From the blunt mag archive: Inus Wiehahn profile – ‘Riding the Night Train’, blunt 9.2

A bittersweet Q & A between two of South Africa’s best and most beloved, Cape Town skateboarder Inus Wiehahn (RIP) and photographer Gerhard Engelbrecht (RIP). Both are sorely missed.

Words and photos by Gerhard Engelbrecht

Spend enough time in proximity to someone and their essence is bound to rub off on you. So it is with Inus Wiehahn whose older brother is Christi Wiehahn, undoubtedly one of South Africa’s greatest skateboarders of all time. They both have skills on a skateboard, appreciate fast cars and Guns ‘n Roses. They also have a penchant for going large on the town. The question remains: Does Inus feel pressure to follow in his bro’s footsteps or is he content carving out his own niche?

How would you describe yourself?
I’m a down-to-earth guy who loves socialising and partying with my friends. I’ve got a broad taste in music but don’t give me any hard house.

How does it feel to be Christi’s younger brother?
Skating-wise it was tough when I was younger. People always had this high expectation of me because I am Christi’s brother. Nowadays it’s different. We have completely different styles and approaches when it comes to skating. He still has more skills and I look up to him. We get up to a lot of “mischif”.

What sort of “mischif”?
Racing each other in our cars and coming close to having an accident. Wreaking havoc in hotels on tour.

What does skateboarding mean to you?
Skateboarding is pretty much a rad time to chill with my friends, motivating each other to try new tricks. You also get to meet a lot of interesting people.

Give us a brief history of your skateboarding career.
I started skating when I was about 12 and got my first proper sponsor when I was 16. I skated for Boogaloos for a few months and then joined John at 1610. After that I started skating for Psycho until element hooked me up with boards and Ezekiel clothing. Just after the HTH tour in December 2004, I signed up with Quiksilver and also back with Boogaloos.

Skateboarding is pretty much a rad time to chill with my friends, motivating each other to try new tricks. You also get to meet a lot of interesting people.

You work for Boogaloos and skate on their team. Run us through a typical day at work.
Every day is pretty much the same. Get to work, put on some music, assist customers, make some sales and laugh at Kerry’s jokes. He is Mr. Serious.

What are the craziest/dumbest/funniest things customers have asked for?
Got any: cricket helmets, bats, Speedos, swimming goggles, golf clubs. Duh…

What have been your biggest accomplishments?
Still being motivated to skate after eight years and going on the Quiksilver Home Town Heroes tour.

Relate somes stories to us from that road trip.
I had a blast on the Flowrider. Hit my head on the bottom a couple of times. Puddy (Zwennis) was caught on camera robbing a vending machine. Christi, Marc (‘Chippie’ Van Niekerk), Puddy and I had a huge wet toilet paper battle in the corridor of one of the hotels at 3 am. The next day the corridor looked like a ski slope. Puddy and I also got into a bit of wrestling match after a night out. The rockslide was also a highlight. Memorable times…

You are putting together a ‘survival kit’ for a road trip, what do you pack?
Lots of water and Granpa for the headaches, toothbrush, energy tablets for the morning after a big night.

How do you feel about contests?
Contests are rad because it brings everyone together to skate and it’s also a good way of getting exposure.

What is it like to compete against Christi?
I have competed against him quite a lot. I got second place four times. To get a second place to Christi is like winning to me. When he is on form it raises the lever for everyone and that is good.

Is style important to you?
I feel it is important to have your own style.

How far will you push yourself to land a trick? Do you go until you bleed or break something?
It depends on how important the trick is to me. I usually go until I dehydrate.

Is that why you like the rail near the bottle store?
Maybe, maybe not. You decide…

My favourite ride would be the RX-7, lowered onto 20 inch rims with phat HKS turbo and a dope sticker job. And a Veilside body kit, huge exhaust, touring car wing and we are all set.

Hammers or tech and why?
I enjoy a bit of both. My tech skills need work though.

I hear you landed a hardflip to back lip at Canal Walk.
It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m comfortable with kickflips to back lips and normal hardflips, so I decided to give it a go. After a few attempts I stuck it and was super stoked, the raddest flip to slide trick I’ve landed to date.

Let’s talk about other sports. You mentioned surfing, what’s the attraction?
It’s something different. Pure fun with friends and freezing my ass off in the water. The last time I tried it I struggled because the board was too small for me. It’s an iron in the fire.

Both you and Christi are into cars. What would be your ultimate ride?
The RX-7, lowered onto 20 inch rims with phat HKS turbo and a dope sticker job. And a Veilside body kit, huge exhaust, touring car wing and we are all set.

What tunes will accompany you on the road?
Guns ‘n Roses, ‘Night Train’.

Have you travelled abroad? If not, do you have any plans to go and where?
Not yet. I wouldn’t mind touring Europe and hooking up with friends in London.

If you could be a rock star for a week, who would you be and why?
I’d dig to be a member of the ‘old’ Guns ‘n Roses. Axl Rose to be more specific because he’s a legend.

Famous pro riders don’t make me nervous. They may have mad skills but they are ordinary people like everybody else.

Can you see yourself pimping around with long hair and a bandana?
Long hair maybe, but Axl can keep his ‘kopdoek’.

You must have met quite a few famous international pros. Do you get nervous around guys like that?
They don’t make me nervous. They may have mad skills but they are ordinary people like everybody else.

Who was the coolest person to meet?
Reese Forbes because he is super down to earth and a blast to party with.

What did you guys get up to?
Reese asked me to be his wingman one night. I regret going along with that. He doesn’t know when to stop. He almost broke my shoulder. The following morning it was in a spasm.

Do you ever get asked for autographs?
I have been asked for autographs but I don’t really dig it because I am also just an ordinary guy.

What is your all time favourite skate video?
I would have to say the home movies that Christi and I made in our friends back yards. It’s really funny to watch the way we used to skate and dress.

What are your hopes and dreams?
To be successful in life and drive an insane car.

Time for props.
Thanks to God, my family, my girlfriend Laura, and my homies at work. Quiksilver and Boogaloos, Mark (Chippie – Van Niekerk) and Filly (Feluciano Alves). The Zwennis family, Dane Patterson, Miguel (Howell), Bubs (Jeremy Farber), Brendan Body, Gerhard (Engelbrecht), Ryan Hurter, Keith Bushby, blunt magazine, Quintin, John Coetzee and family. All my friends and K-dogg for his inspiration. Peace out yo… Ho!

2022 Update: Inus Wiehahn (RIP) sadly passed away in a car accident in August 2007. Watch this contest run from blunt mag’s old YouTube page for just a tiny glimpse into the skills and style of this great South African skateboarder and all round good guy taken from us tragically before his time. RIP, Inus.