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.
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January 22, 2020 9:50 am
Great story Jenk Mob. That water tower gap is true board confidence and old school, balls out, death trap, bravery. I never knew Jeremy Wray was “criminally underrated”. That sucks. Jeremy Wray was an inspirational skater throughout the 90s. Huge pop, gigantic 360s over legendary gaps, and a Hubba Hideout destroyer. What more can you say?
January 22, 2020 10:10 am
Can you guys do a feature like this with Geoff Rowley and the container gap?
I always wanted to see more footage of it, outtakes whatever
January 22, 2020 4:53 pm
thanks!
will hit him up!
January 22, 2020 10:15 am
Which lapel mic do you use? I have tried a couple and the quality always seems shitty, but this one seems to do the job! Also, loving all the content you are coming back from the west coast with!
January 22, 2020 4:53 pm
sennheiser lavalier ew 100 g3
very good mics.
pretty pricey
(worth it tho)
January 22, 2020 11:09 am
Did Wray ever get into rock climbing as well? He’s got the mindset (and Jackie Chan moves) to be hella gnarly there too.