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.
The Shop
Related Posts
-
DRUNKEN POETRY WITH LIZARD KING
"I hope we all get fucking hurt all the time...and I fucking hate my life and I love my fucking life."
-
A STUDIO VISIT WITH ALI BOULALA AND HIS NEW BAND
We visited Ali and his new band Ghost Boys in the studio and got a little life update.
-
THE DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND
After we saw a post by Tom Karangelov breaking down details of a spot in Orange County with supposed ties to Satanism, we got to digging.
-
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.
-
SHOP TALK AT THE LOUIE LOPEZ 2 RELEASE
Topics include: Silver shoes, The EDGLRD video, underrated skaters and more.
-
SHOP TALK AT THE FA STORE IN NEW YORK CITY
Last year's SOTY race, dead companies, New Year's resolutions and more.
-
ALLIES: CALDER ZWICKY OF MOMA
A look at Calder Zwicky, the skater who has been working with the Museum of Modern Art over the last decade to incorporate skate-centric programming for the city's youth.
-
PREMIERE: FILM TRUCKS “FLAMANT ROSE”
The French truck company presents a tour video that looks more like a vacation than a skate trip.
Comments
Popular
-
TRACKING DOWN THE GIRL ON THE DEFTONES’ ALBUM 28 YEARS LATER
Shot by skateboarder Rick Kosick, we went to Seattle to meet the woman on one of rock's most iconic covers.
-
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.
-
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.
-
JENKEM PRESENTS: THE 9TH ANNUAL SKATEBOARDING SUPERLATIVES
The good, the bad, and the ugly of skateboarding in 2025.
-
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.
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