The Chris Kendall Experience

Above: 2001 ollie up to a real quick frontside 180 ollie over the old Churchill Square gap.

Skateboarding and eating one's vegetables has taken Chris Kendall around the world. From growing up in Saskatoon to being one of the original Famous team riders and living in Suggitt's basement, to The Berrics, and now a tropical paradise. While Chris' journey is far from traditional it's easy to see it's working for him. So, pull up a sack of juicy oranges and enjoy the raw Chris Kendall.

Where are you in the world right now, and why?
At the moment I am lapping up time with friends new and old, warm sun, and enjoying pure water, pristine mountain air, and tons and tons of whole, fresh, raw, ripe organic fruits and vegetables at The Farm of Life - farmoflifecr.com - in Costa Rica. It's a healing retreat centre out here run by Brian and Jody Calvi, where I am just now finishing my first skateboarding, surfing, raw food, and yoga retreat! It's been a real blast sharing my passions and this wonderful spot with an awesome group of people. Each aspect has impacted me in such a positive way that I feel blessed to be able to share them with others in such an amazing country and place!

I know that for more than a few years now you've been eating super healthy, so while I'm not surprised to hear you're currently at a tropical healing retreat, how toxic could you still possibly be? I mean aren't you "toxin" free by now?
While we all "detox" to a degree all the time from environmental toxins, those we ingest or create from poor digestion/food combining and/or bodily processes. However, I'm not here to "detox" myself, but to simply enjoy. This is actually my first retreat that I put on, a skate, surf, yoga, raw food retreat. The focus is on a fun, vital, and healthy lifestyle rather than just diet or "cleansing".

Above: Full pipe frontside ollie circa 2001.

Can you skate at the retreat? Seemed kind of remote.
It's pretty awesome. In the surf town nearby (Dominical), there is a really sick 5 foot half pipe behind a bar. There is also a pad of cement and an OK cement park in the next town. San Isidro, which is a 45 minute ride from the farm, offers decent street spots. For sure it's not a skate mecca, but for the purposes of the retreat it was quite sweet and fun.

You were already kind of famous around Edmonton for your diet before you moved away and when I asked people what questions I should ask you, suggestions were invariably food related. Are you still showing up at a skate session with a bag of oranges or a bunch of bananas? I remember skating with you once where all you ate that day was oranges.
Ha ha, guaranteed I am. Often I bring fruit to the session and I love to bring more to share. I've been holding fricking fruitlucks of late and hope to do one in Eddy this summer.

How long have you been eating healthy? What was your motivation to change your diet?
I started to make big changes about 12 years ago, eating fruit for breakfast, food combining and moving to vegetarianism. It's been a journey with some side steps, but a steady upward climb to simpler and simpler, healthier and healthier habits. My main motivaton in the first few years was to recover faster, be stronger and healthier for skateboarding. As time went on I found many other reasons to improve my diet and I can say that the list of reasons just gets longer and longer, and the benefits keep coming and coming.

I remember reading somewhere about you having a pile of fast food wrappers outside an old apartment - what's that story?
I guess it would really depend when this was. Back in my day I loved fast food, even in the first few years of improving my diet I ate a fair bit of vegetarian Taco Bell and Harvey's, ha ha. In Van I loved veg and then vegan pizza, and subs and poutine. People used to call me the garbage disposal as I would eat everything. My fast food days are long in the dust.

