Jimmy Wilkins’ first-ever skateboard was a Pokémon complete from Target. The same Jimmy Wilkins who these days can be seen regularly skating Tony Hawk’s private vert ramp with some of skateboarding’s heaviest hitters. The same Jimmy Wilkins with his name on a Real board. The same Jimmy Wilkins who skates vert ramps like your homie’s backyard mini. We all start somewhere!
In the latest installment of The Platfrm’s Then/Now series, Jimmy shares an inside look at the evolution of his skate life—from early setups and skate videos to musical shifts and living the life of a pro skater. I’m just barely scratching the surface, too.
He gives a nod to legends like Bob Burnquist, Chris Miller, and Rune Glifberg, each who have influenced his skating one way or another, and talks about skating his local indoor skatepark in Columbus, Ohio, growing up as an eager little grom. These days, you’ll find him at Prince Park in Oceanside, California on most days, when he isn’t skating The Birdman’s ramp in Vista.
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Related: Watch: Jimmy Wilkins Channels His Inner-Max Schaaf in Epic Tribute for Real Skateboards
Style matters and Jimmy knows, but he’s not forcing it whatsoever. Purely natural. Straight up talent. You just don’t see style and grace like Jimmy’s every day. He’s come a long way over the years and deserves everything that’s coming his way. Shoot, I’d argue he deserves much more. But this is just the beginning. And he certainly isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Vert always looks rad, I’ll defend that all day, but Jimmy somehow makes it look even cooler. It just makes sense. A real peanut butter and jelly type of scenario—perfect match. He’s always blasting, effortlessly executing his tricks as proper as can be—it’s hard not to get stoked. Makes me wish I could skate vert!
Anyways, Jimmy is a real one. Always fun getting inside the minds of our favorite skaters. If you haven’t pressed play yet, get there. Think he still has that Pokémon plank? That’d be dope.
