Name: Jake Hilbish
Hometown: Bedford, Virginia
Age: 21
Sponsors: Shipyard Skates, Scene 3 Board Shop, James River Tattoo.
What set-up are you riding right now?
Shipyard skateboard, Indy trucks, Ricta wheels, Mob Grip and some hardware from Lowe’s.
What’s the most fun DIY, skater-built or renegade spot that you’ve skated lately?
Lost Bowl.
Have you ever built something to skate?
I helped build a local skatepark in Bedford for a company called Artisan, just helping pick up tools and lay rebar, but it was an awesome time hanging with great dudes and I learned a lot. It’s an amazing 17,000 sq ft park with two bowls and a flowy street area.
Who do you like to skate with these days?
My buds in my hometown.
Best skate graphic you have seen lately?
Ronnie O’Neal’s Shipyard graphic is easily the best.
Best thing you’ve skated in a skatepark?
The Eastern Bowl at Eastern Skate Supply.
Favorite skateboarders of all time?
Omar Hassan, Grant Taylor, Ben Hatchell.
Best road trip you ever took?
My brother and I got my dad a skate trip down to Wilmington, NC, for Christmas. We were all stoked because we hadn’t gone on a trip together in a while and it was awesome. We skated awesome parks and had some great family time.
Any skate-related charities you support?
Grind For Life and A.Skate.
What music have you been listening to?
The Sword, Witchcraft, and Graveyard.
What do you consider the responsibilities of a professional skateboarder?
To keep skateboarding insane, and make people want to skate.
Which skate shops do you support most?
Scene 3 Boardshop and GreenHouse Board shop.
Favorite skate photo of all time?
Lance Mountain skating that pool that was crumbling off the side of the cliff.
What is your take on girls skateboarding?
I’m down with it. Girls can shred.
What skateboarding memorabilia do you have that means the most to you?
It’s really weird, but Jason Dill’s beer can. He came down with the Workshop team and I was showing them around and we went to this old park in my town. After he got his line, he sat down and had a beer, and he left the can, so I grabbed it. It just reminds me of one of the funnest sessions and good times.
Who contributes the most to your local skate scene?
For the longest time, it was my dad. He got the park built and he took care of it. He would always be out there cleaning the park, mowing the grass and fixing whatever. He had his heart in it. Now I think everyone has their part. Josh Elder really worked hard to build the community. Sam Miller is the photographer that captures the great times. He also kills it skating. Ben Gold hypes everyone up with his skating and he drives all the kids that can’t get around to the spots.
Top three favorite skate tricks?
Front side tuck knee, backside line air, and front Smith.
Do you think skateboarding should be in the Olympics?
No.
What is your proudest moment in skateboarding so far?
Getting my pro model from Shipyard! Thanks Hank!
ABOUT THE JUICE MAGAZINE STATE OF SKATE:
When we started Juice Magazine 22 years ago, you could count the number of skateparks on one hand and grindable pool coping was mostly a distant memory. Now there are thousands of skateparks all over the world, along with a vast quantity of DIY spots built to skate. In 1993, the majority of skateboarders listened to punk rock or hip hop exclusively. Now skateboarders listen to almost every kind of sound created. Two decades ago, skateboarding related charities were non-existent. Today, there are numerous non-profits giving back to skateboarding in many ways. One of the most important differences between now and then is that, 22 years ago, there was a clear division between old school and new school skateboarding. Now that wall of separation has followed the same path as the Berlin Wall, allowing for an unprecedented unification of skateboarders all over the globe. Great strides have been made for girls that skate as well as the acceptance of skate history and long overdue recognition for skateboarding’s pioneers and its artifacts. At the same time, the current generation of skateboarders is taking skateboarding to new heights, previously unimaginable. As the landscape of the skateboarding industry changes on a daily basis, and the topic of skateboarding in the Olympics rears its head once again, along with the disturbing subject of who controls skateboarding being tossed about by corporate entities, we decided it was time to take a good look at the State of Skate. We asked 20 questions to 100 skateboarders, ages 8 to 58, and found that skateboarding is as diverse as the skateboarders that are addicted to it, no one controls skateboarding except skateboarders, and the State of Skate is savage and strong. Now get out there and skate tough!
JUICE MAGAZINE STATE OF SKATE features interviews with 100 skateboarders including: Tony Alva, Dave Hackett, Chris Strople, Duane Peters, Steve Olson, Dave Duncan, Steve Alba, Tony Magnusson, Pat Black, Jesse Martinez, Bill Danforth, Jim Murphy, Ric Widenor, Lester Kasai, Glen Charnoski, Bryan Pennington, Peter Furnee, Jeremiah Risk, Ryan Smith, Jason Jessee, Omar Hassan, Cam Dowse, Jen O’Brien, Depth Leviathan Dweller, Brett Roper, Travis Beattie, Chris Gentry, CW Dunn, Chris Albright, Charlie Wilkins, Cairo Foster, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, BJ Morrill, Dr. Lenore L.A. Sparks, Sid Melvin, Jesse Irish, Packy Fancher, Greg Lutzka, Jimmy Larsen, Adam Dyet, Luis Tolentino, Greg Harbour, Frank Faria, Ryan DeCenzo, Dave Bachinsky, Johnny Turgesen, Casey Meyer, Edward Sanchez, David Gravette, Ben Hatchell, Brian Geib, Felipe Gouveia, Eric Santos, Kyle Smith, Cameron Revier, Josh Stafford, Justin Grubbs, Etienne Eden Archila, Sanzio Piacentini, Josh Elder, Eddie “Mighty” Moreno, Kevin Kowalski, Otto Pflanz, Jeremy Smith, Adam Wiggins, Jimmy Wilkins, Danny Gordon, Jake Hilbish, Corey Blanchette, Adam Legassie, Nick Santos, Trey Rounds, Curren Caples, Justyce Tabor, Andy Anderson, Sarah Thompson, Coral Guerrero, Collin Graham, Derek Scott, Ace Pelka, Sonny Rodriguez, Jarren Duke, Mikayla Sheppard, CJ Titus, Noah Schott, Emily Earring, Julian Torres, Wyatt Wisenbaker, Josh Forsberg, Nathan Midgette, Roman Pabich, Yago Dominguez, Jack Winburn, Jonas Carlsson, Kiko Francisco, Bryce Ava Wettstein, Desmond Shepherd, Matty Jessee and Luke Kahler.
FOR THE REST OF THE STORY, ORDER ISSUE #74 BY CLICKING HERE…
