When Jean-Marc Johannes was given his first skateboard at the tender age of 11, he had no idea that his life had just changed forever.
As a child, he faced challenges that many young athletes would find daunting.
Now 33, he’s inspiring a generation of kids to chase their dreams.
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Professional skateboarder Jean-Marc is a five-time Guinness World Records holder, with his latest record featured in the 2024 edition for performing an astonishing 323 consecutive ollies.
He struggled with asthma as a boy, which prevented him from joining his friends in the sports they loved.
And while they ran around the track and kicked balls on the field, Jean-Marc found solace in the school library.
But it was in the pages of the Guinness Book of World Records that he found his inspiration.
And after stumbling across the American skateboard legend Tony Hawk, the young boy’s fate was sealed.
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“I held onto that book and thought, ‘One day…’” Jean-Marc, from Athlone, Cape Town, told What’s The Jam.
“An ollie isn’t easy.
“You have to stand on the board, lift it off the ground using the tail, and then land back on it.
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“I usually push myself too hard physically.
“I have this thing that keeps me in check so I don’t become completely reckless.
“My first board wasn’t in the best condition.
“It took some hard knocks, and so did I.
“Skateboarding gave me the self-esteem I needed.”
Jean-Marc’s first ever skateboard was gifted to him by his mother.
And by the age of 15, Jean-Marc was already recognized as one of South Africa’s top skateboarders.
His remarkable talent led him to compete in the international FISE skateboarding competition in China in 2016.
Jean-Marc broke his first two Guinness records in 2018 for the most nollie heelflips. Further accolades followed.
Now a professional skateboarder sponsored by major brands like Adidas, Oakley, and Garmin, Jean-Marc has ambitious goals.
He dreams of competing in the X Games and representing South Africa at the 2028 Olympic Games.
At home, Jean-Marc shares his life with his high-school sweetheart, Roxanne.
He said: “She’s been with me on my journey from the beginning.
“She’s seen every up and every down and has always been there to encourage me.
“I’d love to represent my country after everything I’ve learnt and all the training and passion I’ve put into it.
“For me, it’s still more than a sport.
“Every time I get on the board, I feel like that 11-year-old kid who got on for the first time.”
In addition to his personal pursuits, Jean-Marc gives back to the community through his organization, Fill the Gap, which provides used skateboarding equipment to local young skaters.
He also delivers motivational talks at schools, emphasizing the valuable life lessons that skateboarding can teach.
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