Hi. I'm Hippie Mike!

Hippie Mike is a man of many talents, many skills and many creations. A master of construction, Mike loves to build and create unique and custom projects, but he also takes the same mind frame to everything else he does.

Nov 11,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Every day I feel blessed to be alive for so many reasons, there were many times as I grew up that I hated the world so much I didn’t want to be part of it anymore but I always pushed through. Since I moved to BC in 1998 I have been so lucky to live the life I live with so many amazing people of all ages surrounding me at all times. I have friends that are in their 50’s & 60’s, I have friends in their 30’s & 40’s and I have friends who are 20, 16, 12 and even younger. It’s awesome how when you just accept people for who they are you don’t judge them on things like age or appearance or anything else. I think growing up as a skateboarder/snowboarder taught me this way of thinking and I am so happy to have been a part of this culture for the past 28 years. Last year I went through some pretty tough depression with the loss of my Dad. I had just started this website (www.protestskateboards.com) about 2 months before he died and I remember the last conversation we ever had and I was telling him over the phone how I felt like I had slipped away from what I loved to do most and needed to stop working so hard at my Cabinet Business I was running at the time and focus more on Protest Skateboards again. Skateboarding was in my soul and I had spent the past 3 years at that time really working hard to make my woodworking business a success, but something was missing in my everyday life and I wasn’t the happy Hippie Mike that I used to be. I also felt like I needed to free up more time to spend with my own son Kaelen as he was 2 1/2 years old at the time and I did not want to miss out on his childhood memories. So I decided to close down my Cabinet Business and resurrect myself back into the skateboard world. But I didn’t want to just focus on Protest alone and what I was doing, but more on the entire local community and how much was actually happening in the Lower Mainland, BC, and all of Canada. My Dad knew how much passion I had towards skateboarding and making a positive impact in the world through skateboarding and he was very supportive during that conversation. I remember him saying that he was so proud of me for how far I had come with my Cabinet business, but to always follow my dreams, even if it meant starting from nothing again. So I started writing, writing about all kinds of things and the website started churning out material, and when my dad passed away it just created a huge fire inside me to keep on going at full speed for as long as possible. He meant everything to me and he was gone, and I wasn’t going to lose anything else at that moment. I would just lock myself in my office and write. Things started happening fast and before I knew it people all over were talking about my site and the articles, interviews, contests and recaps that were on it. I started feeling a little better but my emotions stayed raw for a long time.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing others enjoying themselves because of something that I created for them, and I think that’s why I push myself over the limit so much where I just keep on thinking of awesome new ideas and then do whatever it takes to bring them to life. When I was growing up I always remembered the people that brought me opportunities to grow and gave me what I needed to survive and stay happy, and the ones that shared important knowledge with me that mattered in life, and that is probably why I feel the need to give so much back to so many people. I was blessed with love from every direction even when I didn’t want it, and now it is reflecting back to the next generation through me.

When I look at my life today I am truly happy – I have a beautiful caring wife, a son that I couldn’t be more proud of, thousands of friends who love me, a sweet house with an amazing yard, multiple successful businesses, and my skateboard. There was an article that recently came out in Concrete Wave Magazine that was all about how skateboarding saves your life and points you down the right roads at the right times and it is so true. I was a big part of why that article was written and all the legends speak the same language in it – if it wasn’t for skateboarding, they would have nothing. So I want you to think about this for a minute, “What do you do every day?” and “What makes you happy in life?” Now put those 2 questions together and ask yourself this one – “How can you take what makes you happy in life and do it every day?” That question is the key to success, the key to happiness, and the key to a wonderful life.

In April 2012 I asked myself that question and the answer changed my life forever…

Zero – Cold War Premiere

Nov 10,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Zero comes out with yet another unreal skate video with dudes that just annihilate obstacles on the streets as well as beat themselves up continuously. I don’t think I can think of any other video where multiple dudes sack so hard on handrails that they hit their face on the rail…

So Jamie Thomas and Tommy Sandoval came out to Vancouver to premiere this new Zero video called Cold War at The Rio Theatre on Broadway. Thomas got up on stage to introduce the show and said it best with one sentence, “We decided to really go back to the roots of Zero and make a video that was just like Thrill of it All and Misled Youth”. The editing was quick, the tricks were all stomped and the spots these guys were skating were completely retarded. Rails that you would be scared to slide down on your ass, rooftop drops, floating ledges sticking out of walls and of course humungous gaps of death. It was a classic right from the start, Jamie Thomas proved once again that he is still a maniac and the rest of the team followed suit.

