San Leandro, CA. – Tony Hawk Week: Pioneer or Destroyer of Skate Culture?

Tony Hawk.   

The very sounds of his name strikes certain emotions in any red blooded skateboarder. Those emotions vary among different generations of us.

Some of us hold the greatest of respects for the high flying Hawk, some have another opinion though.

First let us take a quick look at the Bird Man. Anthony Frank Hawk was born May 12, 1968. He is an American professional skateboarder, actor and owner of the skateboard company Birdhouse. Tony Hawk is incredibly famous for completing the first documented 900 in competition, and for his aid in the creation of the original skateboarding video games, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, published by Activision. Throughout his career, Hawk has made numerous appearances in films, TV and other media. He has also been involved in various philanthropic activities, including his own Tony Hawk Foundation that helps to build skateparks in underprivileged areas. In 2014, Hawk was named one of the most influential skateboarders of all time by FoxWeekly.

The dude is legit. So why would anyone have a negative opinion on Hawk? Some would say he has brought the culture to the mainstream. In some people minds, skateboarding is something special and not for the mainstream. It’s not for everyone. Skateboarding is something that has to be discovered, not pushed in your face. The culture of skateboarding once centered around turning from the mainstream, but with the influence of Hawk, skateboarding is now in the forefront of “cool” culture. Thrasher is fashion, not a signal to other skateboarders anymore.

Regardless of how the culture has shifted, no matter what team you side with, you have to admit that Tony Hawk has elevated skateboarding in a way no one but him can even imagine. So many tricks, so many contests, coverage, companies and more. Skateboarding would not be what it is today without the presence of Tony Hawk.

Personally, kudos to you Mr. Hawk. Just the fact that you were able to invent tricks is enough for me.