Meet FIU's own sk8er boi
Photo courtesy of Tamica Jean-Charles
Despite never being an FIU student, everyone knows him as the guy who zooms through the sidewalks of the Modesto Maidique Campus.
However, despite what campus officers and passer-bys might say, Jesse Diaz said he’s careful with his skating. He’s mindful of his surroundings, and has only been in one accident. It’s better when the campus is busier, he said, because it allows him to be even more attentive.
“[Campus police] tell me every single year; “slow down, we know you’re really good, but you’re going to hit someone one day,” said Diaz. “I’m really careful with people when it comes to tight spaces. I’ll spring around the grass. I know what I’m doing.”
Diaz uses Sabe skates—or skates with more condensed wheels—which allow him to freestyle and maneuver specific tricks. The rapidly progressing beats of “Opus” by Eric Pyrdz are blasted into Jesse Diaz’s ears. Every single beat is a step on the ground until the beat reaches the climax.
The 24-year-old wasn’t introduced to skating until 2013, when he saw a skater performing backward figure eight’s down the sidewalk of South Beach. It didn’t take long for him to pick up the hobby and begin practicing.
Diaz did not have an easy start to skating. His fear of stage fright would impact his performance causing his legs to shake as he would skate his way around campus. Over the years, Diaz has been able to overcome his fear, in which he says that skating in populous areas improved his skill.
“I knew that this was a great place to skate, and if I didn’t overcome that I would never be able to skate here,” said Diaz. “I see no one. I see my skates, and whatever I’m thinking about, I’m really focused.”
“I have to start doing it,” said Diaz. “I need to pick it up.”
He first began practicing at his house, trying to grasp the complex move done by the South Beach skater. He’s never spoken to the man, but that hasn’t stopped him from mastering other tricks.
First he had to get used to skating forwards, then easing into backwards skating, balancing and skating on one leg and doing figure eights forwards. However, skating backwards is practically starting from scratch, according to Diaz.
“You take everything you already know, all over again,” said Diaz.
Two years later, he is now able to do the trick.
Slalom skating, another term for freestyle skating, is done with the skater “dancing” between a line of cones. Diaz feels the type is boring, so instead of cones he utilizes the Modesto Maidique campus and other open terrains around the city.
The road to pro-skating is usually unorthodox, according to Diaz, which allows room for more creativity for skaters. Diaz wants to spend more time training before actively competing, but in the meantime he hopes to be featured on commercials, music videos and his own content.
“I’m enjoying my training, and once I have everything mastered I’ll enter competitions,” said Diaz.
Before he discovered skating, he used to work under Aramark in Panther Dining. Today, however, Diaz treats skating as some would a part-time job. He commits at least 20 hours a week to practicing, while also working as a Flanigan’s server.
Diaz is also in contact with other skaters in Miami and is part of a WhatsApp group that has over 90 skaters. The skaters, he said, shares tips and tricks with one another, and occasionally meet up in person.
The South Beach skater, however, is not in the chat.