ESPN

EXPN

  (3:07 PM)

little over an hour to go ...

EXPN.com

  (4:00 PM)

greetings lovers of big air and big crashes

EXPN.com

  (4:00 PM)

jake's just about ready to begin fielding questions

Macky from Boston

That fall was one of those falls where you actually had time to think about what was happening. When you were in the air, what were the top 3 thoughts going through your head?

EXPN.com

  (4:01 PM)

i'm in big trouble

jake

  (4:02 PM)

jake

  (4:02 PM)

i got to work things out quick

jake

  (4:02 PM)

lastly, just trying to figure out what i could do. that's all there was to think about

Jake

  (4:03 PM)

Jake

  (4:03 PM)

my friend has them right now, but i'm going to get them back. They just flew right off

Jake

  (4:03 PM)

I'll keep them. I got the board and the shoes.

Jake

  (4:04 PM)

I'm not going to put them on Ebay

Mega Tramp (New York)

Jake,Can you tell us the story of your shoes - where did they end up after the fall?

Andrew: (Halifax, N.S.)

This is a weird question, but, if you could go back in time and prevent the fall, would you?

Jake

  (4:04 PM)

Of course I would. And I would make the trick that I was going to try. And I would have won the contest.

billy reagan, Seattle, WA

Do you feel that you've taken skateboarding to a new level by surviving a slam like that?

Jake

  (4:05 PM)

Not necessarily. It's not taking it to a new level. It's just showing people how tough skateboarders are. We've been doing this stuff for years and it's pretty much something that always happens. It's just the next level version of it.

Lindsey- Winona, MN

My heart jumps everytime I watch the clip from the fall! What was going through your head when you got back on your board for the first time after you recovered from the fall?

Jake

  (4:06 PM)

I was just stoked to be skating again. I've just started again in the last couple of weeks. Maybe two weeks ago. I just did a couple of airs and grinds. I had a good session yesterday. I'm going to skate today, as well.

Dedo (NYC)

Yo Jake,You still have Danny's cane?

Jake

  (4:07 PM)

Yes I do. And I'm going to be hanging on to it. It's a collectors item. I'll give it back to him if he needs it again. Hopefully he won't.

billy reagan, Seattle, WA

Are you or have you been working on a video part, and if so do you think you'll include any of the footage from this past X Games in that part, or are you over those images?

Jake

  (4:08 PM)

I'm working on a part for Blind skateboards. I'm probably going to put it in. I may as well, you know? I'll put the make of the 360 to 540 and then I'll put the slam. I have a few other tricks filmed and I'm about to get pretty busy with filming now.

Jake

  (4:09 PM)

I'll probably have five mega ramp tricks. I'll keep it minimal and make sure it's good stuff. And try to do some new stuff, too. I have some skatepark stuff in there from China, and probably try to get a little street, but mainly vert. Maybe some pool stuff, too. Just an all around part.

Ken, Ithaca NY

Yo Jake, was the 45 foot drop badass enough make you consider base jumping as your next professional sport?

Jake

  (4:10 PM)

probably not. Is BASE jumping a sport? I'd like to do that, I'd love to go parachuting and BASE jumping but I don't know if it's a sport.

Jake

  (4:10 PM)

I've never skydived, but I want to. Well, I have. It was just without a parachute.

Braden NY

you should try snowboarding, you can get that same air and land comfortably!

Jake

  (4:10 PM)

I can land comfortably on a skateboard, too. Just not that time. I'm sure snowboarders go down pretty hard.

Jake

  (4:11 PM)

I snowboard a little. But I don't like doing it because I always get hurt.

Chris: (Levittown, PA)

How are you not dead?

Jake

  (4:11 PM)

I can't really answer that. I fell as well as I could and I think it paid off. I learned how to fall from that height as I was doing it. I just made the right choice.

billy reagan, Seattle, WA

Do you live any differently at all since the slam?

Jake

  (4:12 PM)

I bought a new bed. An orthopedic one.

Jake

  (4:12 PM)

I feel sleep better. It's good for the back. I've been doing a lot of physical therapy. Some weird stuff, meeting a lot of weird people and doing weird stuff. I did the Baja 100, that was cool We got third in our class.

Jake

  (4:13 PM)

Monster Energy drink sponsored some cars and they brought out their athletes and distributors to drive the cars. It was fun.

Jake

  (4:14 PM)

If I fell on my face I wouldn't have a face left.

Esther (Melbourne)

Jakey, did you get loads of female attention after the fact?

Jake

  (4:14 PM)

A bit more attention, but nothing too crazy.

Jake

  (4:14 PM)

I always get female attention

hank

wreck any of those energy cars?

Jake

  (4:15 PM)

We got a couple of flats. The other car that was in the team, they rolled it.

Jake

  (4:15 PM)

1300 miles, and a couple of flats.

