Jack Smith is no stranger to cross-country skateboard missions. Having crossed the country twice before by skateboard, in 1976 and 1984, he knew what he was up against. But this time it was different -- this time was in memory of his son, and to raise awareness about Lowe Syndrome and funds for the Lowe Syndrome Association.

Jack Marshall Smith Jr. had Lowe Syndrome, a rare genetic * disorder that effects only males and is caused by a single defective gene in the X-chromosome. Jack Jr. died May 6th 2003 * from complications related to the disorder.

Said father Jack Sr. before the mission, "My son has been an incredible inspiration to myself and many others, whose lives he has touched. This is my chance to pay him back for all that he has taught me". "The syndrome is so rare. There are 300 to 350 known cases, so it doesn't get as much research as it (should)," Smith said.

By crossing the continent by skateboard in 21 days, Smith, along with Nick Krest, Scott Kam, and Josh Maready, have the broken the previous record of 26 days set by Smith, Gary Fluitt, Paul Dunn, and Bob Denike * in 1984. "This time it will be a lot harder" Smith said "I'm well into my 40's now, and pushing a skateboard 150 miles a day isn't so easy on old bones".

To perform the feat, each man would skate a few miles while the rest rode in a van. Then, before the first boarder arrived at a relay point, a second skater would depart towards a second relay point. This would go on for 10 or 12 hours a day, until each portion of the day's travel had been skated. Starting in Newport, Oregon * and ending in Williamsburg, Virginia *, the group covered about 2,900 miles at a clip of about 135 miles per day. Says Smith, "Pretty soon, it was almost a job."

Smith works at VAS Entertainment, a distributor of sports videos in San Luis Obispo. Smith briefly held a world speed record, and could be said to be one of skateboarding's early champions. For the last couple of years, he has organized an international skateboard slalom * race in Morro Bay, where he lives.

The event was sponsored by VAS Entertainment and Etnies *, and all proceeds from the journey were to be donated to the Lowe Syndrome Association.

This article was based on information found at http://www.brokenmagazine.com/acrossamerica.html, http://www.asphaltplayground.com/lowe.html, http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20030928/ northwest/111248.shtml, and http://www.skateboarding.com/skate/news/article/ 0,12364,464957,00.html.

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