A March morning in 1999 on
Glen Road above Camps Bay.
A global energy-drink operation
brought its entire circus to
Cape Town for South Africa’s first
longboard competition.
Glen Road above Camps Bay.
A global energy-drink operation
brought its entire circus to
Cape Town for South Africa’s first
longboard competition.
American and European longboarders in protective gear gathered on the mountain above a
long winding road that leads to the sea. A boy, age 19, stood among them; he was from
the suburb Cape Flats. He wore shorts and a T-shirt with long socks sticking up from his
Adidas shelltoes. The competition would start soon. And the young man in just shorts and
T-shirt would participate – on his usual skateboard. Kent Lingeveldt was the odd bird on the mountain.
Five years earlier on his 14th birthday, his
cousin gave him his first skateboard.
His cousin’s old board launched the start of
Kent’s career. In 2018 – 24 years after he got
his first skateboard – we visited Kent at his
workshop in Woodstock, Cape Town. Here, he
creates unrivalled longboards under the
Alpha Longboards brand. He is probably the
best board builder in South Africa – and completely self-taught. Since 1994, skateboarding has
been a natural part of his life and career.
“I sometimes struggle to remember who I was before I
started skateboarding,” he said. “It’s like skateboarding
defines me and who I am. When I was young I used to
live with my grandma and my skateboarding cousin,
that I thought was really cool. I watched him and his
friends skate every day after school. We were poor, and
I couldn’t afford a board, but on my 14th birthday, he
gave me his old board.”
Kent was a loner, a guy who never liked team sports – or being one of many in a crowd. He’s forged his own trail since he was a young man. The skateboard became his key to freedom.
“Skateboarding made complete sense to me,” he explained. “I could do this on my own, and it was connected with freedom. The skateboard meant I could explore areas beyond where walking could take me. It was freedom on wheels.” Kent is the founder and owner of Alpha Longboards. He started his career as a board builder in 2001 – without any experience – simply because he couldn’t afford to buy expensive factory-made boards.
“When I found longboarding, I dropped the trick and street-part of skateboarding,” he said. “Longer boards with bigger, softer wheels were my thing and suited my way of riding. But I couldn’t really afford the boards, I was a guy from the ‘Flats’, you know?”
Kent bought the cheapest plywood he could find and got to work. Back then, the worldwide web wasn’t the information gold mine it is today. So he had to teach himself. By talking to carpenters and boat builders, he learned how to shape the plywood the way he wanted it. He bought wheels and trucks. He said that he frankensteined the board together. And it worked, and Kent’s new career as shaper and board builder was launched.
Kent was a loner, a guy who never liked team sports – or being one of many in a crowd. He’s forged his own trail since he was a young man. The skateboard became his key to freedom.
“Skateboarding made complete sense to me,” he explained. “I could do this on my own, and it was connected with freedom. The skateboard meant I could explore areas beyond where walking could take me. It was freedom on wheels.” Kent is the founder and owner of Alpha Longboards. He started his career as a board builder in 2001 – without any experience – simply because he couldn’t afford to buy expensive factory-made boards.
“When I found longboarding, I dropped the trick and street-part of skateboarding,” he said. “Longer boards with bigger, softer wheels were my thing and suited my way of riding. But I couldn’t really afford the boards, I was a guy from the ‘Flats’, you know?”
Kent bought the cheapest plywood he could find and got to work. Back then, the worldwide web wasn’t the information gold mine it is today. So he had to teach himself. By talking to carpenters and boat builders, he learned how to shape the plywood the way he wanted it. He bought wheels and trucks. He said that he frankensteined the board together. And it worked, and Kent’s new career as shaper and board builder was launched.
“Skateboarding made
complete sense to me.
It was freedom on wheels.”
complete sense to me.
It was freedom on wheels.”
“I was probably the first colored skateboard builder in
South Africa. And with no experience, and knowledge, I
made so many mistakes in the beginning. Mistakes I learned from. Now, 17 years later, I’m still learning every day.
