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Maui's Rollerblading Legend: Pro Inline Skater Thumper Nagasako

Keith

If you have joined Maui Walking Tours for our free Kihei historic walking tour, you have heard the legend of Thumper Nagasako, Maui's homegrown extreme sports athlete that at his peak was ranked the #1 inline skater in America and #4 in the world at the vert ramp (halfpipe).


We were excited to sit down with Thumper and learn more about his journey. We hope you enjoy!


What town on Maui did you grow up in?

Originally from Lahaina, I grew up in Wailuku, Maui.


How did you first get into rollerblading?

I got into rollerblading (inline skating) in the mid 90’s when rollerblading got really popular.  I started with roller hockey.  During a tournament on Kauai I saw an exhibition of Hawaii’s inline stunt team, Team 5-0, they were going off on a ramp and doing by today’s standards pretty basic tricks, but for me as an 11 year old boy, I was more in awe than I’ve ever been.


From there I quit hockey and the skate park took over. I connected with it, it became my passion.  Despite now not skating as hard as used to, 30 years later it’s still something I hold in a special place in my heart.  


What was the action sports in-line skating scene like in the 90s on Maui/in Hawaii? Did you have a coach? How did you learn new tricks?

When I started it felt like everyone was blading.  But as the years went on the scene slowed in the islands and I found myself with less and less people to skate with.


On the half pipe (Vert) which is what I turned pro on, there wasn’t anyone else at all doing it in Hawaii at a competitive level.  So it became quite a solitary practice and remained that 

way on Maui through my entire pro career.  I’d recorded on VHS tape pro contests on TV and studied them.  I’d also film myself and review my skating to coach myself.  


Looking back I am not quite sure how I stayed so dedicated when my training was done in such isolation, yet I kept at it year after year. 



What skate parks did you train at here on Maui?

I originally started at the first skate park by the MACC, then when Keopuolani was built that’s where I skated.  Part of the key to my success was that we had a world class half pipe (which is currently still there).  12x40’ it’s the biggest ramp in the state. If that ramp was never built I really don’t think I would have gone as far as I did in my career. So a huge thank you to Maui County for funding such an awesome ramp to train on!


Later when Kihei was built I skated there.  We have 6 skate parks on Maui, so we are quite fortunate to have so many more options now.  



Tell us about your first year pro and competing on the world stage. What accolades/honors did you receive?

In 1999 I tried to turn pro through a series of contests in the Mid West then Florida for the Amateur World Championships. Going into it I had no idea how well I’d do, if I’d make it far or not even qualify.  It was really scary coming from Maui and competing but I knew I had to try.


After making it to The Amateur Worlds in Florida I didn’t turn pro, I got 9th.

I decided to just skate for a few more years for myself.  When I was 19 in 2002 I tried again.  

This time I won the Amateur World Championships, turning me pro for 2003.  


My first year pro I got to complete along side many of my childhood idols. Though it was intimidating, they were all so welcoming to have me as a peer in their pro ranks. Even though we are technically competing against each other, there’s a lot of team camaraderie in the sport.


In my first pro contest in Cinnciantti, OH I came in 6th, I was the featured athlete for that Fox Sports Network TV segment. I also got to skate in the X-Games in the Crypto Center where the Lakers play.  I skated in the NBC Gravity Games as well as other contests including the Pro World Championships.  I finished my rookie year ranked as the #1 American and #4 in the world for in-line vert half pipe. 


[Here is great Hawaiian Extreme Sports Video Feature on Thumper Nagasako]


Can you still be found sometimes at the skateparks here on Maui?

Yes I can! I don’t go nearly as often but you can still find me skating mostly at Pukalani and Lahaina but I do go to the others too. I don’t skate like I used to but it’s something I will never quit.  There’s days where I will still get after it and throw a flip or spin to grind :) 


If you’re a rollerblader looking to link up and skate please reach out!  Instagram / @jordan_thumper 



Tell us about your new successes as one of the top videographers on Maui.

Through my skate career I would film edits, tricks, segments and interviews for myself, tv, sponsors and promotion.  I really enjoyed videography and looking beyond my career as an in-line skater I thought videography would be a good transition for me down the road.  


I filmed my first wedding in 2006 and in 2009 I started my company HI FOCUSED.  I worked my way up the ranks and have been very grateful for the success the business has had.  

I’ve been awarded Hawaii’s best wedding videographer as well as Maui’s best videographer.  

If you’d  like to check out some of my work, my website is www.hifocused.com Instagram / @hifocused


Anything else?

I’m so thankful for the journey I was fortunate enough to have.  Coming from Maui, in isolation, that I had the opportunity to turn pro and pursue my dream is an experience I will forever hold deep in my heart and soul.  It wasn’t an easy path training alone, having many injuries (some still bothering me to this day), dealing with nerves and pressure but in the end it was all worth it.


I appreciate all the support from Maui County for building that ramp, for my parents for a everything they did and everyone else who has been there for me.  My career may have been a solo sport but it did take a village of supporters to get me where I am.  It’s been quite the rollercoaster ride that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  And a big thank you to Maui Walking Tours for telling my story, I feel honored to be a part of your Kihei walking tour!  



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