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.

Jul 22,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Another stellar event put on at Chuck Bailey Skate Park in Surrey, BC.

July 21, 2012 Chad Albert and some of the Element Skaters showed up to bring the “Make it Count Contest” to Surrey. The categories are 13 and under & 14 and up, and it just chaotic Jam Format on specific obstacles. All the winners get Prize Bags and the Overall Winner of the older category wins a paid trip to the next level of the contest where all the winners from around the world compete at Element YMCA Camp for a chance to be sponsored by Element Skateboards – pretty sick!!

The talent that was displayed in the 13 & under was amazing of course, but was pretty much dominated by the Tsawwassen Brothers – Cole and Luke Thodus, each of them winning 1 of the 2 obstacles. Are these guys the next Decenzo Brothers?? I mean they’re already unstoppable and with the amount of parks and contests out here, they have the potential to get noticed. Plus they live in Delta, just like Scott and Ryan Decenzo did… Either way, they killed it, and took home all the prizes in their division.

In the older Category, it was complete insanity on the obstacles. The first one was the ledge that runs along the bank and there were people coming from both directions right at each other. Dallas stomped a 5-0 kickflip out right in between 2 other people at one point. Someone got there face split open right above the eye by an elbow and everything. It was crazy. But so many tricks went down by so many people – Dominic Devries, Matt Cook, Calvin Dignard, etc. I have no idea what he landed, but Sam Hampton won that part.

The next part was on the 3 block section and of course that was ridiculous. Dominic laid down about a dozen tricks including a perfect bigspin flip front board, Sam Hampton was landing everything he tried, someone double heelflipped the set first try, and Brendan Nielsen was trying to hardflip back lip the rail. But there was no match for John Purcell and his switch tricks. Switch Back Lip on the out rail, Damn!

John Purcell won that section and then was announced as Overall Winner to continue on to Step 2 of Make it Count. Way to go dude.

Thanks to Element for coming out and creating another awesome event for skaters across the world. And great job to everyone that showed up and displayed their talents in Surrey.

Andy Anderson Extreme Sports Protest Skateboards Skateboarding Team Riders

Protest Team Rider – Andy Anderson gets 2nd at Kensington!!

Jul 22,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Most skateboarders around the Lower Mainland know Andy Anderson by now, especially if they’re into Bowl Skating or from anywhere in Surrey. Andy’s one of those really young kids that is way too full of energy and has a bag of tricks bigger than Santa’s sack. He won the titles of King of the Bowls & King of Surrey last year at age 15. He shreds any transition, and loves that Kensington Pool. Making up for missing the session with Mike McGill there last Saturday Andy showed up at Kensington Skate Park today for the make-up contest put on by BLVD Skate Shop and Vans Off The Wall and got 2^nd place, winning $250!!

Way to go Andy – Protest Represent!

Adam Hopkins
Andy Anderson
Ace

Extreme Sports Skateboarding

John Hanlon sets new Canadian Record for Highest Ollie!!

Jul 22,2012 / By Hippie Mike / 1 Comment

It was the Element Skateboards – Make it Count Contest at Chuck Bailey Skate Park in Surrey, BC today (July 21^st, 2012) and after the contest was over they had a “Highest Ollie Contest”. Chad Albert pulled out the prop and set it up. Rules were that once you hit the bar with any part of your board, you were out. After the competitors got over 32” MC Cyrus started giving everyone 2 tries, and once they were up near the original record of 37” they could take a few extra attempts. John Hanlon broke the record with ease and then ollied the highest one first try – 40”. He was the only one to make the 40” mark and so he went on to try the 41”, making it over in multiple attempts but just nicking the bar with his back wheels so it didn’t count.

Surrey represent – John Hanlon, new Leader in Canadian Ollies:

40”!!

Extreme Sports Skateboarding Upcoming Events

SOUTH SURREY SKATE PARK REPAIRS

Jul 21,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

The South Surrey Skate Park is in Need of a facelift and we want your Help!!

With the support of the COMMUNITY, we will be re-painting SECTIONS OF THE park, cleaning up the trash and filling in cracks.

Come show your support to the cause and join us Tuesday.

2 pm-6pm free REFRESHMENTS and a live dj.

Spread the word to your friends and together we can improve the park for everyone

Extreme Sports Protest Skateboards Ryan Brynelson Skateboarding Team Riders

Ryan Brynelson Makes Front Page News

Jul 20,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Here’s a photo that was on the cover of The Surrey Now (July 10^th, 2012) of Protest Team Rider,Ryan Brynelson skating Freestyle at the Surrey Pride Festival along with the blurb below his photo. No matter where this kid skates, people are instantly watching him, and wanting to see more. Way to rip it up Ryan!!

