In 1997, Jeremy Wray did one of the greatest tricks ever done on a skateboard – a 16-foot ollie from one water tower to the next.
Yes, you read that correctly, we’re claiming that an ollie – the first trick every skater learns – is the greatest ever. We claim it as the greatest because in the 23 years since Wray did it no other skater has had the nerve to charge at the gap. A lot of the mind-blowing trick we see, like a kickflip into a bank or a 25-stair ollie, allows the skater to take as many run-ups as they need. For Wray, at the speed he was going, if he jumped off the board it would’ve meant falling from the top of the tower to flat.
For years, we’ve wanted to talk to Wray about his water tower ollie, so while we were out in California we tracked him down and convinced him to meet us close to the towers, about an hour outside of LA. And if it wasn’t nostalgic enough, we even had to hop the fence to stand in between the towers and soak in the madness. Not only should you check out our video, but go back and watch all of Wray’s parts because he is criminally underrated when it comes to ’90s and early ’00s skating.
Related Posts
-
WATCH KONTON, A NEW FLOWY HOMIE VIDEO FROM JAPAN
A showcase of calculated speed, flow, style, and consistency we've come to love from Japanese skating
-
WATCH BING LIU’S LOST AND FORGOTTEN SKATE CLIPS IN “DIARY” (2012-2019)
The Oscar nominated documentarian shares unseen clips from projects over the years as a loveletter to skateboarding.
-
ENTER THE WORLD OF GENESIS IN “GENESIS 3”
Editors take note: Ian's newest video is filled with genuine relationships and nails that perfect ratio of hijinx to tricks.
-
NEIGHBORHOODS: MANHATTAN’S UPPER WEST SIDE WITH ELI GESNER
Welcome to our newest series where we take skaters back to their original stomping grounds.
-
A LOOK BEHIND “THE SKATEBOARD HERO WHO FOUGHT A TERRORIST”
A quick chat with the director of skateboarding's newest documentary.
-
ELI REED AND HIS MOM SHOW US SOME OF THEIR ART
Even pro skaters get embarrassed around their parents.
-
WATCH OUR FAVORITE QUARANTINE EDIT SELF-FILMED BY VICTOR CASCARIGNY
An impressive part that proves solo self-filming doesn’t have to look like dogshit.
-
WATCH “SLEPT ON PSYXXXO” A PLAYFUL VIDEO FROM THE MOHKIE CREW
Amin brings a mix of ledge combos, roof drops, and goofball tricks that will keep you on your toes.
Comments
Popular
-
MY EXPERIENCES IN SKATEBOARDING
"I've been terrified of garnering the reputation of 'ramp-tramp' or 'pro-ho' just from spending time with skaters."
-
WHAT WOULD MAKE SKATERS DITCH THE BIG SHOE BRANDS?
We asked younger skaters how small shoe brands could win back their business from the big budget behemoths.
-
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH ILLEGAL CIV?
The Illegal Civ stuff feels like an ongoing soap opera, so to air out any confusion we talked to a few key characters.
-
8 ARTISTS REIMAGINE THE INDEPENDENT LOGO
What would an Independent rebrand even look like?
-
A SERIOUS REVIEW OF MARK SUCIU’S SERIOUS “VERSO”
Verso asks that we pay it a kind of attention many of us automatically do not. Knowing this, we choose to either look more closely or let it pass before our eyes the way the rest of skating does.
January 21, 2020 9:39 am
This dude’s a national treasure. Survived the 90’s without tight pants, a boom box, or a drug problem. Just 1000% street machine. When the book is written, he’ll be in the top 10 for sure.
Also, his front 3 down the Santa Monica triple set is one of the most murderous things ever documented.
January 21, 2020 11:27 am
90s, not 90’s.
fyi: tight pants were n/a in the 90s.
January 21, 2020 1:10 pm
Greco & Boulala disagree
January 21, 2020 2:30 pm
Well if you’re being pedantic it’s actually ’90s, smart guy. And tight pants on men were definitely a thing long before skaters adopted it sooo…
January 21, 2020 11:59 am
Legendary journalism
January 21, 2020 1:27 pm
Loved this dude in the late 90’s so it’s rad to get an update. His 3’s were the best. I paused the video right where he’s leaving the ground/tower on the ollie. He could not have timed that any closer.