Learning never ends in this business.”
It didn’t take long before his friends asked him if he could build boards for them – and so it rolled …
Shortly thereafter he created his Alpha Longboards brand. Alpha is the name of the first letter of the alphabet – a beginning – and this was what Kent wanted to symbolize with the name choice. “I wanted something to symbolize the start. The beginning of something, like it was for me when I stepped up on a skateboard for the first time. What I didn’t know was that a white guy in Durban already had made skateboards in the 1970s and 1980s under the name Alpha. But how was I to know? A young black guy from Cape Flats – pretty far from a white guy in Durban at that time.”
It didn’t take long before his friends asked him if he could build boards for them – and so it rolled …
Shortly thereafter he created his Alpha Longboards brand. Alpha is the name of the first letter of the alphabet – a beginning – and this was what Kent wanted to symbolize with the name choice. “I wanted something to symbolize the start. The beginning of something, like it was for me when I stepped up on a skateboard for the first time. What I didn’t know was that a white guy in Durban already had made skateboards in the 1970s and 1980s under the name Alpha. But how was I to know? A young black guy from Cape Flats – pretty far from a white guy in Durban at that time.”
“It’s such a great
feeling to make first
boards for the kids.
To see the expressions
on their faces when
they realize this is
the start of
something new.”
Kent observed that there were many young boys and girls who never wanted to skateboard but willingly started
with longboard. They didn’t need to be so cool and do a
lot of tricks – or relate to any rules. It was just freedom.
“It’s such a great feeling to make first boards for the kids. To see the expressions on their faces when they realize this is the start of something new. Their possible new life, their future on the board. The beginning of something they’ve always wanted to do.”
Kent’s longboards are not standard items. Each board is created based on one of the basic models Kent has in his workshop – then it’s designed and decorated in Alpha’s typical style – based on Kent’s background and the 5–6 artists he works with. Every board is a customized, hand-painted work of art.
“I grew up right at the end of apartheid, when there were many political discussions. My neighborhood was covered with political slogans. Graffiti was just catching on in South Africa. I guess that gave me the idea to base my boards on people’s stories and my own life. I have stories to tell. If I can do that on my boards, then I’m doing exactly what I want to do. Work with my hands, with my hobby – creating unique pieces that are meaningful to their owners.”
“It’s such a great feeling to make first boards for the kids. To see the expressions on their faces when they realize this is the start of something new. Their possible new life, their future on the board. The beginning of something they’ve always wanted to do.”
Kent’s longboards are not standard items. Each board is created based on one of the basic models Kent has in his workshop – then it’s designed and decorated in Alpha’s typical style – based on Kent’s background and the 5–6 artists he works with. Every board is a customized, hand-painted work of art.
“I grew up right at the end of apartheid, when there were many political discussions. My neighborhood was covered with political slogans. Graffiti was just catching on in South Africa. I guess that gave me the idea to base my boards on people’s stories and my own life. I have stories to tell. If I can do that on my boards, then I’m doing exactly what I want to do. Work with my hands, with my hobby – creating unique pieces that are meaningful to their owners.”
Kent is something of a legend in Cape Town, and we
understand why, considering his history, his distinctive riding style, and his warm personality.
And what about the competition at the start of this story? Redbull Downhill Cape Town 1999? What made a 19-year-old street skateboarder go up the mountain among all the professionals?
“I grew up in the Table Mountain foothills. There’s always a hill somewhere, and we needed to skate them to get anywhere. So I thought: I can do this too!”
So despite lack of equipment and the right kind of board, Kent participated, and many of the other participants glanced at him more than once. What kind of odd bird had appeared among them?
Unfortunately, it didn’t have a Cinderella ending – that the odd bird easily won over all others. But Kent showed everyone his stamina and finished at a decent placement in the middle in the competition – and a new star in longboard heaven was born.
