Written by Come on, Marty, let’s jump in the DeLorean, get up to 88 miles per hour, and head back to the 80s! As we make this jump, or perhaps a better term considering the subject of this article would be “ollie,” back in time, we’re going to see the start of one of the most talented and amazing professional athletes in the world. He’s not only a professional athlete who goes largely unrecognized by the public, but he’s also a very successful businessman, entrepreneur, actor, and has licensed a successful series of video games with his name. I am, of course, speaking of the Birdman himself, Anthony Frank Hawk, better known as Tony.
In the early 80s, the skateboarding world was introduced to a brand new 14-year old pro, who would go on to create an impressive name for himself by becoming one of the greatest vert skateboarders of all time. Known for skating insanely huge halfpipe ramps, Hawk is credited with more than 100, yes, you read that right, 100, skateboarding tricks. The most famous of which involves launching himself into the air and spinning two and a half times around before landing back on the ramp and riding away. This is known simply as the “900” and is one of the hardest tricks to pull off.
A little definition for you before we progress. Vert skating, as it is called, is a style of skateboarding that involves making a transition from a horizontal surface to a vertical one, much like one would see in a swimming pool or bowl. What separates vert skating from street skating is the need for lots of speed and momentum in order to get enough “air” to pull off their tricks versus street skateboarders who utilize railings, stairs, ledges, or whatever else they come across in an urban environment to be able to pull off their tricks.
Tony Hawk skated professionally from the age of 14 until he retired from competition in 2003 at the age of 35. This is not to say he has completely stopped skateboarding, as he is still pulling off tricks at the age of 53, albeit a bit slower, and with a few more injuries hindering his movements, but he is starting to realize the limits of what he can do. As a founding member of one of skateboarding’s most famous teams, the Bones Brigade, he brought popularity to the sport in the late 80s through a series of skateboarding videos, cameos, and full roles in a variety of television shows, movies, and commercials. He then went on to create the successful skateboard company, Birdhouse, in 1992 with fellow former Bones Brigade member, Per Welinder.
In March of this year, Tony Hawk “retired” one of the tricks he invented, the Ollie 540, which involves launching oneself into the air while performing one and a half rotations without holding onto the skateboard. By retiring this trick, along with a few other tricks throughout the last few years, Hawk has essentially said that he will no longer attempt them in an effort to reduce further wear and tear on his body.
Tony Hawk has influenced so much of the skateboarding world through his presence, innovation, and generosity. In 2002, he created the Tony Hawk Foundation, recently renamed The Skatepark Project, to help design, fund, and build skateparks for youths in underserved communities. According to skatepark.org, The Skatepark Project has awarded more than $10 million to build public skateparks. They have funded more than 600 projects in all 50 US states, and have assisted with guidance and advocacy training for thousands more around the world. Through his philanthropy and the foundation, Tony Hawk has served as an example of how someone can take their fame and fortune and use it to better the world. Hawk routinely posts on his social media accounts and can be seen driving around southern California giving away skateboards and other items to kids he spots skateboarding. More often than not, the kids do not recognize him until much later, which gives Hawk even more reason to smile.
The tall, lanky skateboarder, who has skated through the White House, found Animal Chin, and helped influence generations of skateboards is one of the most iconic athletes of all time, known not only for his prowess on a skateboard, but also for his generosity off of it sets an example that all athletes, and individuals in general, should strive for. He doesn’t seek out the fame and publicity that many other professional athletes do, and he gives of his time, money, and attention. We would all do well to follow in the example Tony Hawk has set in the world of sports. While his time spent soaring over skateboard ramps may be becoming less frequent, and not quite as high, he is still an inspiration to those in the sport, and many around the world.