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News desk




The Andy Smith Interview
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Posted by Webmaster on 27.09.2011 at 8:52 PM


Images: Courtesy of Andy 'Sakamoto' Smith, Circa 2011.

There are not many times in life when you come across people that truly inspire you. You know, the kind of people that remind you of what it means to be passionate and enthusiastic about life, learning, friendships, riding, racing and everything in between! Well a little while ago now, I had the pleasure of meeting (and riding) with Andy 'Sakamoto' Smith, an Australian Gravity Sports pioneer and recent Gravity Bike convert. His desire and enthusiasm for the professional presentation of all gravity disciplines was inspiring, as was his vision and commitment to build is first gravity bike. Andy took some time out to speak with me about where he thought things were going and what was important to him. Always the gentleman, and once again reminding us why we love the gravity sports scene, this is what Andy had to say…

GBHQ: Thanks for taking time out to do the interview, Andy.
AS: My pleasure, thank you for asking me.

GBHQ: You have such a diverse and interesting background, how and when did you first get involved in gravity sports?
AS: I watched the first ESPN X-Games on T.V. and went and built my first streetluge out of wood laminates. My first boards were very basic, but by the beginning of 1996 they were becoming more refined. Towards the end of 1996, I met Andre Webber, who also lived in Melbourne, and we began riding together. My boss at the time, plus my younger brother also rode, but didn’t really pursue the sport. In 1997, I travelled to California and competed in the ’97 ESPN X-Games. I went back in ’98 and competed again, and like ’97, brought back a lot of info and contacts to try and help the sport grow in Australia.

GBHQ: Who was pioneering the sport back then?
AS: In Victoria it was Andre Webber and myself, and then a little later Adam Sparks became heavily involved. Up north, in the Sydney area, Pat Brennan was the driving force, with Daryl Fellows bringing crew onto the scene, but remaining fairly underground. Brad Sterrit is also one of the original crew. Dave Kelly, in Cairns, was skateboarding and getting into luge and was a good friend of Pat’s. Dave’s main competitive background was in the snow scene, which enhanced his skateboarding activities.

GBHQ: What have been some of the most memorable moments for you?
AS: Wow, being honest, there are too many to mention. Meeting and becoming friends with the riders from the States and Europe, guys like Stephan Wagner, Bob Pereya, Marcus Rietema, Pam Zoolalian , Martyn Evans , Steve Fernando and Darren Lott to name a few, was just amazing. Riding with the Aussie crew, and being involved with the Sony Playstation Extreme Games, competing at the Bathurst World Championships, meeting and riding with the Townsville and Brisbane crew, riding Mt Stuart in Townsville at the “Beat the Bastard” fund raiser weekends, becoming a “GOFR” (Grumpy Old Farts Racing). Having the opportunity to watch new riders come into the gravity sport scene, regardless of what they ride, is always a massive buzz for me.

GBHQ: Over the years, who has been the greatest influences for you?
AS: In the early years, I’d have to say Marcus Rietema, Darren Lott and Garrett Ewanik (RIP). Stephan Wagner was also very influential as far as my Classic Luge riding was concerned. Andre Webber for his ability, his building skills as well as his quiet nature.

In recent years, I’ve been influenced by a number of people, for different reasons. Sue Wickenden and Stacey Hall-Stokes for pushing the way forward for woman riders, in a sport which has mainly male participants. As far as G-Bike is concerned, Brett Philips and Pat Brennan have been absolutely brilliant in helping me setup my bike, as well as the encouragement to ride. Claude Gesta, the inventor and originater of Skullboarding, a man well before his time, in my opinion. Virtually anyone who pushes the accepted limits on equipment and riding, regardless of vehicle, will definitely make an impression on me.

GBHQ: Do you feel it’s important to promote Gravity Sports in general, to the wider public?
AS: Definitely!! Legitimate events, such as the Sony Playstation Games and the Newtons Nation event held at Mt Panorama are paramount to the growth of all disciplines within the gravity sport genre. Legitimate “free rides”, such as Beat the Bastard in Townsville, which raises money for cancer research, is also an invaluable tool for public exposure. Tyler Johnson, from Brisbane Streetluge runs a Streetluge Training Day program at Nerang, Qld, with the support of Gravity Sport Events. Not only are new riders being given the opportunity to learn to ride in a safe environment, it also allows the media and general public to see what luge is about and ask questions. With the support of instructors Craig Mears, Richard Powers, a host of volunteers and other experienced riders, this is an excellent avenue to help grow the sport.

