The ‘Skateboarding Commission’: A new organisation for Olympic qualification is being formed by Roller Sport South Africa

Roller Sport South Africa (RSSA) is the official federation of all skating sports in South Africa. Despite some resistance from a minority in the local skateboarding community, their SA ‘Skateboarding Commission’ – which aims to represent contest skating at club, provincial, national and international level – is currently the only route for South African skateboarders to qualify for select sanctioned global skateboarding events, including the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Words by Miles Masterson (bluntEd). Photos by Wendy Gila.

RSSA represents roller skating and other skating disciplines, including most recently, with its introduction to the Olympics, skateboarding. Founded in 1959, the federation is recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and falls under World Skate, a Swiss organisation governing ‘roller and sports’ globally and designated to administer skateboarding at the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

On the face of it, it’s a positive step for skateboarding in the country. But the RSSA ‘Skateboarding Commission’ has also triggered mixed reactions in the local skate community. Here, like overseas, there has always been resistance from skaters to organisations such as RSSA – which is not run by skateboarders – administering the competitive aspect of skateboarding. 

But that’s the whole point, counters RSSA secretary Wendy Gila, who has almost single handedly driven the formation of this new entity. “It’s time for SA skateboarders to take responsibility for their sport,” she says.

Skateboarding at the Olympics

Skateboarding featured for the first time in the 2020 Olympics and was enormously popular, securing its permanent place. Four South African skaters attended the 2020 Olympics (held belatedly in Tokyo in 2021 due to COVID): Dallas Oberholzer and Melissa Williams of Cape Town in Park; and Brandon Valjalo of Gauteng and Boipelo Awuah of Kimberley in Street.

“South Africa’s Olympic skateboarders arguably would not have made it to Tokyo if it was not for the efforts of Wendy Gila, then-President of RSSA, who felt duty bound to get them there and dealt with a mountain of obstacles to do so, including almost no funding and miles of red-tape. Yet Wendy persevered and managed to secure their presence at the games.”

They would arguably would not have made it to Tokyo if it was not for the efforts of Wendy, then-President of RSSA, who felt duty bound to get them there and dealt with a mountain of obstacles to do so, including almost no funding and miles of red-tape. Yet Wendy, who had already accompanied a team of SA skateboarders to the World Skate world championships in Rome a few months before the Olympics, persevered and managed to secure their presence at the games. “I have never received one cent for my administrative work in skating, I just really love it,” she says.

While a small nation in the global skate scene, South Africa is considered the strongest skateboarding country on the continent. The IOC wanted athletes from all regions represented in skateboarding’s debut at the Olympics, which is why they smoothed the way for their qualification. 

Though not without detractors, who might have felt others should have attended in their place, with the support of the IOC, World Skate and SASCOC, these four SA skateboarders were able to attend on available points within national and global skate contest rankings. 

However, the country did not strictly adhere to the ‘feeder’ system for Olympic qualification already set up in leading skateboarding countries like the US or Australia. These require formal structures throughout, from club to provincial, national and then international level. Each must adhere to a list of rules regarding how qualifying events are hosted, such as judging criteria and other requirements  – including mandatory drug tests.

SA has not had a nationwide competitive skateboarding structure in place since the National Skate Association (NSA) folded in 2019. But we weren’t the only ones. As skateboarding was new to the Olympics, many other nations also did not have the infrastructure in place for formal qualification, and so were allowed some leniency in their selection processes. But that was a once off and next time all countries must adhere to these requirements to qualify for the 2024 world games.

“Wendy recently travelled the country to push for skateboarders to take ownership of running their sport through this proposed structure. Since then, several affiliated skate clubs have been established around the country, including the Cape Town Skate Club at The Shred Skate Park, at Thrashers Skate Park in Pretoria and the Kommetjie Skateboarding Association.”

Though the four qualifying South African skateboarders did not win any medals at the 2020 Olympics, they made countless new friends and had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The knowledge gained will benefit everyone back home and also laid the foundation necessary for the formation of RSSA’s ‘Skateboarding Commission’.

Wendy recently travelled the country to push for skateboarders to take ownership of running their sport through this proposed structure. Since then, several affiliated skate clubs have been established around the country, including the Cape Town Skate Club at The Shred Skate Park, at Thrashers Skate Park in Pretoria (see interviews below) and the Kommetjie Skateboarding Association, with more to follow.

