Vancouver Island man looking to set 3 Guinness World Records on an electric mountain board
Bradley Smith has been electric skateboarding for the past nine years, a passion he says was "addictive" from the first time he tried it.
That passion, combined with personal tragedy, has led him to the path he's on today.
In 2019, Smith’s life took a turn he never saw coming.
“I recently lost my father to cancer,” said Smith.
Experiencing his father lose his battle with the disease changed Smith's perspective on life.
“I guess I needed that to just finally say, 'You need to follow through with what you want to do with your life,'” said Smith. “It was a big wake-up call.”
He has now branched out to electric mountain boarding and is pursuing a goal he has been contemplating for some time: challenging three Guinness World Records.
Beginning on June 1, he will attempt to set a new world record for the longest journey on an electric skateboard. He will also attempt to set a record for the longest journey in a 24-hour period on an electric skateboard and the longest journey in a single country on an electric skateboard.
In total, Smith expects to board 3,500-kilometres over the span of a month.
“(I'm) going from Saskatoon back to Victoria following the Trans Canada Trail,” said Smith.
He says the 24-hour record will be the most challenging to beat.
“Standing on the board for a long period of time is taxing,” said Smith.
Another challenge: Each charge is good for around 140-kilometres, meaning he is going to need to plan his stops accordingly.
“This is the most motivated that I’ve ever seen him,” said Nina Savino, Smith’s partner.
She is part of a team that has been working behind the scenes on logistics. Her role has also been to figure out what Guiness needs in order to set those new world records.
“(We've been) going through all the paperwork, reading through all the agreements and the rules that Guiness had put forth,” said Savino.
Come June, the team will be on Vancouver Island and Smith will be making the journey alone, but he says he feels as though his father – an adventurous man who taught him to always follow his dreams – will be there, along for the ride.
“That’s why I chose the month of June,” said Smith. “It’s his birthday and it’s right next to Father’s Day, so he’ll definitely be with me.”
Bradley Smith rides his electric mountain board. (CTV News)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'
Canada's Consul General in New York will have to explain the government's decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan's famous 'Billionaires' Row,' to a parliamentary committee.
Price of new housing dipped slightly in June: Statistics Canada
The cost of a new house was slightly cheaper in June compared to May, according to Statistics Canada. Prices dropped 0.2 per cent month-over-month, which is the first time in 2024 that new houses have sold for cheaper than the month prior.
Parts of DVP, Lake Shore Boulevard briefly flooded as Toronto hit with heavy rain
Thunderstorms bringing heavy rain are rolling through Toronto and have caused flooding in some areas, including the Don Valley Parkway.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
'Inside Out 2' becomes highest-grossing animated movie of all time
If there’s one emotion that Disney and Pixar are probably feeling right now, it’s joy. That’s after movie sequel 'Inside Out 2' became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, raking in US$1.46 billion at the global box office and dethroning former record holder 'Frozen 2' from 2019, according to Disney on Wednesday.
Explosion and fire at Jose Cuervo tequila factory kill six, Mexican officials say
At least six workers have died in an explosion and fire at a tequila factory in Mexico, local authorities said.
Olympics: Celine Dion's presence in Paris 'not a coincidence,' says French minister
Celine Dion's presence in Paris a few days ahead of the Olympic Games opening ceremony is 'not a coincidence,' the French government says.