James Jenkins (center) and the Outer Banks cast. Photo: Courtesy of James Jenkins
James Jenkins is a jack of many trades. He began his career as a surfer, but has since expanded his repertoire to include kiting, foiling, and wingfoiling. When Netflix’s hit show the Outer Banks needed a stunt double for some wingfoiling and water stunts, they gave Jenkins a call. An Outer Banks native, Jenkins was excited for the opportunity to be apart of a show centered around his hometown. Here, Jenkins shares how he landed the project, the different stunts he got to do, and the most surprising parts about working on a popular television show.
How did you get connected with the Outer Banks and the land the project?
I ride on the surf team at REAL Watersports. They are an awesome surf/kite/foil watersport’s shop and retreat on the Outer Banks. The owners, Trip Forman and Matt Nuzzo, spoke with the Netflix team and stunt coordinator about sending one of their athletes to do the actual wingfoil stunt in addition to sending the gear. So, after they worked that out, I got a call and was on a plane to Charleston, South Carolina the next day.
What were you most excited for about working on the show?
I was stoked to just be a part of a production of that scale and see how a show as successful as Outer Banks is made! Also, it was cool to have the opportunity to bring light to one of my favorite sports on a global platform.
Jenkins, doing his things. Photo: Courtesy of James Jenkins
Who did you do stunts for?
I did stunts for Austin North (Topper) and Rudy Pankow (JJ).
What were some of the different stunts you got to do?
I really enjoyed doing the wingfoil stunt for Topper. Despite the marginal conditions and tricky wind on the day we filmed, it was still super fun to work with the cast/crew to get the shot they had in mind. It was really eye opening to work with the directors, actors, and camera operators that are so talented in their craft.
Everyone on that set comes together with their individual role/skillset to make the whole thing happen. I also got to do a few other stunts such as diving off a dock and sneakily swimming up to a catamaran. Most of the stunts were in the water, which was fun. On other days I was driving a ski running water safety.
How did your experiences as an athlete make you a good fit for this role?
I think my experiences as an athlete made me a good fit for multiple reasons. Having wingfoil experience was necessary for that scene, especially since the conditions that day were tricky with minimal wind in the location that we were filming. Many of the stunts involved multiple takes in wet, heavy clothing, so I think just being comfortable in the water and having a somewhat athletic background made it easy. All the stunt performers are athletic people. It was cool to see some of the other stunt performers do their things, such as the dirt bike scenes, etc.
What did the experience entail?
There are so many moving parts that go into each scene. I had to go a day early and get my hair dyed to match Topper’s character, then go straight to the set to meet with Jonas Pate (co-creator of Outer Banks) where we scoped the location and talked shoot plan for the next day. I got to meet all the cast members, including Austin North who I was doubling for in that particular scene. I had to spend a little while teaching him how to hold the wing and foil board and walk out of the water while carrying it and looking somewhat natural.
Had you worked on any television shows or movies before?
I had not, but I have worked on a few commercials.
Jenkins (right) and JJ (Rudy Pankow) on the set of the Outer Banks. Photo: Courtesy of Jenkins
What was it like being a part of a show that is based around your hometown?
I am from Nags Head in the Outer Banks. I think it’s a great thing for the real Outer Banks that this show came out. While it is based around my hometown, it’s filmed in Charleston, South Carolina, so it isn’t a perfect representation. However, I don’t think it was their intention to perfectly mimic the real OBX.
I think the creators did a great job at pulling a few things from the real Outer Banks and using it as a framework to create this fictional world that has turned into one of the most successful shows on Netflix! Some of the locals around home have mixed feelings about the show but I think it is all in good fun and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
What was the most surprising part about working on the show?
I really enjoyed hanging with the cast/crew/directors. I think the most surprising part about working on the show was realizing firsthand how popular it actually is. Every day there would be fans and people all around trying to get a glimpse of what was going on or take pictures and whatnot.
I’m about the same age as all the cast members, so we got to hang a little bit off set which was fun. It was wild to be a fly on the wall with them at bars and whatnot and witness the constant attention they get in public. It seemed like the fame and attention would get old quickly. They are all super humble and stoked that people are liking the show, so I think they handle all of that well.
The most exciting part?
Showing up on set every day to work didn’t feel like work. It was cool for me to get to witness how a giant show like this is created. I have always had an interest in film and media production, so I enjoyed nerding out around all the cameras just as much as I enjoyed doing the stunts.
What’s next for you?
I travel as a pro athlete so I’m on the go a lot. I run tow-foil and surf charters in central America as well as work on Namotu in Fiji. Between all of the travel, I would love to keep pursuing the stunt work and maybe take an acting class! Season four of Outer Banks starts filming soon, so hopefully I will have the chance to do some more work on this show.
