Go Skateboarding Day 2021

Hi internet. I haven't written outside of work for about four years apparently, so here you go. 

2015: In Review

Tis the season for reflection... 2015 has been a wild ride from start to finish. I met a lot of interesting people along the way! I graduated college (what the hell? four years ago if you told me that was a possibility I'd have laughed.)

Yet again, I found myself in a new city, in a new part of Ontario. I miss Bellevegas a lot more than I realized I would. It had it's quirks, it had its characters. I met a number of incredible skateboarders, made a lot of friends, and I had a lot of good times there. When it's time to go, it's time to go though. I'll never forget y'all!

I had some interesting experiences behind the lens and personally, and I feel to an extent that I have grown from them all. That's what we're all after right? Personal growth? I'll celebrate that as a win.

My 5D is currently with Canon, getting repairs done to the hotshoe and a few of the buttons. I've been encountering a lot of problems lately with my flashes not syncing correctly with the shutter, which has taken it's toll on my shooting. Right from the end of May until now I've been regulated to one flash, on my camera body in order to achieve high speed sync shots. There have been a number of times this year where this was incredibly frustrating, and ultimately I chose to dedicate my summer to filming two video projects.

As I did a year ago, I'm gunna make a list. This year however, there are my most memorable experiences from the past 365 days (In no particular order.)

Cirque du Soleil was simply one of the most incredible things I've ever had the privilege to shoot. Being asked to cover such a big event as an intern was a little nerve wracking at first, I'll tell you. As things got underway all self doubt left and I had a blast. The colours of Varekai were amazing. The acrobatics were mind-bottling. Being able to tour the stage and speak with the performers and some of the people in charge of the production was incredible. It's events like this that remind me how lucky I am to use a camera every day.

 Ahhh.. Banff. More specifically the Johnston Falls. Easily some of the purest oxygen I've ever inhaled, along with some of the most dynamic scenery. In my second day of traveling across Canada I took a shorter driving day in order to make it to these falls. I made my way rather slowly through the Rockies, stopping at my leisure to photograph the sights. Making the falls just before magic hour only left me a little bit of time to shoot so I tried to make the most of it. After discovering a strange looking trail off the main paths I mosied my way down to this little spot.

 Getting to meet up with Jesse while I was in BC was a great time. It's always awesome to get to explore new places to skate with homies! Kelowna was a blast, and despite a papering of no skateboarding signs we managed to get in some great shots and do so relatively hassle free. I can't wait to get back out west and see ya again dood!!

Long Beach will always be the best place in the world to me. I'm not a beach person at all either; I just think that the forests surrounding the wild Pacific ocean, and the smell of salty air  is the most amazing environment to wake up to every day. It was also great to see Spenser Smith, my oldest friend, and shoot together like we used to 10 years ago. The waves normally get wild, and the tide is usually a lot closer than it is here. It was nice to see a father taking his young one to enjoy the natural beauty before we eventually destroy it.

This photo will forever remind me how insane a journalists life can be. In one day, I went from shooting a beer fest, to taking photos of kids and rubber ducks, to sitting in a court room listening to the verdict in a double murder trial. I'll always have a soft spot for photojournalism, even if it doesn't end up being my career. 

TPR you crazy bastard. 306 Rooftop Tour is basically what happened when we met up this year. I'll never forget it, that's for sure. Shout out to you too, Chevy. You're a natural born killer! Keep at it!

A large older dude didn't like the fact we were skating on this schools roof, and he felt the need to be vocal about it. I played deaf up until he was literally right behind me yelling about damage and hurting ourselves or some such bullshit. After he insulted our collective intelligence (as this frame was being made) I'd had it. Being the only guy on the ground sucks, but I'll stick up for my homies. We aren't stupid, we know the risks of what we do, and I'm pretty sure we aren't five year olds with mommies who'll sue the daylights outta anyone. Fuck off and let us do what we do.

More TPR on more rooftops. Noseblunt Pull, at a spot a lot of people have dreamed of skating.

