond this we also have different days themed either by fine art, music and dance and my favorite day is tech day.

But our belief is foremost is in allowing the skate park to be the learning space, towards this we have developed a skateboarding instruction manual that brings about a practical life skill / guidance to skaters during planned skate sessions with their instructors. This basically works by having a review session with a group of skaters after a planned activity in the skate park.

What does the tourism ambassador program involve and how do the participants benefit?

A few years ago the pressure really turned on to create more jobs within the community, So Indigo Skate Camp got this government grant to train up 25 local youths over 12 months to be certified tourist guides in our community. This was just another way to develop needed skill sets within our village and we are now able to call on these graduates to assist us with events and hosting responsibilities at our facility.

How many volunteers come annually?

On average we have around 10 international volunteers annually.

Who supplies the equipment, Boards, shoes, wheels etc?

The skate equipment comes from Element South Africa and, while shoes come from Vans.

What do you think life would be like in the village today if Indigo wasn’t there?

Children would just be as bored as ever, But I believe our place up on the hill is like a centre of hope, inspiration and I’m sure some skaters here see it as a ticket to rise above the Valley.

I like to think Indigo taught a generation to be more pro active in creating their own future livelihood. At camp we lived that DIY attitude which is skateboarding.

Have you experienced any Zulu rituals?

Yeah I’ve tried a few from traditional Zulu beer to cutting my body with a knife to afford it protection. Once I tied fresh goat meat around my wrist, and wore it until it dried up and fell off months later. I’ve washed myself with the contents of a goats stomach, and once with chicken blood so yes I been there.

What does a typical meal in the village consist of?

And how does it taste?

It’s quite like Mexican food with a lot of cornstarch that is ground up into a dry flakey cereal. With every meal there is a spicy salsa on the side. Proteins come from fish in the river while on the weekend there are always ceremonies in the village where one can visit and get some fresh goat or if you lucky a freshly slaughtered cow. There is always wild spinach that grows along the riverbanks and tasty mushrooms after a lightning storm. Locals eat just about anything that moves, even flying ants are an occasional treat lightly salted.

How fluent have you become in the language?

I can get by with basics but in no way can I hold a deep conversation.

Have you had any close encounters with the wild life?

A few years back we were sessioning the park when a massive 4ft water lizard passed by , I was in fascination while the older boys got hungry and hunted it down with a stick, a few hours later it was tasting like chicken.

“ we were sessioning the park when a massive 4ft water lizard passed by ” Have there been any interesting wildlife encounters at the skate park?

Just about everyday at camp I wake up with goats on my living roof. It’s the biodiversity, the small things that keep amazing me, we have everything from fire flies to fish eagles. These days there are a number of owls, which like to hunt on the ramps in the light of our floodlights. We often have to rescue spitting cobras that get trapped in our kidney bowl.

Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?

Probably Bob Burnquist, after visiting his Dreamland complex my dreams seemed possible.

Who would you like most to come visit Indigo and why?

I think Dave Duncan because I would like him to come host an event here.

Have you received any awards for the work that you have done?

No

What does the future hold for Indigo?

Indigo Youth Movement is our NGO which grew out of Indigo Skate Camp. Our NGO is now working in 5 other areas with at risk youths in different circumstances. Our mission is to continue developing young leaders from within these communities to run and further develop our skate instruction programs. We may build more skate parks in the future but for now we are to focus more on keeping skate parks in under privileged areas occupied with skateboarding. It’s proving to be a great vehicle to engage with at risk youths.

As for Indigo Skate Camp, the goal there was always to develop a sustainable skate park, a facility that shares knowledge and abundance with its neighbors. Indigo has grown up now with a generation of youth who have come of age to be the custodians of the skate camp.

There are enough support structures, skilled people and income generating activities in place for the camp to be totally self-sufficient in the near future.

On the ground we are about to expand our library into a computer center as well as building a skateable performance stage.

We will most definitely keep building on the skate park as well as expand further our fruit and food gardens with permaculture principals. And we need to have an international skate event there soon, we got some more talent there just waiting to happen.

IN T E RVIEW WIT H VOLU NTE E R

Connor Mullen

BY S A M A N T H A C HA MI

Where are you from & how did you start skating?

I’m from Casper, Wyoming. I started skating as a kid with a few friends. One kid’s older brother had a board that we would mess with in the driveway, but I didn’t actually find myself wanting to skate until I visited the local skate shop. There was a group of older kids hanging out, watching a skate video there. I think seeing them watching that video together, with plans to go skate afterwards is what got me into it all.

How did you find out about indigo?

