TOP FAMILY CELEBRATES LIFE AT TWENTY

Today, Top of the World celebrates 20 years.

I remember my first encounter with Top, but it was not in Ottawa – shit I hadn’t even been to Ottawa yet at this point – No. It was on Rosemarie Crescent in Timmins, Ontario.

The year is 1998 or so, and my friend Co Gougeon introduces me to my first skateboard. Cool shit I say. From there it became all-consuming: videos, clothes, music, magazines, hanging in da streets, rebellion, and stickers. Yes, stickers!!

“Top of the World” seemed to be Co’s favorite sticker; it was everywhere. Not only that, we’re talking Top hoodies, hats, and t-shirts to boot. If I didn’t know any better, surely the kid was sponsored. So finally I ask him “ Yo Coco, what is Top of the World?”

“It’s a skate shop in Ottawa. Dionne's brother, Eric, works there.”

Fortunately for us, Eric Dionne is Timmins family also, born and bread. As such,Timmins always had a strong connection to the shop and the brother who never forgot where he came from.

 ***

I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the Top Family for a few years now. After befriending Glen and Linda Goodwin back in the Great Canadian Pumpkin Years along with Chris Giles at Shoreline, I became an adoptive member of the family. Nowadays I'm team captain for Top of World's Reach for the Top Wakeboard & Wakeskate Excellence Program - the honour bestowed upon me by none other than Eric and Sam Francis. 

Real talk though those few years spent with the Goodwin's became my anchor to Ottawa. It would be very difficult to imagine my life in Ottawa without Top of the World. 

They’ve aged with grace and humility; and, after all these years it has never once lost sight of a founding concept: family.

And tonight it’s time for one of the biggest family reunions you will ever attend in your life! BLESS!!

Here is to you TOP, happy twenty! CHEERS!

***

To Glenn, Linda, Chris, and Eric -Thank you.

TOP x SHORELINE 2007

LAKEY PETERSON - PRO SURFING BEAUTY

A JIBTOPIAN: GRAEME BURRESS

Graeme Burress @ Jibtopia Wakepark from Graeme Burress on Vimeo.

JUDGEMENT

After 6 weeks, I finally put together my edit for the upcoming "Rip Curl Judgement 2013" online video contest. It was a collaborative effort between myself and my good friend Craig McCallion. 

Having being one of the 12 invites for this year, I was humbled and super eager to get this project underway. I immediately called Craig and asked if he would put it together. Luckily for me he agreed to it, and from that conversation we knew already what the concept would be. 

Given that we both live a busy life between home, work, riding, and everything else in between; we understood the challenge in finding the time to pull this off - especially with already summer in full bloom. With limited opportunities, I chose my filming sessions wisely and focused on getting the shots I wanted to showcase. 

Needless to say that I did keep things pretty simple, and that's just the way it is sometimes. Let's just say that the video probably won't be garnering a video of the year nomination anytime soon, but I think the emphasis I place on style and quality will speak for itself. 

The edit will be released on September 3rd  as part of the Rip Curl Judgement 2013 contest on www.sbcwakeboard.com. 

But there will be a special screening this Thursday, August 22, 2013 at the KEE TO BALA (Muskoka, ON). This will be the official kick off to the 2013 Canadian Wake Championships so don't miss it if you happen to be in the Muskoka area.

*** 

SPECIAL THANK YOU:

Craig McCallion

Justin Bonney

Kelly Mascioli

Kelly Othmer

Mark J. M. (@ captivatecreativestudios.com)

Brandon

Eric Dionne (Top of the World)

Jeff McKee (Slingshot)

Nate Benson (Billabong)

Julien Derome

Babylon Nightclub

WEB EDIT SEASON: RATHY & KAESEN

It's that time of the year where a slew of web edits are being released ahead of the 2013 Transworld Wake Awards which take place every year at Surf Expo. Here are some worthy candidates from Aaron Rathy and Kaesen Suyderhoud...

Aaron Rathy - The Tribute from Spencer Norris on Vimeo.

Incognito from Joey Arcisz on Vimeo.

HANSON & HAMPSON

this too though..


Danny Hampson - Graceland from Liquid Force on Vimeo.

#cablenats13

Yan Tibo backside 270 transfer. Pointe Calumet, QC.

photo: Johny Bonney

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI Aug. 15-26th

2013 Billabong Pro Tahiti Teaser from Billabong on Vimeo.

2014 SLINGSHOT ROCKETSHIP

Slingshot Rocketship (Trailer Park Trev & Dyl Mill) from Dustin O'Ferrall on Vimeo.

RAPH DEROME: STRANGE OVERTONES Pt. 2

Strange Overtones Part 2 from still not famous on Vimeo.

THE BOOMBOX DIARIES 08.08.13

BOOMBOX DIARIES
-music lovers unite-

HIP HOP + JAZZ + SOUL + FUNK + DANCE + POP

AUGUST 8th 2013 x BABYLON NIGHTCLUB 317 BANK ST.
19+ DOORS 11PM x 5$ AFTER MIDNIGHT ($3 before)
LIVE MUSIC x DANCE PARTY x DRINK SPECIALS

Featuring:

DJ ACRO (Ottawa)
TOP OF THE WORLD x NIXON x RAISED BY WOLVES

BRENDAN COLAMECO (Timmins)
DRUMMER EXTRAORDINAIRE (formerly of NEVEREST)

OLLIE PROP & JOE JITZU (Timmins)
JAZZY BEAR RECORDS

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Follow 2013 from FollowMeNow on Vimeo.

BOB'S DREAMLAND

I haven't posted anything in over a month. Time to dust off the 'ol keyboard and get back to it, and what better way to get at it than with this absolutely insane video from BOB BURNQUIST...

This was filmed in the comfort of his own backyard. I remember playing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on Nintendo 64 in which Bob Burnquist was a player who could chose to be. It's unbelievable to think that what was possible in a video game is now being done in real life. Beauty of it all though has to be Bob's smile throughout the video, after all these years he's still pushing the sport beyond what was ever thought possible when mega ramp skating was first introduced just a few years ago. His style and creativity is second to none.