Jason Zwack, for years, was dubbed “Superman”… and for good reason! The kid would fling gnarly backflips, gainers, and misty flips during exhibitions at the local skating rink that had a makeshift skatepark in the back. It was like he defied gravity. He even wore that big “S” Superman t-shirt like it was somehow part of his gig. I used to watch him do the dirtiest, steepest 30-stair rail first try. More switchups in his arsenal than he knows what to do with. Jason is as raw as ground meat. An absolute spectacle to behold. Jason makes your heart stop when he’s set on doing something that doesn’t seem possible. He’s not making a comeback because he never really left. He just grew up. One of the most free spirited individuals in the game. This is a guy who can make you believe in rollerblading. This, is Jason Zwack…

“Jadda Z”, you’re 23 years old, you’re from Corpus Christi, TX — the city of grit — you’ve been shredding since you were 8. What motivates you to keep blading after all these years, and while pulling a 9-5?

Just recapturing the feeling of those 15-person skate sessions at local street spots. We had no skateparks then, no cars, just skating from spot to spot all day. That juice you would feel after stomping out something you didn’t really think you could do. The positivity. All those feelings I felt then motivate me to feel them all over again.

You got Third Place and Best Trick at the 2003 Hoedown, got on Revolution, saw Alaska, California, Arizona, chilled with DL at his crib, had more ads in Daily Bread than I can count, transfered every gnarly kink rail in the land and… you just kinda disappeared? Everyone wants to know, “Why the hell have you been tripping?”

Well, for a while there, I felt like rollerblading was like volunteer work. You’d feel good about it. Yet you’re tired and sore afterward. I know that sounds bad. I’m realizing now that rollerblading is what holds life together, for me. I more or less just moved out on my own, worked a lot, and didn’t take the time to push myself on my skates when I was trying to make ends meet. Don’t get frustrated fellow bladers, rollerblading is the best thing to happen to you. We’ll break bones together for love! James Johnson, thank you for all those trips, man!

I dragged you to Hoedown last year; what did it feel like being in the mix again and feeling the energy of rollerblading? Would you say it’s different now than when you were younger?

Yes you did. That weekend was blurry fun! The feel and atmosphere of Hoedown was better than ever. CJ Wellsmore was insane in the membrane. I was so impressed by the line up. I couldn’t help but sit back and watch. It’s hard for me to get juiced if I don’t catch every trick being done in the session. When I was younger, I used to have 10-hour skate days. I still love it just as much, just more pain involved now I guess.

What is your definition of good rollerblading?

Good rollerblading is when a trick or tricks look effortless. There has to be some level of smoothness, speed. Sagona. Latimer. That, or just complete thrasher blading, is bad ass!

I’ve noticed, in the past year or so, your attitude on blades is kind of nonchalant. You blade so hard with no camera around and could care less if the clip is a keeper or not. What in your life or in the industry has caused you to take on this new outlook?

I just used to take myself way too seriously. You can’t skate when you’re hurt. That took me a loooong time to realize. For me, getting clips while blading is awesome, it’s just not my primary concern. Feeling like a ninja on wheels is what I’m about. I brush all the insider politicking aside and just roll.

Certainly everyone you’ve come into contact with while blading has recognized your utterly disgusting talent and confidence. I even heard a story about Joey Chase being amazed by your craziness with a drawn out, “Whaaaat Thheeeee Fuuuuuck?” after you transfered some rail in Florida. And Joey Chase is pretty fucking buck! What do you seek out to accomplish when you strap on your rollerblades?

Well, basically, just lacing sick-ass tricks. I mean, whatever I can do that day that I think is ill. I just bust out what I feel is ill on that partiular spot. Personal accomplishments, like doing a trick switch, or lacing a trick you’ve never done. Thats what it’s all about SUKKAH! Yeah, JOEY CHASE IS NUTSO, TOO!

Appreciate you sitting here on my couch while drinking a few Lone Stars so that we could get this thing hammered out. I’m sure a lot of people have been wanting to hear a few words from you and are surely waiting to see some fresh clips of you. Lay those shoutouts on us brotha…

Uhh… first off, Greggy King for all the pics. ALL my SYF Ryders, and of course the DON, James Rich… Rob Zbranek, for being the illest man on blades and slapping these questions together. REVOLUTION SKATE SHOP! James Johnson, you’re the man, buddy! Uh, all the Austin cats, you guys rock, mayne. Anyone who let me crash at their house. And drunk chicks I met at bars. Blade Or Die, buuuuusters!

Interview by Rob Zbranek

Photos by Greg King