French-Canadian YouTuber uses skateboarding to explore different countries
Skateboarding isn’t just a sport; it’s a worldwide community that brings together individuals from all backgrounds and links them to destinations they may never have explored otherwise.
Beyond its athletic aspects and creative outlets, skateboarding fosters cultural exchange and tight-knit communities. Whether navigating urban streets or discovering hidden spots in far-off locales, skateboarders build connections that surpass language and geography.
Through their shared love for the sport and mutual admiration, skateboarding materialises as more than just a pastime – it becomes a colourful mosaic, linking various cultures and terrains.
SKATING ACROSS BORDERS
On a mission to become the first skater to skate in every country and unite skating communities worldwide is 29-year-old Mike Boisvert, a French-Canadian YouTuber “The SkateNomad” hailing from Quebec, Canada.
Recently, he found himself in Brunei, prompting the question: what draws a Canadian skater to this distant corner of the globe?
For Mike, the answer is straightforward: a desire to witness the unparalleled beauty of the Sultanate and to fulfil his personal quest of skating in every corner of the earth.
Yes, you read it right – every single one. And now, it’s led him to Brunei.
“Here, I have no set plans, just going with the flow, soaking in the experiences that come my way.”
SKATE LIFE
Skating has been a big part of Mike’s life for as long as he can recall. Picking up his first board at the age of 11 after having been given one by someone, he hasn’t stopped since and has no plans of stopping, if ever.
With almost 20 years of skating experience in his pocket, Mike said that it has become more than just a sport to him. It’s a form of expression, a way for him to connect with others, and also a means to explore the world on his own terms.
Like many who started out all those years ago, Mike didn’t have platforms such as YouTube or Instagram to learn from, so he said everything he learned, he did on his own, devoid of any external inspiration.
“While it’s not the most pleasant response, it remains the truth,” he added.
However, in all his years in the sport, the Canadian skater said that one of the most rewarding experiences of his journey was giving back to the skate community, where he recently had the opportunity to gift a young skater from Thailand a sponsored golden ticket, giving the youth a chance to compete in a contest in Canada.
“He cried and told me that was the best day of his life, and for me, that was the best memory so far because I could give this kid an opportunity he would probably have never had,” he added, reminding himself of the power of skateboarding to transform lives and create opportunities.
The 29-year-old skater believes that skateboarding has no boundaries, and regardless of age, gender, religion or nationality, anyone can pick up a board and become part of the community.
This inclusivity is what makes it particularly special to Mike as it serves as a space where individuals can authentically express themselves and feel accepted for who they are.
“With skateboarding, you can’t learn everything. There’s always something new for you to learn every day, so you always continue.
“That’s why it’s fun. It’s super hard though, and you need time to get good at it.”
WARM WELCOMES
While Mike’s journey has taken him to far-flung places, it’s the people he meets along the way that leave the biggest impression within him. He said his visit to the Sultanate was made possible by the warm hospitality of the local skater friends he’s made here over social media.
“They welcomed me like family, picking me up in Miri, Sarawak, and showed me around Brunei.
“I’ve been to almost all of the countries in Southeast Asia, except Timor Leste and Myanmar. Brunei’s my 40th country, and coincidentally, it’s almost Brunei’s 40th National Day celebration!”
In the short time he’s been here, Mike shared that he’s explored the country’s rich culture, visiting mosques and the skatepark.
“Sometimes people carry this misconception about places, but in Asia, every country is different, and I see the difference in culture between Brunei and Malaysia, as well as the Philippines or Indonesia,” said Mike, adding that the differences are what makes it his favourite part of travelling the world.
“I love the food and the people – it’s always about the people. I don’t care too much about the beach. I like the people and the people are beautiful here.”
One thing Mike appreciates about Brunei is the warmth of the people, welcoming visitors without any ulterior motives, unlike some other places where tourists are seen solely as a source of income.
“In Brunei, they’re really interested in you and they welcome you to their home, their car, and would do everything to make you feel welcome, and this, I really appreciate Brunei for.”
With about 40,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Mike hopes to show the global community a little piece of Brunei’s very own skating community through his platform.
What’s next? Mike said the possibilities are endless, but he has his sights on either Hong Kong, Sabah or a return to the Philippines.
So here’s to the journey, the people, and the endless adventures that lie ahead of him. – Izah Azahari
