-
File image of a skateboarder.
Two skaters from Kimberley in the Northern Cape will take part in an international skating competition in Russia. They are the only two skaters from Africa to be invited and will share space with the best skaters in the world.
Their passion and hard work have earned them a ticket to an international competition – the Grand Skate Tour in Russia.
Brad Balie and Boipelo Awuah will compete in the Street Skateboarding category – a fast-paced and highly technical style that demands creativity, precision, and confidence.
Balie is delighted for the opportunity.
“This is a great opportunity because not a lot of people can travel abroad and I feel like this is my time to make it happen, and I would really like to become a pro one day in skateboarding.”
“I feel like I am on the same par with those girls right now in terms of skills level and experience and I feel like very soon I could possibly compete internationally. And with my fellow skater Brad I definitely believe we have the potential to go out there and perform and get the attention of skaters that site,” says Awuah.
Project manager of Kimberley Diamond Cup, Andile Mlawu, who has witnessed the journey of the two skaters from an early age, says this is their time to shine.
“We are seeing the fruits of our efforts in investing in skateboarding. Our wish is to see them do well on the international stage. I think they have gained a lot of experience on the South African scene regarding the KDC programme. I think it is their time to shine internationally.”
The skating competition concludes on the 24th of August, and the two cheerful skaters will hopefully bring some trophies home.
Video: Two Kimberley skaters to represent SA in Russia
