San Leandro, CA – Skate Industy News: 39 Years Pro And Still Crushing: Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk was born on May 12, 1968, he became a professional skateboarder at age 14 and with the money he made from skateboarding, he bought his first house during his senior year in high school.

Tony Hawk has done so many amazing things in skateboarding and for skateboarding. In 1999, Hawk became the first skateboarder to land a “900”, a trick involving the completion of two-and-a-half mid-air revolutions on a skateboard, in which he was successful on his twelfth attempt. After completing the trick, Hawk said “This is the best day of my life.” Following this feat, Hawk decided to retire from professional competition that same year.

In January 2012, Hawk launched the YouTube channel “RIDE Channel” which helped birth the now Thrasher Magazine show Skate Line with Gary Rogers. In January 2013, professional skateboarder John Cardiel, identified by Transworld Skateboarding as the eleventh most influential skateboarder of all time, listed Hawk as one of his personal all-time skateboarding influences, alongside Gonzales, Christian Hosoi, and Sacramento’s skateboarders. Cardiel explained, “… the insane 540s with no hands, and, just like, all his tricks; he had the ramps, all his ramps, all the ramps he had—I thought that was insane. Tony Hawk’s the best.”

A video game series that we all know and love based on Hawk’s skateboarding, titled Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, debuted in 1999. Since then, the series has spawned 18 titles so far, including ten main-series titles, four spin-offs, four repackages and the hearts and minds of skaters worldwide. 

Even after all these accomplishments, feats of athleticism and 39 years of professional skateboarding, Tony still continues to dominant our attention with mind blowing clips on Youtube and new podcast with Jason Ellis Hawk Vs. Wolf. The greatness seems to never stop!

Keep crushing it Tony and we will keep watching!!