Thrasher Magazine

TWO-THOUSAND-TWENTY-THREE marks the TEn-year anniversary of the Big O's rebirth after it was saved and moved. So, obviously, a celebration was in order. Ace Trucks in association with Mehrathon Trading and Big O Bastards crew organized a jam to celebrate the occasion at the epic spot. The weather was definitely not favorable, yet we rolled the dice. It rained a few times, but we were equipped to get it dry in a flash. DJ Upperkutz got the vibes going and the trucks started barking. Collisions, close calls, hang-ups and bangers, it had all the ingredients required for a good ol' jam. Lots of dollar bills were handed out during the best trick and people threw down. Everyone kept skating through the day, but after a while, it was time for the official Big O soundclash between selectors Juan Love and Spoon-Bee and it did not disappoint. They mashed up the place! Five minutes after their sets, a huge thunderstorm hit, so it was a blessing from the Skate Gods that everything went down without a hiccup. Huge shoutout to Vans Canada and Empire for their support. We couldn't have done it without them. —Marc Tison

Photos by Dan Mathieu

Pioneers showing off their vintage Big O Ace trucks 1.0

Everyone was all in for the cause

Big O Bastards merch—get you some!

Adamo pizza is always down for the culture

Mami was jonesing to get some

Ace Trucks grand puba Joey Tershay with Uncle Sammy

Justin, Spanky and Kenny don't like rain

Phil Dulude and his dad Pat, generations of gnar

No, I'm not an olympian but I always find time to make jokes

But seriously, an Olympic cat ran through here with a torch in '76. Ask Akira

Chris St-Cyr… present!

Barry Walsh, because style matters

Jeremy Seguin, back D with the quickness

I thought Barry said he wasn't doing doubles anymore?!

Keeping the place clean, Jazzy made sure to sweep it

Phil Dulude with a buttery oop frontside ollie

Adam Greene didn't break into a Slim Jim, but he MCd the jam like a boss

Barry spends most of his time in the air. Ollie to fakie

Inverts are rare at the O. Hopkins gets upside down

Hugo picking boogers. He probably did a backside shove out of this

Hungry hungry hippos

Hugo with a fat kickflip over the deathbox, which were actually light boxes in the '70s 

Mackenzie Carruthers destroys every inch of this place. Seeing him skate is a treat

Alexis' magic potion—drink as many as you want but you'll never be as creative as him

John Cardiel and Barry Walsh… inna dee place

Masters of the lens and retail

Young Emma busted a sick beatbox banger

The masses gathered to the stage for the Big O soundclash

Spoon-Bee got the place warmed up

Selectors Spoon-Bee and Juan Love, musical addicts

Still here

Limited-edition souvenirs baked at Homegrown skateboards

Juan Love leveling the vibes with host Danny Rebel

Gladly rescheduled their golf plans to be here

Sebby has a lot of sole

Marty and Felix, decades of pipe localism

The Hop definitely got wet

DJ Pikan-T of Hi-Five Sound (the day's MVP) and Chris, lifted

Reunited and it feels so good

Let the games begin

From concept to realization to takeover

Back in the O, Adam Hopkins powering through a FSNBS

Commander General Kevin Cann… DIIIIIITCH!!!

Mami Tezuka shredded hard all day. Monty would approve

The Mighty Vernon Maytone graced us with a few songs

Big fan

The last song was the Big O Anthem, by our beloved friend Akira Betts—missed but never forgotten

WE WILL BE HERE FOREVER! Thanks to everyone that made this happen

Adam Hopkins and Matt Dupuis split the purse for the Ace Of The Day award

Let’s leave with some heat to remember it by. Matt Dupuis snatches a stalefish. See you at the 11-year party

Now check all the action in with this killer recap vid by Daniel Policelli