Jay Adams (L) and Tony Alva.
The “original seed” of skateboarding, concrete- and bowl-riding pioneer Jay Adams died of a heart attack late Thursday while on an extended surf trip in Mexico. TMZ reports that the Dogtown legend and Venice mainstay was in the third month of a holiday with his wife. It was the first time in 20 years that Adams was allowed to leave the United States having been in and out of jail since the eighties on various felony drug charges.
His last Instagram post was from Mexico.
Fellow Z-Boy and Bones Brigade founder Stacy Peralta confirmed these tragic reports: “I just received the terribly sad news that Jay Adams passed away last night due to a massive heart attack, send your love”
While he has long struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, sources say that Adam has indeed been sober for months. Additionally, he has had no history of heart problems. The “archetype of modern skateboarding” — according to none other than Peralta — was a part of aZephyr team (affectionally known as the Z-Boys) that began as a surf team, charging Pacific Ocean Park, an abandoned-but-once-thriving amusement park atop a pier that became known as Dogtown. Developing a skate team composed of their surfers, they competed in the Del Mar Nationals, sparking a frenzied fanaticism that evolved a pastime with cult status into an international sport with their aggressive stylings, both in appearance and abilities.
With a heavy heart we thank the legend for everything he has done for surf and skate, and send our condolences to his family and friends.
