If you skateboarded on the Island, you, know doubt, have heard of Jamie Collins. If you did not skateboard, perhaps you may have not heard of him, his story or his tragic young death, but you deserve to.
Jamie was an inspiring human being that can’t possibly be summed up in any amount of mere words. He was an exceptionally talented skateboarder that loved to share his passion and encouraged it in others. Jamie taught and inspired kids, with a natural ease, that you see parallels to other sports greats like Jordan, Crosby or Tony Hawk himself. As well co-owning a construction company, Collins co-founded Instrumental Skateboards, with long time friend Brandon Wells. It started out a small, predominantly Island known, company that has grown up and off the island and continues to grow steadily almost 5 years after his death.
Collins, sadly, passed away in August of 2012 while cliff jumping into Kennedy River, on Vancouver island BC. A an activity with a high level of danger yes, but one that all of us river Kin become proficient and know well the risk. Over the three years prior to his death, Collins had been creating his own secret oasis of a skate spot hidden deep in the beautiful rain forest on Vancouver Island. For three years he, and his friends, packed in the material to create a brick and concrete snack sized skate park. It was to be the location he was going to use to film his spot for his Pro Model deck release…..tragically it never happened.
The story of the hidden park has become the thing of Myth to young skaters and that story has now made it to the ears of Pro Skateboarder Jamie Thomas, and through him to all the readers of Transworld Skateboarding Magazine.
I certainly do not claim to have known Jamie Collins, I had met him in passing a few times at this park or that one and remember feeling the energy radiate from him and knowing he was special. I think its important to take pride in all the Gems that this island produces and am very happy to see Jamie getting recognized by his peers posthumously.
Oh….and there is a rumor out there Jamie put a brand new Instrumental Skateboard in a wall of every home his construction company build.