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Following the conclusion of the Semi-Finals at the World Freestyle Round-Up on Saturday, May 19th, we will have a “Sneak Preview” of the freestyle movie VIRGIN BLACKTOP. The film will be shown in conjunction with Hippie Mikes Worst Trick Party

“Virgin Blacktop: a New York skate odyssey” is an often thrilling and sometimes heart-breaking coming-of-age film about a group of 1977 suburban New York City kids. When they met, they had nothing in common except a love of skateboarding. Despite their vastly different ages, races, and economic backgrounds, they formed “The Wizards,” a competitive freestyle skateboard team. Now, 40 years later, they remain friends, but their lives have followed very different paths, from boardrooms to jail cells.

Director Charlie Samuels video footage captures his team mates lives in a documentary form that compares with Stacy Peralta’s BONES BRIGADE movie in its autobiography style of telling the story of the Wizards Skate Team.

Meet 13-year-old Braedon Nerpio an 8th grader from Surrey, B.C. who has been chosen as this year’s Pro for A Day. Have you ever dreamed that you were a Pro Skateboarder? Well, Braedon dreams about it all the time, and at this year’s World Freestyle Round-Up his dream will come true. He will not only get to meet the top Pro and Amateur freestyle skaters from around the world, but he will also get to skate with them and put on a demo. Also, he will receive a Contest T-Shirt, Belt Buckle and a bag full of goodies.


Braedon simply known as “Killa B” and his stoke for all things boards started with his love and passion for surfing at four years old. At age eight he stepped on his first skateboard and was able to feel the same sense of freedom, exhilaration, and belonging as if he were one with the board as he felt in the ocean. This bond between a boy and his board transcended quickly into a love for everything skateboarding.

Bill and Long Beach Surf Shop in Tofino BC are incredible supporters of Braedon and are influential in the shaping of who he is today as a skater. They have been family to him and guided him through this journey. They believed in him from a very young age and created the opportunity for Braedon to grow as a surfer and skateboarder under their wing. The amazing skater Andy Anderson has not only been like a mentor to Braedon but as well like an older brother, in many ways they have grown up together. Andy has coached Braedon since he has been nine years old and is the reason Braedon wanted to be Pro For a Day so he could skate alongside his friend.

Four years ago Braedon started competing in the Bowl Series, with his favourite bowl still being his home South Surrey. As well Braedon has been privileged to have demoed the last couple of years with Pro Canadian Skater Kevin Harris, Andy Anderson, Ryan Brynelson and Sean Hayes. Braedon’s motto in life is to believe in yourself and be you. He encourages other’s every day to be the best you, for you.

We are excited to announce the creation of a new award to be handed out at the World Freestyle Round-Up. “The Spirit of the Round-Up Award” will be presented to a different skater each year by Bert Mathieson and the New Hampshire Natural Health Clinic. Bert who is also an accomplished freestyle skater had this to say about the award he will be presenting.

The first time I came to the World Freestyle Round-Up was back in 2013. For me, it was instrumental in breaking a very long silence in the sport/art that I love so much. I was very encouraged to see that freestyle skateboarding was still very much alive and pleasantly surprised to meet a group of people who were working hard to see it prosper.

One of the things I sensed about the Round-Up when I first arrived was that it was more than just your average skateboard contest. I felt like I was at a family reunion, with cousins, aunts, and uncles from around the globe all coming together to celebrate freestyle. The spirit of joy that I found there was infectious.

That spirt was amplified by a few skaters who made it their business to encourage the other contestants and to bring out the best in everyone. They were really fun to be around “lighting up the place” by encouraging others and lifting their spirits.

Their demeanor reminded me of a passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 that says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Which brings to mind a quote I once heard. “Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water – it will make ripples throughout the entire pond.”

It is my desire to help promote this spirit of encouragement and mentorship by developing the “Spirit of the Round-Up Award. Each year a $200 Cash Award along with a memorable plaque will be presented to the skater who’s exemplary actions best represents the spirit of the World Freestyle Round-Up. I hope that this award will make it a little easier for the recipient to recover the costs of traveling to the Round-Up and will encourage the encouragers!

Sincerely, Bert Mathieson, ND, MA, RD, CDE

What an insane competition, this was the 6th year for the World Round Up Freestyle Championships and by far this year was the most competitive. The ranks seemed to change each day in both Amateur and Pro divisions with people bouncing up and down each day in the standings. The only rider who was consistently in the top 3 was Isamu Yamamoto as he led the Pros all weekend long. But don’t think it was a runaway with Mike Osterman, Guenter Mokulys and others coming hot on his trail. It literally came down to the Finals and if Mike Osterman hadn’t missed the one trick he missed the results may have been different but either way your champion in Pro was 14 year old Isamu Yamamoto from Japan. This kid is a machine, he is committed to Freestyle and he is damn good at it. Everyone loves to watch Isamu and be ready to see and hear his name in the world for years to come.
The big surprise though was actually in the Amateur division as the Japanese kids were all over the place in qualifiers and Semi-finals. 8 year old Yuzuki Kawasaki was in the lead going into finals and he finished 3rd overall, almost unbelievable that an 8 year old can compete with adults but if you were there you would believe it for sure. 11 year old Ikkei Nagao blew everyone away in the Finals with non stop action and speed, even finished off both runs with fakie 720 bigspins but it wasn’t quite enough to take the win. Brazilian Breakdance master Marcio Torres was on fire and his choreographed routines got the upperhand in the scores. This guy showed up last year at the Round Up and has only been skateboarding for about 3 years. Like all the freestylers from Brazil he learned fast and got really good. 1st Place in a major battle, something to definitely be proud of.
Until next year, these are the Best in the World
Check out the winning runs here.

Another amazing roster at the World Round Up Freestyle Skateboard Championships, 65 competitors with 15 countries represented, but the country to watch is definitely Japan. So many competitors this year came from Japan and they are all skating amazing. But 2 stand out in the crowd, 14 year old Isamu Yamamoto who placed 2nd in Pro division last year and 8 year old Yuzuki Kawasaki who is making his first Canadian appearance in the Amateur division, yes that’s right I said 8 years old.
Today was just the semi-finals but these guys proved they are here to win, we can’t wait to see what they do in the Finals happening Sunday May 20th.
Check the video to see what you missed