‘My Dad brought Hosoi to our church here in Houston. He preached, and then we skateboarded.’
JORDAN SANTANA
October 2025
How would you describe the Texas skateboard scene and it’s community?
The Texas skateboard scene is strong. We have both park and street skateboarders. We have our own Legendary Skateboarders, Gibson, Fillion, Johnson and many others. We have new rippers as well, David Langston, Hollywood Martinez, Taylor Jett, Ben Raybourn and up and coming the Aleman twins.
Which part of Texas are you representing and what is the scene like?
I am a park skater from Houston, Texas, and I, along with many others represent women’s park skateboarding in Texas. There are not too many of us women park skaters in Texas, but the ones that are here, are total rippers.
What are some of the other women park skaters that deserve a shout out?
Definitely Minna Stess, Arisa Trew, Sky Brown, and Lizzie Armanto.
“Jordan has left the building.”
– Tony Hawk
When did you pick up skateboarding and what initiated it?
I was 5 years old when I started skateboarding, and it all began with my Dad watching a documentary on TV on Skateboarder Christian Hosoi. My Dad saw the story of Hosoi’s life, where he went from child prodigy, to one of the World’s best, only to get involved with drugs, going to prison, then to give his life to Christ and become a Pastor, travel around the world, still skateboarding and preaching around the world. My Dad brought Hosoi to our church here in Houston.He preached, and then we skateboarded. He has been my sponsor ever since then.
What else does it take for a girl from Texas riding for Hosoi?
Persistence!!! I skate everyday, and got good enough where I started making podium in our local competitions, and then to National Competitions, and Hosoi took notice and offered to sponsor me.
Proudest moment of your career?
Being only the 3rd American female skateboarder to do a 540 McTwist.
Most embarrassing or funny?
Funniest moment, while competing at Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert, I didn’t realize what part of the ramp I was on when nearing the end of my run. I accidentally went through the gap of the ramp and unintentionally exited the ramp. Well, Tony Hawk himself was the commentator for the event, and commented, “Jordan has left the building”, very much sounding like the way that they would announce, “Elvis has left the building”.
‘Even with the 540, which is still one of the top tricks in men’s and women’s skateboarding, skateboarders all around the world are pushing the limits every single day.’
Your father Israel is also your coach. What is his relationship with skateboarding?
Although my Dad did skateboard for a very short time when he was younger, it was just for fun, never competitive. I believe he was more inspired by Hosoi’s story, more than the skateboarding end of it.
Curse or blessing having your dad as a coach too?
Definitely a blessing. My Dad as well as my mother and sister have all supported me and my skateboarding journey. If you look at the best competitive skateboarders from around the world, most of them have strong parental support. As far as the coaching end of it, we work great together, we don’t always agree, but we must be doing something right.
What are the skaters in Texas most proud of?
I would say for the most part, community support. There is no shortage of skateparks or skate spots in Texas. The events are always fun, Old Man Skate Jam at Southside Skatepark, the Turkey Jam (Thanksgiving Annual Competition) at EZ-7, North Houston Skatepark always hosts great events, Banger in the Hanger Vert Event at Scott Arnebold’s Vert Ramp.
How were they able to afford not to take you and the 540 to Paris?
Well, the progression in ALL skateboarding, men and women both, is progressing very fast everyday. Today we are seeing NBDs (Never Been Done before) tricks on a daily basis. Even with the 540, which is still one of the top tricks in men’s and women’s skateboarding, skateboarders all around the world are pushing the limits every single day.
What else is there on your wish list?
To keep progressing, learning new tricks and having as much fun skateboarding as I can.
Last question. If you could interview a person, who would it be?
Without a doubt, Stan Lee, the creator of many Marvel characters. As I have been a huge fan of comic books since a very young age and have admired Stan Lee’s work tremendously, I would most definitely would have loved to have interviewed him.