Seriously, where is Jess McRaney these days?
You may remember that Jess McRaney had a killer part in 411vm issue 56.
I first met Jess when he was 19 and living in Utah. I was a washed up 24-year old skater, and I went to Joe’s Boardshop in Orem on a hot summer day. There was this kid skating a torn up, tall, steep bank ramp that would pitch you straight to the hot asphalt if you fell. We’re talking almost Beryl Banks steep. I was standing next to the ramp when he rode up and did an almost perfect switch hardflip. This was back around 2000 and they weren’t quite as common as they are now.
He wasn’t quite on perfect, so he got pitched five feet down to the asphalt on his back. He didn’t have a shirt on, so he got a nice scrape. He got back up, and a few seconds later he landed the trick clean.
I kept watching Jess skate, and this kid was good. Good at street, good at flat, good at mini-ramp–everything. Well, everything Joe’s Boardshop had out back, at least.
Not only that, Jess was a darn cool guy. He wasn’t one of those quiet guys who never talks to anyone, he was always giving props and being friendly. An all-around nice guy as far as I knew him.
Well, Jess wasn’t from Utah and he moved away. He came back at least once when I met him, but that was several years ago. I didn’t see him again until that part in 411. I was stoked to see him at Chafey because that’s where I skated when I was a teenager in the early 90′s. Jess’ part was so good I assumed he’d be sponsored in no time, but since then I haven’t heard a thing about him or what he’s doing, other than one clip of him in a later 411 doing a nice shove-it nosegrind down a handrail.
If you’re reading this Jess, send me a message.
(Comments copied and pasted over from my other blog)
I too would like to know where Jess is.
We went to highschool together (Burlington, WA), and after highschool we became friends again working at the same cafe, and having rediculous espresso drinking contests and cold arm (arms in ice) contests. We also were roomates in Mt. Vernon, WA…before we both took off to Salt Lake (he for girl problems…and me for something different.). We lived with his sister in SLC for a few months…then we kind of went our separate ways. The last I saw Jess was in late 1998, when he was on a road trip back up North (I’d recently moved back to Washington).
Oh, the stories I could share. Jess! Where you at?
Jeremy
Well guess what? I just got an email from Jess the other day.
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Hey, a friend stumbled onto your website and directed me to it. I don’t remember the exact time you were talking about at Joes, but I do remember spending many days there. Who are you exactly? What’s even stranger is that my old roommate posted something on your website. It’s a small world, is it not?
Jess
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We’ll keep you posted on what’s up with Jess.
I rememer Jess too, him and I were roomates for a little while in upland Ca, down the street from chaffee high. I moved away up to Sacramento and havnt talked to him for a few years since. You guys are all rght, Jess is a amazing skater, probobly the most impressive skater I have ever seen in person. The thing about Jess is we would skate ledges and flat ground for like 3 months straight, then on some random day we would go ta a rail and this guy would bust out anything on the rail. He would do the same with gaps, steps, mini ramps, skate parks, whatever. If anyone knows wuts up with Jess, post it or drop me a e-mail.
A.J. Reeves
So are you the roomate that Jess mentions in 411vm #56?
He quit skating and got married.
I don’t know Jess McRaney personally but just happened upon this website looking for old skateboards. I sell beauty supplies to his mom in American Fork, UT. Last I heard she says he lives in California working and not skating much anymore. If anyone wants me to find out more info drop me an e-mail. I see his mom every 2 weeks.
yo im jess’s homey and he did get married and is still the tightest guy in the world and now he has a beutiful wife and lots of animals
On http://www.skatetree.com, Jess has a fakie flip over a picnic table at an Active Bling Fest. Check Bab in filmer section.
I am the “girl problems” that caused Jess to move to Utah. I would really like to know how to get ahold of him because I have some stuff that I need to send to him. No drama whatsoever. And some of his old friends from Washington state would like to know what happened to him. Does anybody know where I can find him?