GBHQ: What do you feel needs to happen to promote the gravity sport scene here in Australia?
AS: My personal philosophy is one of legitimacy and safety, by that I mean legitimate events being staged where all gravity sport disciplines can be showcased to the general public. Safety is another issue which needs to be embraced. We all take part in what is considered “extreme sports”, activities which can cause serious injury. We all accept that fact every time we ride. Making wise choices on the roads/areas we recreationally ride, and not creating negative scenarios and gaining bad publicity is one path to take. Having sufficient safety protocols at legitimate events, on closed roads with appropriate approvals is another area to enhance. Work closely with local authorities, and build solid contacts with media is another area to consolidate. Australia, as you know, has some of the best gravity sport/genre riders in the world residing here…use this fact to help promote and support the scene in general. In the early days the “skate/surf nazi” attitude was the norm, and this worked well to gain initial interest, however in this present day atmosphere, those “thoughts and attitudes” are no longer acceptable, to the general public, T.V. networks or possible sponsors.

GBHQ: Freeride, or Competition?
AS: Both are necessary, as each has different appeal to both riders and spectators. Once people start becoming involved as spectators, and the demand for coverage is there, sponsorship for events and riders will become easier to obtain.

GBHQ: So when was the first time you saw a Gravity Bike?
AS: In ’98, when I travelled to California.

GBHQ: How did you first get into riding Gravity bikes?
AS: I had always wanted to try a G-B, but had never done so for various reasons. 17 months ago I was diagnosed with some serious medical issues which restricts my mobility as it progresses. I found I couldn’t ride luge anymore, however I wasn’t prepared to lay down and give up riding. I can sit on a G-B without too many issues, so I spoke with Toddy from Crime Cycles and he built me a basic stock bike. I’m not viable as a competitor, so I’ve just played with ideas, as the photo’s show. I’ve set the bike up with two heligen lights so I can ride at night, with it’s own power supply. The bike comes it at approx. 21kg’s, with battery, wiring and fairing. The weight of the battery alone is approx. 6kg’s.

GBHQ: What do you love most about riding?
AS: The people I get to meet and ride with, the feeling of leaning into a corner in a “pack” situation, and the hills we get to ride, watching new riders get involved and progress, regardless of which gravity discipline they’re involved with.

GBHQ: Do you have a favourite hill?
AS: LOLOL….you asking for my secret spots….:) Mt Stuart is insane, as you know, as the rides we’ve had together there are very memorable. My home hill is a lot faster than Stuart, with straights, hard corners, virtually everything you could want from a hill. It’s just over 3k’s long. This hill we do keep secret, sorry buddy!

GBHQ: Tell us about the new bike!
AS: When I got it from Toddy, it was a flipped GT frame, no seat but with a kneeler plate attached. I’ve changed the tyres to the Tioga PowerBlocks, running them at 80psi. The fairing is a racing motorbike fairing, which I did a cut and shut job on to make it fit the way I wanted. I also made the seat setup. The battery is underneath the kneeler plate, with the wiring going up the main frame to the headlights set within the cowl.

GBHQ: What advice would you give to young up and coming riders?
AS: Regardless of what vehicle you ride, be it a skateboard, bike or luge, look to the older crew in your respective discipline for advice and guidance. Their old for a reason….

GBHQ: What do you think is next for the sport?
AS: To be honest, I think all gravity disciplines are at a crossroads, with some hard decisions to be made over the next year or so. My view, as I’ve mentioned previously, is for legitimate events, where all disciplines are represented. I feel that legitimate free rides, such as Beat the Bastard, are a very viable option to help promote the sport/s in a safe manner. Staging full-blown legitimate race meets is extremely expensive, and sponsorship needs to be nurtured over the next few years for that to happen. In saying that, I feel it’s the responsibility of all participants to be involved at this level of public awareness, not just event organisers or heads of any associations involved. Another area which needs a serious upgrade is insurance coverage for events. Basic public liability is no longer a worthy form of cover for organisers, or riders or anybody else who plays a role at legitimate events. There is a policy in Australia which goes far beyond basic public liability, is very affordable and available, organisers just have to use it.

GBHQ: What wouldn’t you change for the world?
AS: My children and subsequent grandchildren…, what a blessing. I’ve done a variety of things in my life, and looking back it has, every aspect of it, brought me to this point. The people I’ve met, the friends I have, those relationships I have which now form my foundation, my rock…..I wouldn’t change a thing.

GBHQ: Thanks again Andy!

Read more about Andy here


Categories: Builds  Riders  Riding  Interviews  Friends  Inspiration  Gravity Sports Events 
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