The skateboarding world has seemingly, and rightfully, declared Justin Henry a force to be reckoned with. While some might have caught glimpses of his talent before, it was his presence in Quasi’s Mother that truly solidified his place as a rising star. With his unique style, impressive tricks, and grounded personality, Justin quickly became a skater that many admired. Following the release of Quasi’s Grand Prairie, he turned pro, cementing his status for the long haul. This interview dives deep into Justin’s thoughts, experiences, and passions, revealing what makes him such a captivating figure in skateboarding.
Justin Henry portrait
UFOs, Ohio, and the Unexplained
The conversation begins with a lighthearted take on the recent news of UFOs. Justin’s response is insightful, stating, “I do believe in another life. For how big the universe is, us alone, just humans… If we could do this and we’re barely making it to the moon, I’m sure the universe is big enough to house somebody else.” He then shares a local rumor about an Air Force base in Ohio potentially housing alien technology, adding to the intrigue. He highlights how quickly people tend to forget about extraordinary events, emphasizing that, “People get so hung up on stuff,” and that life, in many ways, just keeps moving on, regardless.
Quasi: More Than Just a Sponsor
Justin’s close proximity to Quasi HQ allows him to contribute beyond just skating. He describes being involved in the design process, stating, “On the business side, I gain so much knowledge that I would never learn without being at the office and talking with Chad and Ryan.” This hands-on experience has given him insight into cut and sew, sample reviews, and the intricate details that go into garment production. While he has considered starting his own brand, Justin remains focused on his skating, emphasizing, “I would never want to take away from where my mind is at right now.” He does hint at upcoming apparel with Vans, but for now, his priority remains skateboarding.
Justin Henry Ollie
Thrifting with Intention
Justin’s approach to thrifting is not the usual dig-and-hope method. He goes in with a plan, stating, “You need to know your style and what you want.” Knowing his body type allows him to quickly assess whether or not a garment will fit, making the process more efficient. He advises, “Knowing your body type is the key to thrifting.”
Modeling and Maintaining Authenticity
Justin’s modeling gigs for Quasi are a testament to his versatility. While some might be hesitant to compromise their personal style, Justin views it as part of the job. He clarifies, “I’m here to do what they need, so I could care less.” He also notes the evolution of skateboarding fashion, stating, “The cut and sew is as proper as any clothing brands out there, if not better.” Justin doesn’t overthink modeling, choosing to keep it relaxed and natural, stating, “I just keep it mellow and try to relax and you’ll look natural.”
Justin Henry Modeling for Quasi
Basketball Background and the Love of the Game
While skateboarding is his passion, Justin also has a background in basketball. He explains, “Nothing was ever as fun as skating. I never wanted to take away time from skateboarding.” Although he considered college-level basketball at a young age, he chose to prioritize skating. Even now, Justin enjoys playing recreationally. He says, “If you find the games within the games, that’s when it gets really fun.” This competitive spirit translates to the skate world, making him the dynamic skater he is today. He describes himself as a versatile player on the court, ready to do whatever is needed to win, “I dish it. You want me to rise up and dunk on somebody? I’ll rise up and dunk.”
Skaters on the Court
Justin shares anecdotes about playing basketball with other skaters, highlighting a time at Biebel’s park and another during a Vans trip. He mentions Nakel Smith, Caleb Barnett, Ish Cepeda, and Ishod Wair as some of the skaters who can play. He also calls out Cephas from The Bunt for a challenge he issued, saying, “I haven’t seen him yet. I’ve been in cities with him and he hasn’t pulled the ball out.”
Justin Henry Frontside Wallie
New York, a City with a Piece of His Heart
Justin’s connection to New York City is evident, despite not living there. He describes bus trips he took there as a teenager, stating, “From my first time going there, I fell in love with that city.” He closely follows the city’s skate scene, even noticing when things change like when the bondo strip was added to the Columbus Park rail. His appreciation of the city’s skate spots shows a deeper understanding of its skate culture.
Grand Prairie: A Milestone, Not the End
When asked if Grand Prairie will be his opus, Justin sees it as a significant milestone in his career. He reflects, “This one will obviously always be a little better because it’s the pro debut, so it will be that milestone in my life where I can look back.” However, he emphasizes, “In my head, each part will just keep getting better and better. That’s how I’ve always looked at skating. That’s why I like skating, to progress.” His commitment to continuous improvement suggests that his best skating is yet to come.
Justin Henry Tre Flip
The Longevity of a Skateboarding Career
Justin acknowledges the changing landscape of skateboarding careers, noting that they are lasting longer. He observes, “In skating, you can manipulate your skating and change it up.” He explains how skaters can adapt their style and focus as they age, making it less about numbers and more about personal growth.
Health, Warm-Ups, and the Reality of Skating
When it comes to physical health and fitness, Justin is surprisingly laid-back. He jokes, “I don’t do shit [laughs]. I really should start.” He admits to not stretching much, instead relying on a proper warm-up routine before a skate session which he describes as, “Get loose and maybe when you start sweating, then you start cranking it up”. He acknowledges he might be “talking young,” but he believes in the effectiveness of this method.
Duck Heads and Culinary Adventures
Justin shares a story about eating a duck head in China, a culinary experience he describes as “the craziest thing I ever ate.” He humorously recounts the presentation and his experience eating the eyeball, noting that it tasted surprisingly like chicken. He then jokingly states his disgust at the thought of eating Calamari. He states, “Nah! I can’t do calamari and squid cause all those tentacles have those suction cups on them. Like, what? No! That’s a no.” This highlights his adventurous spirit while showcasing some of his more particular tastes.