We left Kent sanding his board in his Woodstock workshop and we headed onto the sunny street – an experience and a personality richer. As we traveled along the sea from Kent’s workshop, we glanced up toward Table Mountain and the road that twists down the mountain to the sea. Standing on a longboard or a skateboard and rolling down those slopes, well… they gotta be crazy to do it.
And what about the competition at the start of this story? Redbull Downhill Cape Town 1999? What made a 19-year-old street skateboarder go up the mountain among all the professionals?
“I grew up in the Table Mountain foothills. There’s always a hill somewhere, and we needed to skate them to get anywhere. So I thought: I can do this too!”
So despite lack of equipment and the right kind of board, Kent participated, and many of the other participants glanced at him more than once. What kind of odd bird had appeared among them?
Unfortunately, it didn’t have a Cinderella ending – that the odd bird easily won over all others. But Kent showed everyone his stamina and finished at a decent placement in the middle in the competition – and a new star in longboard heaven was born.
We left Kent sanding his board in his Woodstock workshop and we headed onto the sunny street – an experience and a personality richer. As we traveled along the sea from Kent’s workshop, we glanced up toward Table Mountain and the road that twists down the mountain to the sea. Standing on a longboard or a skateboard and rolling down those slopes, well… they gotta be crazy to do it.
American and European longboarders in protective gear gathered
on the mountain above a long winding road that leads to the sea.
A boy, age 19, stood among them; he was from the suburb Cape Flats.
He wore shorts and a T-shirt with long socks sticking up from his
Adidas shelltoes. The competition would start soon.
And the young man in just shorts and T-shirt would
participate – on his usual skateboard.
Kent Lingeveldt was the odd bird on the mountain.
on the mountain above a long winding road that leads to the sea.
A boy, age 19, stood among them; he was from the suburb Cape Flats.
He wore shorts and a T-shirt with long socks sticking up from his
Adidas shelltoes. The competition would start soon.
And the young man in just shorts and T-shirt would
participate – on his usual skateboard.
Kent Lingeveldt was the odd bird on the mountain.
Five years earlier on his 14th birthday, his cousin gave him his first skat-
eboard. His cousin’s old board launched the start of Kent’s career.
In 2018 – 24 years after he got his first skateboard – we visited Kent at
his workshop in Woodstock, Cape Town. Here, he creates unrivalled long-
boards under the Alpha Longboards brand. He is probably the best board
builder in South Africa – and completely self-taught. Since 1994, skate-
boarding has been a natural part of his life and career.
eboard. His cousin’s old board launched the start of Kent’s career.
In 2018 – 24 years after he got his first skateboard – we visited Kent at
his workshop in Woodstock, Cape Town. Here, he creates unrivalled long-
boards under the Alpha Longboards brand. He is probably the best board
builder in South Africa – and completely self-taught. Since 1994, skate-
boarding has been a natural part of his life and career.
“I sometimes struggle to remember who I was before I started skateboarding,” he
said. “It’s like skateboarding defines me and who I am. When I was young I used to
live with my grandma and my skateboarding cousin, that I thought was really cool.
I watched him and his friends skate every day after school. We were poor, and I
couldn’t afford a board, but on my 14th birthday, he gave me his old board.”
Kent was a loner, a guy who never liked team sports – or being one of many in a
crowd. He’s forged his own trail since he was a young man. The skateboard became his key to freedom.
said. “It’s like skateboarding defines me and who I am. When I was young I used to
live with my grandma and my skateboarding cousin, that I thought was really cool.
I watched him and his friends skate every day after school. We were poor, and I
couldn’t afford a board, but on my 14th birthday, he gave me his old board.”
Kent was a loner, a guy who never liked team sports – or being one of many in a
crowd. He’s forged his own trail since he was a young man. The skateboard became his key to freedom.
“Skateboarding made
complete sense to me.
It was freedom on wheels.”
complete sense to me.
It was freedom on wheels.”
“It’s such a great feeling to
make first boards for the kids.
To see the expressions on
their faces when they realize
this is the start of
something new.”
make first boards for the kids.
