Fun conversation with an aspiring French female racer from Lyon. PowersLyde tells us about learning to longboard with Kyle Chin and Adam S and her relationship with the infamous Spoky Woky.
Hey Lyde, where are you from?
Hi ! I’m from Reunion Island. I moved to Lyon 2 years ago for my studies.
When did you start skating?
Last year, in May, I used my longboard as transport between my flat and school. Then I met the Loaded Crew last August in California. I saw what dancing was and I started practicing and I love it! Then I went to South Africa from October to December, I met the longboard crew there. Skateboarders were going so fast on their boards! I asked them to teach me how to slide. Finally, I met Spoky Woky this year in February, I’m trying to get some speed. She is my master haha.
How did you randomly meet the Loaded crew?
When I was in Cali I wanted to buy the new Fat tail. I went to lots of skate shops but didn’t find one. So I decided to go the Loaded warehouse. I bought the Fat tail and they offered me to come to a session the next monday. I went to this super cool session, and then I skated with them almost everyday for 3 weeks, especially with Kyle Chin and Adam Stokowski. It was so cool! I didn’t even know that Kyle and Adam were “famous”, I had only heard about Adam Colton before. So I was really impressed when I saw them skating.
Haha when did you realise who they were?
When a guy told me to come to the session he said “You should come, Adam S. and Kyle Chin will be there! You know Kyle? He is a Chinese guy”. I said that I didn’t know them, so as soon as I was back to my house I entered their name on YouTube and watched all their videos!
What did you learn from them?
They taught me different types of cross steps, nose manual and the shuvit. When I got back to France, I kept practicing by watching Adam’s video on youtube. I think it’s thanks to them that I like skating so much. They were so friendly and skate so well.
Do you have a favourite video?
Before, my favorite video was the “Loaded dancer”, but now I’m completely in love with the new Dervish Sama video.
What were you riding in the beginning?
At the beginning I was skating a small sector nine, the Ala Moana. No tail or nose, so I couldn’t do any tricks.
Where in South Africa were you?
I was in Somerset West (next to Cape Town) and I met the longboard crew of the town just next to mine: Stellenbosch (AWE!!)
Who did you ride with?
Raoul Van den Berg! He is a really cool guy, Loaded and Orangatang distributor and ambassador. He goes really fast. I went to Houwteq and Hot Heels to see him racing, and then I met Rebekka (pink leathers). I told her I was upset not to see any French guys racing and then she said that I should contact Spoky Woky in Lyon. That’s exactly what I did and I’ve had tons of fun with her!
Did you skate much while you were out there?
Yeah, I skated quite a lot there. If my friend was busy working, I skated alone with my iPod, practicing some dancing. Skated down some really cool hills. Landscapes are beautiful there, so its always cool to go skating outside.
What was it like watching your first race?
Awesome! First it was impressive to see how people can go that fast on a board. And I also saw a really hard crash… It scared me a bit. But it’s amazing to see people coming from everywhere to skate. Really cool ambiance!
Has your master corrupted you yet?
Haha, no she hasn’t corrupted me, not yet!
How did you find Marie?
Marie is really cool and nice. She takes me to lots of sessions, new spots, in different towns so I can meet new people and improve my skating. At every spot she tries to slow down a bit so I can follow her. She shows me how to tuck, to have a good position on my board. It’s great to finally skate with a girl.
What’s special about skating with a girl?
huummmmmm… I actually don’t know! It’s just cool! It’s like we share more things, I don’t know… Or maybe I like to skate with her just because she’s a champion? No I’m kidding x) no, seriously I don’t know. We’re having fun skating together. We’re a cool team.
What do you call your team?
The Lyon Longboard Girls Crew! A few weeks ago, Marie had a session with 6 or 7 others girls. The crew is expanding, it’s great!
What kind of riding do you enjoy most?
I love dancing as much as freeriding/downhill. When I finish school, it’s good to go dancing, it’s really soothing. And I’m always excited (and scared) to skate hills too. Recently, I’ve been freeriding most of the time, learning different powerslides with Marie.
Haha powersLYDEs!
Yeah!! That’s how people from the cdk call me, Powers’Lyde.
What’s CDK?
The CDK is a shop where you can find skates, longboards, rollerblades… Lots of things for sliding sports.
What do you ride?
A Bhangra for the dancing and for the rest I have the Landyachtz Wolfshark. Love that board, with bear trucks and stimulus 86a/4 President 83a.
Are those your sponsors?
I’m sponsored by CDK, Landyachtz France and Globe. Big thanks to them by the way!!
How is your season going so far?
My season is DEAD! I fell in May when I was at the Wunder Barr freeride. I broke my heel and today my foot is still in this stupid cast. I should take it off in 2 weeks hopefully! I was supposed to race Rigalet, Confortable and Padova in Italy.
Where did it go wrong?
In a bend, I swerved too much on the left. I fell on the tar, head first (my helmet is dead) then foot and then I made a nice plunge in the grass.
When can you walk again?
I might be able to walk slowly in August, and skate in September.
Was that your first freeride?
No, I’ve done other freerides before. Chuyer in May was so great! And also at La Croix Saint Robert, beautiful spot.
How do you keep your spirit up when you can’t skate?
Haha, I cried when the doctor told me “you will have a plaster for the next 6-8 weeks”. We skated quite a lot during the winter even if the weather was cold, and I was completely motivated to skate during ALL the summer. So, bummer. But my skateboarder friends encourage me so much that I’m fine, just waiting for the day when I will take this plaster off. Big thank you to Spoky Woky, Vincent Bombastic, Thomas Payet, Jo Pan, Pauca and Thib Le Guen.
What are your plans for next season?
Next season is so far away… I would like to race in France and also do at least one race in Europe to find that super cool atmosphere like it was at Hot Heels, with people from other countries.
What do you do when you’re not skating?
Hummm, skating is a really big passion and if I’m on my board most of time. Otherwise, hanging out with friends, doing some slackline. And now with the cast, well… I’m bored? Or I sit on my bhangra and paddle with my crutches! At least I can follow my friends who skate.
Choose 3 numbers between 1-35!
5, 12 and .. 25.
5 – What is your favourite skate video?
Loaded Dervish Sama, I find this video beautiful.
12 – What’s your least favourite movie?
High school musical – it’s stupid.
25- Would you rather be a penguin stuck in a lion’s body or a lion stuck in a penguin?
I’d rather be a lion stuck in a penguin.
It’s been fun talking to you Lyde! Get well soon (bacon helps)
Haha, yeah was really cool. Chat soon!
Any thank yous?
Thank you to my Sponsors. And Spoky Woky, of course, and my awesome roommate.
Links
And, nothing to do with skating. You know I’m from Reunion Island, so have a look ! https://vimeo.com/36247862
