Where is the Justice?

Jun 1,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

1-99 weigh scale

In the past 2 and a half months, the world has been on lockdown due to this Covid-19 issue. We have been told what we can and cannot do, who we can associate with, what is “essential” for our living, and when and where we are allowed to go. For people who live in condensed and over populated parts of their cities, this has definitely been a test of strength. It is common sense that anyone being told not to behave a certain way that they are used to will eventually act out in some manner. All in all I think most of the people in this world have been very compliant and patient with the situation, but unfortunately one of things I have noticed during this pandemic is the change of attitude in the “Enforcers” , aka the Police, Security Guards, and Lawmakers. From the time we were told to stop travel and stay home, even in our small town of 7000 people, I immediately noticed an increase to the number of police cars around. All of a sudden they have more rights to pull people over and question what they are doing. Unfortunately the Mob Mentality can be contagious and spread quickly, it can happen in any group. When Police and Security Guards are told to step up their enforcement, what does that really mean? And how much description is involved when these instructions go out? What boundaries are set?
See as far as I know the Police are there to “Serve and Protect” the community, when they are called upon. But as crime grows over the years so does the number of officers that now need to stay busy and employed all the time which results in them trying to hunt out crime instead of waiting to be called upon. If crime rates go down, shouldn’t the number of officers diminish with it? In most cases where we live the Police are usually pretty fair, but all it takes is one bad seed to change the world. With the incident that just occurred in Minnesota, the news is now filled with a repetitive topic – Racism. George Floyd was treated unfairly and ignored in his pleas for assistance, not just by the officer kneeling on his neck, but also by the other officers on the scene. Would he have been treated differently if he was not Black? We don’t know that, but we do not this is not justice. This is abuse of authority.
Now the streets are flooded with angry individuals, who were already frustrated in life before this happened, and the Mob Mentality comes from another side now, facing against the side that it originated from. Isn’t it ironic that in over 10 weeks of people being locked indoors, and literally budgeted as to what supplies are available for them to purchase as well as what stores they are allowed to visit and when, there was never any huge protests or riots. People accepted the facts that they are not to associate in public places or with anyone they are not directly related to, and they did not fight back. But 1 completely unjustified act of violence from an ignorant authority figure has sparked the anger inside so many to now act out in the wrong ways. Protests are one thing, expressing opinion in words, freedom of speech, showing the power of numbers and trying to change the world for the better. But when people start to riot and vandalize and loot, this will not end well. This will only cause more violence.
George Floyd was a man, black, white, or brown. His life did matter, and so does everyone else’s, where were his rights in this situation and why was he treated this way? We need to stop acts of racism, prejudism, sexism, and most of all Abuse of Authority. People are people and we all deserve to be treated equally, no matter what you look like, the color of your skin, hair and eyes, male or female, short or tall, able to walk or not, etc. I am tired of seeing and hearing about incidents where Lawmakers, Law Enforcers, Judges, and other Authority Figures work in amongst themselves to do, and get away with, whatever they want. The punishments must fit the crimes, and there should be no lenience in this case, especially with video proof.
The timing of this incident should be a wake up call around the globe, the bullying is happening everywhere. We are all being held down without choices, the more populated of an area you live in, the more trapped you are right now.
What is happening behind the scenes, who is really in charge of our lives, why are we forced to listen to the lies, and what are we going to do about it….

Get Back to Being Yourself

May 25,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Mike Pondering SV Quarterpipe

Sometimes things happen so unexpectedly that you don’t even know how to handle it, then that situation just keeps playing over and over in your head trying to figure out how to never let the same thing happen again, this is called trauma and can be unavoidable at times. How many of you have ever broken a bone? One second you’re enjoying life doing whatever you’re doing and the next second you’re in excruciating pain and need to get to the nearest hospital. But it’s the mental side that lasts so long. It’s easy to overcome physical pain and heal from it, but your brain is always trying to figure out why it happened to you, and that part is the true pain that never leaves.
Most accidents are no one’s fault, they just happen. If you’re trying dangerous stuff or being stupid then sometimes you deserve to get hurt, but if you’re just doing normal stuff that day then maybe it was inevitable. The biggest thing to remember is you must move forward, you can’t dwell on the past. Learn from your mistakes and try to prevent a repetitive incident but otherwise push your fears aside and continue on the way it used to be.
Right now I am personally struggling mentally to overcome many emotions created by years of multiple surgeries as I work hard to get back to my usual self. I want to be normal and I encourage my brain to allow me to be that way, but when the time comes for reality that brain likes to argue. It’s important to be strong and just keep pushing forward, keep your friends and loved ones close by for encouragement and don’t associate with the negative people. Go outside and do whatever makes you happy.
In the world right now (with COVID-19) it’s hard for anyone to feel normal, people are being held down and told what they are allowed and not allowed to do. I just wanted to go to the local skate parks, see a bunch of great friends, and go fast! But none of that has been allowed for the past 2 months. For all those dealing with Mental Health issues this type of incident makes you feel like your freedom has been taken away from you and suddenly you are trapped. But it will change, it will get better again, we ALL will recover from this, and one day (hopefully sooner than later) we can feel normal again.

