Alpha Longboards

New Colour LOCAL LEGENDS series out

2012-01-20T04:57:00.000-08:00

"PIETERRRRRR, I AM NOT YOUR FATHERRRRR"

2011-12-22T04:07:00.000-08:00

The cool thing about being a custom board-shaper with a in-house custom artist is that we can do almost anything a client wants :-) This time around we had STAR WARS fan Pieter Badenhorst get us to customise his passion into a skating machine...

A new "LOCAL LEGENDS" series by Alpha Longboards

2011-12-22T03:57:00.000-08:00

In collaboration with SURF ZONE surf store we at ALPHA LONGBOARDS- handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa have conceptualised our local legends series of custom stencil artwork by in-house Alpha Artist Kenan Petersen. First in our range is Nelson Mandela. This first range can be found at Surf Zone surf store in Burg Street in Cape Town CBD and are priced at R950 each, with griptape

The land of BIG HOLES and HONEY!

2010-10-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

The weekend of the 9th October saw Kent and Alpha Longboards being flon to Jobrg and driven to Kimberley, along with Amin Gray and the Element and DC street-skating riders for a skateboard expo day hosted by the Dept of Sport and Recreation.

Alpha's task was to show the masses how one can shape your own skateboard, coupled with Amin's short talk on the history of skateboard deck shapes and why they are the way they are.

All in all it was an awesome weekend of being exposed to the cream of young South African skating talent, and a rejuvenated outlook for the future of South African skating culture as a whole!

Lazy Alpha Sundayers of the world Unite!!!

2010-09-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday with the backdrop of Table Mountain in Cape Town, a group of longboarders who refer to themselves as the LAZY ALPHA SUNDAYERS come together to just have some plain old fun on their longboards! Hope to see you there soon!

The Consciousness of Die Lyriese Kapsaal!

2010-09-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

Lee- Ursus Alexander, aka, die Lyriese Kapsaal, doing his thing at Red Bull Studios Cape Town

B-BOYS FOREVER!

2010-08-10T03:45:00.000-07:00

thank you to breakdancers who make capturing their movements a pleasure!

The Cypher

2010-05-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

Before any world stage, the proving ground for any MC and lyricist has been the cypher. From Cape Town to New York, Rio De Janeiro to Tokyo, at some point or the other there are a group of youth rhyming to gain the respect of their peers.

Last night a DJ saved my life!

2010-05-10T04:35:00.000-07:00

i love how in this pic we get a feel of what it is the dj's tasks are as he plays to the crowd. if you lokk closely you will see 3 figures. he looks at the crowd, then his equipment, then to his laptop for next track selection. i feel this pic embraces the most important aspects of what a dj does. mad respect to you guys.

ps: i love taking club shots!!!!

You are the hope this world needs

2010-05-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

I came across this gentleman cruising the streets of Cape Town, realising that he must hace had a tough life, one not necessarily out of his own choice. Even though others may argue this. I don't wana touch on him as an indvidual, but more on the fact that we judge. We all judge. If we actually break it down and take the time out to listen to those that we judge we will realise that the basis of their life issues are not that different to ours. there is a commonality of the need of acceptance, friendship, intimate companionship, the worry about future survival, etc. I don't need to go into detail about the issues we face daily. It is in our faces daily. I hope and pray that we can get to a point of physical and moral acceptance of each other, and accept each other because we are beautifully different.

Kent

EXPRESSION SESSION PART NUMERO UNO!!!

2010-04-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

finally a culmination of a combined fream by myself and toni stuart has come to fruition. tonight we will host the first in the series of expression sessions in cape town. be sure to come check out some of the best young talent cape town has to offer in cross-genre artists!

the perfect musical weekend!

2010-04-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

the past weekend saw me check out local rock band Taxi Violence on Friday night, as well as Hip Hop dj crew, The Beat Bangaz on Saturday night. Once again i am a bit too lazy to write an indepth report and hope the pictures relay the stories! enjoy!

ps: the white guys are Taxi Violence and the coloured guys The Beat Bangaz, hehehehehe, in case you were wondering who was who in this zoo!

the feeling....

2010-04-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

i pray that the feeling of this band is portrayed in these pics. words can't describe that which has mesmerised the soul...

my musical journey has been one in search of letting go physically and spiritually. first was reggae, then came dancehall, then came dubstep. all these chapters linked by my forever love of rock.

then along comes EJ VON LYRIK and CO. and combine all those genres into a perfect hour-long set that makes it difficult to focus as a photographer when all you wana do is close your eyes and go to that place in your souls where it is just you and the music.

this is what the world needs, musicians and artists who lead the way in feeling, loving, and going where the soul yearns to go...

Surf Zone Cape Town stock Alpha Longboards

2010-03-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Surf Zone- Cape Town, South Africa
Situated on the outskirts of the bustling heart of Cape Town's city center Greenmarket Square, Surf Zone surf store is one of the longest-serving surf stores to survive in the ironic context of the urban jungle. Selling it's urban inhabitants a lifestyle that promises a balanced and peaceful life.

