I don’t really understand my interest in skateboards and what comes with them.  My only experience with a skateboard was when I lived in Gilroy, of all places.  My best friend had one, which I slammed, with myself, into her garage.  Her dad came out to investigate.  I never got on one again.  I had one skater friend in highschool; Mike, he played gaiter in a punk band, drove a black bug, and had a snobby girlfriend.  Almost 20 years later, I sometimes wonder why I stopped hanging out with him.  He was always fun, and now I wonder what would have happened if I had.  Would have I tried skating again?

There’s just something about watching it that makes me want to do it, but I am practically 40, and it hurts when I fall, and I have to much to do to break a major bone in my body, so I live vicariously through others.

While shopping at my girlfriend’s shop I met Christina and, well, realized she needed to be my next cover.  Of course there are skater girls all over the world but, for some reason I felt that it wouldn’t really be Northern California without them.  I haven’t  met many, but the few I've had the honor, have been memorable.

Through conversations with Christina at the shop, she was aware of the magazine, and I was aware of her skating, and the interest to do photography.  It hit me there in the shop, I think I was getting my sunglasses, which are now broken, boo hoo.  It hit me that Christina should shoot the cover of her and her friend, Jessica.  I sent her out on assignment.  She later admitted it was hard to skate and concentrate on picture taking.  I laughed, “Of course it is.” Sometime later,  on a rainy Tuesday, I took 4 kids, 2 guys and Christina and Jessica to the Willits Skate Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It had rained that night and been drizzling off and on all morning.  The park was wet when we arrived, but I had asked the girls to try because the 2 boys had driven fast, furious, and from far away to get here.  Jessica and Christina agreed and it was slow going at first because it was slippery.  The girls got use to the cameras, and the guys got used to their surroundings, and what would be the best shots.  The four kids skated around, one on a board, two on in-lines, and one on heeleys.  I walked around doing the mom thing; watching and giving encouragement to all, wondering what it would feel like to being doing.

It drizzled on us for a little while more, before the sun finally won out and pushed back the clouds.  With the sun out the skate park began to dry in patches, which the girls followed, and eventually the whole park was dry.  The day went on and more people showed up.  Mostly young boys out on break from school, a few older boys, and a girl named Ana.  Ana’s appearance made both Christina and Jessica very happy.

In my opinion, one has to have some aggression to want to get on a small board and push it and yourself to the limits of getting over your fear of the pain you will feel when you’ve succumb to the pressure of doing something you’re not quite ready for.  But by doing so, you come to a place where you feel the satisfaction of your courage and the euphoria of your freedom.

Now I could probably write a thesis for my PhD in psychology on why there are more boys then girls who skate.  My head spins with all the angles I could take on the subject.  The countless interviewing hours and research and writing it would take to prove my theory.  I did ask Jessica some questions to see if I was anywhere close to right, and had high hopes of talking the girls to other places, but life moved one.  Christina went of to Santa Barbara to go to college, and I think I remember Jessica making plans to follow soon after.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After some email back and forth I got Jessica to answer some questions. She answered the easy ones first and didn’t bother answering the ones I really wanted to know.  After some prodding I got her to answer some of the others.  My favorite moment was in the second email.  She didn’t answer the style question in the first email, but in the second one she even laughed...

UJ: What was it about skating that interested you?

Jessica: It looked interesting and fun.

UJ: How old were you?

Jessica: I started playing around with a skateboard when I was eleven then stopped and picked it back up Sophomore year in highschool. Haven't put it down, unless injured.

UJ: How often?

Jessica: Lately not as often I would like to do it... But whenever I can.

UJ: Do you think you need at least a little bit of aggression, especially to do the more crazier stuff?

Jessica: Maybe not aggression just get some adrenalin pumping and pretty much any fall you take isn't going to stop the person from trying until they land the trick. if you know you can physically do the trick then it's more or less just pushing your fears aside, getting hurt and the possible outcome of landing the trick. You have to WANT the trick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UJ: What would you like to accomplish that you haven't yet? And do you have a style?

Jessica: It would be nice to learn more tricks.

UJ: Why do you think boys out number girls?

Jessica: I'm not sure.

UJ: Is it easy for a girl to come to a park and skate and not be bothered?

Jessica: I used to get really nervous when I first started skateboarding. But after I got more comfortable and realized that everyone is just there to skate and have fun I got over it.

UJ: Have you felt supported by the boys?

Jessica: Oh yeah! All the guys are awesome! Always cheering me on and pushing me to land my tricks! if I didn't have there support I probably wouldn't have learned most of tricks I know right now. Always pushing me to go for that trick or go bigger.

UJ: What do you think is the hardest thing for a girl when it comes to skating? And the easest thing?

... No answer...

UJ: Are your parents supportive?

Jessica: Always... they didn't like seeing me get hurt... but hey I only had to go the hospital 3 times over the past six years. I think that's pretty good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

UJ: Were you cast as a "Skater Girl" in school? If so how do you think it effected how kids acted towards you?

Jessica: Well yeah, everyone referred to me as "the skater chick" or "girl." I knew a lot of people I don't think they were different towards me though.

UJ:What is your favorite thing about skating? your least favorite?

Jessica: My favorite thing is the feeling when you are on the board. Everything goes away and it's just you and your board. The least favorite thing would probably be hurting yourself really bad or not being able to be on your board for a while. It's quite depressing when you can't go out and just ride your board because you are hurt.

UJ: What are you most proud of? Anything really embarrassing happen?

... No answer..

UJ: Have you broken anything?

Jessica: My elbow. DON'T ever break your elbow, it hurts real bad and showers are a pain in the ass!

UJ: Favorite famous skater, clothing line, ect?

Jessica: Andrew Reynolds. Clothing line: Volcom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UJ: Do you think there is a difference between boys and girls. If so why and if not why?

Jessica: There are more guys then girls skateboarding. But, everyone develops there own level of skill and style with how much time they put into skateboarding. I'm not sure, honestly. I'm sure there are a lot of differences but I'm not going to go through and point out stuff I'm not really sure about. It's not really my main concern if there are differences between guys and girls. I skateboard for fun. Yeah there are some great skateboarding guys but I have seen some girls that are way better then the guys.

UJ: Describe what you think your "style" is. What would you like to accomplish that you haven't yet?

Jessica: I would like to learn more in the bowls and more tricks. Um... my style haha... it's called "Jessica Style" it's mine and I developed it all by myself through plenty of practice and trial and error.

UJ: Why do you think boys out number girls?

Jessica: I used to get really nervous skating with the boys. Maybe that's why. Maybe some girls think it's only a "guy thing" and don't stick with it. Or maybe some of the girls didn't have any one to influence them into skateboarding like my older brother did for me. Or maybe there parents didn't agree with there little girl going out and hurting themselves. My parents didn't care... well, until i got hurt they would get mad... but they got over it.