South Africa’s first World Champion skateboarder wants to use his sport to inspire the youth of Bonteheuwel.
Jean-Marc Johannes is South Africa’s first international Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist in the World Series. He is also an 8 time World Record/Guinness World record holder, the 2021 winner in sports category for the Mail & Guardian, part of the top 200 Young South Africans and the first skateboarding finalists in the KFM best of the Cape Awards 2022.
Johannes says as a child he was asthmatic and could not participate in sport.
“I found an old skateboard in parent’s garage and taught myself how to skate. I think I was about 10 and my love for the sport just grew from there. At the age of 15 I won my first competition,” says Johannes, who grew up in Athlone and Bonteheuwel.
According to Johannes, who skates professionally, he wants to share is passion with the youth.
“Our children don’t have hope and I hope that I can give them hope. Skateboarding is such a unique sport, but I believe there are more world champions in this community. They just need to get the opportunities and the right training. I love training youngsters and letting their parents know that there is a future in this sport that I love,” says Johannes.
Anyone that want to make contact with Johannes or just watch his incredibe videos can contact him on his social media platforms.
