“I can’t believe what I am seeing here in this community. It is one of the most amazing skateboard sites I have ever been to. The experience of seeing these young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is something that will stay with me forever” (Tony Hawk)
On Saturday, Tony went to the official launch of the Laureus Sport for Good SA project partnership with Indigo Youth Movement in Isithumba, SA. Tony told us he was incredibly impressed with the Indigo Youth Movement on the outskirts of Durban where he visited a Zulu village whose centre piece is a skateboard ramp. He showed the local kids some of his legendary skills on the ramp and gave them a few tips we reckon they’ll never forget. We’re not sure how the man has so much energy but he skated, tweeted and chatted his way through the day and provided a huge amount of inspiration for the young South African skaters.
The programme created eight years ago by Dallas Oberholzer provides rural communities with opportunities to learn English and Maths as well as to interact with more advantaged young people from the city. Oberholzer said
With this momentum we are strengthened in our commitment to creating an awesome learning platform for all to enjoy. As all skateboarders are connected, Tony Hawk has already impacted our lives; his accomplishments give wings to our dreams.
Hawk was accompanied by Deshun Deysel, fellow US skateboarder Shaun Patrick Gregoire and Foundation Trustees as they witnessed activities that included music and skateboarding performed by the project participants.
In a special message sent to the project managers Chairman of the Laureus Foundation SA, and rugby union legend, Morné du Plessis said:
I am overjoyed that one of the great legends of skateboarding and one of our Laureus Academy members Tony Hawk has travelled to Durban.We are committed… to further developing programmes such as Indigo Youth Movement that can bring fun, enjoyment and life skills to young people and this project using skateboarding is a fantastic example of how all sports can be used to make a massive difference.”
Later in the day the party travelled to Gateway in the centre of Durban where the skateboard star participated in a series of interaction and skateboard activities and was coaxed into an exhibition by the Indigo participants and skateboard fans who had turned up to see him.