Owned by Gigs Cilliers, former 5-time World Kneeboard Champion, and run daily by John and Touwfeeq, Surf Zone seems to just patiently plod along in these uncertain financial times, trusting that the surf lifestyle that they believe in will survive. Never without a smile on their faces.

It is this ethos and outlook on the broader world, from a surfer's perspective, that makes me proud to stock the Surf Zone with Alpha Longboards. In a multibillion economy industry where everything international is considered superior to anything locally made, the guys at Surf Zone have put their trust and faith in the smaller entrepeneurs in the local surf and skate industry. A true testament to this is their long history of support for Alpha Longboards. A longboard shaping company based in Cape Town that specialises in custom-shaped longboards. With the complete setups with Randal trucks and Kryptonics wheels selling for R1750, and the decks alone selling for R450 including griptape.

There is no better feeling as a longboard-shaper to be trusted entirely with your knowledge and input into a product that Surf Zone has to sell, and with that, stake their reputation upon.

Thank you Surf Zone. We at Alpha Longboards value your support and contribution to the success of the Davids in and industry filled with Goliaths.

Reclaiming the streets with street artist PEACE KIDD!

2010-03-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Peace Kidd (PK)

Peace Kidd is flipping out on the mobile as i joke with him that the bus I am on on the way to his place has broken down so those day-into-night shots that we were discussing getting for this "Night Out with Peace Kidd" project will probably not happen. I burst out laughing as i see the sigh of relief on his face as i walk through his door just as he's about to respond to me on his mobile. The thing about this kind of project in Cape Town is that the weather can be very unpredictable. Especially for the winds we experience at this time of the year, the planning for this documentation project had to be spot on. Just ask any street artist who's had to battle with the elements to express their preferred artform.

In Peace Kidd's case he's also having to contend with the strange doings and goings of the nightcrawlers on the Cape Flats! As we rock up to the first spot we are greeted by the scene of a group of Muslim men crouching in a circle sharing a meal as the sun is setting. This is not unbeknownst in this area of the Cape Flats as the religious demographic is almost split halfway between Muslims and Christians, with small groups of Hindus. Allowing for the respective groups to practice their faith unbothered. PK goes about choosing the appropriate posters for this spot, and in 2 minutes we are on our way again.

The next spot proves to be a bit more interesting. What could a man be doing stomach down on his lowered passenger seat in a dark parking lot? Myself and Peace Kidd look at the scene, then to each other, and burst out laughing. Not wanting to break up a possible romantic evening for two, we park our car as far away as possible. PK's also using this session as a testing session for some new paper he's been stencilling on, and this spot, with it's many dark corners and different textures is the perfect testing ground. There's a small routine round by our friends in blue, but they see the camera in my hand and deem us safe.

The next spot is more public, and is really a hit-and -go spot. Known as an area for illegal street drag racing, the police presence is at it's highest in this well-lit side-street with it's rows of Eastern spice and fabric stores.

En route to our main destination of a secluded subway tunnel Peace Kidd's found, we hit up some spots, trying to not attract any unwanted attention that could easily put an end to our night as well as result in us being slapped with hefty fines for public property defacement.

The subway sees Peace Kidd take street art back to it's roots. As he starts pasting up his posters, we realise that this is a spot we could spend hours in unbothered. This gives Peace Kidd time to put up the rest of the posters and even make a trip back to the car to get the last posters he has in the car. A telling moment that sums up the message of PK's art is when a passerby exclaims "keep up the peace brothers", taking heed of the word "Peace" in PK's signature. We joke that this feels like his own personal gallery, where he doesn't have to pay the standard 50% in charges for displaying his art. We spend about 30 minutes beautifying this well-lit subway. We exit the subway, having to walk it's entire length to view all the posters that Peace Kidd has had the time to put up.

There is a common feeling between us that the subway was a perfect climax of what would have been an interesting and exciting night out for some, but just another night in the life of prolific street artist Peace Kidd.

"Getting To Know You..." exhibition boards still up..

2010-02-18T10:39:00.000-08:00

After a very successful exhibition in November 09, we have decided to extend the exhibition of our custom art longboards at Bonafide Clothing Store at 207 Long Str in Cape Town. Be sure to check it out if you in the area! These are some of the boards that were on display... Enjoy!

Kent and the Alpha Longboards team

What a day!

2010-02-03T06:38:00.000-08:00

This blog post is almost entirely unrelated to skateboarding. I have recently taken up my photography again and am going through the basics by shooting with film, becoming a bit better and more confident, the progressing onto digital when I eventually know what the hell I am doing!

So because I always carry my camera in my bag just in case there are some shots I want to take, I came across a big police raid in the Woodstock area, whipped out my camera, and started snapping away from a distance. Without any warning, i got grabbed and held with my face on the floor whilst all my belongings were strewn on the floor, whilst I was surrounded by about 20 heavily armed police officers who obviously thought I was with some or other publication. The then proceeded to rip my film out of my camera, after taking about 5 of them 5 minutes to figure out exactly how to do this.

My question is just this, why if you are doing things by the book are you scared of what the public will see? It is time we all stand up to this kind of behavior and realize that these are same people that we trust with our daily lives, and that WE pay their salary each month!

