Fast as a Fox

So Glen, we heard you have had some really good news recently, care to share?

Ello! Yeah of course! It was recently announced that I would be pro for a French skateboarding company called Magenta skateboards. I met them in Bordeaux around 6 years ago and I have officially been skating with them since 2015, turning pro a couple of weeks ago.

Amazing! How has turning pro changed your life?

That’s a good question, I don’t feel any different, whether you’re getting paid or not its all about having fun! I get to travel a lot more now though, skating with the Magenta team has taken me all over Europe and my last trip was out to Miami. We skate, film and have the best time! There will be a lot more opportunities to travel and meet new people now. As well as skating for Magenta, I now also design a new skateboard graphic every month. I am all about skating and painting, they blend really well for me creatively and culturally. 

So when did it all begin, how did you get into skateboarding?

It all began when I was 11 years old, I decided to be the typical little brother and copy what my older brothers were doing at the time, which was skateboarding and haven’t stopped since! 

How do you think skateboarding has influenced you throughout your life?

I feel that skateboarding has made me a very passionate and determined person and very appreciative. I believe that a skateboard is a communication tool that can help develop confidence. It has pushed me to continue with my other passions. I was really into drawing and painting before I got into skateboarding and still am.

What is it about skateboarding that keeps you going back for more?

It’s the energy and feeling you gain from it everyday, it’s the people you meet skateboarding, the cities you travel to and the over all feeling of progression. It’s an infinite culture and very addictive!   

What are your favourite skateboarding moments/memories? 

I have so many favourite memories, but my favourite times here in Jersey would be when we used to go to glass lift at the Waterfront. There would be skateboarders of all ages and abilities skating and we would easily spend the whole day skating around the area. To many other skateboarders this would not have seemed like a great spot to skate in, but for the Jersey gang it was much more then a skate spot…it was legendary!  

Which skateboarders have inspired you the most?

Local skateboarders for sure! As we live in an island, sometimes it can feel isolated from the rest of the skate world. We have always had a very strong community in the Jersey skate scene – growing up around this has had a huge influence on me. 

With the skate spots available in Jersey, could you have reached professional level if you had stayed here?

Maybe, it is getting harder and harder to find good places to skate in Jersey, so I guess leaving Jersey was necessary to get there. Going off island inspires and motivates me, but we really need a decent facility in Jersey.

What would you like to see happen with the local skateboarding scene in the future?

I would like to see the energy rising amongst the youth, keeping generation after generation growing! I’d also really like to see the public view on skateboarding change as many people don’t understand us. We are just one big family of all ages doing what we enjoy! 

If Jersey had a quality skateboarding facility it could really help motivate to and influence many young people here on the island. I really believe it could open lots of opportunities for young people and get them outside and more active.

Glen Fox is Jersey’s first professional skateboarder. Check out his dynamic skating skills and amazing artwork at magenta skateboards and Pillo Wheels on Facebook and @magentaskateboards and @gfox_painting on Instagram.

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