This video is a must see!! Get it now

Extreme Sports Hey Japan Man Skateboarding

Fabric in Japan

Nov 6,2013 / By Ryan Brynelson / No Comment

Do you know Fabric? Well unless your in Yokohama Japan probably not, which is why I’m going to tell you guys across the pond about them. I first met the owner Kojima and his wife Saori at Yokohama skatepark, the park I go to all the time. I was practicing my 360 spin variations when Kojima came up to me and said “You spin like Kevin Harris“. I was shocked he didn’t say Rodney Mullen, but Kevin Harris. I replied to him and said “He was the one who taught me” and from there we hit it off right away. It turns out that Kevin was in Japan and did a demo for Kojima and his class-mates in the 80’s when he was in middle school. He told me how stoked he was to meet him back then and later showed a board he had Kevin sign from way back then.

We started talking more and I found out he owns a skate-shop called Fabric, which just happened to be a 5 minute walk from my house. This shop is sick! I go in and it’s like a basement where the ceiling barely misses my head, but it’s definitely not too cramped. At this shop there isn’t a skate wall, but more like a skate ceiling with boards covering the place. What really caught my eye though, is that Kojima does his own boards, and they are absolutely sick! He makes all kinds of shapes, experiments with them and then rides them. He loves to experiment with different shapes and graphics and each one looks just as sick as the next. Couldn’t have found a more core shop with such incredibly awesome people running it. These people really deserve every bit of success and more that comes their way.

Right now, I regularly stop by the shop and talk with Kojima and his wife about various skate related things and have incredibly fun conversations with them as well as skate with them on occasion and that’s when I take a step back and realize something. If I never studied Japanese, these incredibly awesome people would have been impossible to make a connection with. I am truly grateful now that my high-school offered so many Japanese programs to travel abroad as well as study the language. This is just another example of what travelling abroad at a young age will give you. A whole different view of the world with a new fascination and appreciation for other cultures and languages. We like to think that English is THE language, however I strongly have to disagree. There are so many other cultures and languages to experience with so many different communities that are not as small and tight-knit as we might think with new friends and new adventures just waiting around the corner.

Thank you Kojima and Saori for your kind hospitality and really making me feel welcome here.

-Ryan Brynelson

Extreme Sports Hippie Mike Skateboarding Team Riders

Authentic Board Supply releases their Team Rider names!

Nov 5,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

So, you wanna know who rides for the only true Surrey Skate Team do ya?

Today is November 4^th, and first off I need to thank everyone who has been supportive of the new Surrey skate shop Authentic Board Supply so far. We had a ton of awesome customers come in the first 2 days we were open and they were all stoked on the shop, not just on how much sweet product there was but on the actual design itself. This means a lot to me since I am big on being unique and different, and I love custom stuff. We worked hard to make the shop look as cool as it does, and it happened fast.

Today we begin to release the “secret riders” names, bio’s and welcome videos to the world starting with myself – Hippie Mike. 28 years of skateboarding so far and I am far from being done. Check out my bio and this sweet video of me skating the type of obstacle I love most – rocks…

http://authenticboardsupply.com/hippie-mike/

5 more riders will be released throughout the week the same way. Check out the Authentic website www.authenticboardsupply.com everyday around 12 noon to find out who they are and see their skills

Thanks,

Hippie Mike

Extreme Sports Protest Skateboards Skateboarding

Authentic Board Supply Opens Saturday

Nov 1,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

As the newspaper article stated, we were trying very hard to get the new Surrey Skate Shop “Authentic Board Supply” up and running. The staff was hired earlier in the month, the Sk8 Team is already built with welcome videos waiting to be launched, the website (www.authenticboardsupply.com) is full of awesome info about the shop, and I, Hippie Mike, have been slaving 24/7 for the past 3 weeks renovating the shop with one other person from an empty rectangle into the unique masterpiece you will see when you walk through the doors. And for the past week there has been a mega-team of people contributing their time and skills to beautify the shop. As usual, no matter how hard you try, you’re never fully prepared on time, but be patient and the new era will begin soon.

Saturday, November 2^nd, we will open the doors to the public and let you see “what’s in store”. From then on we will be open 10am-6pm every day. Come on by for a visit and check out all the top brands we have in stock – tons of clothing, shoes, watches and skateboard hard goods to select from. Deals will be happening all month long and we will be having a soft opening 3-day sale on the weekend of November 22-24.