Try it, you never know what'll happen!

This was one of those awesome wake up at 5am to go skate sessions. It was a blast, and I could never ask for a better way to start my days.

Bellevegas. 

This was an idea I had actually come up with in the Spring of 2014. As I found issues with my camera, I adjusted to accommodate. There was no better year to get started on filming this project that had been floating around in my head! I actually filmed this simultaneously with production of That Life 2.0, so that gave me a challenge. After countless hours editing, I produced a full 22 minute video on DVDs for the homies to watch and enjoy. Once the fatigue from that project wore off I began working on a shorter web edition. I couldn't be happier with the results!

Filming was a new challenge to me, and one I'll always enjoy. My passion lies in still images though, so as my gear gets back to 100% I'll move my focus back to stills.

I've been messing around with some architecture stuff here in St. Catharines. I'm working a full time job in a greenhouse now, so I'm free to shoot some of my other passions. I haven't gotten to do any skating here yet outside of filming with Connor, but I hope to meet some people once the snow melts! There isn't a lot of street skating here sadly, a lot of guys go up to Hamilton for it I guess. We may see what's up there next year!

Until then, keep it real my friends. I miss you all, even if we don't talk much anymore. Life's a trip, make it a good one.

An Interview with Jesse Whitehead

Jesse Whitehead was the first dude in Regina who offered to take me out skateboarding so I could try my hand at snapping photos. We became co-workers  and as soon as he told me he loved skating I asked if he'd be down with me shooting.... I'm pretty sure neither of us would have guessed that I would fall in love so quick with skateboarding. 

After shooting photos at the Yorkton skatepark with Jesse, I started hanging around the 306 Hip Hop and Sk8 Shop in Regina with my camera and I met even more cool people who killed it on boards. I was hooked. Skateboarding is simply the best thing to shoot. It's beautiful mind bending, and so many other things to many people. I'm happy I can contribute in any way possible to this amazing world.

A few months shy of three years after I found something that I am truly passionate about, I got a chance to link up with Jesse again in British Columbia, Canada. This is quite a feat; both of us have moved to opposite ends of the country for work, and school respectively. I didn't hesitate to jump on doing an interview while we cruised around Kelowna shooting photos today, and this is the outcome. 

BE: Tell me how you got into skateboarding?

Jesse Whitehead: When I was 13, my cousins Riley and Ashley got skateboards on their trip to Vancouver and they let me use them for a bit, just practising with them... That's where it started. I've wanted one ever since.

BE: You're out in BC now, what brought you out here from Saskatchewan?

Jesse Whitehead: I needed a change. I wasn't down with living in Regina anymore, it felt it was becoming a routine. I didn't want that, so when my roommate offered me the opportunity to drive out here I was fully on board. I took it and didn't look back. 

Jesse Whitehead // Frontside Feeble // Kelowna, British Columbia,  2015

BE: Tell me about your living situation, I know it's a little unique

Jesse Whitehead: Yeah! I live about 25 minutes outside of Vernon, BC on the Okanagan Indian Reserve. I live in a log cabin right by the lake. Its in a bit of rough shape right now. The yard is huge, I'm thinking of making a mini ramp once I get some fence up and level off some ground. 

BE: What's your favourite thing about skating in BC as opposed to Saskatchewan?

JW: I love how there's a lot of skateparks, there's tons of places to skate in the province. Any small town has either a park or at least one good spot. It's mind-blowing in comparison to Saskatchewan where there isn't a lot. You have to get really creative back there. Here, everywhere, is like unbelievable. 

Jesse Whitehead // Backside Tailslide // Kelowna, British Columbia, 2015

BE: So you like to travel around lots, what's your favourite park you've been to here? 

JW: Kamloops is my favourite park for sure. I haven't been to Vancouver Skate Plaza yet though, it's got quite the reputation. 

BE: 9 years after you started, what is it that keeps you out and skateboarding?

