We're so happy to have Jean Rusen joining us on September 7 at Finding A Line festival at Kennedy Center hosted by sPACYcLOUD and Skate Girls Tribe!
Jean Rusen moved from Ocean City, MD to Tempe, AZ at the age of 25. After spending over 6 years at the beach, falling in love with surfing, that transition to the Arizona desert could have been painful. Thankfully, she quickly discovered a new love; SKATEBOARDING! That love affair was the beginning of a wild and wonderful ride.
Jean acquired her first sponsor at age 35, made the podium and won $$ at a pro event for the first time at age 44. She was the first woman to ride in a World Cup Men’s event in September 2009 (Tim Brauch Memorial Bowl Comp, Grand-Masters’ Division). She has been listed in the WCS Men’s Masters rankings 4 years, with her best finish being 24th out of 79 riders.
Jean is currently the oldest active rider in the WCS Women’s Pro Division and has taken on a new role within the world of competitive skateboarding by serving as a judge at a few events. She has been a fixture on the judging panel of the annual, all-female Exposure event for the past three years.
In addition to skateboarding, Jean stays busy with her job at New School for the Arts & Academics (Tempe, AZ) and her gig as lead vocalist in Kevin Daly’s Chicken and Waffles, a Phoenix-based rockabilly/garage band. She is also kept on the run by her supportive husband of 18 years, Steven Keyser and her brilliant, beautiful “Spawn”, Jada (17) and Sadie (14). Mama, the Awesome Spawn & their rad pup, Matilda have spent several summers visiting family, friends and killer skate parks all across the USA; passing though as many as 21 states and skating 40 different spots in just one summer!
Jean is really stoked to be part of this amazing event, especially since it means a trip back to the "right coast". She is forever grateful to all of her sponsors for keeping her rolling all these years; Original Betty Board Co. (who released her "Masters Model" deck back in February), Decent Hardware, Recycled Skateboards International, Hoss Rogers Jewelry & Sidewalk Surfer.
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