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Always Skating

I started skateboarding just two and a half years ago. And for those of you who think that the first skateboarding experience is always positive, this will change your view. It was during sixth grade and I was hanging out with a good friend of mine. He was amped that his Black Label was to arrive any day. It just so happened that the day I was there was the day it came. With an eager spirit he tried it out and let me take a few pushes. I made a joke about how horrible I was and mentioned the newly opened Dublin Skatepark. Since we were close by we headed over there. I went down the pyramid without a hitch, and thought I was a tough guy so I jumped into the bowls. I rolled off the hump into the small bowl and fell on my back so hard, my chest hurt. I got up, took a deep breath and decided that I loved the sport. I went on with my first complete... a nice X-Games board. It was actually probably the most influential board I've had due to all the learning I did on it before I split the tail. I later moved on to a Darkstar with the works, and I never stopped excelling.

If you asked me why I did such crazy stunts, or how I've survived backflips, I could boil it down to one simple reason. Pads. I always wear a helmet and knee pads no matter if I'm skating the C-rail, or pulling some airs out of the clover. I have been faced with ridicule for wearing pads, being called Pad Boy and "handicapped." But no matter what they said, a Backside Air or Varial Invert would usually keep them quite for some time. I have had people watch me fall and say, "You're lucky you have those knee pads," and all I do is chuckle and remind them that they are on sale at the nearest Wal-Mart or Galyan's.

If I could be sponsored by just one company, I would pick Pro-Tec because I want the opportunity to encourage beginners and advanced alike to share the same pad-wearing commitment I have made.

On another note, drugs have played a role in my skateboarding. I know everyone is tired of hearing "Don't use drugs," but it can never be enforced enough. I have had people at the skatepark directly ask me if I would like some drugs, and I decline and stick to my trick. I will always be drug-free, no matter what issues come my way.

I've always wanted that picture-perfect story you hear on the skate videos. "He entered his first contest at age 13, and astonished everyone by winning first place in both street and vert." But that isn't me. At my first contest I did absolutely horrible, but I didn't let it get me down. I see guys throwing their boards and cursing and I remind them that it doesn't help them any. I also remind people who are scared of doing a trick, that no matter how long they think about it, the ramp or trick won't change.

So stay positive, stay drug-free, and never give up.

Always skating,
JD Jensen