Above: 2003 Calgary gravel pile ollie.
If you were to chuck the whole healthy eating lifestyle, what would you eat first?
It's funny, but really, if I was to delve into "less vital food", I would go for some sweet potato fries and some steamed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, hahaha. Which is pretty dang healthy anyway. If I really, really was going further than that, hmmm I really don't know, maybe poutine, pizza or East Indian/ Ethiopian food? The thing is, I don't restrict myself, I eat what I want. It's simply that I don't covet those foods anymore, so there is no desire to fall off. It took a while to get here, but a big switch occurred when I let go of the emotion around "cheating" or the whole concept of "cheating". It's all choice. The last cooked meal I had, I ate consciously and realized it was more the restriction and energy behind that thought pattern, that created the cravings rather than the meal or food itself. Learning to deal with emotions in a more positive way took time as well. Replacing old, outdated habits with new improved ones has been a fun challenge and practice. I have created a list of recipes that are simple, raw, and healthy that can match any cuisine really, so if I want a old flavour or dish, I can make it raw. It's called "Cravings Busters Transitional Raw Recipes" and covers nearly every ethnicity with low fat raw burgers, pastas, chilies, curries, perogies, onion rings, sushi, burritos, pizza, really almost anything you can think of. Still, I prefer simple fare and 99% of the time only make these dishes to share, for a special occasion, or by request.

Most Edmonton skaters will remember you from your crazy-ass parts in the Famous videos, but some of the younger generation will remember you more recently from your appearances on The Berrics. How did that come about and what was that experience like?
Love it all, and I'm excited to put out a sk8 part that is better than any I've done in the past, at least in some respects.

A good friend of mine, Tim S., saw Steve Berra talking about his health troubles and emailed him recommending my website and services. It's funny as Tim's girlfriend at the time told him it was a silly idea that wouldn't bear fruit, well ... a week later Steve emailed me asking for a consult! I thought it was a joke at first, but responded saying I would be more than happy to do a consult but would like to wait a week and do it in person. I already had a ticket to L.A. to stay with my friend Pat Wells and his family for a month. Once there, I went to the Berrics and had a short talk with Steve; he then told me he would like to interview me for his site. It was during that interview I shared that I do full-time live-in consults. He immediately said, "I want you to move in with me for a month". I had some prior commitments, so one month went by before I could move in. I created a kitchen at the Berrics offices and started buying 200+ lbs of fresh, raw, ripe, whole fruits and veggies a week to feed Steve and the Berrics staff as much as they could handle. Twenty litres of smoothies for breakfast and lunch and huge, huge veggie meals were the norm for the first month. By that time Steve told me I best be prepared to stay 3 months, ha ha. A week later it was 6 months and then later he said he wished me just to live-in full-time. It was really a treat to get to know Steve, share my tools with him and experience that whole scene. I got to sk8 the park as much as I wanted, met so many inspiring and awesome people and was eating some of the best produce around. Did I mention the biggest organic distributor and biggest produce distribution in Cali was only 2 blocks away from the offices? In the end I wasn't allowed to go back as I had stayed in LA for 8 months in a 12 month period. Note to all, don't do that! I now get a hassle anytime I go into the States and can't go without a round trip ticket and a specific reason for going. I am working on getting a visa and, when I do, will most probably have a round two with Steve and the Berrics.

While at the Berric's did you ever fan-out on any of the pros and, if so, who? If you did manage to hold it together, what pro could make you lose your cool? Any other stories from your time at the Berrics?
Well, I'll admit the first time I met Geoff Rowley, as well as Jeremy Wray and Ronnie Creager, I was taken aback and didn't know what to say. I didn't talk to Jeremy Wray, hahaha. He was way mellow though and busy. Ronnie is super, super cool and mellow. It was easy to feel comfortable and chill with him as soon as you spoke. Blessed to call him a friend. I talked a bit with Geoff, even made him some banana pudding. He's a cool cat for sure too. Getting to know PJ Ladd was a blessing as well. He is a really mellow, quiet cat that is so focused. After a few months of skating with him he asked a few food related questions and I helped him get into yoga. He now loves it and does it all the time.
As for Berrics stories there are plenty. Hmmm ... arriving to see the roof caved in, water-logged product boxes and computers. Seeing the dream melt in a moment only to be built back up!

Above: Feeble circa 2001.

