STREET SKATEBOARDING INNOVATOR TIM JACKSON - VENICE 1990- 2023 DIRECTOR'S CUT

Tim Jackson put the "O" in O.G. In 1990 he was quietly innovating an entire repetoire of wall tricks, street moves and surf- inspired flatground that is untouched to this day.
“The hardest thing to duplicate is someone who is original. Be yourself. As long as you can be yourself and do what you want to do, you’ll always be an original.”
Tim's brother Kelly: "We spent a lot of time in the mountains and campgrounds of California’s High Sierra, my dad escaping after a drug deal or going to meet someone with it. This is where my brother was left to explore and master his surroundings. As a kid, he could climb the highest peaks, ride the meanest horse, and be the toughest person on a mountain full of men. Our home became a small apartment in Venice that we shared before my dad bottomed out. He started getting sick and eventually died of cancer. Sad and broken, he locked himself in his apartment and smoked crack until the day he died. As bad as it was, we were always full of laughter, but we were also poor, dirty and ate government cheese most of the time. My dad and brother were two of the nicest and funniest people, with my dad’s personality being like a mix between Willie Nelson in The Dukes of Hazzard telling dirty jokes and Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver. My brother basically acted out all of my dad’s vices and spent most of his time in juvee and then prison. The only thing he had going when he got out, the only thing that seemed to fit his personality was skateboarding. He could take his anger out on it for hours. He had an intensity about him, always running full bore with endless strength. We were raised around violence by a father that became a cat burglar and money collector for the mob when he couldn’t find work. My brother was always fighting and knocking someone out cold and then escaping to drugs. My brother didn’t just do drugs, he literally tried to do more than anyone else, in one of the most drug addicted hippy hot spots in the world. My brother took 14 Quaaludes one day and had to be carried off the beach. Drugs cost money, so this led to selling drugs and back to prison. Not seeing his three-year-old son again until his son was 17. In between these times of being locked up, he would skateboard, The time he spent on a skateboard is legendary, he was kind of a one man circus - his wall riding drew some of the largest crowds on the beach. He was picked up by skateboard companies like Dog Town, Independent trucks, OJ and Spitfire wheels. Just before that, he was skating and had an epileptic seizure and fell flat on his face on the asphalt part of the boardwalk knocking all his front teeth out. This didn’t slow him down very much until just after he met Andrea. Soon after she got pregnant, he lost his job and, while trying to make rent, sold weed to an undercover cop and went back to jail. When he got out again, he moved away from his gangster lifestyle and chose his daughter over his bad habits. This is where we find him now. Positive, happy and raising his three daughters.
"My name is Tim Jackson and I’m a second-generation Dogtown rider. I’m from Venice Beach and proud to be a Venice Breakwater Local.
Without skateboarding we did a lot of stupid shit as youngsters, but as long as we had a skateboard in our hand, we stayed busy and creative. We didn’t just skateboard like everyone else. We wanted to represent ourselves including Dogtown. We created our own styles. Skateboarding has been a blessing to me. My dad died when I was a young kid, so I was basically living on the streets. My skateboard was my bed, until I got my own place. Skateboarding has always been a positive influence on my life and still is.
We were surfing on our skateboards. That’s just the Venice Beach vibe. Surf and skate almost blended into one thing. It was in our blood.
They talk about soul surfers and soul skaters, and because of that, skating is an extension of who we are in our soul. We had Polar Bear, Jim Muir and Jay Adams.
When we were little, we’d grab our boards and go to the beach. We already knew that there was a culture from our neighborhood that we had to live up to. It wasn’t just the fact that we liked skateboarding. We had to represent. We didn’t just go out to skate and say, ‘No, I’m not going to try that.’ We had to do it. We had to show them that we weren’t scared and that we were going to do it and we were going to live up to their expectations and our own.
All we had was the wall, and I wanted to skate every day. There wasn’t much to skate except for the wall, so I took it to a whole different level. I just kept riding the wall. Before I knew it, I was coming up with tricks that nobody had ever seen before. For me, not going to contests wasn’t something bad. I think it was something good."
JuiceMagazine, September 1, 2009
INTERVIEW BY AARON ‘FINGERS’ MURRAY
Tim Jackson's Custom skate decks: @timjacksondts @breakwaterskateboards
Music @delinquenthabits
Video @tonyrobertsphoto

