Desde há algum tempo temos vindo a desenvolver uma amizade com uma pessoa que alguns meios de comunicação social consideram uma lenda viva do mundo do skate.
O seu nome é Jack Smith. Trocámos alguns mails com ele com a finalidade de nos vir acompanhar durante uns dias no Portugal de Skate, mas infelizmente ainda não foi possível este ano, talvez para o próximo!!!
Nestes últimos mails decidimos fazer uma pequena entrevista que achamos de extremo valor. Não vamos traduzi-la porque achamos que poderíamos tirar alguma da sua essência.
- What's your name, where do you live?
Jack Smith, Morro Bay, California, 52
-What board sports have you practiced?
Skateboarding, sandboarding, snowboarding and some surfing.
-For how many years have you practiced each sport?
I first rode a skateboard in 1964, my father made boards for all the kids that lived in the Air Force base housing at a small Air Base in Sweetwater, Texas. Wood board, clay wheels. I skated a bit in 1969 when I found the same board in our storage shed while living in Alalska. The day after graduating from high school in 1974 I found an old Hobie skateboard with clay wheels in my friend's backyard and I haven't stopped skating since.
Some friends took me sandboarding when I moved to Morro Bay in 1972, i became serious about in 1978 when my skateboard sponsor, Flite Skateboards" sent me an early snowboard design to try. I recruited my friend, Gary Fluitt, to test it on the dunes near Morro Bay. That winter we began traveling to our local mountains to ride the board in the snow, in those days 99% of the ski areas would not allow you on the lifts, which meant a lot of hiking.
Surfing is something I only do occasionally, I'm not a big fan of the cold water we have here in Morro Bay.
-What was the highest point of your career 'till now, as a sportsman?
Actually there are three high points; the first skateboard trek across America in 1976, when I was 19. Skateboarding across America in 2003 to raise research funds for Lowe Syndrome, a rare genetic syndrome that took the life of my son. Jack Marshall Smith, when he was 14 years old. The third highlight would be racing my skatecar, the "Vetter Streamliner" at Signal Hill and Derby Downs in 1978.
-When you started all these sports were a novelty, you lived it from the beginning, how did things evolved?
When we began skateboarding in 1974, we would only do it at night, we didn't want anyone to see us, at that time skateboarding was still considered child's play. Now thirty five years later I still get to play like a child on my skateboard and sandboard.
-How were your boardsports practicing routine/quotidian when you started?
At first we would find the biggest hill we could and then try to ride it to the bottom without coming off the board. When we got into slalom racing we had a much more formal practice routine, we would set all different types of courses and time ourselves. With pool and ditch skating we would just ride for hours on end.
-What are the skaters who inspired you to ride?
First it was Gregg Weaver, who I first saw in a Cadillac Wheels ad in Surfer Magazine. My first real here was Denis Shufeldt who rode for Bahne, at that time he was so much faster than everyone else. I didn't get to meet Denis until 2002, he is a great and caring person, and still my hero.
-Are there, in your group of friends, more people who live from the skateboard?
Today I ride mainly with my son and my girlfriend and also my friend Jon. In the 70's and 80's I rode with Paul Dunn and Gary Fluitt, both of who I introduced to slalom racing, and later became world champions.
-Tell us about your project TSJ, which were the objectives?
I created The Skateboarder's Journal website to promote all types of skating and to have a place where skaters could intereact with each other in a friendly, positive manner. I had grown weary of some forums where the discussions turned into personal attacks. I don't understand why some skaters feel the need to dis-respect a type of skating that they are not involved in, it's all skateboarding.
-We know you have portuguese family, how do you feel this?
I am very proud of my mother's Portugese ancestry, she is one of the strongest, most caring women I have ever known. Mygrandfather came to America from the Azores in the early 1900s, with just $10 in his pocket, when he passed away in the 1980's he had raised a large family and became a successfull and respected dairy farmer.
-Are you planning of visiting Portugal?
It is one of my dreams to visit the Azores and Portugal, someday I want to skate with you and other Portugese skateboarders. And of course I hope that someday we can skate together in America.
-You've recently edited a book: "The Skateboarder's Journal - Lives on Board 1949-2009". Can you explain us what can we find there and where to buy it?
The book contains over 180 personal "skateboarding life experience" stories written by the skater's themselves. You can find more information on the Skateboarder's Journal website.
-Finally what do you advise us to load the MP3 for a smooth ride on a skateboard?
You must remember I'm an old skater...Springsteen, Mellencamp, Petty, Bread and Carole King.
-What movie do you propose for a rainy Sunday afternoon?
Lords of Dogtown or Hoosiers.
-And a magazine to take home keep up to skateboard world?
Concrete Wave and The Skateboard Mag
-What would you say to those who are now starting to ride?
I would tell them to have fun, don't get caught up in all the attitudes that surround skateboarding. Remember, it is just a piece of wood, two trucks and four wheels. Ride what make s you happy.
-Do you want to leave some words to Portugal by Skate?
I wish you smooth roads and safety. And also that I would love to be skating beside you.
Alguns links para conheceres melhor JACK SMITH
Skate Across America
SKATEBOARDERSJOURNAL
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