To see the expressions on
their faces when they realize
this is the start of
something new.”
“Skateboarding made complete sense to me,” he explained. “I could do this on my
own, and it was connected with freedom. The skateboard meant I could explore
areas beyond where walking could take me. It was freedom on wheels.” Kent is the
founder and owner of Alpha Longboards. He started his career as a board builder in
2001 – without any experience – simply because he couldn’t afford to buy expensive
factory-made boards.
“When I found longboarding, I dropped the trick and street-part of skateboarding,”
he said. “Longer boards with bigger, softer wheels were my thing and suited my
way of riding. But I couldn’t really afford the boards, I was a guy from the ‘Flats’, you
know?”
Kent bought the cheapest plywood he could find and got to work. Back then, the
worldwide web wasn’t the information gold mine it is today. So he had to teach
himself. By talking to carpenters and boat builders, he learned how to shape the
plywood the way he wanted it. He bought wheels and trucks. He said that he fran-
kensteined the board together. And it worked, and Kent’s new career as shaper and
board builder was launched.
“I was probably the first colored skateboard builder in South Africa. And with no ex-
perience, and knowledge, I made so many mistakes in the beginning. Mistakes I lear-
ned from. Now, 17 years later, I’m still learning every day. Learning never ends in this
business.”
It didn’t take long before his friends asked him if he could build boards for them –
and so it rolled …
own, and it was connected with freedom. The skateboard meant I could explore
areas beyond where walking could take me. It was freedom on wheels.” Kent is the
founder and owner of Alpha Longboards. He started his career as a board builder in
2001 – without any experience – simply because he couldn’t afford to buy expensive
factory-made boards.
“When I found longboarding, I dropped the trick and street-part of skateboarding,”
he said. “Longer boards with bigger, softer wheels were my thing and suited my
way of riding. But I couldn’t really afford the boards, I was a guy from the ‘Flats’, you
know?”
Kent bought the cheapest plywood he could find and got to work. Back then, the
worldwide web wasn’t the information gold mine it is today. So he had to teach
himself. By talking to carpenters and boat builders, he learned how to shape the
plywood the way he wanted it. He bought wheels and trucks. He said that he fran-
kensteined the board together. And it worked, and Kent’s new career as shaper and
board builder was launched.
“I was probably the first colored skateboard builder in South Africa. And with no ex-
perience, and knowledge, I made so many mistakes in the beginning. Mistakes I lear-
ned from. Now, 17 years later, I’m still learning every day. Learning never ends in this
business.”
It didn’t take long before his friends asked him if he could build boards for them –
and so it rolled …
Shortly thereafter he created his Alpha Longboards brand. Alpha is the name of the
first letter of the alphabet – a beginning – and this was what Kent wanted to symbolize
with the name choice. “I wanted something to symbolize the start. The beginning
of something, like it was for me when I stepped up on a skateboard for the first time.
What I didn’t know was that a white guy in Durban already had made skateboards in the 1970s
and 1980s under the name Alpha. But how was I to know? A young black guy from Cape Flats –
pretty far from a white guy in Durban at that time.”
Kent observed that there were many young boys and girls who never wanted to skateboard but willingly started with longboard. They didn’t need to be so cool and do a lot of tricks – or relate to any rules. It was just freedom.
“It’s such a great feeling to make first boards for the kids. To see the expressions on their faces when they realize this is the start of something new. Their possible new life, their future on the board. The beginning of something they’ve always wanted to do.” Kent’s longboards are not standard items.
Each board is created based on one of the basic models Kent
has in his workshop – then it’s designed and decorated in
Alpha’s typical style – based on Kent’s background and the
5–6 artists he works with. Every board is a customized,
hand-painted work of art.
“I grew up right at the end of apartheid, when there were
many political discus sions. My neighborhood was covered with
political slogans. Graffiti was just catching on in South
Africa. I guess that gave me the idea to base my boards on
people’s stories and my own life. I have stories to tell. If
I can do that on my boards, then I’m doing exactly what I want
to do. Work with my hands, with my hobby – creating unique
pieces that are meaningful to their owners.”