Skateboard Community Pushback

You would expect the response in any sport to be overwhelmingly receptive to this kind of development. But skateboarding is not really a ‘sport’. For most skaters it is something that cannot be bound by rules, and is more a way of life. Worldwide, scores of great street skaters avoid contests, preferring to film videos and shoot photos, and many feel that the sport’s inclusion at the Olympics will take skateboarding in the wrong direction as a commercial “sell out” sport.

On the other hand, other skaters and organisations might be support of skate contests, but feel the sport’s structures should be 100% independent – and resent being lumped with other roller sports organisations and being told what to do by non-skaters. This has ostensibly caused problems within the sport worldwide, for example resulting in recent events being cancelled and management problems at the American World Skate affiliate federation, USA Skateboarding.

Regardless, it is common for sports administrators to get flak from all corners, as it comes with this often thankless job. But Wendy was surprised she had such a strong negative push back from some in SA skateboarding. This included a few older skateboarders active in the community and independent competitive structures, some of whom want nothing to do with the RSSA or its efforts to set up the Skate Commission.

“We are pushing as hard as we can to establish a structure where every member in the country will have a vote for a skateboarding committee to run skateboarding,” says Wendy. “Many people in the last four years have attempted or spoken about starting a federation, but absolutely nothing has happened. We are not forcing this on anyone. It is a World Skate regulation.”

The main issue cited by the naysayers is the involvement of people who do not skateboard being in charge of its competitive structures is that they do not understand the sport or have its best interests at heart and will misrepresent it. Some even suggested they will instead start their own independent umbrella organisation as an alternative to RSSA’s Skate Commission, though a meaningful alternative has yet to materialise.

Ironically, Wendy agrees with these critics, explaining that RSSA has no intention of running skateboarding in South Africa, and in fact they want to hand over the administration of the sport to local skateboarders and to step back from it completely. 

Clubs and provinces will have the freedom to form their own constitutions under the RSSA’s guidance. The aim is that these clubs will hold qualifying events and form provincial entities (three clubs are required to create a provincial structure) and feed skaters into regional and national championships and ultimately the Olympics. Skate clubs and other entities are also free to run their own events, without any ties to the Skate Commission, though if not sanctioned by the RSSA, such contests will not count towards Olympic qualification.

“We are pushing as hard as we can to establish a structure where every member in the country will have a vote for a skateboarding committee to run skateboarding,” says Wendy. “Many people in the last four years have attempted or spoken about starting a federation, but absolutely nothing has happened. We are not forcing this on anyone. It is a World Skate regulation.”

Of course, being part of the RSSA / World Skate / IOC qualifying system will bring with it a ton of rules and admin, which is an obstacle in itself. Tireless work is required to set up structures and events, which is always a challenge, as it depends mostly on volunteers who do not get paid for their time and often have to deal with all kinds of hassles that come with it.

Yet Wendy believes that the local skateboarding community absolutely needs to step up and fill the void left by the NSA. If it does not, the risk exists that if SA skateboarding cannot take care of its own administration, our skateboarders might not make it to the next Olympics.  

For now, forming clubs affiliated to the RSSA’s ‘Skate Commission is the first step on that pathway.

The Positives for SA Skateboarding

The issues around non-skateboarders being involved in the sport aside, some skateboarders also fear that the Olympics will cause the sport to lose its rebellious punk rock soul – thanks mainly to the inclusion of stricter and more rigid criteria for judging something that is essentially based on creative expression – and breed a generation of jock-like mainstream ‘athletes’.

But, despite the detractors, there has also been a lot of support for RSSA from the majority of the SA skate community, especially from those who believe the benefits of such a structure outweigh the negatives, far beyond just Olympic qualification. 

Whatever your feelings on the subject, there is no doubt that a well-run skate contest can create a great community spirit and push performances up a few notches – not to mention the publicity, prize money and sponsor endorsement cheques that come with larger events. 

Skate comps are also good for the skate industry, injecting interest, bringing in new blood and giving people a chance to work in the sport and maybe earn a living – including sponsors, skate parks, contest organisers, photographers, media workers, judges and more, all necessary for the sport to thrive. 

