no, if you know anything about a simple wheelie, you know that once you start leaning back to far you give it the slightest amount of brake and it will launch you forward.
I don't think he actually hits the brakes. I'm sure he just pulls up with everything he's got, gets it to the balacing point, and pushes all his weight forward and brings it back down. He can't hold 'em for very long, but he gets 'em WAY up there. Good at finding the highest point and bringing it back down.
lol, yeah. After having the bike for nearly 4 years, I noticed that his seat stays were cracking, and only had 1/4" of metal left on each side. We just got back from some hardcore riding, so it scared the shit out of him.