You Never Know What Tomorrow Brings

Aug 10,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

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You can make plans or you can live on a whim, you never really know what will happen tomorrow. Tomorrow could be the best day of your life, the worst day of your life, or just another day to remember or forget. You could win a lottery, or someone close to you could pass away; You could decide to head out on a dream vacation, or you could find out your not allowed to go outside because of a world pandemic lockdown; You really never know…
The other day was great because I went out to skate with just Kaelen and myself and didn’t make plans with anybody. We went to Queensborough where my friend Jamie Madill had some wheels for me and we skated there for a bit together which was super fun.

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We knew we were heading to Richmond to skate a special street spot but hadn’t told anyone we were going there. After we went to the spot I took Kaelen to the old River Road Skate Park because he had never been there and it was literally around the corner from where we were. We had a great time there and met a bunch of really cool teenage kids that had no idea who I was. I always love that because it usually means they are pretty new to skateboarding and weren’t part of all the things I’ve done over the years. We skated with them and had a great time, we even got asked to be filmed to be in a video they are making, I love that.

Train Video – Richmond Skate Park

While we were there I texted Andy Anderson to see where he was skating that day, usually if we are going to skate together we make plans much earlier in the week so I didn’t actually expect for us to hook up but nice to know where everyone is at. So just by fluke him, Shawn Beaupre, Travis Waller, and Ty Williamson were on there way to Brighouse, right around the corner from where we were. Just to paint a bigger picture for those who don’t know but I live in Sunshine Valley and it’s about a 2 hour drive to Richmond, so you can imagine I’m not there very often. The fact that these guys happened to be skating right where we were skating that day was obviously fate that we needed to hang out together.
So we met up about a half hour later and it was great. Andy was trying to make history with a couple NBD tricks for an upcoming Powell Peralta video part and since I was there I jumped in for the 2nd camera angle. History was definitely made, and so were the memories. Everyone in that group has been through some awesome times together over the years and it was great to all be in one spot at the same time again. If you had asked me the day before who I was going to be hanging out with the next day I would’ve just answered Kaelen. But instead I hung out with 5 generations of amazing people that all just had fun skateboarding together.
You never know what Tomorrow brings….

SkatePark Styles Episode 6 – Merritt Skate Park with Jay Mykyte

Aug 7,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

We met up at Merritt Skate Park for a quick session with Protest rider Jay Mykyte (the King of Style) to kick off his week long annual skate tour through the okanagan.
Featuring: Jay Mykyte, Carrie Williams, Big Rip Kaelen Faux, AJ Zabell and Hippie Mike

Allen Handley Joins the Protest Movement

Jul 31,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

After years of anticipation we are finally putting Allen Handley on the Protest Skateboards Team. This guy rips it up everywhere he goes, his way or the highway, with a unique array of tricks that only Allen would try. Welcome him to the team and expect to see lots more

Song: On My Knees
Artist: Named BY Robots
Live Recording / 2020

More at www.protest-movement.org

SkatePark Styles Episode 5 – Squamish Skate Park

Jul 31,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Squamish Skate Park with a Fresh paint job in the Bowl
Featuring: Adam Hopkins, Andy Anderson, Mike LeBlanc, Oli Ward, Big Rip Kaelen Faux, Byron Essert, Madix McReynolds, Presley Huska, Ryder Riekert and Jacob LeBlanc

Music Credits:
Pur Pale vs. BIOHACKER
Song: Retrograde (Pur Pale Remix)
Original Composition: Tufty Hacka (Biohacker)
Remix Composition: Ryan “Tweak” Clark (Pur Pale)
Mixing & Mastering: Ryan “Tweak” Clark
Released: 2020

Escape the Norm

Jul 27,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Kaelen pushing the trail - Hwy3

