a word from Dallas..."Skateboarding is inspiration to visualize, focus and create.
An uplifting expression of our abilities amongst the energies of earth."

My journey through skateboarding:

1989: Built a backyard ramp at Jason's house.

1990: Got sponsored by local shop and skated as much as possible.

1991: Skateboarding was booming with a seven leg national Championship. Titled S.A. champion on Vertical and Mini ramps, 3rd on Street And best all rounder.

1992: Featured on 411 int. Video magazine. First session with Tony Hawk.

1993: National skate contestsseries got us traveling all over the country and meeting new people, skating new spots got us all psyched.

1994-1996: Skateboarding went underground in S.A. as it went through a lull around the world. I was left skateboarding solo around Pietermaritzburg University while doing a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. Started Surfing.

1997: The South African skate scene was still way too quiet, it was time to hit up the skateboarding meccas. Arrived in Vancouver visited a skate shop and heard about the Slam City Jam, competed in this World Cup event, qualified in the top 20 and skated for the first time with skaters who were my idols. WCS invited me to the X-games, I was like, "what's that?". Bought a Jeep Wrangler and set off on a road trip from Canada to Argentina. En-route through the states I was amazed at the hospitality of skaters who took me in. In Oregon I experienced my first skate camp at Windell's which got me thinking Through Mexico I surfed the Pacific coast and smashed my front teeth skating in Oaxaca. 1998: Further South I experienced much adventure snowboarding, surfing and skating through 15 countries. In Peru I was pleased to come across a thriving skate scene after having skated mostly solo in plazas around Latin America. In Lima I came across a mini ramp contest where I got a 1st place and much needed new clothes. In Brazil I walked into a Jaguars lair, knocked into Anacondas and skated sketchy concrete parks.

1999: Back in SA skating was showing signs of a revival. Moved to Cape Town and traveled up the garden route to skate the Winterslam - 1st Street, 1st Ramp and best trick. Downhill skateboarding came to us speed freaks out of thin air and I decided to go with it - 2nd Red Bull Downhill Extreme.

2000: With support from sponsors who digged the downhill thing, I was able to compete in the European World Cup of Skateboarding where I rode Vert and Street in all 4 contests throughout Europe. The highlight was skating the Quicksilver Bowlriders, never before had I witnessed balls to the wall skating like that John Cardiel backside 360 transfer on a broken board???. While residing at a Snowboard Camp I entered a Skate / Snow crossover event. My main goal was the European Downhill Championships where I got a 1st place at the Hot Heels Downhill festival and an Interview on CNN international news. That November I skated in the Australian X-games: 5th - Downhill Skateboarding Made Qualifications on the vert ramp and skated in the semi finals. 2nd Red Bull Downhill Extreme.

2001: Spent 4 months skating downhills in Europe and America. Qualified as the 5th seed for the Gravity Games, which made me realize the nasty competitive side of skateboarding. Found friends and stoke skating again in the Quicksilver Bowlriders in France. 3rd place in the Red Bull DHX. Returned to Brazil to skate down from the Christ Statue - 3rd place Red Bull Down Rio.

2002: Moved to Durban when hearing about the ultimate skate park to be built at Wave House. Attacked the park too hard and for the wrong reasons, broke the ACL ligaments in my knee. Skated with Tony Hawk again. Had surgery on both knees - end of skating for year. Focused on giving back to skateboarding, realized the joy of passing on the gift of skateboarding. Somehow I was lead to the Valley of 1000 Hills in search of a natural environment and enthusiastic community which would embrace the Indigo Skate Camp. Traveled to the States and talked to fellow skaters about establishing the first skate camp in Africa at the ASR. Visited Bob Burnquist's house and invited Mike V to the camp.

2003: Began working at Wave House as skateboarding events manager. Strengthened knees by returning to the BMX for a while. Built the mini ramp at the Msomi house. Hosted Mike V. at the camp as well as the Volcom team accompanied by the all knowing Jake Phelps. Through the skate camp we discovered many new skate spots.

2004: Element saw the documentary filmed with Mike V. at the Indigo Skate Camp. They sighted our camp as something they would like to help nurture so they flew me to their Visalia skate camp in California to learn from their creation. There I met with the Element team and founders. A motivating experience meeting people who believe in doing well by doing good. A rewarding experience learning from the camp's program and instructors. Element committed to sending needed product for the Indigo Skate Camp. After a successful trade show I entered the best trick contest on the ASR mini ramp and to my surprise I won the comp. Looking for a test of skateboarding endurance I entered the first World Cup Trifecta 3 day Bowlriding contest - 11th place overall, left broken for a week. For the first time I entered the Germiston Bowlriders an event I have been running for the past 5 years 1st place. 3rd place Street at the LG Expo. Looking for funding for the camp I brought 12 Zulu youths up to Johannesburg to represent our concept at the 49th Annual World Conference for Small Businesses where we were awarded - best stand, we saw the president had free buffet lunches but received no funding.

2005: Indigo Skate Camp represented at the African Tourism Trade Show, we set up ramps and had the Amazulu skaters singing, dancing and skating all day in their traditional Zulu skins. We got good exposure through our presence at the Indaba Trade show and made news on the BBC web pg. Skated a comp and won a ticket to Europe, Element once again flew me onward to USA where we made further plans to grow Indigo Skate Camp. Opened Indigo Skate Shop on the 16th of June, the same day Element opened their first store in NYC. I decided to stock only Element goods in our store as I wish to promote the positive message of Element and I believe we have a solid future together. I would like our store to radiate the Element ideals at the North Beach Skate Park. There we have met with a gang of street kids who we encourage to skate everyday. Skateboarding is providing these youths with purpose and keeping them off destructive drugs. We believe they will have a role to play at Indigo Skate Camp soon as it can be their ticket to escape the harsh streets of Durban.

2006: 3rd place LG Expo. Skated with Hawk again. Received funding from Element and The Sports Trust to continue building the Msomi Skate Park at the camp.

2007: We have made the necessary improvements to the Msomi household to host the camps in the household which maintains our vision. We have converted 2 rondavels into dormitory accommodation and built flushable toilets and showers for campers.

2009: Traveled to Germany with Indigo skate coaches, hosted Tony Hawk and the Element USA family at Indigo Skate Camp.