In 1997, Jeremy Wray did one of the greatest tricks ever done on a skateboard – a 16-foot ollie from one water tower to the next.
Yes, you read that correctly, we’re claiming that an ollie – the first trick every skater learns – is the greatest ever. We claim it as the greatest because in the 23 years since Wray did it no other skater has had the nerve to charge at the gap. A lot of the mind-blowing trick we see, like a kickflip into a bank or a 25-stair ollie, allows the skater to take as many run-ups as they need. For Wray, at the speed he was going, if he jumped off the board it would’ve meant falling from the top of the tower to flat.
For years, we’ve wanted to talk to Wray about his water tower ollie, so while we were out in California we tracked him down and convinced him to meet us close to the towers, about an hour outside of LA. And if it wasn’t nostalgic enough, we even had to hop the fence to stand in between the towers and soak in the madness. Not only should you check out our video, but go back and watch all of Wray’s parts because he is criminally underrated when it comes to ’90s and early ’00s skating.
Related Posts
-
COOKING COCONUT CURRY WITH YAJE POPSON
Get motivated to cook something healthy tonight or just close the browser and grab a Big Mac. We won't judge you.
-
HANGING OUT WITH… SAMARRIA BREVARD
We talked ditching basketball for skating and prepping for the Olympics while skating some back alley spots.
-
CHECKING OUT THE HISTORIC SPOTS OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Remember, just because it isn't tagged every other day on IG doesn't mean it isn't worth checking out!
-
QUICK Q&A WITH JP BLAIR, THE CREATOR OF ***420 VID***
Watch the new edit with NJ favorites and remember a time when the world was only kind of terrible.
-
WATCH DAN MANCINA’S “MATRIX” PARK EDIT
Dan's blind but apparently when he steps into his local skatepark, he sees "The Matrix."
-
A LOOK AT THE TIMELESS PHOTOGRAPHY OF MIKE O’MEALLY
There can be no serious discussion of Australian skate photography—or skate photography in general for that matter—without the name Mike O’Meally.
-
SURPRISING ALI BOULALA WITH AN RC CAR
Ali was always into radio controlled cars growing up, so we decided to surprise him with one to reawaken his inner child.
-
ORCHARD SKATESHOP IS FINALLY REOPENING THEIR DOORS IN BOSTON
The pandemic took Orchard to online-only operations, but they are back with a fresh new shop in Boston's North End!
January 21, 2020 9:39 am
This dude’s a national treasure. Survived the 90’s without tight pants, a boom box, or a drug problem. Just 1000% street machine. When the book is written, he’ll be in the top 10 for sure.
Also, his front 3 down the Santa Monica triple set is one of the most murderous things ever documented.
January 21, 2020 11:27 am
90s, not 90’s.
fyi: tight pants were n/a in the 90s.
January 21, 2020 1:10 pm
Greco & Boulala disagree
January 21, 2020 2:30 pm
Well if you’re being pedantic it’s actually ’90s, smart guy. And tight pants on men were definitely a thing long before skaters adopted it sooo…
January 21, 2020 11:59 am
Legendary journalism
January 21, 2020 1:27 pm
Loved this dude in the late 90’s so it’s rad to get an update. His 3’s were the best. I paused the video right where he’s leaving the ground/tower on the ollie. He could not have timed that any closer.