Jimmy Cao
TransWorld Skateboarding|December 2016

Where you’re from influences who you are. Growing up skating with Jamie Palmore, then being mentored by Willy Santos, and for most of your adult life absorbing the other-worldly talent and laid back vibes of Wes Kremer, Tyler Surrey and Marius Syvanen, it’s no surprise Jimmy Cao blossomed into a versatile powerhouse on four wheels. He’s beyond past due for this—his first magazine interview. Find out why Vietnam will be the next big skate destination, how Finesse Skateboards and Hubba Wheels’ ads factored into his career path, how he avoided Scandinavian boat jail and more. Get ‘em Chippy.

Blair Alley
Jimmy Cao

So what’s happening with Jimmy Cao as we close out 2016? 

A lot of skating, about to have a baby. Life hammer right there [laughs].

Do you have a name picked out? 

We’re thinking Mason Parker.

Nice work. What ethnicity is Cao? 

I’m 100-percent Vietnamese.

Have you been to Vietnam?

I used to go a lot when I was younger, I first went when I was five years old, then I would go every three years after that. I would always go with my family, but recently I got to go on a skate trip, my first time bringing my board, and dude, there are some spots out there. I feel like it’s going to be the next China.

Were you born in Vietnam or here? 

I was actually born in San Jose. My parents drove down when I was three months old to San Diego and I’ve been here ever since.

Who are the big Vietnamese pros out there? 

Nuge [Don Nguyen], Jon Nguyen, Danny Nguyen too, Dank Tank.

All Nguyens! 

All Nguyens! Gotta throw a Cao in there somewhere.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Mira Mesa.

Was Willy Santos an influence on you being from there? 

Definitely, first of all he’s Asian, I was like, “Sick! Asian pro skater!” I got hyped on that and then his skating in general was always awesome, always technical and smooth.

Do you remember the first photos or footage you saw of him? 

One of the first videos I saw was actually The End, so…

Did you skate for Willy’s Workshop? 

Yeah I did, I sent in a sponsor-me video, to Willy. Got sponsored.

Was that your first sponsor?

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