Justin Henry Backside Noseblunt Slide
Gratitude for Skateboarding
Justin expresses deep gratitude for the opportunities skateboarding has given him. He states, “Skateboarding is the one thing I will always be so grateful for. It gave me the opportunity to try so many things I never thought about.” He emphasizes the positive impact it has had on him, making him a more empathetic and understanding person. He specifically calls out how the experience of traveling and being a “foreigner” has given him a new perspective on the world.
Architecture and the Beauty of Vancouver
Although college was never in his plans, Justin has an appreciation for architecture and city design. He says, “When I travel to other places, I love to look at the buildings and see how a city is set up.” Among all the cities he’s visited, Vancouver stands out. He describes his appreciation for how the city incorporates nature, stating, “They just built around it. You’ll be in the city and then you drive three to five minutes over a bridge and you can’t see the city cause you’re in the wilderness.” He fondly recalls swimming in glacier runoff, marveling at the purity of the water.
Justin Henry 5050
Gripping Boards and Shop Life
Justin dismisses rumors about his inability to grip boards, stating, “When I worked at the shop [Embassy], I was the GOAT [laughs].” He claims he can assemble a board in under five minutes and that he is an expert at applying grip tape. He admits to not being able to create any sort of complicated designs on grip tape, but he always gives a straight line for anyone who asks for it.
Grip Tape Hack and Avoiding Grip Thumb
Justin shares a personal trick for applying grip tape: “I just do this little thing where it’s straight black and then I’ll leave a little bit of the wood grain on the nose exposed.” He says that this small modification helps to avoid grip thumb, a common issue for skaters.
Work Ethic and Early Jobs
Justin’s work ethic was established early in life. He recalls a variety of early jobs that included working at an Italian restaurant, Walgreens, and mowing lawns. He says, “I had a paper route when I was really young. It pretty much paid nothing.” Despite the minimal pay, seeing his name on a check was important to him. This work ethic has undoubtedly influenced his approach to skateboarding and life. He concludes, “Whatever cards you’re dealt, just live your career to the fullest because when you’re old, you don’t want to regret anything.”
Justin Henry with a skateboard
Financial Responsibility and Future Planning
Justin reveals that he is very responsible with his finances. He says, “I’m good with money.” He learned to maximize what he had from a young age, saying, “From a young age, I had to learn to maximize the money I had.” He also emphasizes the importance of saving, stating, “I save as much as I possibly can.” He is constantly checking up on his finances. He is also aware of the need to save and invest wisely so that he can make a better future for himself and his potential family.
Investing and the Growth Mindset
Justin is not only focused on saving but also on making his money grow. He states, “The smart man wants it to grow.” He is into investing and understands that money sitting in a savings account does nothing, and he says, “Whatever you invest in, if you do it correctly, that money that used to be sitting there stale can grow.” This is an indication of a mature outlook that extends beyond just skating.
Justin Henry Nollie Flip
Skate Fashion and Influences
Justin reflects on his favorite eras of skate fashion. He mentions Ryan Gallant as a significant influence from his younger days, stating, “I used to be like, ‘I’m going to get the Ryan Gallant shoes!'” He also appreciated the clean look of Hot Chocolate. He says that Ryan Gallant was one of his favorites growing up, “His style has never changed. He has extremely good style and he would land all of his tricks extremely sturdy, like bolts. I always liked that about him. He skated everything.” He also mentions P-Rod and Jereme Rogers as skaters he enjoyed watching, stating, “I really enjoyed watching those two skate.”
Flat Ground, the Basics, and Staying Sharp
Justin’s flat ground clips on Instagram are not random. He explains that flat ground is foundational to skateboarding, stating, “If you can master the flat ground tricks then you’re pretty much straight.” He sees it as a way to gauge his current skill level. He says that it is “a good judgment to see where you’re at for the day.”
Games of SKATE as a Learning Tool
Justin emphasizes the importance of games of SKATE as a tool to learn new tricks. He states, “Whatever letter you got out on, if you’re upset that someone got you on that letter, learn the trick.” He views SKATE as a way to open the mind to new tricks and stay on point. He does mention that, “if you do a double flip in a game of SKATE, I’m like, “Dude, that’s too much work right now.”” He jokingly admits that he likes to use pressure flips on people when they are close to losing in SKATE because “not too many people can get that one off rip”. He also jokingly states that older skaters who are over 35 can usually do a pressure flip.
Justin Henry pressure flip
OJ Simpson and a Hype Day
Justin humorously reflects on his Instagram post of OJ Simpson getting chased by the cops, captioning it “This day was probably hype.” When asked if he thinks OJ did it, he jokes, “He was found not guilty, but the boy looked a little nervous [laughs]. He beat the case though, and that’s all that matters. But that day probably was hype!”
Conclusion
Justin Henry’s journey, from an up-and-coming skater to a pro, is a testament to his skill, dedication, and unique outlook on life. His insights into skateboarding, fashion, personal style, and finance make him a compelling figure both on and off the board. He’s not just a talented skater; he’s a well-rounded individual with a clear vision for his future. As he continues to progress, Justin Henry is undoubtedly a skater to watch, both on and off the streets.
