A hot button topic we often shoot the shit about around the Jenkem office is whether or not moving to California is still integral to having a successful skateboarding career in 2025.
While the majority consensus is, “well, it doesn’t hurt,” we all recognize a higher level of decentralization in skateboarding than ever before. You’ve got A-tier pros in Canada, scattered around the East Coast, up in the Pacific Northwest, and all across Europe.
And now, you’ve got Blake Carpenter back in his home state of Florida.
I’ve personally been following Blake’s career about as closely as a 16-year-old driver follows the car in front of them, as he is my hometown hero, so when he made the move back home I had to know more.
Follow along as I hop in Blake’s truck for a classic Florida skate day, one where we talk about leaving the center of the industry, launching his new company Vinyl Skateboards, and what it means to be back where it all began.
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July 8, 2025 4:41 pm
Great stuff FLenkem
July 9, 2025 5:32 pm
takes some balls to quit Toy and start your own shit. respect.
July 17, 2025 11:50 pm
Kinda. Swank doesnt pay much so it’s more like a lateral move