Jesse Jenkins: ‘My whole life was about skateboarding’

Pretty much from when I could walk, my whole life was about skateboarding. Royal Oak was known as one of the most iconic spots in the 90s, but growing up in Los Angeles I’d only seen it in videos. I couldn’t believe it when I moved to London and realised it was round the corner from my house. Even though I wasn’t raised here, it feels almost nostalgic. Now I like to drop the kids off at school and come here by myself. It’s under a motorway bridge so it doesn’t matter if it’s raining, and the concrete is super smooth so I can maintain the tricks I still have now I’m in my 40s. It’s also right next to a railway track, and the noise from the trains vibrates so loudly it’s like I’ve been taken out of the world. I don’t mind that. I’m pretty good at being on my own.

Most of the stressful things in my life these days come from my own spinning mind. I’m neurodivergent, which can make me irritable, and my brain feel fizzy. Skateboarding helps me to shake that out. It’s like I’m suddenly next to my thoughts and I can see them more clearly. Anything where your body disconnects from your brain is super helpful. We were all excited children once, running and playing all day long, and that doesn’t totally disappear as you get older. It’s harder to access, but if you have the ability, try to hang out with that part of yourself sometimes and give it what it wants.