JW: Purely passion, man. I love skateboarding. I can't explain it, theres just something in my blood. I wake up everyday and look up skate clips to get me hyped and get through the day, then I watch more goddamn skate videos before I go out to skate. I literally have no hobbies other than skateboarding, I love it.

Sometimes ya just need a quick break. This was the make or break moment at this spot. To keep battling or to move on?

BE: You told me that you were told to hand some clips to West49 in Regina, tell me a bit more about that!

JW: I was yeah, I had told Jake (Duquette) to put some clips together for me to see what would happen, then out of nowhere the opportunity to come out here came up. Even though I loved my job and it would be cool to stay around and become like a hometown hero, I just needed the change. So even a sponsorship couldn't keep me around, I just needed that change. I still feel young enough where I could still get one. Not out to be like Nyjah Huston, my goal would be to get a mag photo, like TPR just did. I'm working for it, I won't give up. 

Jesse Whitehead // Kickflip to hill bomb // Kelowna, British Columbia, 2015 

Poutines, Panhandlers, and Presidential Suites

Starting my trip to Montreal was a journey on its own. Upon arrival at the Belleville VIA rail station I figured it'd be a good idea to call TPR and see if they had made it through airport security in Regina without any problems. 

He and Corbin missed their flight to Toronto due to a ridiculous policy. An agreement was made and I was to change my path to Montreal direct, and go to the Toronto airport to meet both of them at the arrival gate. 

Once we had gathered all of our belongings, we were off, on an overpriced taxi ride into the heart of Toronto to find a bus to Montreal. 

We had booked in for the red eye bus route to Montreal, stopping in the country's capital city for a changeover at the glorious hour of 7:30 in the morning. After a mostly uneventful and hazy bus ride to Montreal we were free to ride our boards. After finding a few cool looking places on our adventure to find a hotel we realized that there was going to be a bit of a language barrier. I speak very little  French, and TPR and Corbin didn't know any at all.

Myself, and Corbin, running on minimal rest trying to figure out the hotel situation. Photo creds Tyrrell LeGrand

After a crazy day of travel we decided to check into an overpriced hotel and skate from downtown all the way to Olympic Stadium to find the Big O. It was a must see for all of us, and it was a surreal experience. 

 Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Smith, Montreal, 2014 

After scoping out some spots around Olympic stadium we bought our first metro tickets to get back to our hotel.  

Day two of skating began, and we set out to skate Peace Park. A few crackheads and crazies around, but it wasn't too much to deal with in the end. In all honesty they left us to our own devices. We didn't even get asked for change.

TPR had the brilliant idea of bringing along two disposable cameras. Tyrrell LeGrand // Frontside Lipslide, Montreal, 2014

Day three, we set out rather hungover after a night of festivities. We munched down a Montreal must have, the poutine. All filled up with grease we set off through Old Montreal to see the touristy sights and see what was skateable. TPR was told about a spot where people had seen skaters at before, and he knew it so we checked it out. 

Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Flip, Montreal, 2014 

It's always nice to get a helping hand..... Montreal, 2014

One last try.... Corbin Schmidt // Nollie Inward Heelflip, Montreal, 2014 

Our final day in Montreal consisted of trying to find a the last few spots we could hit before we had to catch an evening bus back to Toronto. After some discussion we decided to go back to the Olympic Stadium, as we had all noticed and commented on the well known half pipe formation that occurs on the roof of the building. 

After jumping on the Metro with all of our luggage we made it back only to find out construction workers had resumed work... Right where we wanted to ride. Corbin had separated from myself and TPR, so he hadn't seen the big construction dude at work. He didn't take too kindly to Corbin being up there so we took off disappointed in not coming away with a photo. 

Gettin' the boot... Keep your scaffolds more secure homie.

After a bus ride back to Toronto we met up with Blair Starks, who would be our guide / host / driver throughout the majority of the Toronto portion of our trip. 

Blair Starks // Backside Crook up, Stouffville, 2014

After touring around spots in some obscure cities around Toronto we eventually made our way back into Toronto to check out Ashbridges. It was a really neat experience, coming from a city like Regina to see what a small portion of Toronto skaters are like. 

