Maponyane, Katlego

Aka: Kat

Age: 23

Hometown: Johannesburg

School/varsity: St. John’s College/ Wits University

Snowboarding

History: I start snowboarding in July 2006 & have been privileged to travel to Europe & America because of it.

Years snowboarding: Almost 2 years

Where: Tiffendell

My first time on a snowboard was like… Weird, sore and frustrating, but cool since I was trying to impress my instructor (she was hot).

What set-up do you ride: Board: 152 Ride Kink, Bindings: Raiden 0, Boots: Nitro Anthems

Favourite trick I like to watch: Backside 7 Japan

Favourite trick I can do: Blindside Backside Lipslide

Favourite Afri-Ski Park feature: Flat Bar Rail

Safety trick on a kicker: Backside 180 (MFM style)

Safety trick on a rail/box: Frontside Noseslide

Trademark trick: Frontside Tailslide

Trick you aspire to pull off on rail/box: 270 Hardway

Trick you aspire to pull off on a kicker: Switch Backside 5 (I’m miles away from pulling that off yet)

Sickest trick you ever pulled off by mistake, explain: I don’t know. Nothing comes to mind. A trick that’s a mistake usually means the feeling of watching your life flash before your eyes and that feeling doesn’t taste nice.

Where is your favourite place to ride: Afri-Ski Park (of course), Park City, Squaw Valley, and Mayrhofen

What is your highest competitive snowboarding achievement? 4th Place at Quiksnow 2007

Sponsors: Quiksilver, Oakley, Scullcandy

What’s the best thing about snowboarding: Fun, friends, progression & travelling.

What is your ultimate goal in snowboarding? More fun, more friends & even more progression and travelling. A bit of recognition for what we do wouldn’t be bad either.

Social

When I’m not boarding I work, unfortunately South Africa is not at a level where an individual can make a living from snowboarding. At the end of the day life is not all about snowboarding, some form of security is necessary.

Last good movie I watched: American Gangster (I don’t really go out & watch movies, so I’m a bit out the loop).

Movie I quote the most: I don’t quote movies

Favourite food: Chinese & Italian

Favourite city: New York

Favourite fashion brand: DC Shoes

I don’t go anywhere without my: Wallet & Sunnies

Favourite series: Ghost in the Shell, Entourage, Nip/Tuck, Flight of the Concords

Would you rather:
Would you rather spend your holidays at the beach working on your tan or at a ski resort working on your goggle tan? Either way, you’ll still end up with a tan.