Editor’s Note: The majority of this article is removed temporarily, beginning July 1, as it’s in the process of being considered for a book publication. It is available in a hard copy at Point Loma Nazarene University and will be accessible online again in the coming months.
The term ‘locking in’ has become a bit of a buzzword lately, but it’s been a common mantra at the skatepark for ages. Along with ‘locking in,’ I’ve also heard, ‘finding your flow, get focused, zoning in,’ which are all variations on the same idea: achieving a state of harmony between your mind and body. What that looks like depends on the person, but what everyone can agree on is the importance of trying to find that balance between focus and relaxation, and not letting the stress of life translate into stress on the board.
I met Jeremy and his black, flat-coated retriever Lita at an empty Shockus park in Ocean Beach last Monday afternoon. While Lita ran circles around the park chasing any squirrels brave enough to still be out, Jeremy was practicing his drop-ins on the tallest side of the bowl. With both earbuds in, the loud smack of his front wheels hitting the concrete marked the beginning of a cycle of dropping into the bowl, skating up the opposite wall, and rolling back to his spot, all in one fluid motion.
*The rest of this article has been temporarily removed. See Editor’s Note.
Abbey Wicks 
Nick Hancock