[@jbh123stl]

This is an excellent re-edit, both the skating and Tim and Kelly's extended commentary in the intro. When "Risk It" first came out, I kept wishing Tim's part had been longer because he was doing stuff unlike anyone else. The originality was striking, and the skating matched the terrain. If all you've got are some low walls, smooth concrete and a couple of filthy bank-to-curbs with cobblestone run-ups, and your skateboard is your main/only means of transport, this is a perfectly logical outcome - I mean, what else are you gonna do? By embracing the limitations, he transcended them.

[@RealSkateStories]

So true. In 1990 skateboarding was transforming and most all of street skating was still original and new. Tim's skating blew my mind when I filmed and edited this in 1990 but it took decades to go by to realize how truly unique and technical his skating was. Perhaps the most impressive for me is the style and how does the tricks. Untouchable.

[@c0rnp0p80]

I turned 12 in 90, and I had already been skating for 2 years. The early 90s was the greatest time to be a skater because the fad of it had died out, it wasn't cool, and the only people skating had a real passion for it. It seemed like every day something new was being done. To me that's when modern skateboarding started.

[@realiteatimeforall]

Same story man, except I turned 13 in 90. I agree with everything you said. We timed in perfectly to see the switch from the big fishtail decks to the modern popsicle shape. Warching the metamorphosis happen over the span of a few years was cool. Id say it goes back to the New Deal "Siamese" deck. They knew where skating was headed with switch and fakie/nollie stuff....

[@rebusd]

don't forget the World Vallely barnyard deck which was a thing even before Paul Schmitt left Vision @@realiteatimeforall

[@CantFightRobots]

Love his style! Using walls like they were waves. Skating style is so limitless!

[@jthomeskillet]

Love it. Age of Concave, scoop noses and Bridgebolts

[@uhh482]

Ohhh Yeah "Bridgebolts'"!!!! I was 15 sk8boarding is awesome!!! 👊

[@brocksamson9737]

Dude I love the delinquent habits! At first I thought it was the funkdoobiest or Cypress Hill. Awesome choice in music. I have always loved seeing old footage from the 90s. Take me back to a better time. The algorithm has served you well. Hopefully your videos and channel get the notoriety they. need

[@ezrhino100]

this is the best era of skateboarding for me. modern skating was created in the 90s and everything revolves around this time period.

[@jamesmuller1481]

It looks like more fun than skating now.

[@ezrhino100]

@@jamesmuller1481 it was. no one was really skating except for a few. everything was new and underground. i was the only one skating in my neck of the woods. skating has gotten too serious for my taste...

[@jamesmuller1481]

@@ezrhino100 Yea, it doesn'y need to be in the olympics. That's not what skateboarding is about. Skateboarding is about fun & freedom.

[@RealSkateStories]

I love it but I feel every skateboarding decade from the 70s on is precious

[@teetop5776]

The final days of the real Venice skate days. Sad to see. But also cool knowing it was filmed. I won't even go to Venice beach anymore.

[@xl5388]

I was living in Venice around 97 down at the beach watching someone skate the hell out of those walls. He was coming in at full velocity and rail sliding the entire length and then doing those crazy dismounts at the end exactly like this. All super aggro. I didn't know who's who back then but always wondered if it was a pro. I'm so glad I found this video and can watch these moves again and put a name to the one doing them. Tim Jackson's got unmistakable style.

[@chadengle141]

I met Tim back in 1986 at The Pavilion as well as Jef Hartsel, John Thomas(JT..) and Chris Cook..skated with them(and Jay Boy..) every day, blazing fatties of kind and laughing alot,and tearing shit up..he was unique,wall-bashing EVERY RIGHT ANGLE possible..a creative lens indeed..REST EASY, TIM #BREAKWATERLIFE

[@RealSkateStories]

So dope Chad!! You witnessed it.