Jeff (Iowa)

What do your parents think of your profession?

Jake

  (4:16 PM)

They're cool about it. Their opinion didn't change after the crash. they know I'm going to do it anyway.

Jay:(Post Falls, ID)

Did you ever consider quitting boarding after the fall?

Jake

  (4:16 PM)

No. There's no way. I'd have to be not walking to not skateboard.

B. Falls (hartford, CT)

What's the next big step for Skateboarding after Big air?

Jake

  (4:17 PM)

Not sure. There's a lot of different types of skateboarding. This one is just more, the contests are more for the general public. They can watch this stuff and get a feel of how crazy it is. Then you have videos that real skaters are into. It's just personal preference.

Sean (Seattle)

Do you like the fact that skateboarding is going the stuntish - big air route, or do you think that people should learn to appreciate the tech tricks?

Jake

  (4:19 PM)

it's two different styles. There's a bunch of different styles. Stunts is more progression, taking it further and bigger and better. The technical stuff is great too. I appreciate all of it. I'm a real skateboarder, you know?

David NC

I assume that's the worst crash you've had...is that the worst that you have ever seen from anyone else?

Jake

  (4:20 PM)

There's been some bad stuff. It's definitely up there. A lot of people say it's the worst. It's definitely the highest drop anyone's taken. But there's maybe stuff that wasn't seen or wasn't videoed. But I don't think anyone's ollied off a 45 foot drop.

Jake

  (4:20 PM)

There have been some historic slams throughout skateboarding, but it will be up there.

hank, louisville

what's up with dubai? do you think people acutally skate over there, or is it like getting married in vegas - just doing it cus it's there?

Jake

  (4:21 PM)

Dubai was awesome. I met a few skaters there, there's a lot of spots to skate. I had a good time there.

Jake

  (4:22 PM)

There's some stuff built, but a lot of the natural stuff that's built--the buildings and stuff. They have natural spots without even trying. China's like that, too.

Nathan (Ohio)

Has the fall given you a sense that God has a role for you in His plan?

Jake

  (4:23 PM)

I wasn't religious before this happened. I don't feel that I should change my beliefs because of something like this. A lot of people ask if I've suddenly become religious, but I'm going to stick to what I know.

Jake

  (4:23 PM)

I'm not biased against anyone's religion or anything, though.

Ben (Mass.)

What's Jake doing for the Yankee Thanksgiving?

Jake

  (4:24 PM)

Probably going to kick it around home. Maybe go to a friends house, might cook something here. I live with PLG so we might make a bit of food here.

Shawn ( Ct. )

Jake, After the crash are you noticed on the street a lot more? also have you board sales jump?

Jake

  (4:24 PM)

Sure, people see you on TV so they naturally, they're going to notice you. And I'm selling some boards, so it's all good.

B Ruth, Seattle

Jake - sorry to dwell on this, you're probably sick of it, but can you run down your injuries from the fall and how long it took to recover fully (if you have)?

Jake

  (4:25 PM)

fractured wrist, fractured vertebrae, contusion to my lung, lacerated liver, whiplash in my neck and ... that was it.

Jake

  (4:25 PM)

concussion, I guess.

Jake

  (4:25 PM)

Can't remember that part.

lisa

Favorite new skatepark?

Jake

  (4:25 PM)

The DC ramp has good additions to it. It's fun to ride, but it's a private vert ramp.

Jake

  (4:26 PM)

There's a lot of concrete stuff in the Portland area. I was lucky to go to a contest called the Trifecta that goes to three different parks. There's a good place in Louisville Kentucky with a massive full pipe.

Jake

  (4:26 PM)

China, the skatepark is amazing. Shanghai. ESPN has a contest there one a year.

Jake

  (4:27 PM)

Some Australian people built it, I think. I know there were Chinese people involved.

Jake

  (4:28 PM)

convic.com--if you click on china, you can see the park.

Bob (Chicago)

Jake, who were your favorite skateboarders when you were young and just learning?

Jake

  (4:29 PM)

I was hyped on Hosoi, Chris Miller, Caballero, Jason Jesse, Mark Gonzales.

Shawn ( Conn.)

Hows the "Monster" Ramp going? Has it started?

Jake

  (4:30 PM)

We're in the process of finding a warehouse. I'm trying to move it to LA and Pierre wants it to stay in San Diego. But we should have it going in the next couple of months, up and riding.

Jake

  (4:30 PM)

It's kind of under wraps. I can't really explain it that well on a chat. But it will be in the Blind video.

Kevin, Daytona Beach

Hey Jake. Watched your fall and got goose bumps. (I fell 60 feet off the side of a building landing on the sidewalk, so I can kind of relate.) What message would you pass on to people that go through incidents like that? Or is it the simple "we take these risks in life to prevent life from escaping us?"