Kent observed that there were many young boys and girls who never wanted to skateboard but willingly started with longboard. They didn’t need to be so cool and do a lot of tricks – or relate to any rules. It was just freedom.
“It’s such a great feeling to make first boards for the kids. To see the expressions on their faces when they realize this is the start of something new. Their possible new life, their future on the board. The beginning of something they’ve always wanted to do.” Kent’s longboards are not standard items.
Each board is created based on one of the basic models Kent
has in his workshop – then it’s designed and decorated in
Alpha’s typical style – based on Kent’s background and the
5–6 artists he works with. Every board is a customized,
hand-painted work of art.
“I grew up right at the end of apartheid, when there were
many political discus sions. My neighborhood was covered with
political slogans. Graffiti was just catching on in South
Africa. I guess that gave me the idea to base my boards on
people’s stories and my own life. I have stories to tell. If
I can do that on my boards, then I’m doing exactly what I want
to do. Work with my hands, with my hobby – creating unique
pieces that are meaningful to their owners.”
“I wanted something
to symbolize the start.
The beginning of
something, like it was
for me when I stepped
up on a skateboard
for the first time.
to symbolize the start.
The beginning of
something, like it was
for me when I stepped
up on a skateboard
for the first time.
We couldn’t help taking a sneak-peek at a photo on the wall behind us.
Kent is pictured with former Archbishop Desmond Tutu who is holding his longboard
with his portrait on it. Impressive.
Kent is something of a legend in Cape Town, and we understand why, considering
his history, his distinctive riding style, and his warm personality.
And what about the competition at the start of this story? Redbull Downhill Cape
Town 1999? What made a 19-year-old street skateboarder go up the mountain
among all the professionals?
“I grew up in the Table Mountain foothills. There’s always a hill somewhere, and we
needed to skate them to get anywhere. So I thought: I can do this too!”
So despite lack of equipment and the right kind of board, Kent participated, and
many of the other participants glanced at him more than once. What kind of odd
bird had appeared among them?
Unfortunately, it didn’t have a Cinderella ending – that the odd bird easily won
over all others. But Kent showed everyone his stamina and finished at a decent
placement in the middle in the competition – and a new star in longboard heaven
was born.
We left Kent sanding his board in his Woodstock workshop and we headed onto the
sunny street – an experience and a personality richer. As we traveled along the sea
from Kent’s workshop, we glanced up toward Table Mountain and the road that
twists down the mountain to the sea. Standing on a longboard or a skateboard and
rolling down those slopes, well… they gotta be crazy to do it.
Kent is pictured with former Archbishop Desmond Tutu who is holding his longboard
with his portrait on it. Impressive.
Kent is something of a legend in Cape Town, and we understand why, considering
his history, his distinctive riding style, and his warm personality.
And what about the competition at the start of this story? Redbull Downhill Cape
Town 1999? What made a 19-year-old street skateboarder go up the mountain
among all the professionals?
“I grew up in the Table Mountain foothills. There’s always a hill somewhere, and we
needed to skate them to get anywhere. So I thought: I can do this too!”
So despite lack of equipment and the right kind of board, Kent participated, and
many of the other participants glanced at him more than once. What kind of odd
bird had appeared among them?
Unfortunately, it didn’t have a Cinderella ending – that the odd bird easily won
over all others. But Kent showed everyone his stamina and finished at a decent
placement in the middle in the competition – and a new star in longboard heaven
was born.
We left Kent sanding his board in his Woodstock workshop and we headed onto the
sunny street – an experience and a personality richer. As we traveled along the sea
from Kent’s workshop, we glanced up toward Table Mountain and the road that
twists down the mountain to the sea. Standing on a longboard or a skateboard and
rolling down those slopes, well… they gotta be crazy to do it.
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