[@andrewsmyth1652]

I started skating in 1990. This is the most impressive street skating from that era. Truly unique.

[@HieroHusky]

He let this wallride up to boardslides look so easy. That is style paired with skills. That's my favorite era of skateboarding

[@tomf4087]

Thanks for filming these great skaters. I watched them over and over in Liverpool, England. In fact a friend of mine was flowed z skates, including the z roller trucks. Shout out to Fez. I had to stop a few years back due to severe injury. I would give my left nut to be able to skate these new skateparks. These plaza style ones are like what I was crying out for back in the 90s. Look after yourselves people. When it's gone, it takes a piece of you with it.

[@RealSkateStories]

Mate. If only they had today's parks when we had fresh knees back in the day 😓 I guess that's why we are more appreciative than today's youth!

[@yup4391]

I skated liverpool mid late 90's... law courts... pier head... Cotton exchange... back of James Street had a spot as well but can't remember the name ha look after yourself brother!

[@fmtnic]

Those speed wheels videos were the best. Great work. This reminded me of the huge Cholo influence in the skate scene in the west coast surf towns up and down the California coast. I grew up skating around Santa Cruz and remember some of that Mexican gangster style of so many of the skaters of the early 90's in that area (and Venice, San Diego etc) Strange mix of culture.

[@Cr0sswalk]

Rip Tim best wall rider ever and true street skater. I remember never being able to do most his skating

[@dannyblitz2122]

I watched this at the time and learned the 360 slide while running beside the board trick. Still do it now, it trips people out, which is fun in itself. These videos are great, thanks!

[@americanamusica13]

The whole crew was dope. Tim, lil man, Jeff hartsel, Kareem Campbell Etc etc. I was there almost every day in 90. Peace to all the old school venice heads. Wish I was back there right now.

[@RealSkateStories]

Solid!!

[@maxmotors9497]

Gotta love seeing a man stacked up with bridgebolts on his board. Takes me back

[@stephenfrancis303]

My favorite period and favorite boards

[@pauleugenio5914]

Mega sick rediscovery 🤙 Super necessary for people to find these under appreciated skaters from the past if skate culture is ever gonna evolve beyond its current overly homogenous style

[@RealSkateStories]

It will bro, it will.

[@h2bfz098]

I remember skating with Tim and jef hartsel back in those days in Venice... He was so dope to watch

[@jdportwerks6795]

Amazing! Takes me back to the day I picked up my skateboard in 1990 in Brooklyn NY Bay Ridge! Lots of friends that came out of there sponsored & even professional.

[@johnautry2711]

I was 18 in 1990 , feels like yesterday 🔥🔥🔥

[@adambravo2353]

First time ever in Venice as a young skater, age 14, August 1988 where I saw Jesse Martinez skating down the street, passing him in our car. Stoked! Then watched Eric Dressen do slides at the walls. He said what’s up to me and all I could do was hang my jaw to the ground in total awe. Saw this stylish Black kid my age doing Ollie to bs airs and slides, turns out it was Eric Tuma Britton. Most memorable was this older guy doing these high speed bs Ollie wall rides , swinging them back and forth like a pendulum and landing like wham! So impressed. I recall telling my skateboard homies back home what I witnessed in Venice, trying to describe it, but eventually did my best to emulate those wall rides and just not pulling them off as I saw them. A year later, a new Dogtown pro was introduced in Thrashers ads. I told my friends that’s the guy I saw in Venice doing those insane wall rides! It was Tim Jackson. One of the most mind blowing skate memories that will live with me forever. Thanks so much for these. In my opinion, this is the best content channel ever for me.

[@RealSkateStories]

That is all time Adam. Impressions in your mind that will remain forever. What a rad point in time.

[@mikeschmidt4800]

I love old skate vids, keep em coming.

[@Whatiswhat]

Dope. Want More. The nostalgia is heavy.

[@josegomezamunarriz3844]

What a video,and the Music!😱👾🛸 This makes me feel Forever young 👾🛸

[@brownleafpuddle7621]

This was so tight! Love the way he gets on the wall, that’s so crazy. Inspiring stuff. And so glad he still has the same love for skateboarding.

