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.
Hippie Mike Hippie Mike's Messed Up Mind Skateboarding Stories of the Board

Stories Of The Board

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…

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Hippie Mike's Messed Up Mind The Sports Run Down

The 76th Masters

I’ll tell ya straight up – Golf is one crazy game…

Being into sports my entire life, I’ve always been competitive, and I know the fact that there are things out there that affect your life and you have absolutely no control over. I’ve done huge flip tricks down massive gaps on my skateboard, bushwacked through the trees at uncontrollable speeds on my snowboard, hit massive home runs in baseball, and slam dunked basketballs on 10 foot nets, and I have to emphasize how tough it is to be good at golf. Anyone can swing a club and make solid contact, but these pros are intense. They know exactly how far they’re gonna hit the ball, and what spin to put on it, and the dime to land it on. This year’s Masters Tournament was hardcore. All 4 days saw a different group of leaders. The talk of the town was Fred Couples leading after Friday, then Phil Mickelson stepped it up and Freddy went downhill. As quick as you climb to the top, it’s sooooo easy to lose your footing on the side of the mountain. After Saturday, it was Peter Hansen, Phil Mickelson and Louis Oosthuizen sitting pretty in the top 3. We all know Phil, but who the hell are these other 2 guys? Peter Hansen had a Saturday that every golfer dreams about where it was practically impossible for him to not get it in. There was a magnetic force coming out of the centre of the earth to this guy’s ball and it was pulling it into the holes. But Sunday came early, and once again the leaderboard was about to shuffle. Louis Oosthuizen started the day off right with a world record – scoring a Double Eagle/albatross on the 2nd hole. For those who don’t understand golf, the par for the hole is 5 shots, Oosthuizen scored in 2. An unbelievable shot, but an even more unbelievable amount of pressure to now stay in the lead and win this entire tournament. Phil was falling apart bad at the beginning but did make a strong come back in the end. Peter played steady the whole day, but both fell short a couple strokes. The surprise of Sunday was Bubba Watson sneaking his way up to tie for first place right near the end of the round. Bubba started the day playing side by side with Oosthuizen so the ambition was definitely there to win. With his signature pink driver, and carefree swing, Bubba rose to the top and took Louis to sudden death. Both had terrible luck in the playoff holes and tied again. It was here where Bubba showed his skill was greater on this day, and Oosthuizen’s luck had finally run out. An amazing shot on the 2nd hole that will be remembered by golf fans forever, but still no green jacket for Louis. The win went to Bubba Watson and the tears were flying. What an intense day. It reminded me of watching the Street League skateboard contests how it’s always “do or die” and if you mess up once, you lose…

The 76th Masters

Some people don’t consider golf a sport, but I have to argue to a point. I play pool competitively, and golf and pool are very similar. They’re not really sports because of their physical style, but mentally they are both so difficult. It’s a game of math, a game of split decisions, and a game of precision shooting. The funny thing about golf is how intense the fans are. In any other sporting event, the fans get their beers and go take a seat. Half the time they miss most of the game ‘cause their busy shooting the shit with their buddy, but not golf. This is gotta be one of the only sports where the fans actually have to walk along side of the players. They don’t sit back and relax, but they chase the players and dive out of the way of bad shots. Their nuts…

I love all sports, and could shout out stats on most of them. And out of all the Masters Tournaments I’ve seen in the past, this was definitely in the top 3 for emotional roller coaster atmosphere.

Congratulations to Bubba Watson. Now keep it up!

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Hippie Mike Hippie Mike's Messed Up Mind The Man I Am

Zephyr Forephyr

Awesome,

I just watched “Lords of Dogtown” for the very first time. I’ve always completely avoided watching it because I knew it was going to be Hollywood cheeseball and I have a problem with movies like that but I figured Kaelen would like it for the fact that he’s 2 years old and loves skateboarding. Since I had seen “Dogtown and Z-Boys” so many times too I figured it wasn’t going to show justice to the documentary. And it really didn’t. In fact it was a totally cheeseball movie that skipped through years like jumpin’ cracks in the sidewalk. But it brought something special to reality for me.

The biggest moral of the story is to: follow your heart but never forget your roots. Always remember who you are and where you came from and love the people that you ventured through those times with forever – or should I say Forephyr.

Lords Of Dogtown

These guys were truly hardcore, We all know that. Anyone who’s seen the documentary or been around for the evolution of skateboarding knows the Z-Boys and thanks them for what they did for skateboarding.

They lived every day on a mission to be awesome.

They took no moment for granted.

They put their balls on the table every chance they got and proved who the man was all day long.

Nothing could stop them.

But then came the dreaded curse of “Fame and Fortune”. So many people in the world strive for it every day of their life not realizing that if you find it your life will never be the same. You go from trying to be somebody that everyone wants to know to being sick of people all the time and just wanting to be alone. Once everyone knows your name they publicize it and then you just get more and more famous which means more and more people who want to get a piece of your name on their products. Sad.

That’s why the movie was actually good to watch because it showed how these guys forgot about the best thing they had – family. The money was offered and the stardom awaited but they had to give up the times they had to get it. That sucks.

Skateboarding is all about freedom and the Zephyr Boys knew what freedom was. But they lost that freedom when they became popular and were forced to be solo artists in the world of skateboarding. Props to jay Adams for always saying no. He may not have made the fortune that a couple of the others did but he kept his freedom by speaking his mind and doing what he felt was right. No one owned jayBoy. Stacy and Alva both took the high road and I think in a way there was definite regrets on both parties but it ended in the same mindframe – they both started their own companies and made them count. Trust me when I say Powell Peralta is the best company of the 1980’s and still rocks the house. “I Hippie Mike declare that Powell Peralta Mini Rats form the late 80s are the best wheels ever made and will only skate those golden nuggets for the rest of my life.”

