Jay Adams is one of the original Z-Boys and is considered one of the most influential skateboarders of all time.

Adams is "The world's greatest natural skater", according to fellow Zephyr skateboard team member, and Powell-Peralta Bones Brigade founder Stacy Peralta.

The Godfather of modern day skateboarding, Craig Stecyk, dubbed Adams "the original 'seed.'" Stecyk also wrote, "Having known Adams over the years I really can't say he's changed much. He remains one of the most spontaneous, unpredictable persons I've ever encountered... Everything you've ever heard about him is probably true, or should be anyway. Mere words could never come close to accurately describing him."

Adams is featured prominently in the award winning documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys and in the dramatized film account of the Z-Boys origins, Lords of Dogtown. In addition to being an excellent skateboarder, Adams is also an excellent surfer, having an ambidextrous style. In the mid-1970s as a teenager he was not only part of the original Zephyr skateboard team, but also part of the Zephyr surf team as well.

Adams has had numerous run-ins with the law in his adult life and spent time in prison for, amongst other things, assault and drug-related crimes. During his most recent incarceration, Jay suddenly became outspoken on the topic of the dangers of drug abuse, possibly for the reason that he became Born Again.