Flatspot? Not with these Mini Rats

May 28,2013 / By Hippie Mike / 2 Comments

Longboard Shops and Banjos? Yeah that could go together…
I don’t really know what to expect about this event but it’s coming up quickly and we’re going. It’s a Bowl Contest at Flatspot Longboard Shop on E. Pender in Vancouver and there’s money to be won.
This Friday, May 31st the doors open at 7:30pm, but you gotta be 19 or over to get in. $4 to enter the shop and $10 to enter the contest but winners will take the money back. The whole night is a mystery, we have no idea who BanjoMan is, and I’m not even sure if you have to skate a longboard in this thing, but it doesn’t matter, it’s a contest and the bowl looks fun! I know Andy Anderson has ridden it and said he had a blast. I also know he’s not old enough to enter so that means someone else could win.

Guest judges, no kids allowed, banjos – Sounds like a good time to me. Grab your skate, bring some cash and come find out what it’s all about

May 31st – 7:30pm
Flatspot Longboard Shop
112 E. Pender

Sponsored by Centre Distribution, Triple Eight, Rayne, Skate Slate, Vicious Griptape, Brooklyn Workshop and Gullwing Trucks
Be There…

Extreme Sports Skateboarding

Kitsch is The Schit!

May 24,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

If you live in the Vancouver Area and you know anyone from the skateboard scene down there then you would probably recognize the name Geoff Dermer. Dermer’s been around for a long time and is one of the most stylish skateboarders around. He has influenced many over the years to become really technical ledge and flatground skaters and still represents with talent everywhere he goes. Catch up with him at The Plaza whenever you can.

Geoff Dermer created his own skateboard brand quite a few years back called Kitsch Skateboards and he has a solid team of riders – Cory Wilson, Stacy Gabriel, Will Blakley, Mike Hastie, Sean Macalister and himself Geoff Dermer. They came out with a full length video a couple years ago called “Bric-a-Brac” and are still filming all the time. You can find most of their riders in the magazines, and their product is built tough.

Kitsch skateboards is a company you can trust and should support. Check out their new product line for 2013

http://kitschskateboards.com/?p=3807

and watch the latest Kitsch commercial featuring Cory Wilson

Extreme Sports Skateboarding

Do You Like to GIVER?

May 22,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

GIVER Wheels is a new company created by Maple Ridge Local Jesse Holland. With a team consisting of himself, Jonathan Reichert, Mike Rogers and the man they actually call “Giver” – Michael James they like to represent the new product at random skate parks. Here is a montage of the team having fun together and Given’R at Lake Errock.

Check out the video, and hit the links to learn more about how you can get down with GIVER Wheels.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Giver-Skate-Co/171911252972771

Instagram – @GiverSkate

World Round Up 2013 Winners

May 21,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Once again, Wow! What a weekend of insanity. Being a skateboarder for over a quarter century I have seen a lot of amazing talent and have been to and organized many skateboard events, small and big, but this one was at the top of the list for awesomeness. Not since Slam City Jam have I seen so many unbelievable skaters in one room in the Lower Mainland. These guys know how to put on a show….

Big thanks to Monty Little and Kevin Harris for putting in the hours of labour to set this Freestyle Championship up, and also to house contestants from all over the world. I had the pleasure of being the main Videographer for this event and I will be releasing a short video/interview for each contestant as well as a 15 minute Recap Video of the entire event. I got to meet everyone that was there on a more personal level and really enjoyed my time with each of them. And to top it off I was honoured by Monty and Kevin with a Kevin Harris/Skull Skates Deck signed by everyone and a Bob Marley Freedom Flag – so stoked!! Be ready for all the videos to come out throughout the next week.

As for the results, it was tough in both Categories. The Amateurs had some serious battles going on and people jumped positions between the Semi-Finals and Finals. I am Proud to announce that 2 of our Protest Riders made Top 3 and you know who they are – Andy Anderson took 3^rd Place, which is huge considering that he just really got into Freestyle on a serious note one year ago at last year’s World Round Up. Then it came down to Ryan Brynelson and Kaue Arouja for 1^st and 2^nd. They both had flawless, consistent and insane runs in the Finals and somehow Ryan Brynelson accomplished his goal and is now the #1 Ranked Amateur Freestyle Skateboarder in the World. Give it up for the Protest Kids!!!

