Rog takes a break from strimming to answer a few questions

How's things going? what were you up to before you came to answer some questions for remolition?
Things are great thanks, I was eating a packet of Wotsits infront of the telly.

What we like to do is start by asking people how they got into the sport, so... Where did you first spot a mountainboard?
I Blame Kim for everything (Mrs Knockhill)! She had one in her garage.

How long have you been riding, and with whom?
I've been riding for 5 years, with Donkey (Craig Raymond) the most and the wifey. But we've got quite a lot of bods who we regularly ride with.

What inspired you to set up your own mountainboard centre?
After doing a season at The Priory. Kim in a fit of pregnant hormonal rage quit us our jobs. And I was heartbroken. And needed a new centre as fast as possible!

Knockhill's location is unique in the sense it isn't actually on a huge hill or really has any hills around it. How did you find it? when you found was it an instant yeah! this is perfect! or did you have have a couple of other sites to choose from?
I was limping around the woods with a broken foot filming, when 2 boarders I had never met before came up and started chatting. It turned out that they had been to the dry ski slope and were talking to the boss about mountainboarding, and he thought it would be a great idea to try something. It was a case of being in the right wood at the right time. And if you guys are out there, please get in touch, I'm sorry I've forgotten your names.

That's pretty spookey sounds like it was almost fate

What was it like when you first moved in, being on the back of a dry ski slope. Have they always 'got' what you are trying to do?
They said they did, but no not really. It was only Cream Teas last year that the boss came and watched and started to take us seriously.

Has it helped having people snowboarding next door? Have you seen many people crossed over from riding carpet to riding dirt?
Yeah it has, a lot. They have a bar and a pool table : ) A few people have done the cross over, and we've ended up with some great mates because of it, who still ride with us every week. I tried to cross over and smashed myself senseless for an hour and a half, and that was with full pads on.

When you started was it always the plan to set-up a centre which had more of a variety of features? Am I right in thinking Dan Watson has been your only outside help?
Yeah digger Dan came and did our little boarder-x. The variety of features came from our combined creative genius brains and whatever bits and bobs we have lying around (everything is made from recycled timber) not through ethics, but skip raiding!

Has it helped being a rider with a local crew? Have they been much help planning and shifting soil about? Guessing most of it is hand dug...
Yeah pretty much all of it is hand dug, and having a local crew (some not so local) really helps, the boys and girls have been out there in all weathers up to their knees in dirt.

For people thinking that running a mountainboard centre is one of the best jobs the world, is it a lot of work? Cutting the grass alone must keep you pretty busy!
It is one of the best jobs in the world, and its hard as you like to make it, i personally make it as difficult as possible all the time but it keeps me from getting embarrasing hobbies. Cutting grass and strimming have to be the best hobbies a man could have get into it now young fellas and by the time your my age I'll be too old to do it, and you can come and do it for me!

Yeah I know you mean about grass cutting don't know weather it's because it's my own lawn or I have got to that certurn age but there is a level of satifaction when it looks all nice and neat!

What have been some of the best moments?
Ahh the usual tear jearking moments, birth of baby Fern, teaching kids who didn't think they could do it .... to do it.

Right then, Cream Tea's and Jam - the first year, has to be one of the best and most progressive events, how did it all happen? Did the BFC come to you with an idea or did you both just think there needs to be a comp which is a lot more rider focused, on smaller features, getting away from the normal bx-followed-by-big air format. With a big dash more fun? After all, I don't think there have been many comps where riding has stopped for tea...
I was chatting to Dave about snowboarding comps and the fact that there wasn't a rail, jib, small air fun type comp. And we decided to chuck a small jib fest and it turned into a monster. I'm dead civilised me, and at some point in the day everyone must stop for tea! And because we're in the heart of Sussex. Cream teas seemed appropriate. Big shout out to Kim and Mum baking 100 fresh scones (again).

So what has been happening this year- have there been many big changes? Where do you think all the best tricks are going to be thrown down?
There have been to many changes to mention and risk assess (but we have risk assessed everything). I think the best tricks will probably be on The Love Box section, it rocks.

How do you see Knockhill changing longer-term, in the future? Are there some monster features you are still itching to build, or it that top secret?
There are no secrets at Knockhill, I get too excited and just blurt everything out. The boss is allowing us to go ahead with the big boarder-x and it just so happens that digger Dan is back in the UK, talk about good timing eh. And two massive kickers would be nice. But thats after the BX.

We should probably talk a bit about your own riding! When you get the chance, what would your ideal days riding be?
Blatting down the big run at the tanktrails (RIP), or riding at paradise.

What would you say your best days mountainboarding has been?
Going on tour with Kent ATB and Godders. I could talk about this day for hours, but I won't.

Have you got a favourite freeride spot?
Don't really have a favourite, they're all great if you go with the right mates.

Do you do any other board sports?
Nah, I used to skate but I'm not allowed any more.

If you could build a centre any size anywhere with an unlimited budget what would it be like?
It would be like Knockhill MBC, but with nice wood and a big boarder-x with a lift.

Any big up's, shout outs or just a plain ol' thanks for anyone?
My support team (Kim and Fern)
The one and only Donkey, couldn't do it without him
All Knockhill crew members, you know who you are.

The remolition quick fire questions

How big do you think a mountainboard would be before it becomes the first mountainboard bus?
Blue

Plastic or metal?
Metal

Red or blue?
Black

How many pairs of shoes to you own?
5 plus wellies

Beer or Cider?
Tea

Whats the most interesting thing you have forgotten?
Errr

sunrise or sunset?
dusk

Girls Aloud: good or bad?
Feckin' great, had them all

What do you do on a Thursday?
Cut grass

Is the Trowler still available for peeps to wobble about on?
No, it has been rebuilt and now it's a Nowler. A NoSno deck instead of a Trampa.

What question are you glad we didn't ask?
How do I keep my youthfull looks at my age?

Are there any good places to eat round your way?
Roedean Cafe

Last word?
Bye