James Kelly and friends getting pitted near the waterfall. Photo: Bandy.
The town of Britannia Beach is about 40 miles northwest of Vancouver, Canada, nestled between the expansive blue waters of Howe Sound and an ever-rising, dark mountain forest. The area used to be an old copper mining settlement beginning in the very early twentieth century; before that it was home to its indigenous inhabitants, the native Squamish people. History and geography aside, our immediate interest is a bit more contemporary, focuses on downhill skateboarding, and ultimately on the fourth annual Britannia Classic.
Tommy Watson, picture perfect. Photo: Bandy.
Cole Galbraith with a zooming zoomer. Photo: Bandy.
Byron Essert bringin’ the heat. Photo: Bandy
We arrived in Britannia Beach the evening of May 24, aboard Portland Oregon’s infamous Sk8bus, Casey Morrow at the helm and serving as our captain. Our spirits were high and our feet were fresh from a week spent shredding all over the skate mecca of Vancouver, BC.
K-Rimes, out front all day. Photo: Bandy.
G Mac, freeriding. Photo: Bandy.
Mr. Browntown running from the crazy-ass, Canadian “Ghost Busters” ambulance. Photo: Bandy.
William Royce riding his skateboard real fast. Photo: Bandy.
Lee Cation is the man behind the Britannia Classic and it is worth noting that he is very good at what he does. The organization and flow of this three-day event was impeccable and his team’s open-arms and genuine stoke made for one of the best event experiences we have ever had. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that the course is one of the steepest and most winding and that the location is one of the most majestic backdrops for a downhill skateboarding event we have ever seen.
Tamara and friends sitting pretty. Photo: Bandy.
Patrick Switzer, always a gentleman, leading his lady across the road. Photo: Bandy.
Graham Buska deep in the woods. Photo: Bandy.
Lee Cation, “Like a Boss!” Photo: Bandy.
We were witness to more than a few haybale slappers, a roaming black bear, one big ol’ happy dog-bear, splashing waterfalls, babbling brooks, and whole lot of bombing beautiful.
Gonzalo Bradon being tailed by Chip Wood’s trippy copter cam. Photo: Bandy.
Brendan Grant, knee dippin’ and road rippin’. Photo: Bandy.
Stealthy bear lurkage. Photo: Bandy
Kyle Martin moving fast somewhere near the end of the course. Photo: Bandy.
Canadian bear-dog! Photo: Bandy.
James Kelly leading in the corner. photo: Bandy.
Tad Drysdale, 56 years young and killing it. Hell yeah! Photo: Bandy.
We’d come to shred hard and to be a part of something significant. At the end of our three-day say at the 2012 Britannia Classic we were content with the experience and feelings of accomplishment were strong within us.
Striker firing up the crowed. Sweet afro, bro! Photo: Bandy.
Corner crash-out. Photo: Bandy.
Kyle Martin, killing it, with style to spare. Photo: Bandy.
getting fired-up in the Uhaul. Photo: Bandy.
Wait, who the hell is that wearing Casey Morrow’s leathers! Photo: Bandy.
Kevin Reimer in the act of winning Britannia Beach, 2012. Photo: Bandy.
Everyone rode hard and enjoyed the doing. The fastest among us made the podium and won the glory. It seems as if the skateboarding gods have christened Britannia Classic with major Stoke. We’ll be back—come join us.
RESULTS:
Men’s
1st Kevin Reimer
2nd Patrick Switzer
3rd Byron Essert
Women’s
1st Charlie Daigneault
2nd Elena Corrigall
3rd Nadine Fontaine
Grom’s
1st Jonas Richter
2nd Spencer Smith
3rd Aidan Lynds
Master’s
1st Jeff Budro
2nd Lee Cation
3rd Tad Drysdale
Tad Drysdale was 3rd place in masters.
We fixed that. Sorry brotha for the error. Stay shredding.
Sorry about that. It was a paster issue. Fixed. Thanks for the head’s up.
Go Richter!
Richter def killed it! Very stoked!