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…

The Man I Am

May 2,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

In this section, you will learn what makes Hippie Mike who he is. Adopted at birth, raised in a small town, stubborn and full of opinions. This is where Mike will share his stories of success, and the struggles he faced to make these stories possible.

“Remember, life is what you make it, and if you don’t stand up for your beliefs now, you’ll have nothing but regrets later…” – Hippie Mike

Jaden Easton-Ellett – Protest Partnership

May 2,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Jaden Easton–Ellett

A new partnership with Protest Skateboards

A long time coming, and a lot of interesting times we’ve had. I first met Jaden when he came to one of my Skateboard Camps at the tender age of 9 years old. I could tell right from the first day that this kid was different – he was very creative, and very smart, and had a lot of hidden talents. He wasn’t like the other kids that wanted to be the next big thing, he just loved to come out and skateboard and learn any new tricks. What was funny was I would teach Jaden all the crazy whacked out tricks that I liked to do and he would elaborate on them…

9 years later, and now 18 years old, Jaden has proven himself a man to me many times. He has grown up to be responsible and always has goals to accomplish in his future visions. He has definitely turned out to be a talented skater, and with hangin’ with the Protest Team more often he’s been taking it to the street level, hard. The skill is there, the tricks are outrageous, and the style will soon come.

It is one of my proudest moments to welcome Jaden to the Protest Skateboards family – not just as a Team Rider, but as my official Partner in Crime. Together we will make history, and change the world of skateboarding as you know it…

Give him some Props!!

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 Gets Ready For Summer

Apr 22,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

[youtube id=”-dJqWhbMMOA” width=”620″ height=”360″]

We took Andy out skating last Saturday to 3 of the North Van/West Van bowls – Griffin, Horeshoe Bay andParkgate. I know Andy has been to Griffin before, since he was King of the Bowl Series last year, I’m not sure if he’d been to Horseshoe Bay or not, and I knew he had never even seen Parkgate. We skated each park for 1 hour. Like usual, it was the Andy Anderson Demo at each one.

Stu Benoit Joins The Protest Team

Apr 8,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

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.

Andy Anderson Gets Crowned “King of the Bowls 2011” [Bowl Series #17]

Apr 8,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Bushman finally presented Andy Anderson with his Crown after earning the title of “2011 King of the Bowls” last August. At age 15, Andy shredded at every Bowl Series competition last year and the title was well deserved. Andy continues to progress every day and will definitely be one of the highlights to watch at many more Bowl Series contests to come.

2011 King of the Bowls – Pretty Good
Taking the 2011 King of Surrey trophy the same year – Amazing

But to top all that, the highlight of Andy’s day was learning who Alex Chalmers is.

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’??

NEW Protest Skateboards Team Rider Andy Anderson

Nov 21,2011 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

After many years of teaching Andy Anderson tons of tricks and always encouraging him to skate hard and be creative I finally decided to put him on the team. Andy has been looking up to me since he was 7 years old and was always super talented. He shows his skills anywhere you take him, especially if there’s transition to skate. Rockin’ the old school board shape and tricks galore, Andy fits right in to the Protest skate style. He’s a tranny destroyer, a street slasher and an awesome kid.

At a young 15 years of age, he’s still got a lot to learn, but he had an amazing year proving his skills as the2011 King of the Bowls and the 2011 King of Surrey. Welcome to the team Andy!! – Hippie Mike

Check out some quick footage of Andy in a tough-to-ride tiny full pipe we found the other day. He only got to skate it for a couple minutes before we were told to beat it… And watch for Andy in the upcoming “Protest Profile” in the next issue of Ear Goggles. Check out the site for more details.

Tag Archives: Protest Skateboards