This event was insane! Over a hundred spectators showed up to watch twenty five skaters go crazy! Everything from the sponsors that gave prizes, to the free Chickfila sandwiches made this event quite memorable. We had seven amazing skaters in our grom division and we had 15 of the best rippers in Minnesota in our Open class. People were on the edge of their seats waiting to see who would take home the win. After the event was over, everyone kept saying what a blast they had a

We're glad to introduce Gretchen Stone, who recently joined the JSAW team as our Operations Manager. Gretchen found us the way a lot of Minnesota parents do, through her kid. Her son had been skateboarding, so JSAW was already on her radar when the job showed up in her LinkedIn suggestions. She says she didn't really stop to think about it. "I immediately submitted my cover letter and resume, having no clue if I was even being reasonable." We're glad she did. She comes to us

Most people who follow JSAW know us for what happens on the water, at the skate park, or on the snow. Fewer people know about JSAW Worldwide. JSAW does several things through the Worldwide program: we lead mission trips, provide chaplaincy for professional skaters, consult ministry leaders, and make grants to action sports ministries around the world. This post is about the last one. The idea behind the grants is simple. There are people all over the world quietly running act

This past weekend, JSAW brought competitive wakeboarding back to Minnesota with the Minnesota Wakeboard Classic at Long Lake Regional Park. The first wakeboard competition the state has seen in over 10 years saw 27 riders come out to rip, and roughly 100 people came out as spectators, volunteers, and competitors, with plenty more beachgoers at the busy park stopping to watch the action unfold on the water. For a lot of riders here, this was a first: a real competition, in the

What a season we had on the water! From June through August, we had the incredible opportunity to spend over 250 hours on boats, pouring into the lives of riders, building connections, and making unforgettable memories. It was a season overflowing with fun, faith, and, of course, a lot of wakeboarding and wakesurfing. At our 3 weekly Bible study locations, Fish Lake, Lotus Lake, and Lake Minnetonka, we saw over 100 riders participate. These evenings on the water were about mo

Summer would not be same without the JSAW California Dream Trip. Each year, riders on this trip get to experience everything from seeing iconic spots, to skating legendary parks. This year was the best one yet. We did things like visit the famed Santa Monica Triple Set (pictured above), Hang out with Pro Skater Cordano Russell, Surfed and Skimmed in Oceanside, and got clips in the streets of L.A. This trip was one for the history books. Over the course of the trip, we went t

Six months ago, if you had asked me why I wanted to join JSAW, I probably would've told you I was a great Christian guy who could accomplish anything and that I'd raise a million dollars before the year was over. As I heard earlier this week, “the good Lord has a way of humbling you.” In my day job I work as a venture capitalist, I spend my days helping startups raise multi-million-dollar investments. I talk with founders building $100 million companies. I sit across from in

Go skate day 2026 was one for the books! Riders from all around Minnesota and some surrounding areas all came and gathered together for the great “Push” through downtown Minneapolis. JSAW was ready to serve them through both physical and spiritual means; everything from our legendary coolers on mopeds to our trained team on the ground doing outreach to having a trained medic on the scene to care for any injuries that arose. As the day went on, skaters pushed themselves to the

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." —1 Peter 3:15-16 JSAW kicked off the summer with an incredible weekend of skateboarding and ministry at Help Boardshop. Friday night, we hosted The Session featuring Olympian and professional skateboarder Cordano Russell, where the skatepark was packed with riders for worship, his te

Jackalope 2026 was one of the craziest in history. The skate course was designed to perfection, and the skaters leveled skateboarding up to a place we haven’t seen before. I, Dave Jonsson, made the journey out to Virginia Beach, alongside Davin, a chaplain in training, and what happened off the course was just as historic as what happened on it. We’ve seen such a tight knit community built and a lot of it is because of our online Monday Bible study, these guys already know ea

You don't always see it coming, the season that open up like a new spot, smooth and waiting. This past stretch has been one of those seasons. Doors swinging open one after another, and behind each one, the same thing: skaters who are ready to talk, ready to connect, ready to connect with God. Seven Saturdays with the World's Best Earlier this year, I headed down to the LA area for one of the most unique opportunities I've had in chaplaincy: coaching the Los Santos team for th

As the snow has almost completely melted and tow ropes have stopped spinning, I have been looking back on everything that happened with JSAW this winter. It is hard to sum it all up, but this season felt special. The snow season isn’t just about the riding, it’s about the people, the moments, and the community that kept growing all winter long. Week after week, riders showed up at all different levels. Some having only just started skiing or snowboarding and are attending the

Filming full-length videos is a staple in the action sports world. I’ve been fortunate to learn how to film and edit within that world, with a particular emphasis on street skiing. Street skiing is niche, but those involved absolutely love it. It’s typically filmed with a crew, which creates opportunities to build relationships, serve consistently, and share the Gospel. This season of filming started off slow. The original crew fell apart due to injuries and loss of interest.

From December through mid-March, we had the opportunity to welcome Elisha as an intern at JSAW. Over the course of three months, he stepped into the day-to-day life of the ministry—serving customers, helping coach younger riders, and completing a capstone project that challenged him to grow in new ways. Internships like this are about much more than helping with day-to-day tasks. They’re about investing in young leaders and giving them real opportunities to grow personally, p

There are trips you remember because of the views… and then there are trips you remember because of the people, the moments, and the stories you come home with. Our recent trip to Big Sky Resort was definitely the second kind, though the views didn’t hurt either. We took a crew of six out to Montana for a couple unforgettable days on the mountain. For some of our riders, this was their first time seeing terrain on this scale. For all of us, it was our first time experiencing

Gaper Day at Hyland Hills has long been known as the most chaotic day of the season. With schools out for MLK Day, the hill quickly fills up with kids who have endless energy and an itch to push boundaries and break just about every rule that exists on the mountain. The lifts are packed and the park is hectic. Every year, many kids end up getting in trouble with staff or, in some cases, even law enforcement. With so many people out at once, moving fast and feeding off each ot

Where It All Began In November 2025, something unprecedented happened: the first-ever skateboard park in Zimbabwe opened in the small town of Victoria Falls. What might look like concrete and steel is actually a gathering place—one filled with laughter, scraped knees, and wide-open hearts. JSAW’s mission was simple and bold: bring a team, teach skateboarding, and share the hope of Jesus with kids who had never seen anything like this before. JSAW's Team Our team of eight rid

Because of your generosity to JSAW's Action Sports Ministry Fund, JSAW invested $4,500 into the work of Inspired2Become and Christian Skaters Africa —supporting a disciple-making strategy designed to multiply leaders and reach youth across Africa in action sports. This grant wasn’t about a single event. It was about building pathways for long-term discipleship and multiplication . The Impact JSAW Grant Investment: $4,500 Riders who heard the Gospel in person: 300 Riders w

Super Crown in Brazil was unforgettable. Not just because of the skating though the level was unreal but because of the moments that happened off the course on the sidelines and in the quiet spaces where God so often does His best work. I almost did not make it. I was supposed to fly out on Tuesday. What I did not know was that Brazil had changed its tourist visa requirements. Normally the process takes anywhere from two to ten days. I found out late and by all logic I was no

In Taiwan, ministry to surfers happens wherever the waves break—and often those beaches are scattered hours apart. That’s why transportation isn’t just helpful for YWAM Yilan and Christian Surfers Taiwan—it’s essential. Their van is the backbone of their ministry: getting leaders, surfboards, outreach teams, and youth to beaches, churches, and events all over the island. It’s how they show up, stay connected, and build trust in the surf community. This year, the need for a ne