YEAH I KNEW SINCE I STARTED TO SKATE..
WE WERE SKATING CLAREMONT AND HE SAID..
SOMETHING AND I TOUCHED HIS ANKLE AND HE FREAKED OUT, AND I GOT A REALLY BAD SHINNER..
I WAS LIKE 14 YEARS OLD..2001
THATS HOW I MEET HIM..
HE’S REALLYA GOOD GUY…
I THEN LATER WORKED WITH HIM AT A SKATE RELATED JOB..
FOR A FEW MONTHS..
JESS NOW HAS A BEAUTIFUL WIFE..
STUDIES THE LORD..
AND HAS A COUPLE GOATS IN HIS BACK YARD..
I MISS THAT HOMIE…
HE’S REALLY SKILLED..
SWITCH BS FLIP OVER A CHAFFEY ORANGE BARREL STANDING ON FLAT…..
FOR A DRINK WHEN I WAS 17….
JESS USE TO HELP OUT THE KIDS..
AT THE SKATE PARK WITH HIS OLD GEAR..
FROM WHAT HE LAST TOLD ME IN PERSON..
WAS THAT HE IS DOING BIG BROTHER WORK..
LIKE HELPING KIDS.
ABUSE,DRUGS,ADD,
HEY JESS IF YOU SEE THIS..
I LOVE YOU MAN AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP..
IN THE FEW YEARS WE WERE HOMIES
PEACE
RICHARD VILLA
Heh heh. Jess McRaney – he and I met in ’03. He came across my MSN profile and sent me some smart a$$ email. We dated for about 3 weeks while he was in Upland. We drank a lot of Pacificos. He inked the small of my back. I met his parents. His little brother is a kick – had lots of fun sliding across the floor in our socks. He and I got engaged to different people right around the same time. Hope he’s doing well.
neeks
Saw jess 411 part the other day on youtube. Cant tell you how impressive Jess skates in real life. Skated with him in Utah for a bit and then I moved to San Diego. If you read this Jess, hope all is well.
Drue
Saw jess 411 part the other day on youtube. Cant tell you how impressive Jess skates in real life. Skated with him in Utah for a bit and then I moved to San Diego. If you read this Jess, hope all is well.
Drue
it’s like a high school (well, junior college) reunion on the web today, glad to hear Jess is doing well too, hope you are too Karie.
yo.
me and jess mcraney,
back in da fifth grade,
throwin balls at the wall
talkin sh*t on his sis,
same birthday,
infact it’s today.
never saw him again
im still rememberin
the day i rode my suzi
in the rain, 20 miles to
his house, just so we
could play. whats up
yall, its Jess McRaney day.
kfaircourt@hotmail.com
805 215 8470
San Luis OBispo, Ca
I remember when i saw jess skate he is the nicest most unbelievably good skater to have watched in person me and him went to the proving grounds one time i don’t think i ever saw him wipe out, now he is going to college by the way hes also the smartest dude i have had the pleasure of knowing nicest brother too, well its to bad he doesn’t skate that often anymore now he kicks my @$$ at pool or anything else i challenge him to. peace
Hey guys….Jess got married and he accepted Jesus Christ, everything else doesn’t matter, I’m a close personal friend of his.
God Bless
Alex
Jess, remember me? Farmhouse? Those were the crazy days….and you were silly, but a nice, fun guy to work with. Do you recall the 1st words you said to me when we first met & you were hired by Darrick? I have lots of fond memories.
I’ve wondered what you’ve been up to since you last came over to my house in Seattle with your friend from UW.
Wanted to call/write to say “Hi!”….hope you (& your family???) are doing well. It sounds like you are now married. Congratulations! Me, too, with 2 little girls.
Hope we can reconnect one of these days to catch up.
Wishing you & fam the best!
Does anyone know Joe from Joes Board Shop’s last name?
Ya Jess is a crazed skater I like watchin him sk8 and his videos..