In the Pro’s it was tight and I mean tiiiiiiiiight. So tight that the Top 5 were all scored within 1 point of each other. One of the competitors was really pushing for me to hook him up with sponsorship and he is definitely deserving so we have added him onto the Protest Team. Lucio Flavio Simas de Lima from Brazil is now sponsored by Protest Skateboards and finished in 7^th Place in the Pro Division. He is stoked!!

I gotta give it up to all the Pros, this was a difficult competition and even though they all love each other like family, everyone was there with the same goal to win. Per Canguru from Brazil went into the Finals in 2^nd Place but had some difficulty in his runs and ended up in 5^th. Masahiro Fujii from Japan destroyed the place and had the crowd going crazy all day every day and ended up in 4^th Place. Mike Osterman from USA is one of the most solid skateboarders I’ve ever seen, he stomps every trick with more power than he uses to pop them and he pulled through for a 3^rd Place finish. The biggest surprise of the contest was Seya Nakano from Japan who is not a sponsored Pro but entered into the Pro Category in hopes of success that would help make that sponsorship happen, and I think his chances of it happen are very high now since he put on an amazing Demo of how good he is and ended up in 2^nd Place. So good!!

The winner was almost inevitable right from Day 1 – Guenter Mokulys from Berlin, Germany has been skating Freestyle for decades and when he’s on his game, he is almost untouchable. He dominated the entire weekend right from the get-go and proved himself once again to be the champ by winning 1^st Place at The World Round Up Freestyle Championship 2013. This was huge piece of history as this was Guenter’s 10^th big win and he is now a 10-Time Freestyle World Champion.

Give it up for Guenter Mokulys!!!

This event was soooooo awesome. I asked so many competitors in their interviews the same question “What will be your biggest memory from this event?” and the majority had the same answer – to see all their friends from around the world who they share a special and unique passion with, and the feeling that filled the atmosphere which was so positive. It felt like a huge Family Reunion and I can’t believe how so many people who speak completely different languages can all come together in unity and be as one in this little space. That is the beauty of acceptance.

Cheers to everyone who came out, and understand that the love shared throughout the arena was made possible by riding a piece of wood with some wheels bolted on to it.

Skateboard for Life….Skateboard for Love

– Hippie Mike

World Round Up 2013 Results

Amateur

Ryan Brynelson – Canada
Kaue Arouja – Brazil
Andy Anderson – Canada
Jacob Whitt – USA
Thomas Nascimento – Brazil
Felix “Fleppo” Jonsson – Sweden
Daniel Trujillo – USA
Mic Murayama – Japan
Alejandro C Finy – Costa Rica
Adam Flood – Canada

Professional

Guenter Mokulys – Germany
Seya Nakano – Japan
Mike Osterman – USA
Masahiro Fujii – Japan
Per Canguru – Brazil
Stefan “Lillis” Akesson –Sweden
Lucio Lima – Brazil
Rene Shigueto – Brazil
Jesse Whalen – USA
Albert Kuncz – Hungary/Slovakia

Other Competitors not in Top 10

Amateur

Rickey Rodriguez – USA AJ Kohn – USA
Sam McKinlay – Canada Bert Mathieson – USA
Yuta Miyatake – Japan Christian Heise – Germany

Professional

Dan Garb – USA
Darryl Grogan – USA
Lucas Gomes – Brazil
Lynn Cooper – USA
Stefan Albert – Germany
Tai Tai – Brazil
Takashi Suzuki – Japan
Tomo Koyano – Japan
Toshiaki Fujii – Japan
Photos from Day 4

World Round Up Finals – WOW!!

May 20,2013 / By Hippie Mike / 1 Comment

It all comes down to that 1 word – WOW!!

This event has been something else, every time your blink your eyes some other mind-blowing tricks gets stomped down. I have never seen so many handstands in my life, and all of these guys can flip out of them and land perfect every time, some can even double flips. The footage I have been capturing will change your outlook on skateboarding completely when you see it – Primos, Truck Stands, 1 foot spins and Cocunut Wheelies, there is no limit. One of the best tricks I filmed so far was a moving handstand with a bunny hop ollie still in handstand and then kickflip out by the Dr. Bert Mathieson, who is in his 50’s.

That was another crazy thing, out of the Pro’s that were in the Finals, 6 out of 10 of them are in there 40’s, that’s why they’re so hard to beat because of how experienced they are.

The Amateur Category was even more crazy than Saturday’s Semi-Finals with Ryan Brynelson, Kaue Arouja, Andy Anderson and Jacob Whitt all throwing down flawless and unreal runs. The technicality and consistency of these 4 made them all look like Pros and I would hate to have to judge between them.

