Photo | Lea Marie Ponessa

If you have ever been to Mt. Trashmore after work or on the weekends and wandered past the skate park, you have probably seen him.

He is that tattooed, skinny guy with baggy jeans flying through the air kick-flipping his skateboard from one park obstacle to the next with breathtaking speed and even more impressive agility. His waist-length dreadlocks follow him like a tail on a kite and only add to the unique panache and flair that has earned him the reputation of being one of a handful of skateboarding icons to come from Virginia Beach. Julian attacks his tricks with a fearless approach that leaves spectators speechless. Long recognized for his vibrancy, his versatility, and his daring lines of approach, he is comfortable and assertive on his board. Even with over 15 years of experience, Julian modestly brings his smooth flow to any skate venue–street, park, bowl or ramp.

Photo | Lea Marie Ponessa

Julian Etheridge started skating when he was a student at Bayside Middle School. He credits his interest in wanting to learn to skate when he saw this kid, Alan Siegler, doing tricks at the bus stop in his neighborhood. He asked his mother for a board, and his journey from lanky beginner to laidback expert began. Soon he was skating every chance he could get. After carefully studying the styles of other local pros such as Trey Winslow, Kyle Berard, Rob “Peewee” Agliam, and Sergie Ventura, Julian joined up with another well-known skater from this area, Joe Fernandez, and there is hardly a stair set, rail, ledge, gap, backyard ramp, or empty pool in Tidewater that has not been the recipient of one of Julian’s landed tricks. From noisy 50-50 grinds to backside lip slides to hurricanes to the sickest front side airs on the east coast, Julian will not leave a skate spot until he lands his trick. More often than not, it is a first try event. He is especially well known for his expertise (and bravery) skating down the most daunting of handrails. And his swagger on a board is deceiving. He makes every trick look effortless, so much so, that when I first watched him skate, I had a difficult time comprehending how hard a particular maneuver was until I heard the roar of approval from fellow skaters in his midst in the form of a loud “WHAAAAT” and “OHHHHH” and the ever-present smacking of decks upon the pavement (skater applause).

Not too many old-school skaters call him Julian, however; he is almost always referred to as “Ju-Tang.” Perhaps it is because of his intense appreciation of his favorite band, Wu-Tang Clan. Maybe it is because he is one of few well-known black skaters in this area, avidly follows hip hop, and like his favorite band, has a distinctly loyal group of fans? Then again, maybe it is just a backronym indicating that he represents Just Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game. I have asked him a few times how he obtained that nickname, but I never received a definitive answer. All I could ascertain was that he was called “Ju-Tang” because he liked “Wu-Tang” and that is how it has always been.

Interviewing Julian is tricky. First, you have to wait for him to stop moving, and even then, as he is popping off his famous big smile in your direction, you can see in his eyes that he is still thinking more about skateboarding than the conversation. The sound most often coming from him is his infectious laugh. It is true; Julian is a man of few words, but he certainly has many skills that contribute to his abundance of charisma.

Photo | Tim Ponessa

In addition to being able to skate almost anything and anywhere, Julian is also an extremely gifted artist. His art has been used for tattoos, T-shirts, and was even featured on his first pro-model skate deck released by Twisted Trees Skateboards. When he is not skating, he is usually drawing, painting, airbrushing, or powder coating parts for his motorcycle. Not to be ignored, Julian has a soft spot for his local skate scene. He has organized skate contests, managed a local skate team for Shmack Clothing, and is always willing to help judge skate contests in the area. He has even helped plan and design a handful of skate parks (including Mt. Trashmore) on the east coast. But when it is not raining (or snowing), he just cannot keep from getting on his board–even if it means traveling from Virginia to North Carolina to Florida back up to Pennsylvania and even on to New York–Julian just has to skate.

Starting way back in 1986, Ju (another common nickname for Julian) earned a reputation for pulling off some of the most innovative and insane tricks ever seen. His unique approach and buttery style, combined with his laid-back demeanor and positive vibes, keep his name on the list of Who’s Who in skateboarding. Previously thought to be one of Hampton Roads best-kept secrets (and perhaps even an urban legend…you saw him but did not know his name, heard about him but had never seen him…plenty of rumors…”He did what? Where? No way!”) Julian Etheridge was poised to charge the professional skateboard scene about four years ago and quietly become one of the most well-respected skaters among skaters. With over 100 competitions behind him, Julian pushed forward to bring his veteran experience and confident style to the pro circuit.

Julian has skated for many sponsors over the years, beginning with Flipside Skate Shop and including Cardinal Skate Shop, Eastwood Skateboards, Deviant Skateboards, Outlook Skateboards, Wave Riding Vehicles, Unknown Souljah Clothing, Shmack Clothing, and a flow sponsorship with DVS Shoes (flow). He currently rides for Type-S Wheels, Twisted Trees Skateboards, Rock Star Bearings, Guerrilla Records, Chris Dyer’s Positive Creations Clothing, and most recently joined up with Coastal Edge to be one of three pros on their re-vamped skate team.

Posing with young skate fans at Coastal Edge. Photo | Lea Marie Ponessa

His competition history is vastly extraordinary. For a complete list, you need only Google him and grab a snack while you read on and on and on. When you are done reading, get extra comfortable and search YouTube for some amazing footage of him skating. In the last three years, Julian competed in the AST Dew Tour with Ryan Sheckler, Paul “P-Rod” Rodriguez, Mike Petersen, Fabrizio Santos, Kyle Berard (also from Virginia Beach), Austen Seaholm, and dozens of other pro skaters–who, not for nothing, were equally stoked on Julian’s skating style and stress-free stance. Most recently, Julian traveled with his Coastal Edge teammates, Dylan O’Neal, Ronnie O’Neal, Collin Graham, and Sergie Ventura, to the Florida Bowl Riders Cup in Jacksonville, Florida. In August, he will join with Korey Gandy (Coastal Edge Skate, street division) to do a demo at a skate park in Henrico County.

Certainly, his resume is matched by few skaters in this area, and by all accounts that would lend itself to the idea that Julian “Ju-Tang” Etheridge has earned the right to set himself apart from other skateboarders. But this could not be further from his reality. Truthfully, Julian is one of the most humble, down-to-earth, approachable guys you will ever meet. He has been stopped in stores to take a picture with a young fan and is always willing, even surprised. He has never declined a request for an autograph. In fact, he almost seems embarrassed by the idea that another skater could consider him an idol. But it happens. It happens a lot. I even came across him one time in a grocery store parking lot skating with a handful of neighborhood kids that were easily 20 years younger than him. He was having as much fun as they were. Maybe that is his secret to staying on top of his game–never taking himself too seriously and never growing too old to throw down on a good session of skating with the kids!

Disclosure: The writer has known Julian in various capacities throughout the years, both personal and professional. Currently she manages one of the skate teams for which Julian rides.