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
-
TAKE A RIDE WITH TYSON PETERSON & FRIENDS
Tyson is holding down the original Baker spirit for the next generation.
-
“VEIL” BRINGS TOGETHER FILM NOIR AND SKATEBOARDING IN THIS NEW PHILLY INDIE VID
Zach masterfully pairs skate footage with soft orchestral music creating the feeling of a skateboarding film noir.
-
HOW DID A BUNCH OF SNOWBOARDERS SESSION HOLLYWOOD HIGH?
Safe to say nobody saw this ridiculous snow and skate crossover coming...
-
DUCKY’S BAG OF TRICKS
In honor of the homie who always keeps super glue and a spare packet of Top Ramen on deck to use as bondo, we decided to hit up some skaters to see what they carry around on a day-to-day.
-
CHECK OUT THIS MOCKUMENTARY CREATED BY FRIENDS OF PASS-PORT
Take a break from skateboarding and try this refreshing comedy segment produced by the Pass~Port family.
-
BUILDING A SPOT IN THE BRONX WITH JERRY MRAZ AND HUF
Jerry went up to The Bronx to touch up this spot you may have seen evolve over the years.
-
PREMIERE: “NO WAY” A VIDEO FROM MIDDLE AMERICA
A gritty glimpse into the skating that goes down in "flyover country."
-
THE EVOLUTION OF… NYC’S PYRAMID LEDGES
We collected stories from the only ledge spot made out of tiny mini ledges.
Comments
Popular
-
FROM PRO SKATER TO POSTAL WORKER: LIFE AFTER SKATEBOARDING
We met up with Joey Brezinski to see how the second chapter of his career is coming along.
-
KEITH HUFNAGEL ON THE FUTURE OF HUF
We heard a rumor that HUF was going out of business, so we talked with boss man himself to find out.
-
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.
-
50 THINGS TO DO IN SKATEBOARDING BEFORE YOU QUIT
From dropping in on vert to packing 12 deep in a minivan and going on a road trip, this list covers the essentials.
-
PRESERVING SKATEBOARDING’S OUTSIDER ERA
Crusty ramps scrawled with punk rock graffiti, derelict characters, awkward 80's portraits, and more from The Past Participle.
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