What’s your name?
Brett Wildeman
Where are you from?
I hail from Roberts Creek British Columbia, located on the Sunshine Coast. I am currently living on Vancouver Island attending to university.
How old are you?
21
How long have you been skimming?
I have been skimboarding recreationally for 6. I have been riding much more seriously for the last two seasons.
Where do you skim normally?
Depends on the wind and/or the swell, but usually Gonzo, Willows or Port Renfrew.
Who do you skim with?
I have been skimboarding a lot with Brandon Wright (SkimBC) and Byron since moving to Vancouver Island. When I was residing on the coast I was skimming with Scott Copeland a lot.
What is your favorite skim spot?
Port Renfrew when the swell is right, Roberts Creek beach on any other day.
Where have you traveled to skimboard?
I spent a year residing in Aberystywth, Wales on a study abroad scheme through my university. There were a few pretty sweet spots around the town that had some great shore break. It seemed that no one else skimboarded in the entire town, as I did not run into another skimboarder the entire time I lived there. I was the lone skimboarder!
I was also lucky enough to skim a few different spots in and around New Quay, Cornwall and Devon. The swells and tides never seemed to be the best when I hit these spots, but it was fun to check out new spots.
Where do you want to travel to skim?
I have epic plans for a New Zealand and Australian skim trip. Both places look like they have rapidly developing scenes. Right now, it looks like this trip should happen sometime in winter 2010 or spring 2011. I should wrap up university before I run off on a skimboarding adventure, as I may never come back!
What board(s) do you ride?
For flatland I mostly ride an Akwa City, and sometimes an Akwa City Hybrid. For waves I ride a Medium Sol Carbon. I am currently on the hunt for a new board.
Do you compete?
Hope to more in the future. I am planning making it out to most of the competitions this upcoming season in British Columbia (both flatland and wave).
If so, what competitions have you competed in?
I rode in the Sub Zero Skim Jam last fall held in Port Renfrew. The conditions were super gnarly and blown out, but everyone still killed it.
And what are some of your contest highlights?
Getting the majority of the wave skimmers out for a wicked weekend in Port Renfrew at the jam last fall was amazing.
Do you have any sponsors? What companies?
I just got picked up by Akwa Industries and will be repping them for 2009.
What other board sports do you partake in?
I snowboard when the snow season comes. Vancouver Island gets tons of rain, so when it is not wet I commute to school and work on my short board.
What skimboarding goals do you have?
I hope to grow and develop with the Canadian skim scene. I hope to have the opportunity to explore and ride new breaks and beaches. Thanks to Google Earth I have been spot checking on Vancouver Island. I hope to check some of these spots this spring and summer.
Where do you see the skimboarding going in the future?
I would like to see the sport grow and gain greater exposure. I would hate for it to blow up and fade quickly, so I feel that gradual growth would be best for the sport’s longevity.
What riders influenced your skimboarding?
All the pros and groms down south who shred (Paulo, Bill Bryan, Grady, Dom,…). More locally, CJ, Bdub, Scoco and Rudland.
What riders are pushing the sport right now?
I feel like anyone who is pushing their own personal limits is helping push the sport in a positive direction.
If you were stranded on a desert island that already has a plentiful resource of skimboards what three things would you bring?
Water and/or beer- gotta drink something
Fishing rod- gotta catch my food with something
Ipod- gotta have some Marley to jam along to.
What is the best advice you can to a skim grom trying to get recognized?
Be yourself, be respectful of other skimboarders and beach-goers and keep husslin’. A positive vibe/outlook will get you a long way.
What is the skim scene like in BC?
I would describe it as raw and undeveloped. There is so much unchartered territory that is waiting to be explored and discovered, and some many skilled skimboarders who are just waiting to be discovered.
Is the skim scene in BC growing?
It is indeed. There is a huge misconception, as the general public really have no idea what we as skimboarders do. But I think with the communication resources that are available in today’s society (ie youtube, facebook,…) people will start to catch on to what we are doing and the sport will grow.
In your opinion what is one of the most progressive tricks/moves riders are doing today?
I love seeing tech moves while going down the line, or off the shoulder of a wedge. Big spins are pretty sweet.
Any shoot outs? Last words?
All the photographers, filmers, and companies who are investing in the sport, thanks for everything! Word up to all the Akwa Guys and the Zed crew. Keep ripping! Thanks Skimboard Culture this is great opportunity to share my thoughts. Peace,