[@FarmageddonRecordsOfficial]

Thank you for this ❤ Untouchable top 20 parts of all time, still can’t even touch this shit 👍🏼

[@derekarmstrong1408]

Definitely, please keep dropping the classics. I had no idea what was going on in Venice and just ended up living there from 05-12. Kept meeting and working with old locals, who are friends with these guys. Seeing this brings the stories they'd tell to life. Wish I'd had a clue and moved out there in the 90's.

[@RealSkateStories]

Thanks Derek.

[@seay_biscuit]

Man I remember having bridge bolts on my H street Colby Carter in the late 80s. Prior to this video I haven't seen bridge bolts since.. Gnarly edit!! 🤙🤙🤙

[@RealSkateStories]

That's epic!! I was riding the Colby Carter HStreet in '90!

[@mstunameow]

Ha I loved bridge bolts...I got them sometime in the early 90's I guess and used the same set for like 15 yrs

[@seay_biscuit]

They should bring them back for sure 🤙

[@tomvass1642]

waoooohhh sooo cool i love this skateboarding. good vibes.

[@Dtansing1]

Hello from Australia. This rock's

[@dominickratliff6171]

Tim Jackson, Butch Strubbins,Aaron Murray super dope styles

[@fernandomaron87]

The dude could film a full part in one afternoon while needing only one wall. Such rad style.

[@marcalan]

Those wall tricks were sick!

[@TheHoodGuru]

I hope Tim reads this. I used to skate up there. Id drive in from Inglewood and skated. I wasnt that good. Just a black dude trying to come over and skate and ollie over the barrels and do some tricks here and there. Every now and then he'd be there doing his bag of tricks and that wall ride blowing everybody away. And he would give you that look like "whats up" and treat you like a local. Dude was super cool. I am glad this video popped up. I think Ill buy one of those boards. Also very cool to see this video because it brings back the old look of the 90s Venice skate area.

[@RealSkateStories]

That's epic.

[@leamon2501]

Oh my goodness keep it up!! Undelay undelay arriba

[@deraf8086]

Great real Skate Spirit! I love it!

[@Epheli.]

I remember this on a vhs tape a friend had..it was awesome!

[@1StinkyFinger]

Inspirational !

[@brianjainese5290]

Much love and respect

[@darykoughton5473]

That was dope!

[@kandydavins]

He really shreds! thanks for sharing.

[@schwinnbike18]

Unique style. So fluid!

[@TheGkump]

So rad! I remember bridge bolts😊

[@Baneumann66]

I looked for this guy forever and couldn’t remember his name! Thank you! Tim Jackson ❤️🤙🏼

[@adamblackman6660]

I used to have the video this was on! - Gambling with Gravity” was amazing! Thanks for putting this together!

[@RealSkateStories]

Thank you very much!

[@nikoludico8570]

Me atrevo a decir que fui uno de los latinos que compartio ese reel en instagram y me emociona saber que contribui a que llegara a mas gente y resulte en esta re edicion :') muchisimas gracias por este regalo visual !

[@RealSkateStories]

Mil gracias nuevamente

[@niconine268]

Sweet bro 👊

[@ericengland8616]

Good classics rite there

[@greentubes1]

I remember those red curb slappy sessions, so much fun. Tim's style of skating is an art form, he took it to the walls with grace and innovation. Great footage, really took me back to a special time and place. Bravo. And those new Tim Jackson boards look epic!

[@Maaaatttttt]

Look at Venice Beach then. I used to want to visit it.

[@scourneene]

I was 18 in 1990...big into skating...though never heard of Tim...what a great vid you put together...his style and way of skating is so unique and sick. Reminds me of Neil Blenders approach in a way or Bill Danforth...I watch people like them and Tim and get so inspired...at 50...just rolling around again. If I can borrow but a small aspect of their approach, creativity, it will keep me skating.