World-ranked freestyle skateboarder, Delta’s Ryan Brynelson, 20, was on hand at the Pride Festival in Holland Park on Sunday, showcasing a few of the high-skill moves that have catapulted him to the top of his sport.

Photograph by: GORD GOBLE, Surrey NOW

The rest of the article about the pride festival is below.

http://www.thenownewspaper.com/story.html?id=6907332

Contests Extreme Sports Skateboarding Upcoming Events

GET TRICKS – GET CASH!!

Jul 19,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Sounds easy enough, all you gotta do is show up and skate.

Underworld Skate Shop will be a Railside Park in Poco on Saturday, July 21^st hosting their “Get Tricks Contest”. $500 to give away in each of Street and Bowl categories so get yourself over there and try and win some money.

Registration starts at 11am.

All the info is below on the poster

Contests Extreme Sports Skateboarding Upcoming Events

Element – Make it Count – July 21st

Jul 19,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

Only a couple days left before the Element Make it Count contest is at Chuck Bailey Skate Park in Surrey. It starts at 1pm. As it says on the flyer, “Win an Experience of a Lifetime.” With special guests from the Element Canada Team, it should be a good time. All you gotta do is show up and skate hard, and maybe you’ll win….

All info is below:

ELEMENT MAKE IT COUNT | INTERNATIONAL SKATE CONTEST SERIES WIN AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

SATURDAY, JULY 21ST
SURREY, B.C.
CHUCK BAILEY SKATE PARK
13458 – 107 A AVENUE

FEATURING ELEMENT GUESTS:
BRANDON DEL BIANCO, GEOFF STRELOW, NATE ROLINE, AND MAGNUS HANSON

ENTRY FEE: ONE CANNED FOOD ITEM
ALL CANNED FOOD WILL GO TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS

TWO AGE DIVISIONS:
13 & UNDER • 14 & UP/SPONSORED
THREE ZONE CONTEST • JAM SESSION FORMAT

FREE FOOD FOR CONTEST ENTRANTS
REGISTRATION AT NOON • CONTEST STARTS AT 1PM

WIN AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME, A TRIP TO THE FINALS AT ELEMENT/YMCA SKATE CAMP AND THE BERRICS!

OVERALL CONTEST WINNER RECEIVES AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO JOIN FELLOW WINNERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE AT ELEMENT/YMCA SKATE CAMP, FOR THE CHANCE TO COMPETE FOR ELEMENT SPONSORSHIP, FOLLOWED BY A DAY AT THE BERRICS WITH THE ELEMENT TEAM, AUGUST 2012

Hippie Mike's Messed Up Mind The Bob Marley Quote of the Month

Let The Sun Shine Down on Me

Jul 19,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

[youtube id=”pBDVarvFqYI” width=”620″ height=”360″]

Most of Bob Marley’s songs were about political issues, battles for unity and freedom or just plain old love songs. But sometimes you could pick out a song that Bob wrote just by feeling it. Sometimes when you’re out in the world alone you just start singing, singing about what you’re doing and how you are feeling. That’s what the song “Sun is Shining” is like. I picture Bob hanging out on a big hill top just dancing under a tree singing about how beautiful it is outside, and how that weather makes him feel so good.

I quote the song –

“Sun is shining, weather is sweet; makes you want to move your dancing feet…”

It’s true. The weather affects the mood of many people and when it’s not nice outside for long periods of time, depression can be a factor. I love the line in the song, “To the rescue, here I am…”, because it brings the reality of how the sunshine saves your mentality and makes you smile. All Winter in the land of Vancouver where we live it rains and rains, and people get bitter and sad. That’s reality. When the sun comes out, it instantly gets people outside of their condos and houses and they do things. They have fun. They smile and laugh. And maybe they even dance.

Summer has finally arrived and everywhere you look there are people smiling having a good time with one another. The conversations in the stores have changed from talking about what they are sick and tired of to asking how each other is feeling and talking about how gorgeous it is outside. But there’s always that last sentence of, “I hope it stays this way.”

We live for the sun and it keeps us alive. We anticipate it’s arrival each and every day. Without the sun the world would wither and die. So go outside and enjoy it. Sing a song and dance to your heart’s desire, and remember, when you don’t see it for long periods of time, it will return, and will take away the pain.

Extreme Sports Skateboarding

Mike McGill Represents In Vancouver

Jul 17,2012 / By Hippie Mike / No Comment

If you don’t know who the Bones Brigade is, you either don’t skateboard or live on another planet…

The inventors of many tricks, and the creators of actually making money as a Pro Skater, the original Bones Brigade was built of 6 amazing people. The true Team was Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Tommy Guerrero and Lance Mountain, with the early addition of Freestyle Master Rodney Mullen. They were a team built by Stacy Peralta – not because they were the best of the best, but because he saw the potential for them to be that. Each one of these members brought something unique to the table, and they were all creators.

