Tony Hawk, born May 12, 1968, in San Diego, California, is a legendary figure in the world of skateboarding, widely regarded as one of the sport's ...
Tony Hawk, born May 12, 1968, in San Diego, California, is a legendary figure in the world of skateboarding, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest pioneers. Growing up in San Diego, Hawk was an energetic, hyperactive child, which his mother described as "challenging." At the age of 9, his older brother Steve introduced him to skateboarding, giving him a blue fiberglass Bahne skateboard. Despite an initial crash into a fence due to his lack of experience, Hawk quickly found a passion for the sport.
By age 12, Hawk was already competing in amateur skateboarding contests, and soon after, he received his first sponsor, Dogtown Skateboards. At 14, he turned professional, and by 16, he was considered one of the top skateboarders in the world, excelling in the vert (vertical) skateboarding discipline. His talent was undeniable, and Hawk quickly rose to fame, becoming a member of the Bones Brigade, the prestigious skateboarding team founded by George Powell and Stacy Peralta.
Hawk's early career was marked by groundbreaking achievements. He won 12 consecutive National Skateboard Association (NSA) World Championships and revolutionized skateboarding with dozens of new tricks, including the 720 and the frontside 540-rodeo flip. As a member of the Bones Brigade, he appeared in iconic skate videos, further solidifying his status as a global icon. Despite skateboarding's waning popularity in the early 1990s, Hawk co-founded Birdhouse Skateboards with fellow pro skater Per Welinder in 1992. While the company initially struggled, it would later flourish, becoming a key player in the skateboarding world.
In 1995, Hawk made a historic comeback by competing in the X Games, where he gained further fame for his extraordinary tricks. In 1999, he achieved what was once considered impossible: landing the first-ever 900 — a trick involving two-and-a-half aerial rotations. This achievement, combined with the success of his video game series "Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater", cemented Hawk as one of the most influential skateboarders in history.
Beyond skateboarding, Hawk became a successful entrepreneur, launching a variety of business ventures, including his signature line of apparel, Birdhouse Skateboards, and skateboarding video games. His company’s games became one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, grossing over $1.4 billion. Hawk’s philanthropic efforts are equally noteworthy. In 2002, he founded the Tony Hawk Foundation, which has funded the creation of over 900 skateparks in underserved communities across the United States.
Hawk’s personal life has seen multiple marriages and children, with his eldest son, Riley, following in his footsteps to become a professional skateboarder. Hawk’s other ventures include hosting his long-running "Demolition Radio" show, creating the RIDE Channel on YouTube, and regularly making appearances in films and TV shows. He has become a true ambassador of skateboarding, advocating for its inclusion in the Olympics and pushing the limits of the sport even in his later years.
In recent years, Hawk, now in his 50s, continues to skate in exhibitions and promote skateboarding worldwide. Despite suffering serious injuries over the years, including a broken pelvis and a fractured skull, he remains dedicated to the sport. With his ongoing contributions to skateboarding and his entrepreneurial success, Tony Hawk’s legacy as a skater, businessman, and philanthropist is firmly established, and he continues to inspire future generations of skateboarders.