Powell Peralta Mini Rats

And Stacy Peralta is always and always has been promoting skateboarding for all the right reasons. Powell Peralta was about family, just like how that whole group of surfer kids were before Z-Boys existed. They created the Bones Brigade and promoted all Five riders as One – not one at a time but as a team.

Everybody on that team had something special to offer to the audience. And they respected each other for their skills.

Go back in time and throw The Search for Animal Chin into your VCR and remember what the message was all about. A group of guys on the search for freedom and at the end they discover that it was right there with them the whole time. Animal Chin was a man but they weren’t searching for him… they were searching for themselves.

I understood that video and I found who I am.

Do you know who you are?

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Hippie Mike Hippie Mike's Messed Up Mind The Man I Am

The Man I Am

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

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Hippie Mike Hippie Mike's Messed Up Mind Protest Skateboards The Man I Am

No Sell-Outs

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.

No Sell Outs

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.”

All Extreme

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.

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Hippie Mike Hippie Mike's Messed Up Mind The Man I Am

The Man I Am Introduction Poem

The Man I Am

The Man I Am

Kind and gentle,

Simple and sweet,

But stubborn and serious,

To not show defeat,

I’ve grown up strong,

And left my mean side behind,

I give love to others

Who recognize me as kind,

I struggled to get here

Through my teenage years,

Went through my share

Of liquor and beer,

And other things too,

Which were bad for my life,

But all part of learning,

I would starve without strife,

I am who I am

Because of all I’ve been through,

I am who I am,

And you are just you,

My entire life,

The world pushed me down,

But I won every battle,

I’d never stay down,

I’d fight every fight,

My weapons – my beliefs,

The bullshit they threw at me

Would cause me no grief,

You cannot stop me,

I will still change the world,

And bring even more freedom

To all boys and girls,

Just try and stop me there,

Uncle Sam,

And I will let you see

The man that I am,

I’ve lived a tough life,

And I’ve always overcome,

Went through my rough times,

But redemption would come,

Everything in life

Happens for a reason,

You never know what

 to expect the next season,

but no matter the issue,

no matter the pain,

just push it aside

to the back of your brain,

Be who you are,

Whether people like you or not,

Stop caring how others judge you,

Go on, give it a shot,

And maybe you’ll end up

Right here where I am,

As happy as possible,

The man that I am,

For I am a man

Who has altered the Earth,

Changed minds of all people

From being prejudiced jerks,

From judging on appearance,

Not knowing me one bit,

To respecting all I’ve done,

And praising me for it,

You don’t know me at all,

You don’t know who I am,

You don’t know where I came from,

Or why I hate “The Man”,

You don’t know why I’m angry,

You don’t know if I cry,

But you can be damn certain

That I don’t ever lie,

I’m straight to the point,

As true as it comes,

And I fight for what I believe in,

Till the battle is won,

I help out the innocent,

And knock the guilty ones down,

I have changed the world

Starting right here in this town,

And made it more acceptable

For everyone around,

To be who they are,

And to not be pushed down,

Believe it when I say it,

This isn’t a scam,

‘Cause this is all me –

The man I am

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Extreme Sports Hippie Mike Jaden Easton-Ellett Protest Skateboards Skateboarding Team Riders

Jaden Easton-Ellett – Protest Partnership

Jaden EastonEllett

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!!

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Hippie Mike Life and Death - And all the Emotions that come in between Protest Skateboards The Man I Am

The Man I Loved The Most

Raymond James Faux

Sept 18th, 1947 – April 29th, 2012

To The man who adopted me, loved me and taught me how to be a man myself – a humungous part of me dies with you, but the rest of me lives on for both of us…

The Man I Loved The Most

By Mike Faux

The day I’ve feared forever
finally arrived,
The day The Man I loved the Most
Had to die,
I knew it would happen
My entire life,
I expected it at any time
My entire life,
He struggled through so much
Sickness and disease,
But he always wore a smile
And he always seemed pleased,
He taught me not to give up
On whatever I believe,
I’ll wear a heart forever
To represent him on my sleeve,
His suffering is over
Now our pain begins,
We will miss him forever
In our hearts within,
To The Man I loved the Most
My regrets I send –
My Dad, my Father,
My Friend till the End…

We love you!

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Cap'n Old Balls Extreme Sports Skateboarding Video Reviews

Review: Cap’n Old Ballz Episode 1

Yeeeaaaaaah! D.L.! Dave Levington!

Straight outta Langley!

Dave called me the other day and told me about a couple of videos he’s been putting on Youtube of some of his older footage, and what looks like some newer stuff. It’s tough to be any type of athlete as you get older, especially a skateboarder. All the things you used to do so easily become difficult due to less strength, more weight and mental arguments inside your head. But some people are truly “skaters for life” and D.L. is definitely one of those people, just like me.

Check out Episode 1 of Cap’n Old Ballz and recognize the skills of a true skateboarder. The tricks might not be the most bangin’ for the insane standard of today’s generation, but the style says it all. Keep it up Dave.

Keep an eye out for more episodes of Cap’n Old Ballz coming up featuring other skateboarders of the past who can still rip it up…

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Extreme Sports Jay Mykyte Protest Skateboards Skateboarding

Jay Mykyte Skates The Secret Bridge

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!

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