I look forward to continue serving you, the community of Surrey and it’s surrounding area in a positive way.

Thank you all for your support, and see you Saturday

Extreme Sports Skateboarding

Authentic Board Supply gets props in The Surrey Now

Oct 30,2013 / By Protest Skateboards / No Comment

When the people at The Surrey Now caught wind that Hippie Mike was going to be opening up a skateboard shop in Surrey they had to do an article about it right away. The Surrey Now is always promoting things I do in the community, there’s usually at least one article about myself every year, and then there tends to be a few photos of people at my events that will get mixed into the media shuffle here and there. This time it was about the fact that I am opening up a skateboard shop right in the heart of Whalley simply named Authentic Board Supply. The shop is all about keepin’ it real in the skateboard world by giving kids a place to hang and have positive mentors, bringing more events and partnerships to the communities that surround us, and providing the best product out there at reasonable prices. I’ve been working very hard to get this shop ready to open and have had an amazing crew helping me with the renovations. We should be open this weekend in the Dell Shopping Centre located 10604 King George Blvd – come check us out…

Here’s the article

http://www.thenownewspaper.com/sports/hippie-mike-sets-up-shop-in-surrey-1.675941

Hey Japan Man

Standing Out in a Crowd

Oct 28,2013 / By Ryan Brynelson / No Comment

The other day I was invited to a BBQ skate jam by some friends at a place called 海風公園 (Umi-Kaze-Kouen) which translates into Ocean Wind Park. The skateboard park is right next to the ocean and is a very refreshing place to go to. When I started skating, I could already feel an exciting sense of freedom being there and was having a blast doing what I was doing and then I looked up, took out my head-phones, and noticed a bunch of kids watching and clapping. They came up to me and started talking to me right away, asking me how to do some freestyle tricks.

I was surprised to see that the two girls standing to my left in the picture named Kokona and Mizuki were already able to do some freestyle. The two of them were usually skating next to each other doing some footwork and some incredibly stylish 360’s. I found out later they learned from some of the other freestyle locals at various parks in Japan. That’s the awesome thing about kids is that they are excited to learn and have lots to say regardless of what you might look like. The thing is, being a foreigner in Japan (especially if your non-Asian) you will usually be subject to one of two things by people you run into for the first time.

Some people will be scared to talk to you and may try to avoid you. This isn’t because they are being racist (actually foreigners here are treated very well), it’s mostly because they are worried you might ask them a question in English and they simply don’t know how to reply as most of the people here haven’t opened an English textbook since High-school or University. However, if you start to speak with them in Japanese or at least try, they will feel much more comfortable with talking with you. Which them brings me to the next thing that will likely happen.

No matter how much Japanese you speak, about half the time you will be treated like a baby. All I have to say is “Konichiwa” with a short introduction and it’s like a get a standing ovation. It sounds nice and everybody means very well, but believe me, it gets old fast. Once you start to get to know the person more and not be just another acquaintance however, that does change eventually and people will just talk with you normally.

The great thing about kids though, is that they see past all of this and just talk to me normally.

Regardless of the things I mentioned above, Japan is an amazing country and I love it here. Everybody means well and even if you have these things happen to you when your in Japan, it’s never out of hate. I never like to use the term racism for these situations as I feel like that word has a lot of hate behind it. Friendly misunderstandings or misconceptions are definitely the best way to put it. The best thing I can do is take it all and stride and have a good time with it. There are definitely lots of interesting stories that have come from these misconceptions some people have of foreigners, but that’s for another blog entry. Until then, thanks for reading and take care you guys.

-Ryan Brynelson

Extreme Sports Skateboarding

The Painful Life

Oct 23,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Yesterday I was reminded how I’ve always spent most of the days of my life in some sort of pain. As a skateboarder, a snowboarder and just a flat out athlete growing up I was always getting injured, and still am, but I just learned to live with it. I’m sure many of you can relate. It’s funny when you think about it how we sprain an ankle so bad and just limp around putting most of our weight on the other leg until it heals, or you break your wrist and 3 days later you’re out there skating again, just with a bit more caution. As skateboarders, we must expect to get injured and must always be prepared to deal with it. That’s just part of our painful life…

