Middleman Skateboards and Southside Skatepark present:

The 20th Annual Texas Skate Jam Benefiting the
Make a Wish Foundation 2016

Established in the summer of 1994, Southside Skatepark has now hosted 20 years of the Texas Skate Jam benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation. Damien Hebert of South Shore Distribution conceptualized the ver first TSJ in the fall of 1997. It has now become skateboarding’s longest running charity event. Once a year skateboarding enthusiasts from all walks of life gather at Southside Skatepark in Houston, Texas to witness the world’s top skateboarding professional and new emerging amateur talent. In the twenty year history of the event it’s total funds raised is now approaching one million for terminally ill children.

This past November 5, 2016 skateboarding converged on Southside Skate Park to witness Middleman Skateboards present the Texas Skate Jam benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation. On hand such legendary pros as Chris Cole, Cody McEntire, Evan Smith, Raney Beres, Ronnie Sandoval, Tommy Fynn, Sebo Walker with supporting cast Drake Flores, Jordan McCullough, Beaver Fleming, Chris Luhring, Christian Dufrene, David Langston, Trace Saylor, Phillip Wagstaff and Erik Ostos. Not to mention social media icon, Jscott Handsdown, just to name a few.

The Texas Skate Jam opened its doors at 11am and the line around the building was checked in while picking up their thank you bags with support from such brands as Vans, Real Skateboards, Spitfire Wheels, Krooked Skateboards and Nike SB. They hit the parking lot to engage with various many of these brands and others like DC Shoes, Truth Riders and Topo Chico on hand raising additional funds in their tents. Target practice with Real, Krooked, Anti Hero, Spitfire, Thunder and Venture is one of everyone’s favorites.

Catch a bite to eat at the Tu-Go Kitchen food truck, on hand raising money while keeping everyone fed and able to enjoy the skateboarding happening during the Federal Stone Bowl Jam, Jscott Handsdown Challenge or Tech Center Best Trick event happening at different intervals during the day. Habitat Skateboards Pro Tim O’Connor acts as the event MC and helps keep the audience on hand informed as we move through the event’s schedule. The Boardr’s Jason Rothmeyer helps compute the level of difficulty achieved during the various events for the awards to follow at the end of the day. Embassy Skateboard’s Collin Graham took the Federal Stone Bowl Jam 1st Place honors. Beaver Fleming won the Best Trick portion of the Bowl event with a Rodeo Flip over the spine. We also witnessed DC Shoe’s Tommy Fynn not only taking the Jscott Handsdown Challenge 1st Place but also the Tech Center as well. The coveted all around “You Killed It” top honor for contending in all events throughout the day went to Real Skateboard’s Jack Olsen. After the awards everyone enjoyed catching whatever they could during the product toss.

We all came together for a great cause, to raise funds for terminally ill children. This year’s event focused on having fun on your skateboard with your friends and keeping a positive outlook while trying to do your best, which is the mantra of Jscott Handsdown. It’s amazing what skateboarding and skateboarders can accomplish when they put their talent and drive into something through the act of skateboarding itself.

We hope you will join us for the 21st Annual Texas Skate Jam at Southside Skatepark – see you there!

Check out more images of the event here.

Photography by @travislittig of RoyalDeca.com