Jenkem Mag's 2024: A Year in Review of Skateboarding Culture

It’s been a whirlwind year here at Jenkem, filled with insightful interviews, captivating videos, and thought-provoking articles. As we approach the end of 2024, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of our favorite pieces and share them with you again. So, join us as we look back at the past 12 months of skateboarding culture.

A festive holiday graphic from Jenkem Mag highlighting the year in review.

This year, we delved into a diverse range of topics, from the raw energy of subway surfing to the nuances of pro skate shoe design. We connected with both emerging and legendary figures in the skate scene, explored hidden corners of skateboarding culture, and even pushed the boundaries of what a skate contest can be. We’re immensely grateful for your support, comments, and engagement throughout the year, and we are excited to bring you more in the coming year. New content will be dropping on January 6th.

Table of Contents

Jenkem’s 2024 Highlights

Here’s a look back at some of our favorite features from the past year:

Exploring Skate Subcultures and Communities

We started the year by documenting New York’s young subway surfing community, offering a rare glimpse into this underground world. Later, we traveled to the California desert to explore skate ramps in Bombay Beach, meeting eccentric locals and experiencing the unique skate scene there. We also spent some time getting to know a local magician in Venice Beach, highlighting the diverse characters that make up the skateboarding world.

Interviews with Influential Skaters

In 2024, we had the opportunity to sit down with some of skateboarding’s most fascinating personalities. We got deep with Antonio Durao and Zak Anders, delving into their unique approaches to skating and life. We also had a nostalgic get-together with the Static crew , reminiscing about the past and discussing the present. And we caught up with some of today’s top AM’s: Riley, Vince, and Poe, getting their perspectives on the skate scene.

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Deep Dives into Skateboarding History and Trends

We explored the rise and fall of pro skate shoes, examining how the landscape has changed over time. We also investigated the legacy of the once formidable SF stair set Wallenberg through the eyes of a new generation of skaters. Additionally, we examined the exciting rebirth of iPath shoes, and the unfortunate farewell to Scumco & Sons, highlighting the dynamic nature of the skateboarding industry.

Unique Skateboarding Experiences

We weren’t afraid to try new things this year. We threw skateboarding’s first hotdog eating, beer chugging skate contest, pushing the boundaries of skate events. We teamed up with Arc’teryx and went rock climbing with Joel Popoeur. We even learned about the art of wheatpasting, proving that skateboarding is more than just tricks on a board. We also flew to Sweden to find out how some of the fastest bearings are made.

Stories of Community and Connection

We also highlighted the personal connections and stories within the skate community. We shared a wholesome family moment with Darren Harper and his kids in DC. We took over the Lower East Side for a 35mm photo exhibition, titled Disposables, showcasing the power of visual storytelling. We also introduced you to Semen Sam and his story of life after skateboarding.

The Search for Steve Rocco and New G-Files Episode

Finally, we embarked on a quest to find the ever-elusive Steve Rocco, an OG skater and founder of World Industries. We also dropped a new episode in our series with Ian Ostrowski, G-Files 4.