Thompson does what he wants, when he wants. It would be easy to dismiss the kid sporting the steezy tall tee and mint New Era cap as just another punk, but the kid is legit. His style comes from the simple fact that he does things for himself and for no one else. That may sound selfish, but it really isn’t. It’s about a personal code that answers to his own inspiration. It doesn’t turn on and off at the request or demand of others. It’s about measuring himself and his actions to the essence of his being.
The first time I saw and shot Thompson was when I poached a late-afternoon photo session taking place at the Sandbar in 2003. I didn’t know it at the time, but the photographer was a guy named Stephen Whitesell. It was apparent why Thompson was the subject of his focus. Even to my untrained eyes, his style was unique. His kiting was ahead of the curve. Never satisfied with the current status of kiting, Thompson has looked toward the future, progressing the sport and inspiring others while crossing influences from snowboarding to skateboarding.
He carries himself on and off the water with a quiet presence. His voice is soft and his words are few, coming only after they are validated against the intrinsic judge within.
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