Where did you grow up and how did you get into skating? First board etc?
I grew up in the heart of Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I remember my parents bought a skateboard for the whole family. My brother gave it a go and hurt himself, so he put it aside. My sister did the same. Me, being the youngest, I got it last and never stopped. I was 5 at the time and it was a Skate Zombie board. I now have that board graphic tattooed on the back of my left calf.

Above: 2nd angle.

How the hell did you end up in the opening montage of a 411? I remember buying that video and watching it at my house and not really believing my eyes when your name popped up on the screen.
That really was such a blessing and thanks to my good friend Darrin Langhorst. At the time Darrin was a Pro Fingerboarder and Josh Friedburg (producer of 411) flew down to Saskatoon to film Darrin shred it up on his own personally made fingerboard set up. They were shooting "Fingers of Fury", I believe. Darrin told Josh beforehand that he had a friend he should really go filming with on full size board. It was me! We went to a few spots and that ollie just popped at the right time with the cop in the background to make that 411 opener happen. It was a huge moment and blessing for sure. I'm still in contact with Josh, thanks man! It was the first trick in the chaos section of 411 issue number 36. I nearly crapped when I saw it.

Is there something about Saskatchewan that breeds pro fingerboarders? Weren't there a couple dudes who were pro?
Hmm, I really don't know. It could be a mix of the cold winters and the lack of indoor winter parks in the past. We had 2 of the 5 pro fingerboarders come from Saskatoon. Darrin Langhorst and Dan Watson of YouWillSoon.com. It's funny, I am really good friends with 3 of the 5. Pat Wells from LA was another pro fingerboarder.

So how does a skater from Saskatoon end up in Edmonton, working at Famous, and living is Glenn Suggitt's basement?
My brother from another mother, Devin Komarniski, moved to Eddy in grade 10 and got hooked up by Famous. When I turned 18, on the nose, I moved to Edmonton to chill with Devin. I also moved because you could drink legally at 18 there. I was amped on that at the time. Devin introduced me to Glenn and within a year I was working at Famous and living with Suggitt. There was a good year or two where it was really Suggitt, Devo and I just shredding it non stop, filming, and being the main Famous team. So epic. Love to Famous, Glenn, Devo and the whole Eddy crew. Love you all!

Since you brought up Devin, have you ever attempted to choke him out? He was always a good guy, and great skater, but it seemed like his favorite thing in the whole world was trying to push people's buttons to the extreme. I remember trying to basically jump across the counter at Plush in order to throttle him, and Devin just giggling and running away.
Oh my yes, yes I have, haha. Devin and I have been best friends since Grade 6. I don't think I've fought anyone more than him, mostly all for fun. He does have that knack to test people and I know he enjoys it, hahaha. Less so now that he is older, I think. I remember one time I tapped him on the shoulder and as he turned around I punched him in the solar plexus as hard as I possibly could. It was the only time I dropped him and laughed and laughed and laughed, hahaha. He's a tough bugger and did the same to me more than a few times. Always good times.

Above: 2001 nosebone. I'd like to think that if I were to shoot this nowadays, I'd have it together enough to kick those people out of the background.

When you first moved to Edmonton weren't you driving around in a mobile skatepark? Describe your ride. I seem to remember a griptape exterior. Any good van stories?
Hahahaha. Yeah, indeed, the first few trips I made to Edmonton were with my family minivan, a Safari! I usually had a full 8x4 piece of sheet metal, as well as a flat bar, not to mention a van full of people. The side had the grip tape off of an old board with a "Zero" grip tape graphic that my Bradah Bram Block put on the van. Van stories, oh my, that van saw more than it ever should have. Beer, fireworks, puking, peeing out the window, jumping boulevards, curbs and late night skatepark wood liberation missions were the regular.

Any fucked up Edmonton stories?
Hmmm jeeese, there really are so so so many. School golfing, Orgazmo and Choda Boy Halloween, walking home from Plush to St. Albert in -40C. One fine night of completely destroying the basement at Suggitt's pad on Sunset. Just smashing a full size arcade game and the walls. Teaching Suggitt how to cook hash browns, haha.