So yesterday I showed up to continue renovations on the new skate shop and my 1 finger was just growing and growing in size. It had started the day before and I had hoped it would magically heal while I slept but that did not happen. So I knew that it must be infected and called the doctor. Now I’m a self-healer and don’t visit the doctor for too many reasons. Even when I blew my MCL and couldn’t walk for months I never even went to the doctor, I just rehabbed it all myself. So I worked all day framing and getting some drywall started and then off to the doctor’s I went not knowing what he was going to do for me. This was the first time I ever met this particular doctor since it had been so long, and he walked in looked at my finger and just started squeezing it as hard as he could. Then he looked at me and said, “I was trying to save you from the incision but it looks like we will have to cut it open.” I asked what caused this and he said it didn’t matter, it’s an infection and needs to be drained out. So after telling me how the numbing solution he was about to inject into my finger was going to hurt 10 times more than what it already feels like and explaining that if he has one of these infections he won’t even freeze it because of that, he injected it. Holy F#%@!! I couldn’t believe it. I always consider myself to have more pain tolerance that anyone could imagine but this was ridiculous. I was swearing, started sweating and actually wanted to throw up from the pain. I’ve had dislocations, herniated discs, internal bleeding and much more, but this might have been the most pain I ever felt. He sliced my finger open and squeezed out what he could and then sent me on my way with a band-aid. The worst part was that the pain stuck around in full affect until the numbing solution wore off 2 hours later. It was insanity, I couldn’t even function, but it’s all good now and I’m glad that I went. But now I know why the doctor won’t even use that technique on himself.

It was just a reminder that no matter how much we train our bodies for pain and injury, you never know what is going to happen next. I was lucky that this wasn’t a bad one in the end and glad I went to the doctor when I did. But next time I get an infection I’m gonna think twice about how to fix it…

Extreme Sports Hey Japan Man Skateboarding

The First of Many

Oct 21,2013 / By Ryan Brynelson / 1 Comment

Last week I was invited by Moichi Suzuki, a top professional skater in Japan, to do a demo in Odaiba Japan. I was absolutely stoked as this would be my first demo in Japan, something I really wanted to do. As I was walking to the where the demo would be held, I was taking in the amazing views and site of this incredible country. Everybody is nice, the food is amazing (I’m on the most incredible food journey of my life right now), and of course I finally get to use the Japanese I was studying since I was 13. As hard as it is, I’m incredibly happy I stuck with studying the language. Studying another language has opened up so many doors for me and allowed me to meet amazing people I would have not been able to have otherwise and really get to know people that we might see as quiet foreigners back in Canada on a whole different level.

When I got to the site of the demo, I was greeted by Masahiro Fujii and Moichi Suzuki. I know, these might look like a bunch of random Japanese names to you, but you should really get to know these guys, they are seriously some of the best skaters ever and definitely worth watching.

When we did the first demo, the ground area was quite full and I was ready to do demo’s today, which I thought would be no problem as I have done over 80 demo’s back home in Canada. I was wrong. For the first time in years I actually started getting nervous. Maybe it was the fact that this was my first one in Japan or maybe it was the fact that I stood out as the only foreigner doing this show and the crowd had some kind of weird expectation, I don’t know, but man was I ever nervous. After the first set, the other one went by more smoothly for me for sure, but I was quite surprised with myself. Moichi, Masahiro, Tomo and the 2 street skaters that showed up did great though and we all had a fantastic time. Definitely a fun memory and a good start to my life in Japan. Looking forward to the other adventures and more awesome skaters I meet here. I’ll keep you posted, so please stay tuned.

Check out the video from the demo. From handstands and 360’s to crazy ledge combos and a few ollies over people from the audience, this one was very insane

Extreme Sports Skateboarding Upcoming Events

Vans opens in Surrey

Oct 19,2013 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Vans opens a retail store in the newly renovated and expanded Guildford Mall in Surrey, BC. The store has been open for a little bit but finally celebrated it Grand Opening last night. With the legendary John Cardiel spinning reggae vibes on the turntables and Greg Galinsky doing paint pen art on hats it was a nonstop party for 3 hours straight. And in amongst it all people could get free gear like backpacks, sunglasses and cupcakes. The only thing missing was a skateboard demo but little Kaelen Faux took care of that one ripping back and forth in the store on his mini board and trying to bust out ollies for Cardiel.

Surrey is blessed to have the original Authentic shoe brand supporting the city and we are welcoming them with open arms. The skateboard industry is finally recognizing our city as a serious point on the world map.

It was a great event – same thing happens today 2-5pm at the Granville location. Get there…

Thanks for the love guys – Vans for life!