Five Photos with Ben Stoddard
As the second edition of Canadian Skateboarding - A Visual History has just rolled off the press and been released, we connected with Canada Skateboard president Ben Stoddard to hear about some of his personal favourite photos that you'll find in the book.
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It's impossible to choose five from the book but here goes. The five chosen weren’t picked for composition or technique but rather for the feelings they spark when I look at them. I hope they spark something similar for you too. Enjoy! - Ben Stoddard
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Dave and Rob "Sluggo" Boyce. Vancouver, BC. 1993. Shot by Jody Morris.
This photo defines the era of when I started skating. It reminds me of NFA clothing, Airwalk shoes and the Whiskey videos. I wonder if they waxed that curb with a McDonalds cup?
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Wee Wong. Frontside Air. Vancouver, BC. 1978. Shot by Jim Goodrich.
I just turned 40 and this photo is older than me. A wooden vert ramp in the West End? Not in my lifetime. Wee still rips and runs the best car shop in Vancouver.
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Joe Buffalo. Vancouver, BC. 2018. Shot by Joel Dufresne.
When I first met Joe, I was told he was a nomad. I would see him roll into Whistler during the summer time and do things at the skatepark that no one til this day has even thought of.
For better or for worse, Joe is all emotion. He’s seen some shit and learned from it. It’s great to see the path he’s currently on. Love you, Joe.
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Travis Stenger. Calgary, AB. 2005. Shot by David Christian.
Stenger did everything right and then vanished. Word on the street is that he's running a company in Alberta. He might've bounced but his skating lives on. Here he is filming for what could arguably be the best Canadian video part ever. That board had no chance.
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Nate LaCoste. Kickflip. White Rock, BC. 2013. Shot by Rich Odam.
Right after landing this, a BMXer came out of nowhere and crashed into Nate as he was checking the photo in the shallow end. Nobody saw him coming, he just rolled into the bowl as he entered the park and smoked Nate. The biker got the worst of it and was unconscious for a very long time. It was like noon and no one else was at the park. We called 911 and tried to help the guy remember where he was. I wonder what happened to him?
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You can buy a copy of Canadian Skateboarding - A Visual History here.
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