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
-
LIFE AFTER SKATING: THE COUPLE BEHIND BUDDIES COFFEE IN NY
We caught up with former pro Taylor Nawrocki to check out his new coffee endeavor in Brooklyn.
-
SOAP SHOES MAKE A COMEBACK IN “STAINED” A NEW INDIE VID OUT OF ST. LOUIS
A good gimmick in the middle of a skate video is a breath of fresh air.
-
SHOP TALK AT LABOR SKATESHOP IN NYC
We posted up outside of Labor Skateshop to spark some debates and get some intel from a few random customers.
-
WATCH “SPRING RIDERS”, A VIDEO FILMED EXCLUSIVELY AT DUTCH PLAYGROUNDS
"Skateboarding is supposed to be childish and fun."
-
WE RESURRECTED THE L.A. HIGH RAIL WITH KEEN RAMPS
Revisit a classic L.A. spot that got taken from us 15 years ago.
-
THE NYC UNDERGROUND RESURFACES IN NEW HOMIE VIDEO “PROSPERITY”
Featuring the elusive SP and a cast of scrappy NYC skaters who pride themselves on making the most of non-spot spots.
-
BRANDON TURNER AND BRANDON NOVAK SKATE AROUND NYC
Turner and Novak met up in NYC to skate and create a support system for anyone wanting help managing their mental health or drug use.
-
BONUS PARTS FROM “THIS IS SKATEBOARDING”
We dug through the 15-year-old DVD to pull out rarely seen b-sides from Reynolds, Heath, Spanky, and more.
Comments
Popular
-
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PECULIAR WORLD OF GNARLS AND STEVE ROSEN
An unfiltered exploration of fatherhood in modern skateboarding and the drive of a young skater.
-
HANGING OUT WITH ANDREW HUBERMAN, SKATEBOARDER TURNED NEUROSCIENTIST
Curious what it would be like to hang with this guy outside of a stuffy podcast studio? Us too.
-
BEHIND THE BAIL WITH GABRIEL SUMMERS
DUMBASS DISCLAIMER: Due to Gabriel Summers being a nutta, this interview and the images within are not for the faint of heart.
-
ANGELA WHITE IS BRINGING SKATING’S MOST ICONIC CAMERA BACK INTO PORN
Her 2000s, gonzo-inspired tour de force was filmed completely on the sleek, sexy, grainy VX2000.
-
GETTING KINKY WITH DANIEL VARGAS
Daniel Vargas' philosophy on whips, chains and getting choked out.
January 21, 2020 2:19 pm
Vid is down. In the UK at least. Isn’t on your YouTube channel either.
January 21, 2020 8:26 pm
First pro I ever met – blockhead tour in 1993 or so – they were skating spray painted world industries boards. Wray was crushing this manual pad such a nice guy. Great segment Jenkem Folks
January 21, 2020 8:43 pm
Mr. Kimball – 100% on point brotha!
Jeremy Wray is a fucking legend.
January 22, 2020 5:33 am
I wonder what Sturt is up to.