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BENEFIT FOR BIG JOHN: Higher Ground 8.13.07

SUPPORT A TRUE RIDER - For Details Click Here

As Van Hazinga put it in an interview just days before his accident, “If I wanted to be rich, I wouldn’t own a skate shop. But I want to live a rich life, so that’s why I’m in it.”

I met JVH, better known as Big John, while I was in high school. He moved to my small town a few miles from my house. He would swim out to my boat through the muck and weeds of Lake Champlain for the chance to wakeboard. We spent many hours on the lake, hanging out, enjoying life. I grew to know John as one of the single nicest, most caring people I have ever met. Through out the years, I would run into him at random events or on the mountain. It was always as if we had never lost touch, he was always the best of friends regardless of how many years it had been.

He committed himself to the board sports, opened a skate shop in Burlington, and always he has done it his way. I was just talking with LJJ about how disenchanted I became with the industry when I owned a shop. JVH is the opposite of all that nonsense, he is in the game for the love it and is not caught up in the politics or the quest to have the latest gear. He is a role model for all of us.

Last weekend, I was at a wedding for one of my friends from home. I was completely caught off guard to find out that JVH had suffered a tremendous accident while longboarding on Smuggler's Notch. As I am currently living under a rock in West Virginia, I was clueless and shocked to say the least. Seven Days ran an article on his condition, here and his family is maintaining a daily blog on his condition, here.

He is currently in a coma but has stabilized. As would be expected, he is fighting through. I urge all the Vermonters to head out to Higher Ground on 8.13.07 for a benefit concert. For Details Click Here. If you can't make it to the show or are out of state but still want to help, you can donate on his shop's site, www.rdnhigh.com

By SBC at 08/06/2007 - 6:59pm | SBC's blog | login or register to post comments

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Damn.

This is some seriously sad stuff. Sad

I was lucky to get to know John with the Satori/Creations crew @ at ASR last year. He seems a genuine, true spirit who has much love... talk about heart. There are just some people you can just tell are good souls.. he is def one of them.

Stay strong, Big John.. you are LOVED. I'm sending my energy for a quick and right recovery. Much love to the fam/shop as well.

GOOD luck w/ the fundraising!! Everyone rules for helping out the cause!

By TM² at Fri, 08/10/2007 - 7:36pm | login or register to post comments

Best of luck!

I saw this topic and the headline, I started reading and reailzed this is in my own back yard. I live in Mass right down the road maybe 1.5 hours at most from Burlington. I hope for the best. For "Big John" From what I have read he is an awesome guy with a passion for life and even greater passion for the "board sports" I just hope for the best. Good luck to all of his friends, family, and anyone who knows him.....

Jeff Byrnes

By Jeffrey Byrnes at Thu, 08/09/2007 - 3:26am | login or register to post comments

--

More info on the show from Higher Ground

BENEFIT FOR BIG JOHN
with Turkey Bouillon Mafia, Seth Yacovone, DJ A Dog, DJ Nickel B of Itation Sound & the premier of Symptoms Collective "Family Tree"--a film by Travis Card
Monday, August 13th

Whether he's changed the trucks on your longboard, rocked out next to you at the latest reggae show, or taken you on a tour of the city bombing every possible hill, John Van Hazinga has touched the lives of so many people in the Burlington community over the past 8 years. Last month John was seriously injured in a skateboarding accident and is currently in the ICU at Fletcher Allen Hospital. With hospital bills mounting we ask you all to come support "Big John" this Monday at Higher ground. The entire staff of the club will be working for free, and some of Vermont's finest musicians will be on hand to help celebrate how much John means to all of us. All proceeds go to John and his family. Thank you.

By SBC at Wed, 08/08/2007 - 10:34am | login or register to post comments

///™

damn, you hate to hear about these types of stories happening.

i really hope your boy, big john, is able to pull through.

as i get older (stiffer and slower) i keep telling myself it's time to start wearing a helmet. i need to get over my stupid, lame insecurities of it (a helmet) looking silly.

all the best to his family and friends-hang in there.

Craig Kelly (and fat girls) Forever.

By JAF at Wed, 08/08/2007 - 3:49am | login or register to post comments

Yeah this was a bummer when we heard about it...

Last complete I bought was from John. It was tough at that point to find "old school" decks, so I was psyched with what he had in stock.

By beerfriday at Tue, 08/07/2007 - 3:51pm | login or register to post comments

BUMP

Best wishes BIG John! Get well soon.

By weknowsnow at Tue, 08/07/2007 - 12:36pm | login or register to post comments