Chris & Guto.

Guto Negão is 27 years old and already the world champion in downhill longboarding. Skateboarding has been his passion ever since he was 20. It all started as a hobby and it was only by coincidence that he discovered how good he was. He had decided to compete in a race just for fun, even though he had no training or experience. He was shocked at how well he did, and now it's hard to imagine a competition without him. In this interview, Guto talks about his longboarding experiences, what longboards and motorcycles have in common, and his plans for the future.

How long have you been longboarding?

The first time I stood on a longboard, I was 20 years old. I saw one and wanted to know what on earth it was.

What must beginners watch out for?

For those taking up longboarding, a word to the wise: make sure you wear a helmet and gloves. Because at the beginning, you will fall over often and will inevitably have to use your hands to brake, hence the need for gloves. Knee guards provide even more protection.

You were at so many events over the past few years. Which was the best and why?

Definitely Teutonia, because of the high speeds. It is a very technical race, because you are hardly allowed to move at all. You find yourself in "high-speed mode" and can't even look up because you are going so fast and the wind is so strong that you could fall off your board at any time. That was pretty exciting, but I think the most incredible race I have ever had was the last race – when I became world champion.

Have you got any goals left after becoming world champion?

My goal for 2016 is definitely to become world champion again. I definitely want to win all races I take part in. It might well be possible to become world champion when you come second every now and again, but I always want to be the winner.

What is your highest speed on the longboard?

My highest measured speed during a race was 119 km/h, but my personal highest speed was 139 km/h. But that's not official, because I can't prove it.

Do you believe motorcycling and longboarding have anything in common?

What longboarding and motorcycling have in common for me is how you lean into the corners and feel the asphalt beneath your tyres. I think the feeling of leaning into a corner at full speed is very similar on the motorcycle and the longboard.