The real Pros were just as tough of course with Guenter Mokulys ruling the floor again, Per Canguru, Rene Shigueto, Seya Nakano, Mike Osterman and others trying there hardest to beat him but it is so, so difficult. We won’t know any of the results until the Awards Ceremony at 3pm to close down the contest.

All I have to say is this entire weekend has been packed full of smiling faces, heart to heart conversations, amazing people and historic memories. Great skating from everyone who showed up and good luck to those trying to win prizes.

Photos from the Finals

Ones and Twos at The Round Up – Ten’s the Limit Day 2

May 19,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Well, the 2^nd day of The World Round Up was definitely insanity. This was the Semi-Finals and it was crazy – so many people were throwing down everything they possibly could imagine trying to try and make it in the Top 10 for their categories to be in the Finals on Sunday. Even Kevin Harris couldn’t get over how unbelievable the tricks going down were. But this is to be expected since we are looking 40 of the best Freestyle Skaters in the World. Japan, Brazil, Germany, USA, Slovakia, Costa Rica, Sweden, United Kingdom and Canada are all being represented in full effect. And one of the coolest things happened today, PD from Skull Skates was on site and awarded every competitor with a custom made Kevin Harris/Skull Skates Deck and they were all i awe. So awesome!!

The crowds were huge today, there was a 5 minute demo by Kevin Harris, Kilian Martin and AJ Kohn that may have been the best demo I ever saw, and the the competition was insane all day. The best part is both of Protest Skateboards Team Riders are in the Finals for Amateur in the top ranks – Ryan Brynelson in 1^st and Andy Anderson in 2^nd. This is amazing, and all we can do now is hope they both keep skating as good and as consistent as they have been already and keep these positions after the Finals. I think they can do it and I’m stoked to have them both representing for me.

The Pro category is gonna be the tough one for sure. I can pick out 6 guys I know will make the Top 10 but that leaves only 4 spots out of 17 more skaters. I would hate to be a judge, and these guys gotta recognize that even if they don’t make the finals, they still did amazing jobs and wowed some massive crowds today.

Sunday May 19^th is the day you need to be at this event. Shit is going down for sure so come out to Cloverdale and support your locals Andy and Ryan, and be prepared to see the craziest skateboarding you have ever seen. $10,000 in prize money leaving the building tomorrow.

Amateur Finals @ 11am-12:30pm

Professional Finals @ 4pm-6pm

Here are some photos from today

Protest Skateboards Represents on Day 1 [GALLERY]

May 18,2013 / By Hippie Mike / 1 Comment

Day 1 of the World Round Up Freestyle Skateboard Championships was a hit. The weather let up enough that lots of people showed up to the Cloverdale Rodeo which meant a good crowd would come in and out of the contest. The place was packed with some of the biggest names of skateboarding like Russ Howell, Jim Goodrich, Kilian Martin and Kevin Harris, but the real talent was displayed on the floor with the guys competing. A lot of new faces from last year’s Round Up but definitely people ho are not new to the skateboard scene. Freestylers Unite world wide for this event and it is amazing to see the love and excitement that fills the room. Consider the fact that there are only about 250 people in the world that consider themselves Freestyle Skateboarders and now think that I run events at Chuck Bailey Skate Park all the time where we get almost that many people out skateboarding on a weeknight. This community is so tight knit and they are all supportive of each other whether they win or lose, they’re just happy to see creative people doing what they do best.

Our Protest Riders Andy Anderson and Ryan Brynelson both represented hard in the Prelims with Andy placing 5^th so far and Ryan Brynelson dominating his way into 1^st. Can’t wait to see how these positions hold up. The Pro Competition is super steep this year and the judges have a lot of work to do. It’s gonna be tough.

Semi Finals are today and Finals on Sunday. Come on out and check the scene.

Here’s some photos from Day 1

World Round Up – The Competitors

May 15,2013 / By Hippie Mike / 1 Comment

With The World Round Up 2 days away some people still don’t know what it is. This is a Freestyle Skateboarding Competition for the best Freestylers in the world. 38 competitors coming from 9 different countries to compete to be the best in either Amateur or Pro categories. Put together by Kevin Harris & Monty Little, and welcoming amazing legends like Russ Howell, Jim Goodrich and Bill Robertson to be a part of the event, this will be the 2^nd annual, and it is held inside the Cloverdale Curling Rink for 4 days during the Cloverdale Rodeo.

