Laureus World Sports Academy member and skating legend Tony Hawk is visiting the Indigo Skate Camp near Durban, South Africa.

The scars which apartheid left behind, especially the disparity between rich and poor, is still a major problem in South Africa.  The rural Zulu communities around South Africa often get left behind in the development of the country and are extremely susceptible to poverty, lack of education and disease.

The Indigo Youth Movement is the brainchild of Dallas Oberholzer, whose exposure to international skating competitions inspired him to create opportunities for young people to learn about skateboarding.  Established in the heart of Isithumba, a rural Zulu village on the outskirts of Durban, the project has introduced young people to skateboarding and created opportunities for them to be introduced to tourism, life skills and entrepreneurialism.

Pictures and a report of Tony at the project to follow soon…

On Sunday in LA, the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award went for the second time in three years to legendary American surfer Kelly Slater, who won a record ninth world title at the age of 37.

At 37, legendary surfing master Kelly Slater completed his most dominant year yet. Claiming an unprecedented ninth world title in 2008, Slater took first in six of the 10 contests he entered. His 8,832 points this year absolutely dwarfed the 6,780 of his nearest competitor.

3 legends - Tony Hawk, Kelly Slater and Robby Naish

Slater received his award at a special ceremony held at the Read more