The Leap of Faith is one of the most memorable moments in skateboard history.
At the time Jamie Thomas was rapidly becoming a household name, and the gap was the tallest drop that anyone had yet attempted. In terms of notoriety, the moment is on par with the 900, jumping the Great Wall of China, and Jeremy Wray’s water tower ollie.
What separates Jamie’s attempt from those other tricks, is that he never rode away from it. And to build up the lore of the spot a little more, the Leap of Faith was only attempted by one other skater, Richard King, who broke his leg on impact. Today, the spot is unskateable, making the Leap of Faith, the most famous skate spot to never have a make on it.
photo: J. Grant Brittain
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January 17, 2023 1:44 pm
I actually ollied it in 2002. It was in the shop video “digging in” by varcity. I snapped my board but instead of it stopping my roll like Jamie I was able to roll a good 10 feet.
Very rare video and extremely limited release. Truly one of the best kept secrets out there. Not time to release this legendary trick yet but if anyone has the video and wants to upload, then you have my permission as you were probably part of the scene when it came out.
January 17, 2023 6:37 pm
@Volpe @Jenkem y’all need to look into this claim!!!
January 17, 2023 7:29 pm
It’s the year 2023, you 100% have a phone with a video camera. Screenshot it, upload it to Youtube, and post the link here. Otherwise, your claim is total BS.
January 18, 2023 10:56 am
/\ Homie wants to see that footy baaaad! He wants to bask in the glory in between checking his Facebook and lurking Instagram. Oh and peeping tik tok. It is 2023 after all!
January 18, 2023 2:30 pm
Did you BS Flip El Toro too?
January 17, 2023 6:08 pm
Richard Kings attempt is in 411 issue 13 in an add. This is the first background I’ve have heard of it.
January 17, 2023 6:34 pm
There is a section on Richard Kings attempt in a video called “manual labor” from the year 2000 by Dave Schlossbach and Jean-Jacques Briquet.
January 17, 2023 6:44 pm
Thank you so much for this. Quality journalism as always
January 18, 2023 2:14 pm
amazing. interesting.
quality as always