Jake Odonnell Interview

Jake Odonnell is on the Zero Gravity Pro Team, and for good reason. Jake has such an amazing style. I can't help but have an admiration for the riders that make tricks look effortless. Jake is one of those riders. He lands everything as smooth as possible, and rides with tons of speed. I had a chance to shoot Jake some questions, and you guys can check them out below.


Steven: Name, Age, Location.

Jake: My name is Jake O’Donnell, I’m 16 and I live in Maple valley, Washington.



Steven: What age did you start scootering and what Year?

Jake: I started scootering in 2007 when I was twelve, so about four years now.



Steven: Why did you decide to start riding scooters?

Jake: I first started ridding scooters as transportation around my neighborhood in Kent, Washington. Every once in a while some kids up the street would try tail whips off their home made ramps and I thought I was the coolest thing. After receiving my first Razor A2 model for Christmas, I started ridding more and more. In the summer of 2007 I moved to Maple Valley and met Mike Montgomery from Lucky Scooters and I introduced him to scooters. Later that year, we attended Cooter Con 3 (I think?) and after seeing Jessie macoluso I was hooked.


Steven: What would you say the hardest trick was for you to learn when you were starting out?

Jake: When I first started ridding, tail whips were actually my hardest
trick haha. In fact, I told myself I didn’t need them and road for about a year before I got them down.



Steven: You have a very distinct style when it comes to how you dress. What are some clothing brands that you wear on a daily basis?

Jake: Honestly, 90% of the clothes I wear are from thrift stores and such. I could care less if I'm representing DC or Volcom or any other clothing brand. I just find clothes that i like and wear them i guess haha.



Steven: I gotta mention your hair dude haha, yet another distinct Jake Odonnell characteristic, Do you gotta style it everyday?

Jake: Hahahaha I actually just got my hair cut, so its quite a big shorter now I'm pretty sure i wont be letting it get as long and thick as it was before. I just wake up and wash it! haha


Steven: What riders did you look up to when you were starting?

Jake: When I first started ridding I really liked the look and style of Daniel Warwick, Martin Kimbell and Phil Lagettie. I still look up to these guys, and I would like to give them a huge thank you for inspiring me.



Steven: Your tricklist is very simplistic, consisting mainly of whips, barspins, manuals, and some spins. Why do you prefer these kind of more simple tricks as opposed to all the bri flip/whip combo type tricks?

Jake: I feel like you don't always have to throw bri flips/whip combo type tricks to have fun, or to be "good" in scootering. For me at least, i would rather be recognized by the way and style i do my tricks, rather than the difficulty of that trick.




Steven: What are you favorite tricks to do now?

Jake: I love doing any tricks that people don’t usually do, or have thought of. Personally, I get really bored ridding park because I find it really hard to get original on those obstacles. I would just rather hit a set with a nice kink or some street gaps. No offense to any park riders!


Steven: Are there any tricks that you just can not land, no matter how many times you try? If so, what trick(s)?

Jake: I have never ever been able to throw outward Bri flips or scooter flips.


Steven: Who do you enjoy riding with most and why?

Jake: Since I live in the Northwest, the scooter scene here has really grown in the last couple of years since started ridding. Whenever I go out and ride weather its street, or park I’m always ridding with Mike Montgomery. Mikes not only my best friend, but I think I speak for both of us when I say we both really push each other and help each other achieve new tricks and the goals we have set for each other. Although I really enjoy ridding with anyone that is just super chill and wants to have fun.


Steven: What does being on ZG mean to you?

Jake: Being on Zero Gravity is really important to me. I love Todd, and all the guys on the ZG team, they’re all super chill and fun to ride with. I’m really happy I can ride for a team whose mission is teach riders all around the world about God. Also, I’m thankful that I get to test, and ride the strongest and most stylish parts in the scooter industry. Being a part of ZG has really help grow my relationship with God, and a ton of riders. I’m really stoked to see what Zero Gravity will bring all of you in 2011!



Steven: Where do you see the future for scootering?

Jake: After ridding for almost four years, I have really been able to watch the sport grow. In a couple of years I could really see scootering getting as much publicity as any other extreme sport like skate boarding or bmxing.


Steven: Why do you continue to ride scooters?

Jake: I’m going to continue ridding scooters because it relieves a lot of stress, allows me to express my personal style, and none the less I have super fun every time I ride. Since I started ridding scooters I’ve met some of my best friends, gotten to travel, and have had a ton of fun while doing it. I love competing at competitions, releasing new videos, and just ridding in general. I really want to still be ridding when the sport blows up in the mainstream so I can tell people that I was a part of it all when it was just a forum on Scooter Resource.


Below you can check out some of my favorite Jake Odonnell videos.

Jake Odonnell ZG Scooter Check
Jake Odonnell ZGNW Edit (one of my favorite videos)
Jake Odonnell old LSP Free Parts Entry