“The timing of the ‘Skate Commission’ could not be better. Competitive and organised skateboarding is growing rapidly, especially through widespread efforts of grass roots organisations from Eyethu Skate Park in Hout Bay, Cape Town to Girls Skate clinics at SHAPA Soweto and other community skate events in Gauteng, KZN and elsewhere.”

With the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics there is also increasing attention being directed towards skating by government and state entities, with budgets already allocated to its development in several provinces. “The Gauteng Provincial government has decided to make skateboarding a priority sport and offered support to get infrastructure in helping clubs in the region,” says Wendy.

Olympic-related training and development programmes that will hopefully follow, with a focus on women and underprivileged youth in particular, will create more opportunities for SA skateboarders, especially younger skaters, township kids and girls. Skateboarding competitions can also help to uplift communities and empower more kids to take up the sport, which is something sorely needed in SA. 

The timing could not be better. Competitive and organised skateboarding is growing rapidly, especially through widespread efforts of grass roots organisations from Eyethu Skate Park in Hout Bay, Cape Town to Girls Skate clinics at SHAPA Soweto and other community skate events in Gauteng, KZN and elsewhere. New skateparks are also appearing nationwide, which are the ideal locations to become club venues required for Skate Commission affiliated skate clubs.

The potential is there for SA to lead the entire continent as a new force in skateboarding, much like Brazil has done for South America in the past decade. Of course, there will always be major obstacles. South African skateboarding is a miniscule scene compared to almost every other established country in the sport internationally, and suffers a general lack of support, a weak currency and long distances to travel to get to overseas events. 

Yet the overwhelming sentiment among SA skateboarders is that RSSA’s push to form the SA Skateboarding Commission is the right – and perhaps only – way to ensure the sport continues to grow here on an amateur level and that our youth will get their chance to compete on the biggest world sporting stage: The Olympic Games.

And maybe, thanks to these efforts, one day some young South African township kid, just now landing their first flips or even experiencing their first tentative pushes on a board, might stand on the podium holding up a gold medal for their country. 

Surely that is something all South African skateboarders can get behind.

For more on RSSA and World Skate go to the RSSA Facebook page and World Skate’s website.

If you would like to form a RSSA ‘Skate Commission’ affiliated skate club in your area download the documents below or for more information email: hello@bluntmagza.com

Check out some of Wendy Gila’s photos from the 2021 World Skate World Champs and Tokyo Olympics:

The ‘Skate Commission’ Skate Park Perspective – The Shred and Thrashers Skate Park Owner Q&As

blunt interviewed Mark Baker of The Shred Skate Park in Cape Town and Bianca Van Zyl of Thrashers in Pretoria, the owners of two South Africa’s largest private skate parks, who are both starting skate clubs affiliated to the RSSA’s ‘Skate Commission’.

Mark Baker – The Shred Skate Park, Cape Town

Do you think the push by RSSA to form a South African Skateboarding Commission to represent SA skateboarding on their national committee, in particular to nurture skateboarding in the country to an Olympic level, is a positive or negative development for South African skateboarding and why? What do you think the pros and cons of this happening might be for skateboarding in South Africa?

Positive, as I think Skateboarding in SA needs someone to steer the ship. RSSA has stepped up to the challenge and got athletes to the 2020(1) Olympics. Many don’t like the rules that come with RSSA, but this is what has to happen for it to be a recognised body. Skateboarding in SA needs structure and Wendy of RSSA has provided this. Pros: skaters that want to compete on that level now have the platform and representation. Cons: formalises a sport that generally does not follow rules, but skaters as the individuals that they are can now pick a side (or do both!).  

RSSA say they have experienced some push back, negativity or even indifference from some people in the SA skate scene who are negative about this development or do not want to be involved at all? This is also echoed internationally, where some prominent people in skateboarding are against the Olympics for example. Why do you think this might be? Do you think they don’t want people outside of skateboarding controlling the sport competitively, or even that this might change skateboarding into something unrecognisable?

Yes, there definitely has been push back globally, but with any Olympic sport there are rules, forms to fill out and even drug tests and many don’t like this. But that is the beauty of skateboarding, you can choose to sign up and compete internationally, or simply continue unaffected, which many have done. Prior to the Olympics the park and street skate scene was amazing, now it seems to have fizzled out; the Vans Park series is no more, killing that whole discipline. Hopefully this builds back up.  

