In Loving Memory of Kyle Austin Bazner
May 12, 1992 – October 6th, 2013
Up North Skim & J-Gordon Team Rider Kyle Bazner
Words By: Josh Wright
Just like many other innovative sports that have traveled off the beaten path before like skateboarding, snowboarding and many others, flatland skimboarding has been slowly developing into a globally celebrated pastime. I’m willing to bet that if you asked any flatland skimmer why they love the sport so much, the answer you’d receive would reflect the freedom, creativity, and pure good vibes that it entails.
I was introduced to the flatland skimboarding scene by my closest friend, Kyle Bazner. With help from Jim Gordon, owner of J-Gordon Skimboards, Kyle was able create a sector of flatland that hadn’t been explored, in Northern Michigan. The northwestern side of our mitten-shaped peninsula was introduced to a world of watersport that had yet to be pioneered in our region.
Sadly, my dear friend Kyle passed on from this world during October of last year (2013). I can honestly say that I have never encountered a person who represented the true vibe of skimboarding like Kyle did. Kyle had a laid back demeanor that was calming to be around. Being at the beach with him and just tossing our board’s down and enjoying the vibes of the sun and good company will be memories that I will hold and cherish forever.
I hope the streams are shallow enough and free from jagged rocks for you up there in the big skim spot in the sky, my brother.
Your passing has touched a lot of people, but I don’t know if flatland skimming will ever be the same without you. Until we meet again, Baz.
-Josh Wright
Kyle Bazner was my team rider that brought flatland skimming to the Great Lakes. This was back when no one knew what flatland skimming was all about. – Jim Gordon – J-GORDON Skimboards
Check out Kyle Bazner skim videos.
2009 Skim.co Rider Interview
UP NORTH SKIM | MYSPACE
https://myspace.com/upnorthskim/photos
Kyle Bazner was paving the way for flatland skimboarding in Northern Michigan. If you watched you-tube videos
circa 2007-2010 then you definitely stumbled upon a Up North Skim video featuring Kyle Bazner and his crew of talented riders Adam Scarbrough, Nate Sharpe, Josh Wright, Russell Tandy, Jesse Wright
and the rest of the shredders from that area. – Mitch E.
In Loving Memory : Northern Michigan Skimboarding Pioneer Kyle Bazner
