It is with great sadness to the slalom world that we have lost Leon Clarke who has gone meet his cousin, Martin Sweeney, on the great 4ft slalom course in the sky. He was a true skater and competed at the highest levels in the world achieving much in the sport. He truly loved English slalom and entered all UK, European and World Championships. He was a great friend to all at South Bank and was always there to help when we were having bad times. He was also an inspiration for us all in the Dark Days of skateboarding and inspired Martin to get the world record, he even rode the same board.
He suffered a major illness which left him in Intensive Care for a very long time and it was a long road to recovery, of which he never fully achieved. He fought on with not a bitter word or complaint, in fact I think we were more worried than him. But when the UKSSA formed and arranged the first major series in the world at that time he was there with his old board and competed like the true Pro he was. He even achieved second place in the series which was very hard fought by the UK’s top slalomers, still on his old board.
He will be massively missed by his Southbank friends and the whole world of slalom. He was a great chef, loved Punk Rock and was a true friend to everyone he knew.
R.I.P. Leon
By Chris “Clingfilm” Linford
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