Tyrrell LeGrand // Hardflip to Manny, Ashbridges, Toronto, 2014

We hadn't made any plans where to stay yet. After some frantic google searching we settled on the second or third cheapest option for a hotel, who was happy to take us in for the night, We were given a room key, and we set off to the top floor to find our room. We had walked halfway down the hallway only to realize we weren't going to find our room. We turned to the end of the hall and made the glorious discovery we had been given the presidential suite. Hype!

Gives us a nice view of  Jarvis... And the notorious Hooker Harvey's is on the end of the block there. Toronto, 2014

Our second day in Toronto, we played tourist to the maximum. It was a good day for recovery. We scoped out the Toronto Fan Expo, which was a pretty ridiculous experience. None of us had been to anything like that before, so we didn't really know what to expect.

Got the snap before he drove off with his fare... All the cabs in the city and we ran across this one! 

After a night of going hard, and minimal sleep for myself and Corbin, we set off on the second last day of the adventure in sluggish fashion. We had some dominoes in mind, and some dominoes we found.

Corbin Schmidt // Backside Smith, Toronto, 2014

"I picked up the cashflow, then we playing chicken bones, and I'm yellin dominoes" 
Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Crook, Toronto, 2014 

After cruising through some of the raw heat of the day, we took a drive over to Ashbridges to relax a little. I thought so anyways, Corbin went pretty hard in the bowl.

Corbin Schmidt // Fakie Ollie, Ashbridges, 2014

Our final day of skating through Toronto wrapped up at a spot that TPR coined "Little Roschdale by the Sea" and we all had a blast. A really low rail allowed the creativity to flow, and we got some tourists and drunken boaters excited about skateboarding!

Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Feeble, Toronto, 2014

These are the drunk boaters. They went wild after Blair landed this! Blair Starks // Frontside Bluntslide, Toronto, 2014


We made one final stop on the way back to the van to make the last trip to Newmarket. Just out front of the Rogers Centre, Blair showed us this little gem.

Blair Starks // Gap to Backside Crook, Toronto, 2014

The final day of the tour was a bittersweet one. It happened to be August 30, which is my birthday. I got asked for ID for cigarettes (this hasn't happened in ages) and buddy almost wouldn't sell them to me... it's not like I just turned 19 either...

Anyways, we took a look at a church in Newmarket before being told to leave. We made a stop at a restaurant / bar in King City and raised some eyebrows by ordering two pitchers of beer at around 2:30 in the afternoon. After some decent food and a round of shots we made our way to the skate park.

Corbin Schmidt /// Frontside Slash, King City, 2014

We made our last journey together to the Toronto airport. Chatting a little bit about the experience we had just wrapped up we arrived at the departures terminal. We took our final snaps together, and said our final goodbyes in person. My first ever skate tour wrapped up in almost the exact same position it began.

Blair Starks // Tyrrell LeGrand // Corbin Schmidt, Toronto, 2014.... Thanks for an amazing tour. Rad skateboarding, rad times chillin. 

The first posting... More to come soon!

My photographic voyage began at the age of 11 years old when I first traveled across Canada with a cheap camera and about 10 rolls of film. Ever since that trip I've loved having a camera close by to capture moments as I see them.

For the past two years my focus has shifted to skateboarding because I have found an interesting community of people who are passionate about what they do. Day in and day out people are willing to sacrifice their bodies for the rush of landing a trick. I have a lot of respect for every individual I have encountered on my journey, and I continue to be amazed and inspired every day by what I watch happen on a skateboard.

Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Flip, Regina, Summer 2014


For the past 13 months I have lived in Belleville, Ontario, where I am completing a diploma in Photojournalism at Loyalist College. I left my home in Saskatchewan to follow my dreams, and I am excited for what the future has to bring.

I will post some of my school work here, and some of my adventures on four wheels on wood. Stay tuned folks!