When the “Normal” isn’t satisfying you, what do you do? I always live by a saying from Bob Marley – “If you’re not living good, travel wide”. Traveling wide doesn’t necessarily mean relocating where you live, it can simply relate to traveling far from your own comfort zone and trying new things. Diving into the forest away from the social world and just being one with nature for a change. We all have dreams and aspirations, and a lot of people just keep those thoughts as dreams, but what if you want to make them come to life?
What if you said today that it’s time to make a change?
What are you really afraid of?
Time by yourself is when you get things done, use that time wisely to plan out your future. Then actually act on your plans.
And if your plan is loose and you don’t really know how it’s going to work, try it anyway and let it figure itself out. Usually a plan has to be adjusted in the middle anyway so maybe being a little loose is a good thing. This leaves it open for other opportunities to come together and create something amazing as one.
Hang out in new crowds, work in different industries, try new activities.
If the Norm is to sit back and take what life you’re given, then escaping that norm would give you the Freedom to find your true self.
Only then can you know which life is better

Oli Ward Joins the Protest Movement

Jul 22,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Protest Skateboards would like to welcome their newest Team Rider. 12 year old Oli Ward is a natural on his board, not only does he showcase his awesomeness with little to no effort, he reminds me of a young Andy Anderson. The way he chooses a bigger board with rails on it, rocks the helmet and knee pads properly, and just skates everything with ease, this kid is definitely a “Skater for Life!” We’re stoked to have him grow with us… Check him out here in his natural habitat at Queens Park in New Westminster, BC, and welcome him to the team

Shoe Size Does Matter

Jul 20,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Mike at the River

With all the changes to my body over the past few years I deal with a lot of pain and discomfort on a regular day so I’m used to just ignoring it, but recently I made a change that helped my whole body overall. I switched shoe sizes to a half size bigger after about 25 years, and Wow what a difference! I’ve been getting Free shoes since around 2003 so I never even try shoes on anymore, they just got sent to me whenever I needed some, same size as always. But my feet had been hurting a lot lately and I wanted to try something new. The second I slid my feet into those 9.5’s I knew it would alleviate some of my daily pain, but how would it affect my skating? It’s been about 6 weeks now in bigger shoes and it’s actually helped my skating too. I feel more relaxed and less tense. Now when I finish for the day and take my shoes off my feet don’t feel so crushed, they just feel normal. And everyone knows if your feet are in pain so is the rest of your body, so without that pain my mind feels better too.
The point is when you’re suffering, try something new. If it doesn’t work out you can always go back to what you’re used to, but if it does work out it could be a positive change for your whole body, mind and soul.

Grip Tape Art 4 – The Landscape

Jul 17,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Since lots of people like my Grip Tape Art videos I thought I’d make one that’s a bit more technical, and definitely more artsy. No pencils or sketches, just straight from my inner vision to the knife on the tape, This one was for my wife Carrie who loves to draw scenic mountain landscapes, hope she likes it

Music by Ryan “Tweak” Clark
Song: The Beauty of Ascension
Artist: Pur Pale
Composer: Ryan “Tweak” Clark
Album: From Shadows To Silhouettes (Volume 2 – Instrumentals)
Year of Release: 2017

Protest Skateboards Reissue Decks – Fight the System Series Part 1

Jul 17,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Bob and Malcolm decks

Protest Skateboards have remade a limited number of Bob Marley and Malcolm X decks from our 2015 Protest “Fight the System” Series. With what is happening in the world today we thought these graphics had real meaning that needed to be shared once again. They’re selling fast so jump on it if you want one, Click the link below to purchase
http://protest-movement.org/product-category/skateboard-decks/

Part 2 of the series will are being remade as we speak and will be available in September

Don’t Mess with the Bull

Jul 13,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Don't Mess with the Bull

Determination is everything; Set your goals high but low enough to guarantee reaching them; Take your time and don’t rush beyond your own capabilities; Know what you want and focus all energy towards getting it…

When you wake up in the morning what is your brain thinking about? I know mine starts running through a list of things I Need to get done that day in order to survive the year, but also likes to wander into thinking of what things I Want to get done in the near future to make my life even better. A lot of the time these two mind frames collide and get in each other’s way, but it’s important to always have dreams and aspirations and not let the everyday necessities take over your life. Obviously top priorities include making sure you and your kids are fed, dressed, and semi-clean, but beyond that there are certain things that can just wait. Family time is always important so make sure you make time for that every day, and include your family in your dreams of the future so that they get to grow with you. Travel and learn about new things together, and make memories that each of you will remember forever. Surround yourself with positive people and push the negativities out of your life. Take time every day to just breathe the fresh air and enjoy the scenery. Remember where you came from and know why you are who you are.
And just be yourself – Always

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