BCIT Mechanical Engineering Diploma Program (Second Year – 108 of 137 credits)

Mobile / Media Dynamics (Richmond Hill, Ontario) – 12-volt Vehicle & Home Theatre (CEDIA) Certifications

John Diefenbaker Secondary School (Hanover, Ontario)

Past work experience

Longboard Haven (Toronto, Ontario) – Owner of Ontario’s Longboarding Headquarters
Kromer Radio (Toronto, Ontario) – Home Theatre Electronics Technician – Custom Installations & Home Automation

www.kromerradio.com

http://kromerradio.com/custom.asp

Customer Testimonials

Dear Martin

John and Patrick were the two installers sent by Kromer. I can’t say enough about these two people. They were neat, friendly, interested in what they were doing, polite, considerate, careful, and most important, patient. In both our lifetimes of having people do work in our home, we have never been happier than with our experience with John and Patrick.

R. & D. A.

Home Automation Gallery

kromerradio.com
Volunteer

President of “BCIT Skate” longboarding group sanctioned by BCIT Rec. Services & Student Association

Member of the BCIT Students Association Council

1987 I was born in Hanover, a small town in southwestern Ontario. I lived in Hanover until I graduated from high school. I began longboarding in the summer of 2003 just before grade 10. After finishing high school I moved to Toronto, Ontario and met the later coined “Escarpment Surfers.” I immersed myself in the sport.

My riding background mixes slalom and downhill with a healthy dose of freestyle.

In 2006 began Longboard Haven, a skate shop catered to the Toronto crew, successful in creating progression and diversity in the community.

I raced slalom from 2006-2008 on the North American east coast competing in more than a dozen races as far as North Carolina. I was beginning to be competitive in the pro class when my ambition moved to downhill skateboarding.
My first race at Top Challenge, Montreal in 2006 set the pace of the next few years of my life. At Paskapoo, Calgary in 2007 I made it to the round of 32. At Top Challenge I went from not qualifying in 2006 to 17th place, (1st in “B” class 17-32).

Spring 2008 I made the leap of faith moving to Vancouver, BC to follow my dream. Mass relocation such as been seen in Vancouver also happened in the early rise of many other sports.

I raced the BC circuit with finishes generally in the top 16. At Giants Head I placed 2nd behind Kevin Reimer. I went back east to Ontario to visit family and my Toronto crew. Then to Quebec for Fabrice’s Freeride and Montreal mischief working a short stint at Kebbek skateboards. Munnsville, New York I placed 2nd again behind Reimer. He was becoming my nemisis. A month later I found myself in Malibu with the soon to be Orangatang team filming the “4 President” video. An incredible 2 weeks of riding ensued, followed by week traveling up the coast with ten others in the Madrid van. Skateboarding, partying and joyous events followed.

Maryhill, the world championships was the last race on my tour. Competing with an international crowd I held my own placing a solid 6th place my first ever IGSA world cup event.

I returned to Vancouver, BC to start my first year of Mechanical Engineering at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, (BCIT). From then till almost June 2009 I hid in the shadows studying and making an appearance from time to time for film shoots for Colabo Innovation’s “Fellowship of the Bearing” and a few local sessions and races. My head was still deep in the roots of skateboarding. I used my new knowledge to design my pro model speedboard, the Fullbag “Elise” and help with R&D on other gear I rode.

2009 marked a pinnacle year for me, where I trained seriously to be competitive on the IGSA world cup circuit. My school BCIT, Orangatang Wheels, Fullbag Skateboards, Kahalani Trucks and Vicious Griptape were backing me to make an impression on the international scene. I traveled and skated with the Orangatang team through Europe. More attention was catching on as the Orangatang “We got d’em Purpz” video was released as well as a number of videos filmed and edited by Louis Pilloni and myself. I traveled through nine countries and raced in five. Placing within the top five at each race but one and qualifying consistently within the top riders. I had an unbelieveable summer before returning to L.A., then traveling up the coast again in the Madrid van to Maryhill. Now, I could only hope to improve my placing from the previous year on this technical hill racing some international and North America’s best. I could not have expected with the course of events I would arrive at the finish line to thundering cheers winning my first world cup race also claiming the current status of #1 downhill skateboarder in the world. What an incredible finish to another season.
I returned to BCIT for second year to my dismay missing the last three world cup races on the tour moving me at the year end to 3rd in the world.

Considerable planning is helping the 2010 season come into fruition. My sponsors Orangatang, BCIT, Fullbag, Vicious and Kahalani are behind me again making the possibilities of this season a cut above the last.

The goal for 2010; grow the sport of skateboarding.