This month, we asked our roving freestyle correspondent to give us a "Top Ten" list of the best up-and-coming talents on the world freestyle scene. Guess what?! He obliged! He's so good, he even gave us twelve...!
That's why he's our champ...! Here's the breakdown, straight from The Man, himself:
Kilian Martin:
Mind blowing videos, incredibly consistent skating, mixing old/new, major demo skater... arguably the best up-and-coming talent in the US.
And, here's the proof...! Video by Brett Novak (scroll down a few entries for more on Brett Novak...)
Terry Synnott:
Current Cirque du soleil performer, and arguably the best flatland freestyler in the US. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he is an encyclopedia of freestyle with many hard-to-find gems in his various collections. Terry brings freestyle to a higher place in both physical/artistic mastery. And he brings them to the masses, as he fills the biggest venues in the nation with giant audiences of non-skateboarders...!
It's four years old, but it's still pretty dominating nonetheless...!
Tim Byrne:
One of the first top riders of the modern movement, Tim performs and spreads the word of Jesus before hundreds of thousands of people every year as he travels the world. Although he's one of the pioneers of skateboard ministry and modern freestyle, Tim is an incredibly humble and genuine person who we don't get to see often enough. But when we do, there is definitely something special about him that engages your attention on many levels.
The newest YouTube footy of Tim was a bit "preachy", and a little short on skateboarding. This one, we think, strikes a far better balance.
Francis Lavelle:
Fastest feet in freestyle, a top demo performer in Canada/Punta Canta, he has his own TV show in Canada about skateboarding/fun. Francis is a machine that runs on pure sugar! This guy moves so quick, can never sit still for long, and is always on the go for demos, trips, etc. One of the more recognized and sought-after skaters in Canada, mostly due to the fact he never stops moving...!
Try as we might, we couldn't find a lick of video, or photography, anywhere online for Francis. Hey, Francis! If you're reading this?! Send something in...!!
Gunter Mokulys:
Several time World Champion, one of the only fully-sponsored freestyle skaters, and he does the most demos in Europe. Gunter is a little intimidating at first, as he is in really good shape, very intense, and has a reputation for being the "Euro version of [Rodney] Mullen". Gunter has what seems to be an endless bag of tricks, and his mastery of them is unbelievable. Currently he is one of the only people in the world making a living from skating freestyle, and he can be seen all over Europe at demos, on major talent shows, TV, in his skateboarding books, etc. Gunter has set the bar for all up-and-coming European skateboarders.
One thing is for sure: The "Mullen Influence" is clearly visible here.
Per Canguru:
Organizer of WC in Brazil, major demo skater, longest running top-level talent in Brazil, showman extraordinaire. Per is unique to say the least! As soon as I met him, he said "Hello, my friend!" Then he hugged me, and showed me a secret handshake... now, how can you not like a guy like that?! They say subtlety is a sign of mastery, and Per has definitely got it, as I have seen him rock a 10,000 strong crowd in Tokyo with the some of the most basic of maneuvers with his brand of magic. And the crowd just kept getting louder! Then, he pulled out some of the most difficult tricks anywhere! Never know what to expect from him, but we know that it will be great. Per is the man...!
Yeah, there was newer footage available on The Tube. But we liked the mellow, fun vibe of this afternoon session in the park.
Rene Mayabashi:
Top modern Freestyle Pro in Brazil, major demo/sponsored skater, top world performer. Rene is very happy-go-lucky, like many Brazilians. But, he also has that intense focus, execution, and humbleness of many Japanese skaters, which makes sense since he is both! He is also one of the only freestylers that I know anywhere who rides for major international companies, and has been seen on ESPN and various other major media coverage.
Once again, we got fully denied on the YouTube and photo front. Dammit...!
Moichi Suzuki:
Top Pro Freestyler in Japan, Organizer of JFSA (800+members), '09 WC Organizer, major demo skater, top world contest skater. Moichi is an incredible person who not only was a major player in the resurgence and growth of Freestyle in Japan, was the 2009 WC (World Championships) organizer, and rearranged his entire schedule to make sure that everyone felt welcome and got where they needed to go while they were in Tokyo. I could go on and on about Moichi... but to keep it simple, he is what many of us strive to be in regards to being the "complete representative of skateboarding".
Ahhhh... classical! Now that's getting creative...!
Brett Novak:
Great creative crossover skater, top filmer/editor of modern freestyle movement...
What can I say about him, that his videos don't say?! Basically he showcases what we all do in a way that people can't ignore, have to respect... and of course, enjoy! The video that he did for Kilian [Martin] recently was up for a month, and was watched over 350,000 times! Quite a feat considering freestyle is supposedly "dead"...!
I wanted to find a clip that showed both Brett's skating, as well as his video-making chops. This footage from "the abandoned warehouse" does both. Brett's the dude in the "fcuk" t-shirt, by the way. The other guy, I believe, is Eric Kopecky.
JJ O'Donnell:
Took "primo" skating to a new level... many new freestylers try to emulate his consistency in "primo". I have known and skated with JJ a long time, and it is incredible how focused and determined he can be while on his skateboard. Its all about angles with JJ, and his savant-like understanding of this concept makes him not only incredibly consistent, but able to experiment and do things that no one else does on a skateboard. PS: Do not play this man in pool...! Especially if you want to keep your shirt, your money, and your confidence...!
It's a bit strange to see skatepark obstacles in a "freestyle" part. On the other hand: We've never seen "skatepark obstacles" being used in quite this way, either.
Special Mention- Joe Flemke:
His YouTube videos are known worldwide, as are his incredibly technical truck stands and his overall skill. Joe is kind of a quiet and reserved fellow, as well as incredibly intelligent... you can almost see the gears turning in his head! Joe's uncanny understanding of some of the most difficult combinations and tricks out there boggles the mind as he does them like its nothing... but he gets stumped trying to explain them to you! Can't wait to see more from him in the future...!
After watching this, we wondered why Joe wasn't a little higher on this list...? This kid's got skills...!
Just for shits and giggles, we forced AJ to include himself in his own "Top Ten" list. He was reluctant to do it, of course, being the uber-humble bloke that he is. But: Given that we're his current employ as a writer, he was persuaded to cave in eventually. Besides: He's done a lot for Freestyle. We figured that made him deserving enough. Here's what the man says (and, make a note of the wry sarcasm!):
AJ Kohn:
WC '01 and WC '10 Organizer, national contest circuit director, all around Freestyle skater, prolific writer/skateboard activist, Philly Freestyle Movement founder, major demo skater in the US/Europe. This guy is under the delusion that Freestyle could actually make an impact in every form of skateboarding once again... as well as being seen again in the mainstream skateboard media, getting new audiences turned onto skateboarding, and getting riders supported by the major brands once again.
What a day dreamer...! But then again: Stranger things have happened...
