Blog
-
-
Where do I even begin? I’ve spent literally days and nights at this place…I love it so much I skated across the country for it. You can go there for 15 minutes or 15 hours both have potential to be equally potent visits…
LIMITLESS…
Some skate park courses are truly limitless.The designer cracks the code and if you have the abilities another addition presents it’s self every visit, that is if your searching for it.
I search for something new in each of my Plaza visits. Sometimes it’s the tricks sometimes it’s finding a new line. Sometimes Chris Haslam is there sometimes Malik (Steezy) Walker is there or Rory Whyte or Old Spinner or Chen or Kai & Eric (Rory’s son haha ) or Landon to name a few of my favourite Plaza locals.
I first heard of The Plaza in 2004 when such a thing was unheard of ( If DC/Dyrdek’s Kettering Ohio plaza wasn’t the first, The Vancouver Plaza was the 2nd by just a few months) There wasn’t Instagram or such things at that time making it a year or so later until I first saw footage of The Plaza.
It was a line Marcus McBride does in an FTC video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6zrGCopCnE ( 4:50)
That’s definitely the kind of skating I like, Uncle Marcus switch backside flips the hip (which was brick at the time) that on it’s own if you know the dimensions is insane. He also does a beautiful bsts to fakie at top speed and nollie bs 180s the 7…
The Plaza looked no different than a street spot,especially in Van where lots of the OG street spots were/are under bridges…I wanted to jump into the screen and skate The Plaza upon first sight. 4 years later I finally found my self there on a stop over flying to Seoul with my dear friends Russian Bartman and Phil Song…
I can tell you some things about that session…first and foremost I was shocked and humbled at how rough the ground was . The epoxy formula for the first Plaza surface was botched,there were thousands of primo-dents and cracks everywhere and certain areas were just crumbling…
I recall doing some skate tourism at Hot Spot later that day and noting how it was smoother skating Hot Spot then inside the Plaza…
“Inside” as the bridge above The Plaza certainly gives one the feeling of being inside of something.There’s just something about a skate park under a bridge.
FDR,LES,BURNSIDE,THE PLAZA not “a Plaza” THE Plaza.
The sound of The Sky Trains make the experience of skating The Plaza like nothing else. From 5 am to 1:30 am there will increments when the skate sounds become muted out… at times it can feel hypnotic, you could be mid line and all you can hear is the sound of the train and the rushing wind…
The Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts keep skaters in the shade on blazing hot days and provide shelter ( to a certain extent) during rainy ones (which are plentiful in The Pacific Northwest )
THE PLAZA GODS…
The Plaza definitely had it’s eras… and has always been abundant with very strong high level skaters. I can’t name them all as I don’t want to keep you too long. Wade D,Paul Trep, and Spencer Hamilton first and foremost I feel in the early Plaza days that trio just blew minds at Plaza everyday. I’ve seen Trep sw bs smith the handicap out rail from the high side and sw back lip the 7 rail like it was nothing… Then came other Plaza rulers some of my favourites would be Zach Barton, Cotton, Will Blakely and Jeff Matheson and in present day I would name Steezy Walker as the mayor of The Plaza I call him “King Malik”
R-RATED
In Toronto we have more street spots yet not as many skateparks as Vancouver. Our biggest and best park would be Ashbridges (AB) I often describe AB as a “PG-Rated park”
You have tons of kids, scooters, and parents it’s a safe, wholesome, skate focused environment. Ashbridges is also tucked away in a giant field beside a sewage treatment plant with the hustle and bustle of the Toronto core several kilometres away.
I would say the Plaza is the opposite… I’ve arrived there for early morning sessions and have been confronted by horrifying messes. With the world renowned Main and Hastings just a block or so away and the condensed Vancouver Downtown core all around the shenanigans around The Plaza never cease. For the most part the skaters keep law and order but what happens when all the skaters go home to rest? They wait in the shadows until the last skaters leave and by around 2/3 am The Plaza becomes a drug heaven abundant with dark nooks and crannies to do what they will…Not that us skaters all live a saintly existence there’s something about the Plaza that brings out skateboarding’s dark side and keeps it there.
One night back in 2016 I had skated Plaza until sunrise…The things and people I witnessed around The Plaza that night… I remember sensing they were annoyed that I just wouldn’t give it a rest and by around 4 going on 5am as the world brightened they had all left and I remember witnessing the most glorious sunrise I had ever seen to this day and had the park truly to my self for hours. It wasn’t out of stubbornness or dis compassion… I just couldn’t stop doing laps.
The Plaza can be a very filthy place yet I love it . I am The Plaza filth…walking into Fresh Slice with blackened hands and dirt sweat and dust all over my clothes is a mark of honour to me…
In closing I’ll share a joke I once told to Rory Whyte mid session (oh the way he laughed just made my day)
“Rory earlier today I wasn’t at the Plaza and I asked my self… what am I doing with my life?”
That sums up how much I love The Plaza thank you so much Vancouver Skate Plaza and all the locals.