Yesterday, July 15^th, 2012, Mike McGill came up to hang out in Vancouver and skate the pool at Kensington Skate Park. Like a veteran Vert Skater, he showed up, escorted by Craig Williams, with his duffel bag full of pads, a helmet and a bunch of giveaways, took a quick look at the pool, strapped up and dropped in. In the matter of a few runs, McGill already had the lines figured out and was shredding the coping. The crowd got bigger throughout the day and there were many Vancouver Loc’s having great times, great laughs and great fun with the inventor of the McTwist, Mike McGill. A lot of sick skating went down from everyone, including Eve Feaver, Adam Hopkins, Wee Wong, Chris Steggles and of course “The Frontside Kid” – James Clarke. The weather held out from raining, and the Pool got shredded. Thanks for coming out McGill!!

Everyone headed over to The Rio Theatre on Broadway afterwards for the Video Premiere of The Bones Brigade Documentary presented by Mike McGill and Kevin Harris. They got onstage before and after the showing to answer questions and tell a few funny stories from the over 40 years of skateboarding they’ve experienced. The theatre was packed during both showings, mostly with older dudes and dudettes who were actually around during the era of the true Bones Brigade. It was great to see the one on one interviews with so many legendary people who helped to change the world of skateboarding to what it has become. Craig Stecyk, Steve Olson, Glen Friedman, Christian Hosoi, even Duane Peters, to just name a few of the guys talking about their times with the Bones Brigade, and what it was like in the Skateboard Industry during the 1980’s. It’s awesome to hear the real stories behind things like the outrageous advertising, the competitive nature created by the public, and the hard times these guys lived through. My favorite part of the Documentary is how it outlines Stacy Peralta’s mindframe towards people. I think The Search for Animal Chin movie was actually about Stacy’s life when it came out without him planning it that way. We look back at this Original Powell Peralta Team and think, “man, that team was stacked.” But if you listen to the reality of it, it was Stacy who made these guys who they are today. He took 5 kids, that weren’t at the top of the game, and gave them the chance to prove themselves and gave them the push they needed to succeed. Anyone can start a Skateboard Company and pay the guys that are already known as the best, and make money, but that’s not what the Bones Brigade was all about. These were guys that were up-and-comers, and had potential to be amazing if given the chance. If you don’t know the story behind Rodney Mullen and how he would have quit skateboarding forever if he hadn’t received the publicity he got after Stacy took him to his first contest, then you need to learn. If it wasn’t for that day, and for Stacy’s visual foresight, Rodney Mullen probably would have quit skateboarding, and who knows what would’ve happened. The entire world of street skating revolves around the tricks that Rodney Mullen invented and displayed across the world. Without him, skateboarding probably wouldn’t be around today. We have to thank Stacy peralta for that. The video goes on to show the creation of Street Skating, the invention of the Skateboard Video and The falling apart of Powell Peralta. It is definitely a “Must See” for any skateboarder, but especially for these young kids that don’t understand what it was like to be a skater throughout that 1980’s era. You need to get to know these guys and what they were about.

The Animal Chin is inside us all, find it and love it…

Andy Anderson Carrie Williams Cisco Gooding Contest Results Contests Extreme Sports Hippie Mike Hippie Mike's Tour De Surrey Jaden Easton-Ellett Jay Mykyte Jeff Cole Jon Irvine Jordan Strong Kaelen Faux Ryan Brynelson Skateboarding Team Riders

HIPPIE MIKE’S TOUR DE SURREY 2012 Stop 1 – Kwantlen Park

Jul 15,2012 / By Hippie Mike / 1 Comment

It’s the 9^th year for this series of skateboard competitions and I love that I still see a bunch of the same faces as the first year. I kicked off the Tour for 2012 at Kwantlen Park. It’s a tough park for lines, but always a good park for contests. It seems like everybody lands so much in their runs at this park, maybe because the obstacles are basic and small, not sure why. But either way, it worked out great.

The sun was blazin’ hot and the humidity was definitely hanging around, but it was still bearable enough to skate. Surprisingly for the first time in many, many years, there were more Advanced riders that Beginners. I assume because it was Kwantlen. When I started seeing some of the faces showing up for the Advanced Category, I knew it was gonna be a good show, and a tough contest to judge. With Surrey Locals like Calvin Dignard, Jay Mykyte, Andy Anderson, Jordan Strong, Brad Muscat and Ryan Barron, they were all in the running. But they would have to beat the guys that travelled there, like Ryan Prasad, Lil’ G and of course, “The Dominator” – Dominic Devries.

It was anyone’s guess who was going to come through on this one, only time would tell.

