YoBeat: Making Fun of Snowboarding Since 1997

I first met Jake Olson-Elm in Seattle at the Downtown Throwdown. I watched in horror as his body slammed in every way possible. Each time Jake’s body bounced off the snowy concrete he would quickly pop up, laugh, smile, shake his hair about and run back up for another shot at the rail selection. After all was said and done Jake landed some of the hardest tricks that night, including a 270′d onto the incredibly brutal double kink. Jake is one of those snowboarders who does his trick perfectly or not at all. It’s great to watch, I just hope he doesn’t slam so much in the future. For a kid who is coming up quick he is really mellow about it. Oh yeah, and Jake is huge in Korea.

You are yet another outstanding rider from the Midwest. Where exactly are you from?

Jake: Plymouth, MN.

Before I knew you I knew of you because of Signal. How did you get on that program?

Jake: Um, the Youth Shelter shop and the midwest rep. Also Dave lee and Matt Hammer came to Minnesota to check out a contest, they saw me riding and I guess they were stoked.

You were invited on a trip to Korea with those guys weren’t you?

Jake: Yeah but Dave didn’t come on the Korea trip.

How was Korea, not too many people can say they’ve been there?

Jake: More than crazy. I couldn’t tell you where we were the whole time. It was a serious whirlwind. We would ride every day, pack up, drive through the night to the next spot, and start riding again. It was mad fun.

Signal must love you. Are you still an Am?

Jake: I don’t think we have Am and Pro on signal, but Matt Hammer and Chris Dufficy are for sure the pro standard. But yeah it’s pretty crazy to think I went to Korea, it’s one of my best memories.

Minnesota seems to be the new hot spot. Are you friends with all the other kids coming out of there?

Jake: Yeah, we all grew up riding at Hyland together. It’s super fun seeing your buds in magazines now.

Why are kids from the midwest good at snowboarding? It isn’t exactly famous for mountains.

Jake: Well I guess it’s all the snow we get, and the rails around here. Except for Zac Marben, he rips pow and he’s from Hyand too.

How did you get interested in snowboarding?

Jake: Honestly?

Of course, this is serious journalism.

Jake: Well, one day I saw some guys ripping on snowboards and I asked my Dad if I could snowboard, he said no. So after that I wanted to snowboard more. I guess I just always thought it was cool.

How long is always, when did you start riding?

Jake: Since I was 8. I guess that means 12 years.

Your part in “Bad Ideas” was super solid this year. Is solid, stylish snowboarding more important to you than landing the triple cork 1440?

Jake: I just think that snowboarding looks cool when you ride solid, but I’m down for everything.

Would you rather win the Olympics or the X-games?

Jake: I guess Olympics because pipes super dope, but I also would like to win a million dollars. Neither is gonna happen.

What do you think is going to happen?

Jake: With global warming?

Yes, does job security worry you as it snows less and less?

Jake: Woaaa! Snowboarding will never be a job, it’s just something fun I do. When it becomes a job I’ll quit. But again that’s just me.

You are very laid back, what stresses you out?

Jake: Um, girls are stressful and confusing, filming and contests can be stressful sometimes too. Everything can be stressful but I try to stay stress free.

What are your plans for the winter?

Jake: I hate that question. I never know what or where I’m going till a week before.

Who are your influences? Who shaped your snowboarding?

Jake: A lot of people. When I started off I looked up to JP (Walker) and Nate Bozung a lot. Then when I got into it I watched Hebbel ride. He killed it. But Jp and Bozung since the beginning.

How do you feel about being a part of the Ashbury program?

Jake: Ashbury is super dope. They are into the same kind of riding I’m into. Just raw true riders. Not taking away from anyone who is different though.

Is there anything in anyone you do hate?

Jake: I try not too, but I liked being hated on. That’s way more fun.

I hate you

Jake: Is there anything in anyone you hate?

I’m full of bad feelings, but at the end of the day I probably don’t mean half of what I say.

Jake: You’re full of bad stuff.

You are coming up in the snowboard world. Did you think this would happen?

Jake: I guess I try not to think about it, that’s stressful.

If Redbull asked you to snowboard at the superbowl for 1 million dollars would you do it?

Jake: Fuck yeah, Red Bull doesn’t harm snowboarding, and 1 million dollars doesn’t harm my pocket book.

Do you have any life plans at all?

Jake: Um no. Travel, have fun, that’s it.

To sum Jake OE up in 3 words would fun, nice, whatever take care of it.

Jake: No, it would be tall, rich, and blonde.

How long have you ben growing your hair?

Jake: 2 years maybe? I’ve got at least one or two years before I cut my hair.

Any last words?

Jake: Listen to Duffy.

Sponsors?

Jake: Signal, Ashbury, Elm, Northwave, Drake, The Youth Shelter Supply.