Lockdown lowdown with Durban skateboarder

COVID-19 and its subsequent lockdown restrictions has had a devasting affect on sport and sportspeople, be they professional or amateur.

Skateboarders have also experienced the same frustrations and anxiety felt by many in the various sporting disciplines.One of the country’s top skateboarders is Durban-born Khule Ngubane.

Khule, who spends much of his time overseas or in Cape Town, made it back to his home town of Durban before hard lockdown.

He has dealt with the lockdown and the restrictions with surprisingly good spirit.

Although he is ready to see some more easing of level three and the related constraints, life’s not too bad for the young professional skateboarder.

With so many people looking up to him, Khule is well aware that he has to carry himself with a certain level of strength and aplomb, no matter what the circumstances.

The Monster Energy athlete has done just that and is an inspiring ambassador for skateboarding in South Africa and the world.

“I’ve been staying in Durban during the lockdown period as it is my hometown, it was just safer to be at home. Being on home turf is just that much easier than living a suitcase life. The lockdown was hard mentally, not being able to travel and not being able to do what I’m used to. During the last few months, I have worked hard on creating new habits and new thought processes, and that helped me a lot to stay sane,” he said.

ALSO READ: Durban skateboarder inspires Spanish peers

Khule has taken a different approach to deal with the situation, and has taken this time to focus on self-care.

“I’ve not done that in years, because I’m so used to a busy schedule. I’m always travelling, attending contests, have media events to do, or community work that I’m doing, and I never get the time for myself. It has been good to be still, to meditate, and to read a lot, just working on myself. For me, to be the best athlete that I can be, I also need to be in a solid headspace, body space and a good spiritual space,” he said.

Health is always essential, and Khule has maintained that level of awareness throughout this time. He said as an athlete he has no choice but to be fit, first of all.

“I see a lot of positive things in the future, as we emerge from the lockdown and the pandemic, through skateboarding, because I will always be a skateboarder first. I see myself launching towards an independent type of standpoint, where I’m skateboarding because I’m an athlete, and that’s where my passion lies. Still, I’ll also be doing community work, and with the Back To The Roots project that was unfortunately cancelled this year due to Covid-19. I hope to get back to the States and finish off a lot of skate projects, and there are a lot of influential people there who want to help me expand my brand,” he said.

Khule said he also sees himself doing more global work representing Africa, because he is an African child.

“I had a journey to get me where I am through skateboarding, and a lot of African kids can relate to that. I also have other friends, white friends and mixed-race people who can also connect to this life. Skateboarding saved my life, and I would love to repay that to other kids and other communities worldwide,” he said.

Find out about the Back To The Roots project: https://youtu.be/JSd_NiXWybs.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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