The Haunted Wheel Co. recently embarked on an unforgettable trek that they dubbed the Yoop Tour. The Yoop Tour was about more than just tricks—it was a rediscovery of Michigan’s rugged spots, hidden gems, and a rare camaraderie. From untouched ledges to abandoned buildings, each location brought a fresh chapter to this skate journey. The motley crew of team mates consisted of rippers Luke Naylor, Brad Oz, Justis Pope, Tim Holley, and Nigel Klein. The team took account of their day-to-day adventures and shared their experiences while out on the road traveling across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Peep what went down!
Upper Peninsula – The Tour Begins (Marquette, MI)
The Yoop Tour kicked off in Marquette, Michigan – the street spots were a perfect mix of grit and character, against the backdrop of Lake Superior’s beauty. From the start, the energy was high—there was an unspoken excitement as we eyed up the untouched city.
The crew headed over to the Marquette college campus. The ledge was perfectly smooth synthetic boards, but had rough gravel. We discovered an abandoned air base just outside Marquette. Surrounded by crumbling concrete and overgrown weeds, the base felt like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie—a place where nature and decay had merged into something raw and powerful.
Nigel couldn’t resist the call of Lake Superior’s icy waters. He took a quick dip, braving the freezing lake. It was a shock to the system, but it set the tone for the rest of the day—living in the moment, embracing the adventure, and making the most of every spot.
The Haunted boys continued on their civic duty – rub bricking the perfect drop ledge and a local cop rolled by. We sent a lookout, then quickly lacquered the ledge, prepping it for night fall. The crew ducked out for some local Thai cuisine. Later that evening, we returned to the drop ledge printed and ready. Luke Naylor laced three flawless tricks that had everyone hyped.
From unique street spots to welcoming locals, icy lake dips to laid-back lunch breaks, Marquette set the tone for the Yoop Tour – adventure, camaraderie, and the thrill of skating untouched spots across Michigan.
Discovering the Hardy Dam (Newaygo, MI)
The crew’s next adventure took them to a massive natural bank near the Hardy Dam, which was conveniently discovered through Google Maps. This rugged landscape featured huge banks, a tall wall to stall or drop in from, and a grind-able wire. Brad Oz acid-dropped off a wall into the bank, while Justis grinded a wire by the main road. Nigel shredded his palm like a cheese grater, after falling in the Devil’s butt-crack of Newaygo. This spot was one-of-a-kind that left us all feeling the climax of one the coolest street spots we’ve ever had the pleasure of skating.
Putt-Putt Playground (Big Rapids, MI)
In Big Rapids, we stumbled upon an abandoned putt-putt course, which turned into quite a unique playground. Justis pulled off a creative wall ride and precise gap, while Nigel took on a big drop off a putt-putt cave, stomping it so hard the ground crumbled beneath him. This detour was an unexpected gem on the tour – short-lived due to getting kicked out by the neighboring business.
Re-discovering Classic Spots (Grand Rapids)
The crew warmed up at the local wood skatepark in Grand Rapids, surrounded by beautiful city views. Classic spots took on new life as the team approached them with fresh eyes, turning familiar locations into creative canvases for their tricks. It was sick to see the newer generation of Haunted riders get a chance to session with the local OG’s including Derek McClain.
Swaginaw Vibez (Saginaw, MI)
In Saginaw, the crew was greeted by a one-of-a-kind skatepark that looked straight out of a Willy Wonka fantasy. After a session there, we explored the sleepy, desolate urban streets, where colorful graffiti clashed with decaying buildings, creating a post-apocalyptic Western vibe that felt like it was made for our newest flick.
Back to Crust Town (Detroit, MI)
Returning to Metro Detroit, Brad and Luke took to the streets – digging deep to find the “real crust” of the city. Brad laid down some tricky maneuvers like citric heel rolls and byn soul on wall rails. Meanwhile, Luke’s creativity and hammers round out yet another very strong section for Luke.
Flint Water Gold (Flint, MI)
In Flint, the crew found an incredible location of skate spots along the riverfront – a scene that looked like it was straight out of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater game. Justis pulled off a perfect forward gap over a dead rat onto a narrow curb roll, adding a bit of dark humor to the session. When we returned to the opposite side of the river after lunch, we discovered that the drained fountain had opened up even more skateable terrain.
One Last Ride (Pontiac, MI)
For the final weekend session, the Haunted crew met in Pontiac, MI—rustic, rooted, and raw. With Pontiac’s classic architecture and gritty spots, the city served as the perfect closing chapter for the Yoop Tour. Nigel landed his first-ever triple kink rail (pole bonk out, might I add). The whole crew stacked a final set of clips that seemed to perfectly round out each section.
Life After the Yoop Tour
The crew had to return to their daily lives—full-time jobs, families, and commitments. But the bond built on tour couldn’t be left behind. Determined to keep the energy going, we decided to meet up on weekends throughout the summer of 2024, hitting up the best cities for street skating in Michigan. With Nigel Klein from Traverse City, Justis Pope from Mount Pleasant, and Brad, Luke, and Tim from Metro Detroit – each weekend brought a new chapter to our journey and strengthened our friendship.
Haunted Wheel Co. will be premiering the Yoop Tour Video on 11/23/2024 at 8pm at Friday Soft Goods, 21 E. Cross St. Ypsilanti, MI.
Streaming also on YouTube 11/23/2024
Filmed by Brad Oz
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