So because I got my film ripped out of my camera and lost the pics of the 50 out of about 60 policemen standing around doing nothing while the other 10 proceeded to tear down people's doors with sledgehammers and crowbars, I am now going to have to subject you to some random pic I've taken... :-)

Respect to all who do their bit for justice and don't sit back and accept!

Kent

Summer skating with my downhill family!

2010-02-02T06:24:00.000-08:00

As a downhill skateboarder I am blessed with a worldwide family. And this summer I was blessed to have a home to share with a sister from Switzerland and brothers fro Brazil, Switzerland and Port Elizabeth! We connected with some of the local downhill family, not only for racing but also good times and freeriding!

Thank you to all who made it possible!

Kent

Alpha Longboards at World Champs in Australia in Nov/Dec 09!

2010-02-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

Sup Cats!

I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the Downhill Skateboarding World Champs in Bathurst, Australia in November. I was very nervous about racing again after a 3 year absence from serious racing, as well as recovering from a snapped femur 4 months before!!! Talk about throwing yourself in the deep end amongst some of the best downhill skaters in the world!

After qualifying 48th out of about 90 riders, my final racing result was 29th. Something I was satisfied with as a re-entry into racing!

Respect

1st Alpha Longboards exhibition a great success!

2010-02-02T05:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys

On the 12th of November 2009 we had our first custom artwork exhibition at Bonafide Concept and Clothing store at 207 Long str, Cape Town. For those who attended, a big thank you for the support! And to all the artists! Respect!

Here are some of the featured boards!

Kent

2009-11-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

Had the raddest time out postering with Peace Kidd for the Alpha Longboards “Getting To Know You…” exhibition on the 12 Nov! I think I’ve found a new hobby and means of self expression folks!!! Hope to see you at the exhibition and on the streets rolling! Much love t Peace Kidd for the fun and expressive times we have on our city streets on our longboards!!

Respect!

1st framed deck!

2009-10-07T03:47:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be asked to do a framed deck as a gift for a friend's brother for his 21st birthday. I have always wanted to do something like this but just never got around to doing it. It also meant that I got an in-house artist, Ode, to do the 21st artwork on the board. If any of you guys are interested in getting someone a gift like this, give me a shout at kent@alphalongboards.com

Respect!

WINTER IN THE MOTHER CITY!

2009-09-23T04:31:00.000-07:00

Winter is in full-swing in the Mother City, Cape Town. The longboarding scene seems to have died down in the city center. I am not too sure whether it is because of my injury and inability to skate that has caused the other city-based longboarders to stash their boards until consistently warmer days arrive.

Major injuries are such a reality in my daily downhill skateboarding. I was sure that one day or the other I would be out of action for a prolonged period due to a major injury, which in this case is my broken left femur. It has been 6 weeks since the operation. Even though it is not ideal to suffer a bone injury in winter because the coldness creeps into one’s bones, I consider myself lucky that it has happened now, when the weather doesn’t allow me to skate anyways. This also means that I should be up and ready in summer to take up my urban wheeled struggle, skating as fast as I can from the unjustified and pointless possible persecution of me by those unapologetically illiterate defenders of our society- the police and gravy-train politicians. One would think that they would realize that we will find ways around their contradicting laws and by-laws, and that they will see us cruising on the same road they attempted fining us the day before for passively cruising on the shoulder on the shoulder of the road, making our way from point a to point b. Damn idiots!

With summer just around the corner, I can’t help but get excited at the idea of hours and hours of skating, hours and hours of shaping Alpha Longboards, the return of Marco from Europe, the dusting off of Andre’s longboard so that the three of us can go race down our local hills, and finally, my 3-week trip to Australia to visit my someone special and skate with some of my longboarding brothers and sisters down under.

This was just my day’s thoughts on what I predict for my and Alpha Longboards’ summer. No matter what goes down, all I want to do is get to skate as much as possible!

Take care!
Kent

Alpha goes shortboards!

2009-09-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

Alpha Longboards goes mini!!!!

Hey guys, here are some shapes i've been wanting to do for a while. Admittingly, I am kinda stuck in an oldskool timewarp, and that explains the style of these boards!!!

Exciting new once-off art on Alpha Decks

2009-09-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

hey guys

been talking to Adie Williams fora while now about doing some art on a decl or two. And finally we've gotten the deck back and I was blown away initially! It stays in the rock music style that I have appreciated since first seeing it years ago! Hope you guys like it!

2009-07-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

hey cats!!!

I have been tagging along as the photographer of an new graffitti crew on my local cape flats in Cape Town. We have been searching for new terrain to paint and skate! We went painting and had the best time ever with great support from our communities! Will keep you up to date!

Hope to see you you at Alpha Skate Day tomorrow!!!!

Alphie Longboarder

Alpha gets to blogging!

2009-06-27T04:03:00.000-07:00

Finally we at Alpha Longboards have started to blog. We might be a bit Rusty at first, but thats all good I think. My name is Alphie and I will be the one updatig this blog. Hope it keeps you entertained!