Jeff Ottaway's Profile

JJ Ottaway has been involved in the SA skate scene since it's birth. He has been a Member of the original Team Machine and Team Roces (SA team) and also Team Rollerblaze. I asked Jeff a few questions and this what he said!

Shep: What is your role in Da Klinic? I set up Da Klinic with Adrian. I kind of manage the day to day running of the shop and the business side of things.

Shep: How long you been skating? I have been rolln on inline skates for close to 10 years since the inception in Adelaide, but i used to rule the roller discos on rollerskates prior to that.

Shep: Out of all of your years skating what would have to be the best or worst moments? The best moments would have to be the cool people,places and parties i have enjoyed during my skating career. The worst moments would have had to be the injuries and not being able to skate, for example when we were skating down a ramp to the crown casino and i had had a few beverages and i ran into a big fat pole.... and spilt my beers.

Yeoman: How did you and adrian meet? I think it was at Fulham skatepark, which has three cement bowls, we used to skate there all day and then party as young kids by night.

Shep: If there was anything you could have had from your skating career what would it have been? Thats a hard one. The way i see it my skating career isnt over, i am still in the industry and trying to do good things for the local adelaide skate scene and im still rolling.

Yeoman: Are you coming to the ex-games? I would like to very much, but with the shop and working 5 days at a bakery to finance it, im not sure whether i can spare the time... its a hard life.

Yeoman: How do you handle working with Adrian? Its a struggle man, i come into the shop everyday and he hasnt done stuff that he is supposed to so i get stressed out, but then i go for a walk and its all good. He really tests my patience some time though.. like now!

Yeoman: What is your aims for Da Klinic for the future? I want to make a call shop/business that kids want to hang out at and can learn how to do youth activities, like breakdancing, Djing, Mcing etc. I just want to make a living from something i enjoy doing instead of doing the 9 - 5 day in day out working for the man.... life is meant to be enjoyed.

Shep: What is your favourite element of hip hop? I like it all from the music to breaking. We are a predominantly hip hop underground business catering entirely for youth and not commercialising ourselves or selling ourselves out. We cover all aspects of hip hop.

Yeoman: The skate scene in Australia is being turned over to skater owned businesses, are you excited to be a part of this revolution? Hell yeah, i am f#@kn sick of old business people seeing a niche in the market and exploiting it with high prices which rips off the average kid who saves up his pocket money to buy a magazine or shirt. We are about keeping our prices low and doing whats best for the industry. Its good to see people like Matt Raimondo, Justin Buchanan and Marlon Mascarenhas starting up businesses and making a go of it. I hate the kids being exploited as the Adelaide scene has been for a while by a certain other skate retailer.

Shep: You recently travelled overseas, where did you go and did you skate? In january i went to Europe for a month and visited London, Canary Islands, Spain, Italy, Amsterdam and Switzerland. I skated The playstaion park in London which was sick and the best park i have skated. I also skated in Amsterdam at a few indoor skateparks with my friend Tess and others. Europe rules and i cant wait to go back.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? All Da Klinic crew and groupies such as Adam V, Jon, Jade, Daniel Y, Shep, Ash, Dave W, Cale, Frazer, Margot, Irene, Solid MC, Joel, Toby, Simon, Aggie, Shazza, Dale, Kezza Berdezza and anyone else i have missed. Respect to all.