Remember, your life is what YOU make it;
Stay strong, Stay positive, Be careful out there,
And Love every day that you’re alive…

Hippie Mike Road to Recovery – The Bowl Series

May 23,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

After going through multiple surgeries on my left leg and knee in a short period of time, I needed something to inspire me to get better at skateboarding again, and Bowl Series was the key. Check out my recovery story and learn why this amazing series of skateboard contests held each summer at Canada’s oldest skate parks was the one push I needed to get my gears going again. Thanks to all my friends and family at these events for just being there and making them what they are
Produced in 2019

Protest Movement Full Video – Diversity

Apr 30,2020 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Protest Skateboards full length video “Diversity” was filmed in over the year of 2017, and edited while I was unable to skateboard. I filmed my own part about 6 weeks before going under the knife for ACL replacement and High Tibial Osteomety in which I didn’t skateboard again until June of 2018. We premiered the video at SBC (Smiling Buddha Cafe) in downtown Vancouver in January of 2018 during a Protest Best Trick Contest on the ramp, the place was packed and everyone had a blast. The video was made to showcase the newest team of Protest Riders, how diverse they all are from one another yet still so similar in what they love – skateboarding. With an age range of 7 years old up to 45 years old, this video is what skateboarding is all about, being yourself, doing what you love, and sharing your passion with others. Each rider (except for young Kaelen) only had 1 day to film their part…

Starring: Big Rip Kaelen Faux, Ryan Brynelson, Jay Mykyte, Eve Feaver, and Hippie Mike
Filmed and Edited by: Hippie Mike

Hippie Mike – Back in Action

May 3,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

I’ve been skateboarding now for 26 years, and I would say I have learned quite a lot of tricks, but the best thing about skateboarding is just running as fast as you can on to your board and surfing the concrete. Today’s generation doesn’t always understand that concept. They get dropped off at the skate park, practise their tricks all day, get mad when they can’t land them, and call their Mommies to come pick them up. That’s not what skateboarding is supposed to be about.

Skateboarding is about Freedom – Freedom to express yourself in any way you feel. I can skate for hours without doing any tricks and without ever leaving the ground. Just cruisin’ and carvin’. Some days my favorite thing to do is just grab a couple buddies and hit up the Surrey Downhill 3 or 4 times. You should try it some day. Quit worrying about who you’re impressing and just go skate.

Since the “What the F” video came out in 2010, I haven’t really been filming too much. I’ve kind of just been keeping to myself, riding my ramp at home, slashing around at Chuck Bailey, and just going back to the roots of why I love this sport. But it’s time to giv’er once again. Through all the injuries that have plagued me over the past 26 years, and the changes in my body structure due to some of these injuries, it is still my greatest passion to be out there on my board.

Here’s a little taste of the footage you’re about to get from the old Hippie Mike. Enjoy it, and get ready for a whole lot more….

Stories Of The Board

May 2,2012 / By Hippie Mike / 1 Comment

Mike started skateboarding at the raw age of 8, back in 1986. He skated the streets with all the neighbourhood kids, from ages 7-15 years old. From Powerslides, Bonelesses and Street Plants, to Railslides and 50-50 grinds, Mike learned a lot about the unique sport of skateboarding from all the older kids around him, and as he grew, so did the world of skateboarding. With the introduction to the nose at the end of the 1980’s, the technical adventures were about to spring on the generation of skaters who didn’t quit when the “Fad” died.

Mike’s been around a long time in this game, he’s seen the evolution of skateboarding and was always a huge part in keeping it positive. From a full on street skater to a now more transitional street surfer, Mike always had the ambition, desire and the style to be successful.

Many years of givin’r, and many, many serious injuries have had a wicked toll on his body, and have forced him to completely change the way he shreds the board. But Mike will always be a skateboarder, so long as he can walk. And he will always be there for the next generations to make sure that skateboarding continues to evolve into a positive factor of the world.

His creativity keeps the action alive, and his “never stop thinking” brain makes learning new tricks a humungous addiction.