My favourite trick (Suski grind) on my favourite obstacle (The Wedge) at my favourite “skatepark” shot by the magnificent Ty James
-
So many places so many faces doing my best to make sure nobody is left out because gratitude is very important…
HT’s Josh Harrower has been an advocator/supporter for Pushing Canada 25 before wheels hit ground for the journey thank you for the tidings to get this thing started and being there at the send off at Jack Layton park
Frank the Trucker… Thank you for getting me over the Coquihalla pass and helping me keep a promise to some friends in Calgary that I would not attempt to do so on my board, now I understand why…
and thank you for fulfilling a life long dream of riding in a big rig!
Dee from “Country Mornings with Dee” in Thunderbay thank you for the gracious coverage of the journey, it’s still going… I had a blast being in the booth
Jeremy from Thunderstruck Agriculture… thank you for getting me over arguably the worst stretch of road on the 1
and anybody who’s helped me with directions that I’ve stopped on the street : )
NT The Sage Knight
-
Well… now that I’ve had some time to marinate and the thank yous have been said I feel this achievement has/will change my life in so many ways here’s one of them…
Being on the road all day every day for 3 months can grant one an abundance of opportunities to think/reflect/write/draw “preflect” (a new word I like to use) During this grand endeavor around when I began passing through Calgary towards Canmore and Banff I began to write… it stared out as a tiny short story/memoires I began making for my self while waiting for laundry and eventually blossomed into a novella by the time I began exiting BC’s interior (Chilliwack BC to be exact)
”GO CRY TO THE MOUNTAINS”
based on a true story…written by yours truly
I had a blast writing this and sure you’ll will reading it… typed up copies will be available for friends and family upon my return and If I can skate from Toronto to Vancouver I’m sure I can get a book published.
Stay Tuned dear friends
Blessings…
NT The Sage Knight
-
I like would to thank Ian Digby and Susan Watson for going above and beyond and supplying me with invaluable items like my coveted water proof sleeping bag/poncho and a phone to stay in touch with the world.
Oliver from Holy Trinity for the invaluable bug-net
Holy Trinity’s Pastor Pam for the moral/spiritual support since the very beginning and the lovely retreat in Sorrento
Mike Hartman from So Hip for the Vans shoes to begin the Journey and Dylan Fulford for the Vans shoes to end the journey
Jarred from Boardanyone skate shop in Kenora for not letting me leave with my very janky set up : )
Vanessa Bowles from Thunder Bay and Cinema 5 skate park what a magical stop thank you for your generosity and hospitality
Justin Czank ZEEN! : ) these T 2s are the best trucks I’ve ever skated… much appreciation dear friend
The Bunt Gang thank you guys for the words of support heard by skaters all over the world (thank you Dono for the correspondence)
Rachel and Kevin of Thunder Bay one of my favorite moments over the course of the journey was home made pizza dinner with Kevin and Rachel and then attending HT service virtually the next morning. Such a wonderful family and Kevin’s brother Bryon in Swift Current SK for the gracious hospitality
Fane Smeall of SK8 SKATES Winnipeg thank you for the Currens : )
Cousin Rosalyn and family for welcoming me into their lovely home
Grayson of Moose Jaw thank you Grayson for becoming a true friend when I really needed one…
Beau Larson of Calgary thank you for providing me with the best chess games I’ve had all summer!
Kevin Lowry and the gang at Ninetimes skate shop for the upgrades the support and logistics to make my way forward
Jake of Banff… my old/new friend… I have a surprise for you!
Rory,Tegan,Brendan and Meg… my golden friends in Golden BC
Janice of Kamloops for the last photo shoot of the journey and the lovely words of encouragement
My dear friend Robert Penrose for the athletic socks to sustain the pushing and providing friendship while on the road
My dear friend Chen of Vancouver… thank you for everything.
^^^
Photos by Janice Rutherford- outskirts of Kamloops
NT The Sage Knight
-
^^^
The Vancouver Skate Plaza… The “finish line” It’s difficult to try and put how I feel into words, first and foremost some heartfelt thanks yous are definitely in order…
I’ll start out with all those who have been keeping “Noah’s Canteen” afloat all summer without these individuals I would not have made it.
Imani Tynes and Josephine Grey my sister and mother. On the eve of Pushing Canada 25 we talked extensively of how this was going to be done over a lovely Pesto dinner though they were rightfully concerned I knew I had 100% of their support and that’s all I need for my foundation to undertake such an endeavor.
Monte Greene my dear friend and chess mentor…(we did it Master Monte! )
Big Harrison Pickernell (can’t wait to start the next Albans season)
Scott Pasko (Thank you so much dear friend)
Ksenia Blinova and Morgan Servinis ( gracias! a new hair style when I get back!)
