Tony Hawk Biography

Tony Hawk is a former American skateboarder and actor. He was one of the most influential skateboarders of the modern times. His tryst with skateboard began at the age of nine, when he got his elder brother’s blue fiber glass skateboard. Little did anyone know that this little boy would become one of the pioneers of vertical skateboarding in the coming years. He used to practice at the now-defunct Oasis Skatepark at the age of 12, performing maneuvers well beyond his age. He attracted numerous visitors as he performed spectacular maneuvers. As a child, he was hyperactive and the skateboard was an outlet for his excess energy. By the time he was 16 years old, he had become a professional skateboarder. With time, he was able to start his own skateboarding company called ‘BirdHouse,’ along with compatriot Per Welinder. He also initiated his own series of video games, 16 titles of which have been released since 1999. Through his own YouTube channel called Ride, he hosts various shows and has teamed up with several artists and musicians who have been inspired by skating. He has started the Tony Hawk Foundation for building skateparks for the underprivileged.