Photo by Tim Moolman – www.timmoolman.co.za

The Jo’Burg longboarding scene has taken a while to get to where it is today and it is now growing faster than ever before. We’re always stoked to welcome new riders to the Jo’burg Longboarders Club and it was no different when we met Darren Fielding. He was put in contact with us via some Cape Town riders in January of this year and it was literally downhill from then on. At that point he had only been riding for a few months so we thought we would take it easy. Darren doesn’t take it easy when on a skateboard though, he’s quite a laid back kinda guy off the board but when he’s on board he is constantly pushing the progression and learning new tricks. He was not afraid to go straight into sliding round corners even though he had only done it once or twice.

Photo by Tyne Laws

Darren’s story starts in Cape Town where he used to work with a few local longboarders. They got chatting about the sport. Darren wasn’t too convinced in the beginning until they showed him what it was all about on one of their local hills. He was hooked instantly. In 2010, Darren moved up to Jo’Burg and brought his board with him. After a few weeks of free-riding and sessioning some chilled hills, he discovered our hidden gems and immediately fell in love with Steepways and Krugers, as is the case with all visitors to Jo’Burg. Darren says “ Steepways – Its quick , it has awesome hairpins , good to learn on and never lets you down in terms of fun. Krugers – Its FAAAAAST! It has two gnar hairpins.”

Photo by Tyne Laws

When we asked Darren which he preferred more, free-riding or flat out bombing, he was torn. His love for going sideways and in his words “MASSIVE slides, the 5 second rule,” competes with his need to go fast. He enjoys the competitive side of racing and the mix of riders bringing style and skills. If Darren had to classify his style, because of his love for speed and sliding, he would call himself an “aggressive free-rider.”

Photo by Tim Moolman – www.timmoolman.co.za

Darren was the best performing first time racer at the KING OF THE FORT Schanskop Downhill Challenge 2011. He placed 11^th overall out of 33 downhill skateboarders that entered the open category. “My experience was indescribable to say the least, meeting new people , skating with some of the best riders and learning from them. The atmosphere that was there, everything made me amped to be a part of it. To be honest I was surprised and so stoked, all the other new guys shredded and definitely gave myself and the veterans a run for our money. The prizes were rad! Thanks First Nature for an awesome event!” Darren won himself a set of Aerial7 Tank headphones, a R1000 tattoo voucher from Jaded Ink and what he calls “the best sliding board ever,” a JET doppler deck.

Photo by Tim Moolman – www.timmoolman.co.za

Darren draws inspiration from everyone who skates and is passionate about it. For him, Cape Town rider, Richard Dweza is the one rider he looks up to most. “He’s got balls of steel and skills like a jedi, he’s always amped, always helpful and always makes you feel great about yourself. He’s the ultimate ambassador for skating in S.A.”

Congratulations to Darren for his performance at the KING OF THE FORT Schanskop Downhill Challenge 2011. We look forward to following his progress to the country’s top rider list.