[@blackcatlullaby]

Thought I’d seen it all. Rad

[@deraf8086]

It's like seeing my own youth! No skateparks , -but REAL STREET SKATING

[@slugnaholowaa7406]

Awesome.

[@pablo-aed]

Saludos desde Argentina 🦁🇦🇷

[@MattTrainorHD]

SO SICK! Made me love skateboarding even more

[@detroitpyro2859]

That was the shit man great songs to track too!! Great video

[@seekah1]

Thankyou Tony, I really love your commentary vids, I hope you can do more like this. How can you not appreciate the originality of TJ, one of the best for sure.

[@RealSkateStories]

Appreciate you @seekah1

[@whatmemories3728]

Bad ass as always thanks for post!

[@flathSp]

Que buen estilo y que buena canción 👌🏼

[@brinosaur7]

Amazing!!

[@themoog924]

Amazing edit! Jackson rules, thanks 👍

[@natenola]

Thank you sir

[@JPBiamby]

Keep it going!!📸🛹 🔥

[@drumchannel1015]

Pretty dope style I like skating like this

[@lucasfelix5675]

DOPE THANKYOOOOU

[@nayarlopez8655]

Awesome video. Thanks for this piece of history.

[@dtaylor5206]

Fuck Yeah! DOGTOWN OG!LOVE AND SUPPORT !

[@the_laybacks]

Another great video

[@squeue]

30+ years, still fresh. Thank you for the awesome footage.

[@Sonnyblack100]

Great content , love it

[@twista101287]

Siiiick!!! 👌👑🔥🛹🤜

[@aedelus]

Love this! I still have my "Risk It" VHS tape.

[@skrrtfranklin]

This is dope 🙌🏻😝

[@duhkha75]

Gracias!!

[@marioandresheviacavieres1923]

Gracias amigo!!!

[@kristopherkrueger4617]

AWESOME! THANK YOU. I never knew or heard of TJ, or his brother. Rad skaters. Smooth style!

[@danmacfarlane3444]

Major inspiration

[@PmoneySkates]

Such a sick video glad it popped up on my feed!! 90s baby!!!! This dude rips!!!!!!

[@pablou8892]

Bestia Tim❤

[@royalordinance]

Im tripppin on the Nostalgia, wow. Thanks for The HL. Superb

[@jimbob10j]

Everything about this!

[@RATCHAFILMS]

Great Video ❤

[@RICKANDLOGANSHOW]

Rad edit! Loved the original edit too! Always tried to do some of these tricks, but Tim made them look easy!

[@rebusd]

My first taste of Tim's skating was TWS' photo annual 3 where he does a wall-to-rock sideways at the end of the ledge just like at 3:21. I was immediately intrigued, but couldn't find any of him until 3-4 years later when Risk It came out. Talk about a worthwhile wait.

[@RealSkateStories]

How he was underground before during and after this makes no sense.

[@yei7316]

Que viva el skateboard latinoamericano, gracias por compartir

[@RealSkateStories]

Con gusto!!

[@coolclik]

Learned me how to do some tricks back in the days

[@crazycatman5928]

I like originality. Dude is pretty rad.

[@lancehobbs8012]

This was actully a really good watch , brings back memories of 1989-97 skating

[@silviorodrigues3965]

Real nice, hello from São Paulo/BR!

[@creekertodd]

Thanks

[@mikeemswiler4541]

great vids,

[@M27UNDERGROUND]

ayyeeee fooooo. as long as you keep whistling like that you got my support

[@RealSkateStories]

DE ACUERDOOOO

[@MOTOZILIANS]

epic fottage thanks for sharing new sub here

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

Rad, yes, keep em comin!

[@RealSkateStories]

Thank you, will do!

[@michaellorenzen8200]

this song is great 👍

[@RealSkateStories]

Here's the full album kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4KmmouHrMaqgqM

[@cardoantonio3942]

Thank you for your everlasting dedication, and contributions to our glorious multiverse that we call skateboarding♾️I miss skating the streets of Venice so much I could shed tears.

[@RealSkateStories]

Thank you Cards, appreciate you

[@centerofinfluence]

Legend.