Allen Handley

I started skating at the age of 14 and have transitioned through all styles of skating, beginning with street to transition, then my good friend Allen Cardinal turned me on to Old Style Freestyle, which I have really taken to. I like to create my own style of tricks and try and do tricks most people don’t usually do. While living in Toronto, I invented a trick called “the shitquake,” which is a Madonna grab-rock to fakie. One of my Mentors has been Hippie Mike who is a great skater and a great human being as well. Work-wise I have been a roofer by trade for many years but recently began framing houses and am currently a 3rd-year carpenter apprentice. I’ve always enjoyed being physically active and athletic in all types of sports such as hockey, snowboarding, bowling, and of course, skateboarding.

A few years ago, I decided that I had had enough of all the congestion of city life, so I moved to the small community of Britannia Beach, population 300, which is about 8 miles from Squamish. Britannia was once the home of the largest Copper Mine in Canada, which has over 130 miles of tunnels running through the mountain behind where I lived. Life was good for “Gnarly Fred” ( my dog ) and me, we both loved the mountain views and clean air. That was the life, but unfortunately, work dried up, and I had to move back to the big city.

I like competing in Hippie Mikes summer skateboard contests and also in the annual Bowl Series, have played in the top 3 several times and even won a few Best Trick contests. This would have been my 7th year attending the World Round-Up, a great place to showcase what you have learned, gain inspiration for new tricks, and to skate with the friends I’ve made. Last year I finally broke into the top 10 and placed 10th in the Amateur Division pretty good considering I was competing against 25 other skaters.
The list of people I could name who have inspired me is endless. I like to thank every one of my friends and family, as well as all who skateboard. I would also like  to thank Monty Little, who drove all the way from Surrey to Britannia Beach to work with me and make my skate video below.