JON REYES INTERVIEW

Within the past few of years one rider went from being someone you would only hear about, to someone you can literally watch ride for hours, and still not get bored. My earliest memories of Jon Reyes, was hearing about him by word of mouth from other east coast riders. A video or two would pop up every now and then that would feature Jon, and it was evident that he was clearly underrated. Jon was born and has lived his entire life in New York City. Now before Jon rode scooters, he rode rollerblades. Eventually he saw one of his friends jump an 8 set on a scooter, and he thought it was actually pretty cool. A little while later he got his own scooter and started to mess around a little bit, it didn’t take long before Jon was hooked. When Jon first started to ride scooters, he instantly realized he loved doing manuals, and manual combos, and it’s still evident in his riding today. His inspiration starting out in the sport came from the old school Razor Team, and also a big part from the old NBS Crew and their videos.

Jon is technically on another level when it comes to tech riding, and being creative. Some of the stuff you’ll see Jon do in videos, you literally need to rewind it, and watch it a few more times. However, although he is one of the sports leading tech riders, that’s not to say he can’t ride park. It might get overshadowed by his tech and street riding, but Jon can in fact front flip, front flip whip, back flip, and flip whip. But when asked what or where his favorite places to ride are he still goes back to his roots, and insists that manual pads, preferably the colored manual pads you might have seen in some of his videos are his favorite place to ride. He can put together an endless amount of trick combinations while riding there. One of the best things about Jon’s riding, is that he isn’t following anyone else’s path. He might have looked up to riders starting out. But he is now the one paving the way for all aspiring street riders who want a tech style. Something we need a lot more of in the sport.

When I asked Jon who he enjoys riding with it came down to ScooYork and the Proto Team. When Jon was asked to join the Proto Team, he described it as “A dream come true”. He represents Proto to the fullest now, and fits right in with the diverse group of riders on the current Team. Right now Jon’s future plans are to finish filming for an all street, full of bangers video for Proto. I think what I noticed the most about Jon’s riding, that a lot of people should take note of. Is that he is a tech rider, but he doesn’t stop there. He expands his riding to all obstacles, and no matter where you stick Jon, a park, the streets, or in a basketball court…he is going to ride, and he is going to ride it how he sees it, and how he wants to. We need that in this sport, riders who got their individual styles, and take that style to wherever or whatever they are riding. There’s no telling what’s going to be in Jon’s next video. But I think one thing is for sure it will once again prove that Jon, when it comes to tech riding, is always going to be one step ahead of the game.

Intro by Steven Tongson

Interview By Jordan Jasa

Jordan Jasa:  How old were you when you first started riding?  Do you remember anything about the scene back then?

Jon Reyes:  I was 13, it was the summer of 2002. Back then there was no scene, it was me messing around on my scooter with my skateboard friends.

For me I didn’t really know who you were until your Micro Sponsor Video.  To me it seemed like that was the video that made you a big name.  Do you think that made a lot of people notice you?

That I have no idea. The scooter community will answer that for you.

What was it like for you to get that video out?

It was quick easy and fun. It took 1 summer of stress free riding and having fun.

Who are some riders who inspire you?  Who inspires you the most?

Mostly dan Barrett and Matt pate. As of right now I've been looking at 2 skaters ( Daewon song and Joey brezinski). I'm hooked on their riding style and manual tech combos and i wanted to see if I can bring something like that into our sport. My ideas in riding come from them.

One of the things you’re most famous for are your nose manuals and hang fives..  How long have you been doing them?  How hard was it to learn them for you?

Haha I Was forced to learn hang fives, one summer I broke my ankle on a 7 rail and could only ride with one foot so I gave hang fives a try. And trust me it was soooo frustrating.

What’s a normal day of riding for you like?  Where do you go, who do you ride with, etc.

189 or the globe with #3.

Who are some people you like to watch?

Dan Barrett and Stan

Most videos put out today are mostly park…How do you feel about that?

Negative

Do you think the sport is going in the right direction?  What, if anything, is wrong with the sport today?

Yes but there are too many trendy styles

How did you get on the PROTO Team?

When I came back from sd3 Andrew had called me asking me if I "want in" and my response was "he'll yes"

What has been your favorite part of being on the team?

Being able to ride without the worry of breaking parts and being on the same team with some of my best friends.

What is something you’re looking forward to?

The future of the sport

That’ll be it.  Close it up Jon.

Uhhhhhhh idk that evryone should ride the way they want to and for themselves. Annndddd. .... Keep riding the longer you stay with it the better experiences you’ll come across.