Page 34 - Paddock Life Issue 13 ADRENALINE

CRAIG BLAKE-JONES INTRODUCES PADDOCK LIFE‘S NEW CREATIVE DIRECTOR - DOWNHILL LONGBOARD RACER JENNIFER SCHAUERTE
Who knew downhill skateboard racing was a thing? Two years ago when I met my friend Jennifer Schauerte in the L’Escargot Private Members Club in London I had no idea that racing was a part of the skateboarding sport. We were both guests at a dinner organised by another member, so once seated at our table and introduced to all the guests I was intrigued by Jenny’s chosen sport of Skateboarding. Maybe the full tattoo sleeve was a bit of a give away that this was no ordinary girl, but to race at speeds of around 60 mph on a piece of wood down a steep hill sounded insane, I was hooked and I needed to know more. A lot more...
In 1976 I was a skateboarder, the sport had just made it across the pond and most people saw it as a “bit of a craze”, we were young and it was exciting. We skated in drained swimming pools or purpose built parks, so I shouldn’t be surprised that in over 40 years the sport has developed and has international competition bodies. I know they are talking about it becoming an Olympic sport, which is great, but I think they are backing the wrong discipline within the sport. Downhill Longboarding would make fantastic viewing and is very simple to judge. First across the line wins...
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IMAGES (ABOVE) JENNIFER SCHAUERTE / (RIGHT) CRAIG BLAKE-JONES / (TOP RIGHT) MINA NORNES WESTLI