Name: Spencer Cooke

Birthday: August

Home: NC

Favorite Shred Ready helmet and color: Phly/Grey

Describe the time you were most glad that you were wearing your helmet.
There have been several times, but the most... I was walking Gorilla on the Green, thank you very much. If you've been there you've seen the huge pothole that's filled with who knows what. Watery sludge it seems. I was traversing the upper edge of that hole and lost my footing. My reaction was to drop my boat and jump so I would have a somewhat safe landing. As I was spiraling downwards into the sewer pit (all this is happening within a split second) I was wondering, "how deep is this cauldron of waste? Will I be flushed out of it like a big toilet and pop out at the bottom of Gorilla? Is this going to hurt?" To my satisfaction I landed on my feet in knee deep water on a mushy bottom of sand, mud and decaying leaves. I relax for a fraction of a second, thinking that I am okay. Another fraction of a second later, WHACK!, I am drilled in the head with a 50 lb creek boat that happened to be the same one I dropped on the way into the pit. Joey was there and helped me out of the hole. I was dizzy and had a headache for two days. My Sherlock helmet had a dreadful fate. It did not survive the blow after obtaining a large chip in the gel coat, putting it out of commission. Later we celebrated with some burgers and shakes.

What person do you respect the most? Who is your hero?
Spaceghost of course. First of all he's a ghost and he can fly. He has his own sweet space pad, a space ship and incredible power bands to blast evil doers in the face. He really doesn't even need a helmet because he has a superhero skull, inpenetrable by the forces of villain rocks. But he wears a helmet anyway, for the ladies. He has a handsome chin.

What movies/books/comics/TV shows, etc are you into right now?
I am an eternal fan of Christmas Vacation, The Breakfast Club and most other John Hughes movies, The Big Lebowski, The Fifth Element, Dogma and all the Kevin Smith flics. More recently I love the movies Shaun of the Dead, the Station Agent, Lords of Dogtown, and some others I can't think of. TV shows I like are The Office (british and american version), 24, and most any Cartoon Network programming, namely Spaceghost Coast to Coast. I really like all the Adult Swim shows they have. Homestarrunner.com has tons of funny cartoons on their web site that I have on DVD too.

What are you listening to these days?
My friend Mitchell has a band called the Oatmeal Conspiracy. They are an experimental jazz pop trio from Raleigh NC. I like most all of the bands on the Jade Tree label such as Despistado, Strike Anywhere and Ester Drang. A friend recently gave me the soundtrack to the movie The Life Aquatic. That's pretty awesome. There's a really awesome folk musician out of Boone NC called Jay Brown. He's like a young Bob Dylan. I like all kinds of stuff.

What was the best concert you attended?
Maybe the first time I saw Avail up in Richmond VA around '93-'94ish? Rancid opened for Avail. Was an awesome show.

What are some things that motivate you?
Waking up every day to my best friend, who is my wife. My family and friends are ultimately the most important things.

What sports do you enjoy watching or participating in besides your main sport?
Skateboarding mainly. Snowboarding some too.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had while participating in your sport?
Most any time I'm surf kayaking.

What’s the best trip you’ve ever been on?
Ecuador surf kayaking in February 2005 with Drew Hayes.

What goals are you working towards right now?
Paying the bills and still having fun paddling.

When people look at your life, how would you like to be remembered?
As a guy who worked hard and was honest, drug alcohol and smoke free, and loved his family.

What do you view as your biggest accomplishment?
Having my own business.

What advice do you have for other people coming up in your sport?
Do what you think is fun. That's all that really matters no matter how good you are. Stay away from druggies.

Duran Duran, Tear for Fears, Hall and Oates, or Cindy Lauper? Why?
Cindy Lauper because of the Goonies soundtrack.

Why are athlete bios always so lame?
Because nobody cares about my shoe size and eye color. Farting, giving people wedgies and body hair are way more interesting.