Tomas Morrison ( thank you so much dear friend the words of encouragement throughout went such a long way)
Phyllis Antonette ( thank you so much Toni thank you for your commitment and crucial correspondence and promotional support)
Christine J Daly (thank you so much Christine see you at HT)
Emma Whitla (thank you so much Emma can’t wait to be back at HT)
Petro Merkulov (every Petro station I saw… see you at JS)
Julian Lam ( thank you for the tidings and the tracks to help me push through)
Stephen Mcisaac (thank you dear friend)
Taisiia Kotova ( thank you so much dear friend)
more thank yous to come…
-
Greetings from beautiful Revelstoke BC…
Before I get back on the road and push towards Kamloops I want to put out an update… A Holy Trinity parishioner has offered to match a donation up to 5000$ ! I foresee arriving in Vancouver in about a week and change from now. That means this incredible journey will soon be concluded…(sigh)
Nothing beats a strong finish… Let’s reach out to some major players to donate to the HT Community Hub (a certified charitable organization). Work for a big corporation? know some big spenders? here’s a wonderful cause for their charitable contribution that will make a direct impact.
https://sites.google.com/view/sk8board-embarking-on-faith/home
Kindness and Gratitude…
NT The Sage Knight
-
Well dear friends an update is certainly due. Here I am in wonderful Golden BC after 2 days rest at the Dream Catchers Hostel I’m about to Embark on the last push towards the finish line (The Plaza Vancouver BC) here are some photos and highlights over the last week or so.
How many skateparks do you know feature a full pipe? Millenium truly has every conceivable obstacle.
Morning coffee ritual on Millz Mountain “meet me at Millz Mountain” games of S.K.A.T.E a top Millz Mountain skaters congregate on Millz Mountain… You’d be hard pressed to find another skatepark on this earth that features a bank standing at about 40 feet in height your stomach drops when you descend it your legs burn when you ascend it. An inspiration for the skatepark setting in my upcoming fictional novel titled “Saul Went To The Party”.
An Idea of the sheer size of Millz…keep in mind this is just the main section there’s plenty more…
Farewell Millz and Calgary! I love you so darn much. The locals were so welcoming. Thank you everyone at Ninetimes for the much needed upgrades and amazing conversations/hospitality thank you Beau Larson for being such a good friend and the much needed games of chess and a place to rest. “This isn’t good bye this is I’ll see you later”
And back on the road I went… if it weren’t for these giant teepees off of the 1 somewhere between the GCA and Canmore I would’ve fallen victim to another soaking…
”The Devine Spirit Strikes Again”
Morning Coffee Ritual in Canmore a portion of the Rocky Mountain Range framed perfectly… absolutely stunning scenery
And the winner of the smoothest flowing skate park of the entire journey goes to the Banff park. The last time I had been here back in 2016 Banff’s local park consisted of a few soggy quarter pipes and some other forgettable obstacles in present day it now has a park that could be classified as a top 10 park in Canada the transitions were absolutely perfect. What an upgrade.
“This Aint No Country Club” Yet I would rather stay here than any country club it was getting dark and I had no idea of where I was going to lay my head as one would imagine the local Banff resorts were a bit out of budget… Then while skating the Banff park 15 minutes before the lights went out a skater had approached me. “are you Mr.Madn3sss?” he asked. I corrected him “that was my former moniker I now go by The Sage Knight”
A skater who once lived in Toronto by the name of Jake a total sweet heart and quite a character next thing I know we’re in his truck driving back to the indoor ramp the locals key-share we skated and bantered well into the night. Jake talked a mile a minute and I was more than happy to listen. It rained that night… Skaters taking care of Skaters
Seeing this was heavy… It’s hard to fathom riding past the BC provincial border knowing I started out from downtown Toronto June 1st we’ve come a long way.
”Wong Side” DIY in Golden BC. Sitting on a bench in downtown Golden hearing my name was the last thing I would ever expect “There’s Noah” I looked up and 2 of some of Calgary Finest were approaching me Tegan aka Chief Moon aka Big Chief and Brandan and his lovely lady friend Meg I felt like I was dreaming we got to hang out over the course of my 2 day stay in Golden then I met Rory at the Hostel… a Manchester skater who’s planting trees in the interior. I had such a good time with these lovely skaters. Games of chess at the hostel and games of skate in the flash light/moon light at Wong Side in the middle of the night… unforgettable times.
Ok dear friends that’s it for now. Revelstoke here we come!
Be Well…NT The Sage Knight
-
^^^ Noah and Beau Larson’s psychological battle field…
“Good chess opponents don’t grow on trees” neither do old friends whom have also skated for 20+ years neither does the 2nd largest skatepark on planet earth (Millennium park downtown Calgary) It’s been such a treat seeing old friends and re-visiting this wonderful city so hard to leave yet I must complete the mission. Going back to Millz for one more foray then back on the road I’ll get some pics of Millz for the next update…
Be well dear friends..
NT. The Sage Knight
-
You’ll want to check out this interview to get a better scope of what the HT Community HUB really does and some in depth commentary from my self on what the road is really like. Grab a coffee and enjoy a good read…blessings
NT The Sage Knight
Pushing Canada 25 