Jake

  (4:31 PM)

I was lucky enough to have minor injuries, so I can't give too much advice. But obviously, stay positive and be ready to do your normal stuff. Do as much rehab as you need and move on with your life.

joe (Shoreview MN)

YO DUDE how are u! One question whos ur favorite hockey team?

Jake

  (4:32 PM)

Does Montreal have a team?

Jake

  (4:32 PM)

I'm going with Montreal because that's where Pierre is from.

Corey (New York)

Will you be competing in the Big Air at the next X Games? If so, is it a stupid question to ask if you'll be a little scared when you get ready to drop in?

Jake

  (4:33 PM)

I'm definitely going to be competing and by then I'll be ready, so no. I won't be scared.

Jake

  (4:33 PM)

I haven't hit the mega yet, I just started skating normal vert.

Jake

  (4:34 PM)

I'll probably give it about a month at least before I hit the mega again. I wouldn't mind filming another trick on it.

Jake

  (4:34 PM)

I've thought about it, but I'm not going to be scared.

Ryan, NY, NY

Has anyone - family, friends, or doctors - said that you've rushed your return to skating after the fall?

Jake

  (4:34 PM)

I just started skating again!

Jake

  (4:35 PM)

I think I've taken more time then I need. I had a good time and didn't worry too much about it. My main concern was my vertabrae. You can mess with your back if you're too confident. But now I know I just need to loosen up the muscles a little more and I'll be ready.

B. Falls (conn)

What did you think of the legends of vert comp at X and who was that drunk guy that kept falling?

Jake

  (4:36 PM)

I don't think I got to see it because I was still in the hospital. But it's a great idea, because those guys deserve the hype. That's who I looked up to. I'd be stoked to watch it. I don't know who the drunk guy was, but it would have been funny to see.

Jake

  (4:37 PM)

Jake's agreed to stick around for a few more minutes, so get your good questions out ...

Carl (Lansing, MI)

What is the most frequently asked question you get about the fall? Does it get old?

Jake

  (4:38 PM)

People just keep saying how it was crazy. And are you all right? Yeah, I'm all right. It gets old, but you can't get mad at one person because a hundred people before him asked the same question.

fenta, nyc

How many times have you seen your slam?

Jake

  (4:38 PM)

Probably 50. It makes me laugh when I watch it.

Jake

  (4:38 PM)

It's funny the way it goes down, with the shoes flying off and everything.

Paige

Other than PLG who do you like to ride with? Anyone from outside skating give you inspiration?

EXPN.com

  (4:39 PM)

I like riding with Danny Way, Colin McKay, Jason Ellis. Tas Pappas.

Jake

  (4:39 PM)

outside of skateboarding, musicians, I guess. Harvey Keitel's pretty sweet. Crazy actors like DeNiro, Pacino. Good musicians like Daft Punk. AC/DC.

Bill (CO)

Do you get home often? What do you miss the most about Oz?

Jake

  (4:40 PM)

I get to go once a year. I miss my family and friends and being in Australia. The food, beer, and good times. I'll try to get there in the next couple of months.

Jake

  (4:41 PM)

I'd have get the Monster Ramp built in Australia in order to move back there full time.

Shawn (Conn.)

The speed wobbles are what did you in, i think this would be a bigger problem on the mega ramp?? how come it dosent effect the dropping in?

Jake

  (4:41 PM)

Your trucks are really tight. I think the G force that I got pushed onto the board with made the wobbles happen. It's rare to get wobbles on the mega because you're really prepared with rock solid trucks. It would be a big problem if it always happened.

Jake

  (4:42 PM)

When I was going up the quarter pipe, the transition is where you feel the G force. You don't feel them on the flat. It's like that NASA testing machine where you go around in circles and get stuck to the wall.

Jake

  (4:42 PM)

or the Gravitron at the State Fair.

Ted

People gave a lot of criticism to the medical team at the x games for letting you get up and not stabilizing your neck. Any thoughts on the x games crew?

Jake

  (4:43 PM)

I was pretty delirious and I think I just stood up. I think I wanted to know if my body was all right. I don't know what it says in their rule book, but it was all right by me. I think it's different in American than in Australia.

Rich (Washington, DC)

What's better? Aussie Rules Football or Rugby Union?

Jake

  (4:44 PM)

I like Rugby league. But I guess I'd choose Union. League is just in Australia, similar game with slightly different rules.

Robert, California

In terms of pain, what would you compare your fall to?

Jake

  (4:45 PM)

I think my adrenaline was really high because there wasn't much pain. And then I was straight to the hospital and on medication, so I never felt much pain. But I guess it looks like it must hurt. Maybe that's why I can laugh at it.

EXPN.com

  (4:46 PM)

Jake's going to be heading out

Jake

  (4:47 PM)

Thanks everyone for the questions. Keep your eyes out for me on the mega soon!