Joey Jett teaches young skateboarders new skills

Young skateboarders got tips from one of the best in the game at a skateboard workshop led by professional skateboarder and Baltimore native Joey Jett at Rash Field in Baltimore Saturday.

The event, called Boards and Breakfast, was a collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore for kids aged 12 or younger. Some participants grasped Jett’s hands as they skated for the first time, while others learned new tricks from the pro skater.

Jett’s talents were discovered when he was a child and he has made it part of his mission to work with young people. He became a supporter of the skate park before its opening less than a year ago, helping to raise funds for its construction.

The park itself is named Jake’s Skatepark after one of Jett’s former friends, a young boy named Jake Owen, who was killed in a distracted driver accident. The park honors Owen’s legacy, and is designed to be kid-friendly.

Julia Reihs is a Baltimore-based visual storyteller.

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Baltimore native and professional skateboarder Joey Jett teaches Valerie Winter how to drop-in on her skateboard at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th. Jett taught a free skateboarding workshop for kids under the age of 12 in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Dezi Morgan takes on a ramp at the Rash Field Park skate park on Saturday, August 13th as part of a free skateboarding workshop hosted by the professional skateboarder and Baltimore native Joey Jett. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Baltimore native and professional skateboarder Joey Jett (center) helps Valerie Winter get comfortable on her skateboard, as Leah Cross, 8, waits for her turn. Jett taught a free skateboarding workshop at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Devin Morgan (right) and her daughter Demi Morgan, 2, showed up to rollerblade at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th, as part of a free workshop hosted by the professional skateboarder and Baltimore native, Joey Jett, in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Baltimore native and professional skateboarder Joey Jett supports Charlie Tittle, 8, during her first time on a skateboard. Jett taught a free skateboarding workshop at his skateboarding workshop at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th for kids under the age of 12. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Annabel Ortenzi, 3, skateboards with the help of her mom, Lindsay Ortenzi, at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th as part of a free skateboarding workshop hosted by the professional skateboarder and Baltimore native, Joey Jett. Her two older brothers opted out of the workshop early on, while Annabel took to the bowls and ramps with enthusiasm. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Dezi Morgan, 5, Doni Morgan, 9, and Dion Morgan, 7 (right to left), teach professional skateboarder Joey Jett (center) their untraditional skateboarding methods at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th, as part of a free workshop hosted by Jett, in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

The Morgan family shakes hands with local skateboarding icon Joey Jett after learning new tricks and tips with him at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th, as part of Jett's free skateboarding workshop put on by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Brandon Jackson shows off a trick to kids at Joey Jett's free skateboarding workshop at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th. The free workshop for kids under the age of 12 was hosted by Jett, in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Baltimore native and professional skateboarder Joey Jett shows off his tricks for parents and kids at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th, as part of a free skateboarding workshop he hosted in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Professional skateboarder Joey Jett (left) instructs Dion Morgan, 7, as he drops into the bowl at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th as part of a free skateboarding workshop hosted by Jett. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)

Hugo Zawacki, 10, practices his skateboarding technique and tricks at Rash Field Park on Saturday, August 13th, as part of a free workshop hosted by the professional skateboarder and Baltimore native, Joey Jett, in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. (Julia Reihs/for the Baltimore Banner)