I found out about Indigo through Element’s website. I think they were partnering with TOM’s for a shoe drop at the camp. I was studying printmaking at the time, learning about its ties to activism and skateboarding. I wanted to somehow complete the triangle that I saw between print, activism, and skating. Indigo seemed like the place to do that.

When & why did you volunteer there?

I visited Indigo twice - once in March of 2010 and then again in December of that year. I volunteered because I saw Indigo as a model of something that could be replicated in other parts of the world. I wanted knowledge and experience that I could pass on some day. Volunteering gave me the chance to travel, skate, and contribute.

“ Travelling inspires me to skate more.

Skating inspires me to travel more. �

Travelling inspires me to skate more. Skating inspires me to travel more. Skating had already done my life a lot of good, so I wanted to give back - even in just a small way with the print demo. As a kid, I looked up to those older skaters that made me feel welcome. I guess that rubbed off on me and got me interested in non-profits like Indigo and Skateistan where programs are focused on youth/skateboarding.

What did you do during your time at Indigo?

There were few planned activities - leading a printmaking demo and taking photos of life on and around the ramp. But I also spent time helping out where and when I could with the pool that they were building. I didn’t have any experience with that, so I was limited in what I could contribute. Otherwise I skated, filmed a few clips, and then got to know Dallas and the other

instructors. It was cool talking with them about Indigo’s beginnings and their ideas for the future.

What was the craziest thing that you experienced while you were there?

How did your experience there change your perspective on life & skateboarding?

Waking up one morning at the house in Durban to watch a gang of monkey’s raid the lychee tree for its fruit and one very, very unfortunate bird.

I’d say it gave me more ambition in life as well as in skateboarding. Leaving there I felt like I could contribute to a positive change in the world through something that I love to do. I didn’t know exactly what that would look like, but I felt like it was possible. Seeing the kids that were skating there and how much they enjoy themselves while skating, or even just creating, helped me to see what I was missing out on in a way. Their skating gave me a friendly reminder to have fun.

I think skating can do our lives a lot of good, if we can let it. My experience at Indigo, the kids’ energy, and the character of that environment all freed me up to think less, and try more. Getting your mind ready for skateboarding can be hard. The kids at Indigo and the sense of lightness in their skateboarding make that process of “letting go” look easy.

What was the best thing you experienced while you were there?

Best experience was trying to overcome the language barrier with one of the younger skaters. We were working together trying to get a photo of him carving the bowl. We both somehow knew what the photo needed to look like, but we couldn’t use words to describe it. So we used our boards and my DSLR’s screen to make it happen - pointing and making noises at photos we had taken that were coming close to what we wanted. I’m sure it would have been pretty funny for an outsider. The image we arrived at is my favorite from both trips.

What was the hardest thing you experienced being there?

The language barrier. Sharing the ramp, making prints, and photographing - that was all really cool - but it would have been better had I been able to talk with more of the kids. To hear their stories, learn what they liked about skating and where they wanted to take it - that would have added a lot to the experience.

Would you recommend volunteering at an organization like this?

If you’re a skateboarder or an artist or a musician that is drawn to creative endeavors that are working to make the world a better place, I would say yes, you should definitely consider volunteering at an organization like Indigo. If you can make it happen and go into the experience looking to help in whatever way is most needed that day (even if it wasn’t on the list of things you saw yourself doing), you will learn things about yourself and the world that wouldn’t otherwise occur to you.

Stepping back from your routines and the things that nag you, to spend sometime elsewhere, working for a cause that you believe in - it reframes the way you look at yourself and your surroundings.

How do you think this experience benefited you?

The experience benefited me in a number of ways. I improved as a photographer - trying to frame skateboarding and youth empowerment in the same compositions. I gained experience as a teacher - recognizing a limitation (the language barrier) and working with it. I learned to be a better traveler - making plans to contribute to a community that was hosting me. And last, but not least, I grew as a skateboarder - I think it helps skating with people that are better than you.

Because skateboarding influences so much in my life already -t even in ways that I’m probably not aware of - the experience in South Africa is more than likely benefitting me in ways that I’m yet to see. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity that was given to me by my friends at Indigo.

“ you will lear n thing s abou t your self and the worl d that woul dn’t othe rwis e occu r to you. ”

IN TER V IEW W IT H

P ROJECT M A N AGE R

MAZWI MSOMI

BY JACOB GENTZ

What does skateboarding mean to you?

Skateboarding to me and for most of us in the Village is a unique opportunity that the youth discovered in the past few years. I just think it’s great that everyone here now has the opportunity to do it. To me it is an example that yes even if you are from a rural area, skateboarding is there and it possible for you to do it.

