Zoo York Flow Rider, Dave Willis was just in Vancouver for a small BC Tour. Read below to see what he had to say about his trip, Vancouver and Canada in general.- Ben

You were just in Vancouver. What were you doing there?
Yeah, we were on this two day Zoo York trip where we did demos, BBQs and signings. It was Chaz, Westgate, Robbie (Pellack), (Dan) Redmond and myself.

What did you think of the city?
Vancouver is an amazing place. It has a similar downtown area as NYC, but it also has areas where you feel like you're away from the city. Everyone is so friendly and easy going, and I also loved the fact that you can see mountains covered with snow during the summer! Somewhere where I would love to go back to!

How is Vancouver different from NYC?
Well, Vancouver has a city area just like NYC; Downtown, Chinatown and even drove through Cracktown. I noticed almost every ledge in downtown was knobbed. That's a downgrade from NYC for sure!


Backlip. Photo: Cronan
Are people in Van different from New Yorkers?
In NYC, it seems everyone is worrying about themselves and if you try to communicate with someone there is some tension for no reason. In Vancouver, I noticed everyone was really easy going and friendly. When I was out there, I met a lot of cool people down at The Plaza. All the locals are mad cool; Spencer, Wade, Twa, Robbie, Dan and a bunch of other people down there were showing love for sure! Canadian n*ggaz get it poppin for real!

What did you think of The Plaza?
The Plaza is the Truth!!! I had so much fun skating that place. It's cool that the city did that for the area, giving kids a place to skate and let them do what they want down there without problems. I would definitely be so psyched to grow up skating that place!

Other than demos and signings, what else did you you guys get up to?
We had a lot of fun doing things around the city. We got some good sushi, went bowling, and we went to a night club. That was a pretty funny because I've never been in one of those places before and it was a funny ass night


Feeble. Photo: Cronan
Did you get a chance to kick it with the Canadian ZOO riders, Redmond and Robbie, much?
Yeah for sure, those dudes are really cool. I got along with them really well. COME DOWN TO NYC YO!

You were in Montreal last summer for your first trip to Canada. I know you had a blast there. How did this trip compare?
This trip was really fun because it was my first time actually doing a demo or even a signing, it felt good being productive skating and repping ZOO out in Canada. It was really fun for sure, I only wish I was there longer!

What do you think of the Canadian skate scene? Who are your favourite skaters from up there?
The Canadian skate scene is pretty sick, a lot of really good skaters come out of Canada for sure. OG's from Canada are sick like Mark Appleyard, McCrank, & Rick Howard and a lot of new shredders like Spencer and Jamie Tancowny. It just sucks that the boards are so expensive out there. It must be so hard growing up buying boards there.



Now that the trip is done, what's next for you?
A lot of skating and filming and shooting photo's for ZOO, I want to try and take a trip out to PA or Boston.

Last Words?
Thanks to the shops we did signings at and all the rad people we met in Vancouver. Can't wait to be back!