Doc interviews Aden Kleve
posted on 6th August 2010
Currently in Aussie land, Ade is set to compete in tomorrow's DK Sessions comp at Port Macquarie. Doc caught up with Ade before the event to introduce him to the Aussie crew ...
Doc: A big Jack Stance welcome to you Aden. Tell us a little about yourself and the waters where you ride to give the readers here an intro to who you are.
AK: Hey, thanks so much for this opportunity doc! Well I'm 19 years old I come from a little town on the point of Africa called Kommetjie. I was born and raised there, been bodyboarding there since I was a grommet. Kommetjie is a really relaxed and beautiful little town with a variety of waves which really helped my riding as I was growing up. The water is pretty cold aswell which I guess toughened me up haha.
Doc: And what about the Saffa crews?
AK: The saffa crew are all pretty tight, just arriving in oz I felt proud to be South African, the guys back home all try to push each other as much as we can and to get the standard of bodyboarding in South Africa as high as possible!
Doc: Craig Trillvas from the Sixty40 forum says of you:
“Epic man, Aden is another of our super talented young guns from Cape. Stylish and smooth rider with skills lying down and on the knee coupled with a great attitude. Go Ado, kill it my son”
And Dodgy Rodgy says:
“Aden is the filthiest and funniest guy you will ever meet. He is from Kom and is a ripper of note!!"
Doc: The raw stuff - Age/weight/height and Goofy or Natural footer? Tell the Ozzies not to underestimate his talent!! Go Aden win it!!” What’s your response to that bru? Should we be scared here? (great calls from your boeties)
AK: haha, I'm 19, 70kgs, dunno my height, natural for sure! Stoked to get support from home especially from old mate Dodgy Rodgy filth cat haha!
Doc: Who and what inspired you to start throwing the knee up?
AK: Just growing up in Kom there were a couple of underground guys who shredded on the knee and I just gave it a try and I really stuck with it! My bro Josh also showed me some stuff as I was growing up.
Doc: Which riders in our DK heritage would you like to give respect to?
AK: Theres heaps! Roach, Lackey, Brandon Foster, Spex the list goes on ...
Doc: At the cutting edge, who is tearing the seams out of lips and making you go harder? Make sure to include some local shredders who push you on a day to day basis.
AK: Well on an international scale I’d say Matt Lackey, he pushes it really hard experimenting with all different types of breaks. Back home My mate Michael- James is a shredder! his riding is clean, powerful and all round stylish. Guys like Specker, michael-james, Jason Blacklaws, Cameron Price with his insane backhand, yeah they all really help me push my riding as far as I can take it!
Doc: Fiercest Dragon’s tail you’ve witnessed?
AK: Bruce Blacklaws
Doc: Phattest Green-room you’ve spent time in?
AK: Hoek!
Doc: Sickest move you’ve seen?
AK: Hell floater
Doc: Can you give us a description of the meanest reef you’ve hit up?
AK: Up west Coast, a place called Tant. Super round and super heavy!
Doc: The Ocean is a powerful place - would you share with the crew one of the times when you were totally 'owned' by great mother ocean?
AK: Yes, was on the boogie at a big wave spot not really mean’t for bodyboarding, Dungeons, it was pretty solid and just timed my take off and got connected with the lip, lost my board and got dragged for ages, was pretty hectic.
Doc: And in reciprocation, what is one of the times you totally owned a wave and were completely in "The Zone"?
AK: Was probably at hoek a local right hand beach break, just got a cracker, I got like 3 barrels on one wave on the knee, was super stoked and in “the zone” haha
Doc: What board(s) are you riding at the moment?
AK: I'm riding a crescent tail, 41.5 and 40.5 inch Polypro science Mark Mccarthy. Its really good for the knee and has alot of drive off the bottom on bigger waves
Doc: What is the history of your quiver and do you have an all-time fave ride?
AK: I used to ride Morey Bodyboards as a grommet but now with my sponsor Science bodyboards I’ve been lucky enough to experiment with quite a few boards and My favourite ride at the moment is my current McCarthy crescent tail.
Doc: Places you have seen and scenes you have seen in your travels?
AK: I went to the Maldives on a family holiday and saw some incredible stuff, got some of the best waves I’ve surfed aswell!
Doc: Photogs that you see as representing DK strongly?
AK: Damon Crawford is a very dedicated Photographer aswell as Alan Van Gysen. Another grom back home, Damien Wood is also super pumped on shooting all the time which is really cool.
Doc: Your thoughts on competition riding?
AK: Competition riding is the kind of riding that puts you under pressure and I find that helps me push my riding that much more further. Having to deal with limited time and waves makes it more exciting
Doc: Sickest Free-surf session you’ve had with your mates?
AK: I’ve had many but just had one the other day at a local spot called boneyards, was really fun just me and my one mate Jason out for like 3 hours, super sick!
Doc: Tips for those seeking to get into the DK vibe?
AK: Just give it your all and stick to your own style.
Doc: Who would like like to send some respex and thanks to?
AK: Everyone back home, family and friends!!
Doc: Cheers for your time Aden
AK: Shot man!
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