Any good Nathan Matthews stories?
Love to Nate, epic brother. I remember going to the first Lord of the Rings with Nathan. I brought a 6 pack of tall cans into the theatre, chugged them while watching the movie and then held my piss the whole time. The movie is over 3 hours long! Nate thought I was nuts haha.
Nathan also loved his cookie stash, hahaha. A nice box by the bed. Many nights on Nate's couch, a true friend and inspiration, living in my heart forever.

Are you a Trekkie?
Grew up in a Trekkie family. We watched TNG (The Next Generation) every night during dinner haha. I love Star Trek. I don't really watch it anymore, but it's a part of me as I have a Borg tattoo. Haha.

Where do you currently call home? What are you doing to keep vegetables on your plate?
Hahaha, wherever I lay my hat is my home. I truly feel the world is my home and feel at ease wherever I am. Well ok, not on 20th St., haha kidding. My home base is Saskatoon, Eddy, Vancouver, LA, Costa Rica, and I'm sure I'll create some new ones soon. Love it!
To keep the food rolling, I offer consultation on the raw diet and a healthy lifestyle in general. I offer yoga classes, sell ebooks, paper books (recipes), as well as t-shirts, hats, panties, knives, blenders and such. All my services I offer up by donation, as I know how it is to want help but not have the cash to pay the premiums. http://the-raw-advantage.com

After you left Edmonton, I lost track of you. Where did you go? What were you up to?
Oh man, I lost track too, hahaha, some loose times! Hahahaha. Well really, I went to Miami for the winter, then to Vancouver for nearly a year, then to LA for a winter. Then from LA to OKC "Jeeya Terr Terr" to Miami again, then Vancouver, then home, then LA for a year and a half, then home, then LA for nearly a year, then Costa Rica for most of a winter, then home and now back to Costa Rica! Shah, I am sure there are a few missing pieces in there, along with much random shorter travel. Three trips to Mexico, two to Florida, one to NYC, one to Toronto, a bunch to Eddy, Calgary and Vancouver, a few to Victoria and one to Panama, haha. I've been busy bradah! Haha.

Above: ollie circa 2000?

What was the last get rich quick scheme you fell for?
Haha. Hmm, I don't know that I ever really fell for any. For a minute I was with Excell Telecommunications, more so to help some friends who really wanted to make it happen rather than thinking I would use it as a fulltime gig. I did create the "Beat Beanie", a toque (beanie) with headphones built in. It's crazy, as I had it patent-pending and in stores before some other big companies also mysteriously made them too, hahaha. But, in the end I sold a few hundred, made enough to escape a winter to Miami and closed the book. More fun to come, that I promise! Shah.

Plans for the Future?
Grow in loving service, creating the moment anew, making my highest choice and speaking from the voice within, without worrying about those without.
All the while living, loving, and playing in style, and shredding always. Love it all.

Anything else you want to say?
I love The Grouch lines, "Nobody's better than you and nobody's better than me, not even you and I'm telling the truth, How can it be? You asked the question! Say it to yourself and believe in it. Listen." I believe life asks us to look within and see that we can truly create anything, that we can be anything we want to be, that we already have everything we could ever need in this perfect eternal moment. Give yourself love and flow it out to others, it's limitless. Grow in love through loving thoughts, loving words, and loving actions. Eating healthy food is love in action to self. It is Mother Nature's gift to us, to help us create a healthy body and healthy mind. We are all truly a piece and parcel of the divine, it is within us, it is us. Bliss and optimal health is our natural state, this isn't up for debate, but yours and mine to create.
Bless you Dave, excited to shred and enjoy more moments with you. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to reach out to friends new and old.

Peacelovenseasonalfruit ck

Other Photo Thug interviews:
Glenn Suggitt
Keegan Callahan
Dirty D
Jetski