SKATEBOARDING O'Brien focuses on family, but finds time to compete

The 25-year-old has won more events than any female rider in history.
By JOHN GONZALEZ
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Her shoulder length blonde hair flows in the wind like waves of water in a gentle lake. She smiles as the sun sets behind her, causing a glow to surround her body. Looks can be deceiving. Despite her angelic appearance, Jen O'Brien is as tough a skater as they come.
O'Brien, 25, is one of the innovators of women's skateboarding. She was the first women to perform a skateboard demonstration at the X Games (2001) in the doubles vert event with her then boyfriend, now husband, skateboarding star Bob Burnquist. She's won more events than any other female rider in history.
She keeps a quiet home life in Vista, Calif., with her husband and their 3-year-old daughter, Lotus. But her need to compete still brings her out to as many competitions as possible.
"I've been skating for ten years," said O'Brien in a phone interview. "It started when I was 15. I got a job at a skatepark in Daytona Beach, Fla. handing out tickets. One of the perks was that I got to ride for free. "
Major force
Jen has been a major force in bringing respect to women's skateboarding for years.
"She's the best female skater out there," said fellow skater Holly Lyons at the Hermosa Beach Bash on June 7. "It's too bad she's not here. She'd be ripping it if she was."
One of O'Brien's favorite tours is the Girls Tour. The Girls Tour was set up to hit specific locations in Canada and the U.S. to promote women's skateboarding.
"I had a great time on the Girls Tour," said O'Brien. "When people see us come out to do demos, they love it. Especially the girls. I know when I was a kid and I saw a women do something, I'd say to myself, 'If she can do it so can I.' It's important that girls see that."
O'Brien's most passionate love is her daughter, Lotus. "Her name came from a book on yoga," explains O'Brien. "It's the name of a flower and it also means tranquility. She is my beautiful flower."
When O'Brien isn't out on tour or at home playing mommy, she's on the slopes.
"I snowboard for fun," O'Brien said with a giggle. "I'm not very good. I keep thinking I'm on my skateboard and I end up hurting myself. But I enjoy. I get more air on a snowboard, it's cool."
You can catch Jen performing demos with other female skateboarders at X Games IX in Los Angeles, August 14-17.