Only 4 kids in Mini this time around, but I knew that JR Barron was pushing hard for this win, since it was his final Mini Contest ever. He turns 11 years old next Sunday, so time to move up buddy! He took advantage of his skills and tore up the park landing almost everything he tried, including the only kickflip in the Mini Category. Parker Sherwin was right on JR’s heels though with a huge bag of tricks of his own and tried really hard to not let JR win. It was a close call…

The Beginner Category was just as tough with Kai Searle on board. This kid has some serious talent for his young age and lands a lot of tough tricks, with style. There was actually a 3 way tie for 4^th place, just to tell you how close this competition was. The surprise of the day though was Dante Gullickson who came out strong in his first run and then blew the crowd away with a flawless second run which was one long consistent line. Awesome!! That doesn’t happen often in Beginner. He almost won but Kai’s tricks were just too good and scored way bigger points. It was tight.

The Intermediates wasn’t so tight. Tyler Olson killed it all day during warm up, I can’t even think of a time a looked over at him when he didn’t land a trick, and was trying some pretty technical tricks. But sometimes when the helmet goes on for your run and the pressure of having the park to yourself happens, people choke. I think the rest of the category was happy Tyler had trouble, because I thought he was gonna win it for sure after watching him in warm-ups. But the prize went to 12 year old Mathew McCauley who landed a ton of rail tricks and gap tricks wherever he could squeeze them in. This kid knows how to skate hard, and takes it very seriously. He can bust tricks down huge gaps at any time, but also has a pocket full of tech tricks too. It was a blow-out win for him.

The ladies were hyped up too, Brianna Palmer is just starting out in the contest world so I’m sure she was nervous when she saw the competition that she was about to face. Carrie Williams is finally back in Contest Mode after a few years of missing out, so she brought out all her shovit and 180 skills and landed a ton of tricks. And then Heloise Wathelet showed up with Lil’ G, she’s visiting for the summer from Belgium. This chick’s got some serious talents and it looks like they might take her somewhere. Flip Tricks and Ledge Skills. Check out this video I found of her on Youtube.

[youtube id=”7oj6XHc2PSY” width=”620″ height=”360″]

It was close but Heloise took first. Hopefully we see her at a couple more of these events.

Then came Advanced. Like I said earlier, it was anyone’s contest to win. Really depended on who landed what. It was very close between the Top 5 except for how obvious it was that Dominic won. This kid has constant flow combined with super solid style and lots of hard tricks. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it over and over, watch for him in the big leagues in the future. I’m gonna be hosting a segment of Glory Daze with Hippie Mike on Dominic soon.

My favorite tricks that went down in Advanced were Calvin Dignard’s nollie tailslide 270 on the flat ledge, Andy Anderson’s bluntslide fakie on the down rail of the pyramid, Ryan Barron’s feeble 180 up the same rail, Fighter’s Benny Hanna over the quarter pipe and of course anything that Ryan Prasad landed. There’s another name to watch for in the near future. Sick skater!! Cisco Gooding came out and had 2 solid runs too, but they weren’t of his usual “Flawless Run style” so he didn’t make Top 3, and the surprise of this category was that Jay Mykyte didn’t place at Kwantlen Park. I guess there is a first time for everything. Better luck next time Jigga…

We did have a Best Trick Contest on the big pyramid rail and it was a 3 way tie all going up the rail – Ryan Barron Feeble 180, Andy Anderson Bluntslide and Dominic Devries with a frontside tailslide fakie. Sick. Ryan was close to taking it all with a Boardslide to Feeble, but just couldn’t quite put it down. RBS…

Results:

Mini: 1. JR Barron; 2. Parker Sherwin; 3. Aiden Eastman; 4. Ry Forrester

Beginner: 1. Kai Searle; 2. Dante Gullickson; 3. Riley Allen; 4. Nick Bachmeier, Weston Huchkinson, Matthew Major; 7. Bishop Rosie; 8. Patrick Jonas; 9. Andrew Goodlet; 10. Ethan Tessier; 11. Ben Walsh; 12. Cameron Nelson

Intermediate: 1. Mathew McCauley; 2. Andre Bissonnette; 3. Eric Pedersson; 4. Malek Salem; 5. Tyler Olson

Girls: 1. Heloise Wathelet; 2. Carrie Williams; 3. Brianna Palmer

Advanced: 1. Dominic Devries; 2. Calvin Dignard; 3. Brad Muscat (Fighter); 4. Andy Anderson; 5. Cisco Gooding; 6. Jordan Strong; 7. Allen Handley; 8. Ryan Barron, Sean Cuddeford (Lil’ G); 10. Alexander Savage; 11. Jay Mykyte; 12. Shadd Trepp

Best Trick: 3 way tie – Ryan Barron, Andy Anderson, Dominic Devries

See you next time at

Fleetwood – July 28^th 2012

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