Mike

• Michael John Franco

  

  Michael John Franco (born January 8, 1971) is an American professional downhill skateboard and street luge racer. He is also the co-founder and President of Powerhouse Roadboards, LLC.

  Sk8rMike’s boarding career started in Pasadena in 1996 when longboards were still in the very early developmental stages. He received a longboard as a gift from a family friend and began to develop a style of longboarding that was, at the time, wholly unique. This style was acquired by skating to school, work and wherever there was a hill to be had. These places included San Marino, Sierra Madre, Chantry Flats, and Glendora Mountain Road in California. When his skills were refined enough, he started training for competitions with the likes of Gary Hardwick, Rick Kluty and a guy named D.T. in San Diego and on hills like Commonwealth Ave. in La Canada, Dump Road on Sundays, and The Rose Bowl at midnight.

  He has made several podium appearances in his career including the Campo International Downhill Event, Barrett Junction Outlaw races, and Mammoth Lakes International Downhill. He has competed against big name racers such as Biker Sherlock, Chris Chapat, George Ortan, Ratt Sult, Roger Hickey, Jimmy Flint, and Rick Kludy. He has also brought home medals from events at Frank G. Bonelli Park, Campo California downhill events, and West LA College outlaw races.

  Sk8rMike grew up in Indio Hills on a horse ranch near Palm Springs. His biological parents divorced in 1979. His father, Anthony Franco, was diagnosed and died of cancer in October, 1993. His mother Debbie, a legal administrator, married a master carpenter and horseman named Don Scriven when Mike was 9 years old. From Don, sk8rMike learned the carpentry and horsemanship skills of a professional. Mike spent the majority of his teen years working on the ranch and longboarding. At first it was all for fun, but with Mike’s love of the sport and dedication to achievement, longboarding soon became his livelihood.                                                                                                                                                                                                            

  Unfortunately, from 2004 through 2006 sk8rMike was challenged with addiction.  While this addiction interrupted his skateboarding career he was able to recover larglely because of his drive and love for the sport of longboard racing.  Prior to sobering up in mid 2006, Mike ran into an old flame, a tall pretty blonde who liked pink and blue hair, named Learae. After a short time they both found recovery. They fell in love, got sober and started a family. Since then, Mike has devoted a large part of his life to helping other alcoholics and addicts stay clean and sober. sk8rMike and Learae have a happy and healthy son, Grant Harris Franco, named after two presidents and a dictator. Grant has loving sober parents and two sets of grandparents who spend time with him regularly.