Strange time to say it, but it’s for a good reason. Anyone who was present at this year’s Leeside Halloween Jam has been patiently awaiting the Fun City Video by The Zenga Bros….
Well, here it is, full of chaotic tricks, crazy costumes, and a buttload of fireworks.
Another masterful Hi-8 Video by Ethan Craig, this time featuring Protest Skateboards Team Rider Andy Anderson. Andy might be the most underrated skater in the Lower Mainland right now. Everyone who knows this kid knows he is a natural ripper, especially in any tranny, and lands everything he tries, but there are still a lot of people not recognizing him. Fact: how often do you see Andy Anderson in the magazines, yet he wins almost every contest he enters…. King of the Bowls and King of Surrey in 2011, places in the finals at every Bowl Series Contest, 2nd place at the BLVD Kensington Pool Contest andplaced 5th at the World Round-Up Freestyle Championships this year, plus took Best Skater Award at Ledge n’ Dairy Best Trick Contest at Chuck Bailey. Street Ripper, Rail Killer, Tranny Destroyer, and even a Freestyle Demo Machine along side Kevin Harris, but where’s the coverage???
I’ve been a huge supporter and massive influence on Andy as he has grown up to this still young age of 16 years old that he is now. I used to teach him stuff all the time since he was 7 years old, and I still push him to learn more and more every day. I’ve taught him a ton about skateboarding, and just as much about life, and I am very proud that he represents for Protest Skateboards when he skates. Andy is amazing. He invents tricks by thinking of it and landing it right away, usually first try. I’m stoked to see him in this profile video by Ethan Craig shredding one of his favourite places to skate – Leeside Memorial Park. Here’s what Ethan had to say about Andy after filming this day, “Andy loves to thrash every little nook and cranny there is at Leeside, here is evidence of Andy shralping nearly almost every DIY obstacle there is. Please, enjoy the rawness of Andy’s skating filmed on a Sony Video 8 camera. In Loving Memory of Lee Matasi and Don “Mad Carver” Hartley in which Andy shows his love and support by continuing to wear his helmet beyond his premature years of skateboarding” – Ethan Craig.
Straight to the point, and very true. Andy Anderson is a skateboard machine. He’s calm, cool and collected, but also overflowing with energy. Now please, somebody give this kid the credit he deserves…
With today being a day to reminisce I would like to pay tribute to some of the local skaters who were my friends who we have lost over the years and we all miss every day:
Major Dave, Rachel Hunter, both just uncalled for tragic losses to the skateboard community.
Lee Matasi, chased down by an ignorant kid with a gun in 2005 and shot in the head on the streets.
Chris Whitmee, hit by a random bullet in a public washroom. The guy it was meant for took 5 shots and is still alive.
Josh Evin, tragic motorcycle accident.
And Don Hartley, The Mad Carver, a solid face to face collision with one of his best friends during a Bowl Series Contest at Seylynn Park.
These are just to name a few, and unfortunately I’m sure I missed some people.
All these people were great influences on us in many ways, when they were living, and even after we lost them. And they all shared a passion for skateboarding, a passion for friendship, and a passion for Freedom.
After many years of ripping together, I finally asked Stu if he wanted to represent for Protest. Straight outtaSurrey, Stu’s always been hardcore, and was always one of my favorite people to skate with. Stu has some serious Big Tranny skills and rips up any bowl, ramp or barricade you put in his path. Stoked to have him on the Team and looking forward to all the footage we’re gonna see. We stopped in to skate with Stu at Leeside the other night and had a blast. Check it out.