Competitors include Adam Flood, AJ Kohn, Albert Kuncz, Alejandro Finy, Andy Anderson, Bert Mathieson, Brandon Pretty, Christian Heise, Dan Garb, Daniel Trujillo, Darren Nolan, Darryl Grogan, Erick Mattos, Felix Jonsson, Guenter Mokulys, Jacob Whitt, Jesse Whalen, Kaue Araujo, Lucas Fraga de Carvalho Gomes, Lucio Flavo Simas de Lima, Lynn Cooper, Masahiro Fujii, Mic Murayama, Mike Osterman, Per Canguru, Rene Shigueto, Ricky Rodriguez, Ryan Brynelson, Sam McKinlay, Seya Nakano, Stefan Akesson, Stefan Albert, Tai Tai, Takashi Suzuki, Thomas Nascimento, Tomo Koyano and Toshiaki Fujii.

Check the listings below to see what category they are entered in, what country they represent and if you click their names you can watch a teaser video of each person.

For more information on the event click here

http://www.theworldroundup.com/

May 17-20 see you there

Adam Flood	Amateur	Canada
AJ Kohn	Professional	USA
Albert Kuncz	Professional	Slovakia
Alejandro C Finy	Amateur	Costa Rica
Andy Anderson	Amateur	Canada
Bert Mathieson	Professional	USA
Brandon Pretty	Amateur	Canada
Christian Heise	Professional	Germany
Dan Garb	Professional	USA
Daniel Trujillo	Amateur	USA
Darran Nolan	Professional	United Kingdom
Darryl Grogan	Professional	USA
Erick Mattos	Amateur	USA
Felix “Fleppo” Jonsson	Amateur	Sweden
Guenter Mokulys	Professional	Germany
Jacob Whitt	Amateur	USA
Jesse Whalen	Professional	USA
Kaue Araujo	Amateur	Brazil
Kevin Harris	Demo	Canada
Lucas Fraga de Carvalho Gomes	Professional	Brazil
Lúcio Flávio Simas de Lima	Professional	Brazil
Lynn Cooper	Professional	USA
Masahiro Fujii	Professional	Japan
Mic Murayama	Amateur	Japan
Mike Osterman	Professional	USA
Per Canguru	Professional	Brazil
Rene Shigueto	Professional	Brazil
Ricky Rodriguez	Amateur	USA
Ryan Brynelson	Amateur	Canada
Sam McKinlay	Amateur	Canada
Seya Nakano	Professional	Japan
Stefan “Lillis” Åkesson	Professional	Sweden
Stefan Albert	Professional	Germany
Tai Tai	Professional	Brazil
Takashi Suzuki	Professional	Japan
Thomas Nascimento	Amateur	Brazil
Tomo Koyano	Professional	Japan
Toshiaki Fujii	Professional	Japan

B-Rad at the Lad

May 14,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Fighter (Brad Muscat) disappears to the mountains all winter every winter, but when he comes back to the skateboard world each Spring he has new confidence and ambition to go big. As you might have seen from that Benihana Photo we posted for his birthday last week.

Brad is a true “Fighter” and does not like to give up. This kid will lie on the ground for 10 minutes writhing in pain and then get up and try the trick again. I’ve seen him skate in full arm casts and even a full leg brace. He skates hard and has lots of skill, and he does a lot of tricks that others don’t do, and even a bunch that he created himself. Addicted to Judo Blunts, Crooks and Benihanas, Brad sets the bar high on scary obstacles. I love the fact that he does the most hated trick of all time in so many different places, not too many people can Benihana a 9 stair first try in their contest runs.

So Brad went to Ladner Skate Park a couple weeks ago on a broken board and couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards – “Gotta go back to Ladner and film. Gotta go back to Ladner Bowl…” So on Friday when I asked him what he wanted to do, it was obvious what his answer would be. We skated for about an hour and the Fighter threw down a bunch of tricks that most people wouldn’t even try, including a piece of history.

Have you ever seen someone Benihana Transfer straight over a spine before?? You have now…

AntiSkullCial??

May 9,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

The two best skateboard shops in Vancouver have come together to offer a small run of collaboration T-shirts. An eclectic mix of live artists with a background in skateboarding will be on hand to entertain. This free event takes place at Antisocial Skateboard Shop and features performances by Craig Williams, Sorcerers and The Rita. Early show, doors at 8pm. Please bring a can of food for the food bank.

Author Archives: Hippie Mike