Ian ; You have been riding a long time, how long do you think?

Gdrs "I started skateboarding in London on the South Bank and down Brighton way with my mate Rafe in 1977. Whilst on my travels In 1979 I lost my board after having carried it as far as Casablanca on top of my rucksack. New Year 1998 Walking past a bicycle shop in Canterbury I spotted and soon bought my first dirt board called a Dirty Harry.

Comment : Your making me feel quite youthful.

A mint Dirty Harry

Ian ; How did you get into the sport?

Gdrs “The sport as it is today with competitions and a riders association started in about 1999 and new countries and events filled the calendar by 2005. We had our own magazine put together by Jay and, Massie with loads’ of cool pics and artwork by Dan and PT. The editorial and ads kept you up to speed on the latest R an D in boards and equipment. Riders with stories to tell and tips to share all contributed. These days it is all on the web."

Ian ; Has the sport changed much over this time ?

Gdrs "The sport? Consists of BoarderX, freeride and freestyle. Freestyle is the photo op everyone wants to get dialed into even if they will not admit it. BoarderX is best out in front all the way down the hill, freeride is for hardcore riders who may not or ever make it but we try hard. Riders can be from any background all that has really changed is the equipment and the centres were we ride with the blessing of the health and safety gurus."

Ian ; You must have owned a few boards in your time ? What has been your personal favourite?

Gdrs " Your first board always has special memories. I have tried Trampa (The toughest decks in the world) , daisycutter trucks, GI trucks, skate trucks and of course NoSno and matrix trucks. I have two boards I ride rarely. An old Exit board with loose channel trucks, and step in/out foot straps mostly for street and slow carvey riding. My Nosno has the snowboard bindings and tighter setting on the trucks. Once upon a time I thought it was all about finding a set up that never wobbled hence the daisy cutter experience. I know now that it is down to rider control. The best boards are the ones that do not fail on you after passing the pits check and are easy to adjust and fix when they break or go wrong. All the manufacturers work hard to meet rider demands and in many cases have adjusted design or supplier to achieve this. Air heads will love the lighter durable set ups and freeriders want something sturdy. I have broken and snapped most parts of a board at one time or other but the one that gets my vote is my tough nut NoSno. The most expensive boards on the market but you can understand why, all the money goes into the board not advertising etc. My advice is start saving up for or buy a NoSno today. Or save a few bucks get a long board, learn to slide it, then buy any type of cheap dirt board and get on it."

Ian ; You actually managed to break your NoSno ! That must have took some doing ?

Gdrs "I was trying to ride an acute transition up at Mordor. Nosno have redesigned the deck since and it is stronger now. £100 replacement cost ouch".

Ian ; Do you think there has been anything in particular re - innovation in board design that has brought the sport on?

Gdrs "Composite decks and truck design. Manufacturers like to claim how easy their boards are to adjust, fix, and maintain and some improvements have been made while others seem to have gone backwards (have you ever tried adjusting revo’s, you know what I mean)".

Ian ; What has been your best freeride spot? and what is the best place you have ridden ?

Gdrs " I can not say anything except that I had a full moon on both occasions. XBP centre is the best place for easy lift riding and meeting riders, and Rogers in Hailsham is best for the dirt, trickster and fun tribe".

Comment: My lips are sealed.

Ian ; What would be your ideal days riding ?

Gdrs. "Going good to soft, wallet full, belly full, mates ready to rknrl and rides ahead over 1000m"

Ian ; How did you get involved with original kentatb lot?

Gdrs. "Trawling around the web lookin for ride buddies"

Ian ; You once broke your back, tell us a bit about that.

Gdrs. "My 7th vertebrae was fractured and dislocated in a kiting accident. I bit off a big lump of wind and it dumped me on my head from 15ft. I got a metal pins in me neck two weeks in traction and a bird cage over my head for 6 weeks."

Ian ; Any other nasty injury's ?

Gdrs. " Some blown up knees, broken fingers, shivering sprains and bruises, grazes galore and a real nasty gashed elbow from too much ambition and not enough safety gear".

Comment: I think I remeber the elbow incident.

Ian ; I hear your considering hanging up your board. Why is that ?

Gdrs. " Time, money and dwindling thresholds".

Ian ; Where is mountainboarding going to be in 20 years time ?

Gdrs. "In a video game, the x games and on Xtreme channel. Someone may even put it on news at ten by riding some forsaken piece of tarmac that goes on for miles eg M20, M2, M25 post your ideas for the perfect tarmac ride on KentATB."

Comment: Get down to the Alps for long tarmac runs. - You can ride for miles, just taking in your surroundings, very mellow. Then get on the real terrain and test your skills.

Ian ; I see from your facebook profile you have been doing allot of art work. Has this always been a interest of yours ?

Gdrs. " For over ten years I have been drawing for the sake of it. I hugely admire what Rembrandt and others did with just a pencil or pen and take great delight in doing as they did out and about drawing from life".

Comment: I am also a big fan of Rembrandts etchings. He really got out there and captured the moment in all the gory details.

Ian ; Anything else you would like to tell us ?

Gdrs. "Keep your board/s on board and you will never be disappointed"