Given that it seems inevitable that this system being set up by RSSA is going to be the only way for South African skateboarders to qualify for the Olympics, will you be supporting it by forming / joining a club / skating in their events or otherwise being involved?

RSSA wants skateboarders to start their own clubs and be independent of RSSA. But this will be a long journey as the skaters need to stand up and take charge, and form their own clubs.

The more clubs the more say we would have, and possible budget. RSSA did not choose skateboarding but was rather handed it by World Skate. I would like to see skate clubs and a formal body representing skateboarding, so we could have more events and better skateparks. This would benefit everyone, not just club members.

What are the things that this ‘skate commission’ under the umbrella of RSSA must do to develop, nurture and grow skateboarding in South Africa. Conversely, what do you feel they should not do to skateboarding to ensure the soul of the sport is not lost completely?

Club, clubs, clubs. Attend meetings. Have your say and run your own sport. The soul will never be lost, there will always be guys rolling the streets and now there are skaters that have more opportunities to grow in the sport if they choose.

Do you have any other comments or feedback regarding the ‘Skate Commission’?

I want to thank Wendy of RSSA, she got handed skateboarding and has done an amazing job of getting four South Africans to the first Olympics with skateboarding. She took a lot of criticism along the way, where many would have given up. She created structure and provided much needed guidance.

Check out The Shred’s website.

 

Bianca Van Zyl – Thrashers Skate Park, Pretoria

Do you think the push by RSSA to form a South African Skateboarding Commission to represent SA skateboarding on their national committee, in particular to nurture skateboarding in the country to an Olympic level, is a positive or negative development for South African skateboarding and why? 

It is a very positive development and will assist in building an official skateboarding body to nurture and support prospective professional/Olympic skaters in SA. Taking the sport to the highest level of competition will raise the standard for every skater.

RSSA say they have experienced some push back, negativity or even indifference from some people in the SA skate scene who are negative about this development or do not want to be involved at all? This is also echoed internationally, where some prominent people in skateboarding are against the Olympics for example. Why do you think this might be? Do you think they don’t want people outside of skateboarding controlling the sport competitively, or even that this might change skateboarding into something unrecognisable? 

I cannot position my mind in such a way to speculate on the negative perspective; skating is for everyone and each skater can choose for what reason they skate. It harms no one to create and build a formalised structure wherein coaches and judges can be trained and certified, and skaters have the platform to reach the world stage if they want it. People who don’t like it have every right to not be a part of it. I do, however, think it is very short-sighted and I don’t believe it is the right attitude to inspire the next generation of skaters.

Given that it is inevitable that this system being set up by RSSA is going to be the only way for South African skateboarders to qualify for the Olympics, will you be supporting it by forming / joining a club / skating in their events or otherwise being involved? 

Yes, we are in the process of registering a club with RSSA. Thrashers will be a club and venue for skate competitions and other skate initiatives.

What are a couple of things you think that this ‘skate commission’ (under the umbrella of RSSA) must do to develop, nurture and grow skateboarding in South Africa. Conversely, what do you feel they should not do to skateboarding to ensure the soul of the sport is not lost completely?

• It needs to identify driven individuals who will grow the vision in the respective areas. It requires time, effort and dedication and perhaps in the early stages for no direct reward, therefore supporting the key individuals who are passionate is very important.
• It should establish a formal structure for coaching and judging and certify these individuals according to World Skate standards. 
• It should seek sponsorship in order to subsidise costs to ensure all skaters, irrespective of economic background, can participate and truly compete.
• It should host many skate competitions and skate events, in a formal competition format.

Do you have any other comments or feedback regarding the RSSA skate commission?

I think RSSA has many years of experience working alongside World Skate, and has the expertise and wisdom to implement a fully fledged federation. People tend to misunderstand the role of such a governing body and maybe imagine it to be mainly politically driven. However, it is 90% administration and few people are successful in expertly administering an organisation at this level. RSSA has been around the block and skateboarding in SA couldn’t have a better guide to growing an entity to whom RSSA will one day pass the skateboarding torch.

Check out the Thrashers Skate Park website.