Skateboarding with a couple of pros

Do you know Thrasher?  We've been friends now for about six months.  I knew he could skateboard, but we never really talked about it.  He's not one to brag.  Thrasher owns a skate shop in Shenzhen, not far from my studio.  I began to suspect he was better than average when I found out that Quicksilver still sponsors him, even though he no longer competes. 

Today, my friend Jesse invited me to go surfing.  Okay, he was going surf and I was set on taking photos.  No waves.  So Jesse suggested we skate with Thrasher.  Jesse use to compete in rollerblading, but surfing is his passion now.  That and photography.  So in the afternoon we hooked up with Thrasher and he did a couple of tricks on his board as we headed out of the shopping center where his store is located.  They were not complicated moves, but his execution was flawless and he made it look so easy.  I mentioned this to Jesse, and he pointed out that Thrasher was the Chinese national skateboarding champion.   Four times.

Meet Thrasher - and his board

On the way to our Lychee Park to the Deng Xiaoping Billboard (where else but China?), I asked Thrasher about his time competing.  His answers were short and it seemed obvious that he didn't care to talk about it.  He said he hates competitions.  It's clear however, that he is passionate about skateboarding and challenging himself. 

I should point out here, that I'm not a sports photographer.  But the chance to capture some images of a couple of guys pursuing their passions was too good to pass on.   Jesse skateboards too, but he uses a larger board which Thrasher says is old school.

After awhile, Jesse strapped on his rollerblades and it was clear where his strengths were.

Thasher decided that he wanted Jesse to jump over him while standing.  "Come on, it's easy!" he yelled.  Jesse, however, thought it better to test the idea first.  Note that Thrasher's skateboard is at face level.

Thrasher decided not to let Jesse jump over him while standing.  Wise call.  Then I got the idea of having them both jump over me, with camera in hand.  Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

He didn't actually hit me.  For no particular reason, Thrasher wanted to try jumping over the street rail without his skateboard.  Looks funny.

Yes, there really is a giant billboard of Deng Xiaoping at the park.  By the way, China is a skateboarding and rollerblading paradise.  No laws against doing it in public spaces and on sidewalks.  Heck, you can blade and board in most stores and shopping malls.  Try that in the USA.

Oh yeah, Thrasher was going to jump over me.  Missed his face  in this shot.

I never felt like I was in danger.  If he didn't feel he could make the jump, he bailed. 

I figure that was the best one since we didn't actually get it just right and he had already been skating for hours.  But here's proof he did go over me.

This one was kind of cool too.

He makes this stuff look so simple.  Right!

One last trick on the way to dinner.

And that was our afternoon.  I hope to have a chance to do this again so that I can hone my skills.  Yes, I did ride on the boards too, but I kept them on the ground.  Maybe I'll try surfing the next time Jesse goes out.