Sit down and prepare yourself for some awesome stories of over 26 years on the board…

No Sell-Outs

May 2,2012 / By Hippie Mike / 1 Comment

All my life, I’ve been independent. And I never wanted to be filthy rich, unless I could do so without changing my life one bit. But I have major hatred for the world of Sell-Outs who will do anything for money. Life ain’t about money, it’s about happiness, and money cannot create everlasting happiness. A good chunk of cash every now and then can be fun for a bit, but it’s a different kind of fun. The big thing is, I just want to be me, and use my talents to make the money I need to survive comfortably. When we were growing up, we were big into Punk Rock (NOFX, Face to Face, Pennywise, Bad Religion, etc.) and we were always adamant about never changing the way we were for anyone else. That went for appearance, attitude and beliefs. Changing any of these things because someone else wants you to, and you personally don’t want to, that’s being a sell-out. The stupidest question people always ask me is, “How much money would it take for you to cut your hair?” What an ignorant question. Could you please take my hammer and smack yourself in the forehead as hard as you can so I don’t ever have to listen to you speak again. These are the people who would do anything for money. I actually had a guy who just argued the fact that if the amount was big enough, I would cut my hair, like I’m growing it just for that moment to come along. He has absolutely no sense to the fact that I grow my hair as a sign of Freedom, to show that I don’t have to bow down to society and follow their ways of existence. I am free to be who I am, and don’t care if you like me or not. For me to accept money to cut my hair would be selling my own freedom. This person was completely incapable of comprehending this concept – what an idiot. Absolutely no respect for himself. I said it growing up, and I’ll say it till the day I die,

“I will not sell my soul.”

Years ago, I did some movies and TV extra work, and the agent got a couple calls from people who wanted to put me in commercials. I said no right away. There’s nothing dumber you can do than be a puppet in a TV commercial, looking like an idiot and saying some stupid line that North America is going to relate to you for the rest of your life, No Thanks.

A funny story I have for you right now is the “All Extreme” story. I’ve had quite a few interviews on TV and in the local newspapers and magazines about all the stuff I do skateboard wise, so this guy shows up to one of my contests this one summer, approximately 6 years ago. It was at Bear Creek Park, one of the Grand Finales for Hippie Mike’s Tour de Surrey, so there were about 200 people there and the contest was running smooth. I had the comedic touch in my commentating that day and was having a great time. So in between the categories this guy comes up to me and starts kissing my ass, big time. He’s telling me how amazing I am, how knowledgeable I am to the sport and how cool I look. He started selling me on this TV show about extreme sports like skateboarding, surfing, etc. called “All Extreme” he was about to create in Seattle and how he would love for me to host it. His exact words were, “With your cool look and knowledge of the sports, and this “super-hot” girl here co-hosting, the audience will want to tune in for sure.” The girl was standing right beside him at the time, and as I wondered what she had actually done to get this part I abruptly stated, “First of all, the audience that will watch this show will be watching for the actual extreme sports, not for the super-hot girl hosting. And secondly, she’s not that hot…” and I just turned away and continued on with what I was doing. “Yeah sure,” I’m thinking, “I’ll come host your shitty show and then you’ll want to trim my frizzy hair , shave my beard and dress me up in some cheesy getup I would never even have in my closet – I don’t fucking think so, loser.”

And that was pretty much the end of that. I didn’t even look to see them leave but I assume they didn’t stick around to long after that. It was a classic situation of being offered money to change everything I believe in, everything I’ve created in my life, and straight up who I am.

For some people, impossible to say no; for me, too easy.

Fuck That!

So the funniest part of the story came earlier this year, 2011, when I was checking the Guide for what was on TV one random afternoon and saw a show called “All Extreme”. I thought, “No Way, it can’t be the same show.” I turned it on and sure enough, there was the chick, still not super-hot, hosting the show all by herself. I watched the show, and it was actually pretty good. I liked the initial idea of the theme when the guy had explained it, I just didn’t like the ignorance that was going to be behind the cameras.

Too bad so sad.

Onward I went with my happy life.

Jay Mykyte Skates The Secret Bridge

Apr 25,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

I was walking through a certain park a couple of weeks ago to meet up with Carrie and Kaelen over by the Duck Pond and out of the corner of my eye I saw this bridge… Not just any bridge, but a beautiful full pavement pathway and arch bridge just begging for flip tricks. My first thought was, “Damn, I’m gonna bring Jay Mykyte here just so he can 3flip it.” We showed up on Saturday, and there was definitely a skateboard demonstration at the park – Check it!

Andy Anderson Skates Plaza 7 stair – 10 tricks in 10 minutes

Mar 11,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Just another day in the life of young 15 year old Andy Anderson. The kid knows how to represent, funny part is he’s not even tryin’. See Andy rip 10 tricks down the 7 stair at Vancouver’s Skate Plaza. When Andy told me about it I asked him why he did 10 tricks in 10 minutes… His answer was, “It just worked out that way.” My first thought – “I don’t know if I could even go back and forth from the starting point to the landing 10 times in 10 minutes… especially not on that monster board. Oh to be young again.” Keep shredding Andy – PROTEST REPRESENT!!

Watch: What The “F” Were We Thinkin’??

Dec 12,2011 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Are you tired of the same boring skateboarding videos with the same spots over and over again? Well, brace yourself because the revolution is finally here! There are no rules, restrictions or standards. We are the ones making the rules, and we make the spots while we skate everything that shouldn’t be skated. Watch Protest Skateboards team riders John Irvine, Jeff Cole, Cisco Gooding, Nathan Lintunen and Hippie Mike in What The “F” Were We Thinkin’??

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