What is life like living in the valley?

Life in the village is gradually getting better although we still often take some steps backwards to where we shouldn’t be.

Biggest issue here is a lack of infrastructure but the more we go forward the more youths get better chances for a better life.

What was your first impression of Dallas?

Dallas made skateboarding possible because he introduced skateboarding to us and then he made it possible for us to do and to be enjoyed by the people living in the village. It is now something they have to be proud of.

How do you think your life would be today had Dallas decided not to build Indigo skate park?

What does your family think of Dallas & what he has done for your village?

Honestly if he wasn’t here and the park wasn’t here, life was going to be strange and really tough because the whole skateboarding thing came like something that opened everyone’s mind and having a skate park is a way of awareness and self improvement for us all.

They are proud that they have a skate park next door to their yard and that it is a famous place, most my family members spend their time in the park skating watching sometimes sitting around the fire and that really explains what they think of Dallas.

Has skateboarding brought the village closer together in your opinion, if so how?

Yes because the majority of the youth from this village start by skating young and grow with it, some leave, some continue and their parents do give support when they see their child’s talent and they enjoy visiting the skate park during events to watch their children showing what they have learnt in skateboarding and in life.

How do you think the kids have benefited from Indigo being a part of their community?

What is your favorite trick both that you can and cannot do?

They benefited by gaining knowledge of what is happening in the whole world as participants go places when we tour with the team to events. They grow up better by not being bored on the streets. They learn English and sponsors give them things to wear.

My favorite trick for now is frontside air in any vertical transition especially on extensions while the trick I want to do is a 900.

How did the locals react to Tony Hawk coming to visit Indigo?

The first time he came people were excited but they were not believing that Tony can just come down here, and second time it was like yeah Tony Hawk is able to come to this village again!

Everyone is always happy to have Tony Hawk here.

Where do you see Indigo in another decade?

I see it climbing all the way to its destiny because every year there is something we up to!

Describe your experience when you saw your first skateboard, what did you think of it?

“ I could see those skaters having pride while skating like brothers singing and dancing and I wondered how would it go, what is its destiny? ” If Danny Way invited you to the mega ramp, would you do it?

The first time I saw guys carrying skateboards they were walking down to go skate at the park, I was like how this is gonna happen for me? I could see those skaters having pride while skating like brothers singing and dancing and I wondered how would it go, what is its destiny?

Yes of course, why not, I would be excited because guys like Danny Way are celebrities they are the guys we look up to.

Because I skate too even though I’m a rookie, I’m not scared, I like the thought of skating a mega ramp, I enjoy watching it, sure it looks dangerous because of the speed but I have never backed down before and I’m up to the challenge.

What was your first skateboard set up? (trucks, wheels, bearings, deck)

If you had the opportunity to meet any professional skater, who would it be and why?

My first skateboard was a mini Element Twigs green deck because I was one of the youngest skaters.

The professional skater I would like to meet is Bob Burnquist because he is my role model and I feel very excited to watch him skating in all of his videos.

What has been your worst injury and what happened?

My worst injury was on my right foot, when I was trying a boneless I jumped too high and I threw away the board, coming down my right ankle folded, I fell on it so hard it almost broke.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not on your board I enjoy fitness training with the local soccer team and sometimes get in the field to play soccer, and for me being at the park anytime is good even if I’m not going to skate.

What’s the most recent skate video you’ve seen?

The most recent video I have seen is our local SA production AV Skateboarding, it comes out every couple months and the most recent issue is number 22

What is your favorite skate video?

Elementality

What’s your favorite music to listen to while or after you skate?

My favorite music I listen is Rock and Roll, I like Matchbox 20, or just Reggae, Burning Spear or Bob or if I’m chilling its Citizen Cope.

Who would you most like to come visit indigo and why?

Nyjah Huston because most of us have liked him for years watching him grow up, we are amazed that he is on international music videos so he is somewhat of a celebrity to us.

Favourite obstacle to skate at Indigo is?

The hip because it feels nice and easy to transfer with any trick you want fronstide 5-0 transfer just feels good.

If you could add an obstacle at indigo what would it be and why?

I would add a couple more ledges to the park, we would like a manni pad with a gap in the middle because there are so many tricks we can watch in the videos and then earn them there.

What famous skate spot would you want to travel to most and why?

I would like to skate in Brazil because it’s a developing country like South Africa, and Pedro Barros’s bowl looks perfect.

“ I truly felt as if I had stepped back in time to a time where time didn’t matter.”

DALLAS OBERHOLZER

http://www.indigoskatecamp.co.za/