We are happy to feature Livu, one of the nicest dudes we met on this continent, in one of our first interviews: Born at the Kenyan Coast, Livu started skateboarding in 2009 and since then has always put a lot of action into his passion for skateboarding from helping us to build the Nairobi Skatepark to founding his own Skateboarding Company in July 2017.
Hey Livu – you have been quite away from kenya for a while – how have you been and what are you up to these days?
Hey Daniel,ive been quite alright,good to be back in the Kenya skate scene……I’m just out here trying to get my shop up and running,operating from my car now,haha
How did you got in touch with skateboarding – how did you start skateboarding?
I started skateboarding in 2009 after watching David Gravette’s Double Rock video,so I just went to nakumatt and bought one of those Shitty Ozbozz boards 😀 got my first Pro deck from Dubai,and it was actually still a David Gravette’s pro board (I love how gnarly this dude is)…..Raven Tershy too (i’m a tranny/vert child)
How did you actually got to know about the Nairobi Skatepark Project? (and how did you help to make it possibe?)
I got to know about the nairobi skatepark from Dennis Kanuri (Denno) and Sam Maguta…..Denno took me along with him and we helped around with the construction of the park,it was tiring but very good times,especially being the first to drop into the pool and skate some of the other obstacles while they were still fresh:D We are really thankful to skateaid for Kenya’s first public skatepark.
Do you find the mentalities different from Kenyan and Chinese/Asian Skaters?
Not so different although Chinese skaters in my experience are skating competitively and with the aim of money while most Kenyan skaters are there for the fun,which is how it should be…….and Kenyan skaters are so close like family,Chinese skaters are not as social and brotherly.
What have been your happiest and your toughest moments in Kenya and in China?
My happiest moment in Kenya skateboarding was meeting Nairobi skaters at Uhuru park for the first time,Mombasa where I’m from doesn’t have that many skateboarders and spots……The worst part is seeing most of the guys I used to skate with in Kenya slowly move away from skateboarding cause of the inevitable LIFE. Happiest moment in china was getting the opportunity to skate Woodward China and the opportunity to start my own company (Wanderer). The toughest part in China was getting rejected from a couple of vert contest because I wasn’t a Chinese local.
Where and with who do you skate nowadays – and where?
Same old Uhuru park and Shangilia 😀 I skate with all the guys from back in the day (Sam,Ngis,Leo,Denno,Victor Murage,Kevo Maina,George…..And the kids,Balo and Mwangi,these kids rip) and some new kids on the block,the skate scene has really grown here……It’s crazy and amazing to see so many skateboarders,we used to be less than 20.
You recently started one of the first real skateboarding companies here in East-Africa – how did this happen?
I started by just supplying foreign brands to Kenyans while I was in china because I knew how hard it was to get gear back home…..saved up some money and decided to start my own brand and “shop” and make high quality things affordable and readily available. So far I’ve got support from the locals which I appreciate alot and been able to help support Mwangi and Balo with some free gear,I wanna see these two kids make it in skateboarding.
What is Wanderer about? What are your future plans?
Wanderer just started as a board company but has progressed from just wanderer skateboards to Wanderer skateshop,I know how expensive skate gear can be from abroad (quality stuff) so I just wanna supply my people so that they can progress and put Kenyan skateboarding on the map….I hope to grow my shop to be the biggest and most affordable Skateshop in kenya…maybe even Africa someday 😀
How and where can guys buy your stuff? Do you also send to other countries?
I operate from my car at the moment,so anytime someone wants equipment they can just call me (0742501539) and I’ll deliver myself or send a delivery guy,or meet at the me at the “smooth road” area where skateboarders usually are at night …..doesnt matter what time of the day it is. I haven’t sold to any foreign countries yet,but I hope to also supply Uganda and Tanzania soon……give me your connections Daniel,haha
Any advice for the young skaters out there?
To all the young skaters out there,just have fun ,don’t think about sponsors and the money aspect of skateboarding…..Just keep having fun and as you progress these things will come themselves.Make video parts too though,to get your name out there,I might even consider sponsoring you 😀
Any Greetings, Shout Outs?
Shout to Deecy,Leo,Kassy,Sam,Ngis,Nino,Vic,Neville,Kevo Murage,George,Balo,Since and all the other kids out there ripping…..skate safe and support your local Skateshop,haha