Jeff tatum was one of the few who skated the Ameron Pipe in 1977. The pipes were contracted by a power plant to have a half a mile of pipe going from the ocean inward and half a mile going out.

This week, Jeff Grosso sits down with an eccentric Jeff Tatum, the inventor of the backside ollie (JT Air) to discuss the origins of his legit hands free skateboard stunt. Take the time to listen in and view this unique episode of Love Letters to Skateboarding – face paint included.

Jeff Tatum is one of the pioneers in skateboarding. Jeff’s first board was put together in his garage in the mid 60’s. JT was one of the first long boarders making his board from a water ski. It did not take long before he modified the shape and developed a board that is not far off from what they sell in the stores today. As early as 1973 JT was designing different shapes and sizes in skateboards. What he was really known for in the SoCal scene was his rippin. Jeff invented so many tricks we don’t have room to list them. If you ever get a chance to visit with JT, you will be blown away by the life this skater has lived. The who’s who of skating know Jeff Tatum. This Loveletter from Jeff Grosso is a chance for you to get to know him more.