Welcome to the Jungle Bowl

Holy smokes talk about a legendary underground pool skateboarding spot. This was the king of pools in a way because of it iconic location at the top of a ridgeline of hills overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. We could see helicopters from above it was so insane we rode this place for years. Eventually word got out and non skaters destroyed the privacy of the spot by doing graffitti all over the neighborhood which subsequently ended our multiple years long run. I recently looked up the location and it have been completely redone, pool gone. What i didn't mention was just how popular this became within the hardcore underground pool skating community. This spot became a bucket list for many and many did they come, from all over the country and in some cases other parts of the world. I did a Levi's ad there for Photographer Bryce Duffy. The place held legendary sessions that helped push the limits of pool skating at the time, guys like Neil Heddings skating it in ways we weren't and showing those paying attention what could be done, in a way signalling the direction and evolution pool skateboarding would eventually follow in the years to come... Jungle Bowl was not just a legendary spot because of its location with a great view, it was legendary becsue it was gnarly to ride yet rideable enough to actually get some if you put in a little effort. I rode that place more than anyone, sometimes by myself, I think I rode it better than anyone and my runs in this video pretty much show. It was a tough pool for people to get and maintain lines in and get grinds. I used frontside grinds as setups for more momentum and better lines. Its a good feeler for optimal placement. Sometimes you need that precision when executing lines in tight unforgiving transitions and spots in pools like this where one or two inches in either direction could mean the different between life and death lol... when we lost this spot, I don't think we realized just how big of a role this actually played in the overall pool skating community. Spots like this are in some cases once in a lifetime forn those lucky enough to enjoy it. I have been fortunate to have experienced a handful of these types of skateboarding scenarios and its something very special, kind of like a Zen Garden for Skateboarding tucked into a hillside neighborhood. Places like that don;t just pop up, but sometimes they do. I used to think if you ride a skateboard long enough everyone gets to a spot like this where they can quietly practice their craft away from distraction, a place to unwind and just be yourself. Thats what we lost. If and when you discover your version of this dream skateboarding spot, cherish it and document it in some way shape or form so you have something to reflect on later in life. In this case, not much footage or photos exist or made it our of this spot because it was before cell phones and social media. What an experience that was, i have some rad photos I shot their I will share when I come across them, the place was ALL TIME!!! If you have any stories you would like to add feel free to reach out. Did you skate Jungle Bowl? Do you have somethng like this near you?