SkaterS in AdvertS | Girls In Skateboarding: with Saya HadaSSa| SKATE KING 2016| International Ollie ConteSt 2017 | ComicS | MuSic with PowerSlide Band | New kidS SkateNation254

Issue: 002

March /May 2017

Cover: Victor murageTrick: Front Side Flip to gapSkater since 2008Stance: GoofyFav Trick: Kick FlipWould like to skate any country with good spots and friendly people.Last video part was 5 years ago. Maybe one. this yearSKATE MORE!!

Photo credits: Samuel Maguta

Contents

Power Slide Rock Band

From editor’s spot

The first issue of this magazine got us so stoked and weare glad to gather this second issue with more awesome pictures and articles.We feature Kelvin Murage the blaze guy, girl skater Saya Hadassar, and Uhuru Park “review”.

Thanks to the photographers who turned up during photo sessions and more so you, the skater for skating your heart out, building and supporting the scene.

New Kids SkateNation

Girls skaters Saya Hadassa0604

Comics

Feature Kelvin Murage

Nairobi’s SKATE King 2016

Art/Fun section

Highiest Ollie Contest 2017

Guest Writer Nat Canuel

09111416181922

Team PhotographersSamuel MagutaAssist Saviour Kumwaka

Editor & DesignSaviour Kumwaka

Team WritersShuyin BenSamuel MagutaLeo Kilel

AdvisorsDavid MwangiSydney yongo

Special Thanks to Photographers Rob Opiyo (drink.co.ke) Versatile Photographers

Pictures are used with the permission of photographer

March/May 2017

George ZukoFront side 180, to Gap

Photo credit: Versatile Photographers

Skatenation254 is basically a group of young and talentedskateboarders both male and female united together by the spirit of skateboarding. Skateboarding is not just a ‘game’ as most people seem to say, it’s a culture and its roots dig deep. So through Skatenation254, we can use that platform to form a community and get to play a role in growing the skateboarding scene at home.

We recently registered it so we can be recognised legally and allowed to execute plans that are found in our article of memorandum. We plan to construct something useful for us somewhere around.

I would advise skateboarders to form a crew, film themselves doing the amazing tricks we do during our sessions, compile them and release skate videos. With that we can harness the positive energy and skateboarders always anticipate a new skate video. Your videos got to be more lit to every time to stand out, so you better be than the previous one hence fanning the urge of consistently releasing videos. Do it for the love and for the scene

This in turn affects the skateboarding scene directly. o for my last remarks I say videos, videos, videos. #WEAREBLOOD.

I believe that the start-up goal of any skateboarding company is to play a part in the skateboarding scene. Skateboarders always want to see themselves growing no matter how long it might take. However as we are repeatedly told by the pioneer skateboarder Leo, we need to grow the scene together and not just wait for it to pop up mysteriously.

We want to build a skate park. So we are planning to appeal to the government and see if our petition would go through. We have a project that we want to begin during this first half of the year.

Making skate videos is a major way that we get to grow the skate scene. Can you imagine how punctured skateboarding would be if there were no skate videos? It is such an awesome feeling skateboarders hanging out together for a night and get to attend the premier of a skate video as well as having a chill time. Now that is how we get to grow skateboarding in Kenya!

The SkateNation254 Crew

By Tony EvayoCEO

Videos Build the Scene

Build a Skate Park

SkateNation254New Kids

”“Skateboarders always want

to see themselves growing no matter how long it might take

Screenshots of “Breakeven Promo video by Skatenation254

Ollie by Tony Evayo

Fun at a photoshoot by Versatile Photographers organised by Skatenation254

Skatenation254 after a Citizen TV feature interview

Kenya’s Girl skater

Who is Saya Hadassah? I'm just a girl trying to �nd her way in this world; I'm trying to make the most out of life.

Why did you choose skateboarding?It has a sense of belonging, it comes with a family as disfunctional as can be but it's still a family. It's fun.

Who's your role model and why? There's no particular person because di�erent people have di�erent attributes, but the closest person I can think of that has many attributes I can emulate in life- I know it's cliche but it's true for me-it has to be my mum. She's so hardworking; I can't think of anyone more hardworking than her, she's genuinely God fearing, she loves people and has a good heart

What drives you? The fear of dying without having anything to show that you were once alive; dying without achieving anything.How has skateboarding in�uenced you? OMG...my social life. I didn't have a social life before skateboarding; then there's the �tness factor but mostly socialy, it has brought a lot of fun in my life.

What challenges have you faced as a skateboarder? Personal fear, that's my greatest challenge. The mindset that there's no pressure as a female skater,there's no competition so growth is stunted you feel comfortable wherever you are, when everyone complements you for being better you relax. At least if you have a person to play game of skate with you are challenged to raise your standards.Also kenya bus na matatu za Ronga ni major challenge(laughs) tumawe tudogo na mbegu za mabuyu...January Pia ni challenge; bearing zinapasuka, nuts ndio hizo...

What do you wish would be di�erent in the Kenyan skating scene? We ought to be more adventurous. We only have speci�c skating spots you know; shangii, upark, UoN, kile...and that's it we should try experiencing whatever else is out there.

Word to girls who want to skate.Do you have a real honest-to God intentions to? Get a board and start pushing. You only have pebbles (small stones) to fear. by Sharlene Muoki

..I hide my board from my prents and strategize how to leave home with it. ”“

Girl Skaters: Saya Hadassah

MAGAZINE PREVIEW

Who is Kelvin Murage?Well, I’m hust a simple guy who loves Jesus born again Christian..a biker and a very passionate skateboarder. I’m adrenaline driven,

When did you start?I started skating during my �nal year in high school. Few months before KCSE. Met up with a ahighschool mate who I discovered was a skater through Youtube and he introduced me into the art..

How does it feel being the �rst Kenyan skater to blow up on the Ads? Must be awesome!Well, honestly I was really shocked and it was one of my least expectations. I just never even dreamt about it. I was at a point where I din’t really know or worry about what the future had in store for me, so I just gave the love of my life my all until I ended up on the advertisements. It does feel good having made it through a pin-hole sized opportunity.

How did you end up in the Blaze Advert?Well, there is a skater amongst us called Samuel Maguta, he organized the round up of me alonf with a few others. An agency had reached out to him.

When it comes to doing such works, what things can you tell skaters or others to consider when working with the corporate.First thing that many people don’t pay attention to is contracts. First, don’t work without a contract. Second, always read thoroughly through it and if possible have a lawyer interpret it well for you . on set, give your best so that you can have a second chance and make relationships. You never know where they may lead you. Finally, know your worth.

Skaters that inspire your, locally and internationallySkaters that inspire me, locally, number one on that list must be Kevin Maina, this guy is extremely good. He has a really strong skate style and has his tricks on point plus he has been so consistent over the years. Second, is Victor Murage. Even though the work life has him tied down, he still shows up takes some really good slams and lands mind blowing tricks. I feel like I’m into these two skaters part since they all love taking their tricks onto big gaps and stairs which I love to do by the way.Internationally, must be Luan Olivera, ‘cause of his technical skate style and his tricks are on point.Another Arron Jaws homoki for his heart of St OK me when it comes to heights and massive mega gaps.

Your view on the growth of the skate sceneThe scene has changed quite a lot. I think I’ve seen like two or three generations of skaters ride and fall. Currently I think the scene that is present is going to last a lil longer and we’re going to see a lot more breakthroughs.

Kelvin

Feature Interview

MAGAZINE PREVIEW

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