We’ve all seen Japan’s neon-colored skate mouse trap called Kasso by now. Created by the people behind American Ninja Warrior, it’s an obstacle course built to gamify skateboarding.

Before the contest, we caught up with Jamie to ask him about designing the rail, and while we were at it we squeezed in some rail-centric questions for skateboarding’s favorite cross-locker.

What was the inspiration behind designing this rail?
I took inspiration from all the things I grew up skating. My local park had a double kink, and then there were a few DIYs and prefab parks, specifically Bum Park in Ft. Lauderdale, that had rainbow rails. Those are still my two favorite types of rails, double kinks and rainbows, so the [Kasso] rail I created starts with a double kink, goes flat for a little bit, and goes into a rainbow rail situation.

The other thing I incorporated is kind of a Kasso classic, it’s the S-shaped, dragon-tail style end to the rail. I kept that in there as the X factor, because even with the amount of rails I’ve skated, an S-rail is super out of the ordinary. No one is used to skating that.

For the average skater who has never skated a kinked rail, what advice do you have?
I’d say go with whatever trick you’re most comfortable with. It’s usually a board slide or 50-50, and that’s where you want to start. And then it’s all about getting a good lock in. When I was about 12 or 13 I used to skate a bump flat bump with a circle rail on the flat, and I used to just go for whatever lock in I could get. It was very trials and tribulations style. But over time I learned the best thing for me, which is a double heel lock on front 50-50 and cross lock on back 50-50, but it’s different for everyone.

Growing up, who were some of your big rail idols?
Someone who paved the way for me is James Hardy, RIP. He is someone I grew up watching and loving. On top of that, I loved watching all the Zero videos. Jamie Thomas was a big thing for me, partly because we had the same name and as a guy it was hit or miss if you’d hear another guy having the name Jamie. He influenced a whole Zero generation to get gnarly on big handrails.

And then what about currently, who are some of your favorite rail skaters?
Braden Hoban. He’s doing some of the longest 50-50s I’ve ever seen. Obviously Nyjah Huston. Other than that, Rob Pace, Gabbers, the list goes on.

Is there an age window where big rail skating is most possible?
I’m hoping not [laughs], but that’s something I always joke around with the homies about. I’m hoping I’m like 50 or 60 years old grinding at least a ten rail. That would be awesome, but we just have to see how the body ages. I’m not a big jumper, so I’m hoping that skating all these rails and getting away with it the way I have in my career, hopefully my joints are doing better than someone who’s jumping off giant things.

Do you do any rail specific training or working out?
Not really, I’m about to be 30, and I just try to stay on my board as much as possible. You know what they say, if you don’t use it you lose it. And certain days I still feel 23, so that’s good.

One thing you’re not going to do skating stairs is sack a rail. I have to ask, how’s the package doing?
Obviously I’ve sacked a lot, but thankfully I’ve gotten away with no gnarly testicular things, because I am trying to have some kids in my lifetime. [laughs] The worst thing that I’ve done is sack a really skinny circle rail and I had like a quarter inch laceration on my asshole. That sucked. I had to take stool softeners and sit on a donut for two to three weeks. But thankfully, the gonads have been ok.

Do you have any superstitions or things you need on the session when about to try a big rail?
It’s just about the people. You have to keep good homies around, good energy around, because I’m the type of person who gets doubtful at times, so it’s important to have those people around that put it in your brain that they believe in you. That’s just going to help you go that extra distance.

A lot of people know me as the guy who pulls up with a squad. It takes a lot of the pressure off, and if someone wants to skate the spot with you that’s even better.

When you’re about to skate a sketchy rail do you do any prayer before a trick?
Here and there. I don’t know about praying to one specific something, but I do know there is a lot of energy out there from passed loved ones and family and friends. Like I’ve had moments where I get smoked on a trick and I walk away all good, and I’m like, “Man, there’s got to be a guardian angel out there.” I don’t know who’s up there watching over us, but it’s got to be something.

Are there any tricks that you haven’t been able to figure out yet on a rail?
Right now I’m trying to fakie heel into some stuff. I want to try to fakie heel back lip, or fakie front heel 5-0. I’m just trying to put stuff together and see what works.

Do you ever practice your handrail tricks on a flat bar?
Nah, I’d rather learn a handrail trick on a handrail. To me, skating a flat bar you’re almost more likely to get smoked than a handrail. At least a handrail goes down and ends super quickly, so you can fall past it. With a flat bar, 80% of the time you’re going to fall on it, and that shit hurts. I’d rather jump to the bottom all day than land flat on a flat bar.

Is there anyone that comes to mind that isn’t known for skating rails but can skate them really well?
Lowkey, Chris Joslin. I’ve skated a lot of contests with him, and he’ll throw some crazy rail tricks out, like I’ve seen him nollie inward heel front board and nollie heel back lip handrails, and people don’t really think about that. He can jump down a crazy set of stairs and do some tech tricks on a handrail, so I think Chris is one of those underrated rail skaters.

Interview by: Ian Michna
Intro and editorial assists: Ben Komins
Photos courtesy of: Matt Winkelmeyer
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