The Birdman
American former professional skateboarder and actor Tony Hawk, nicknamed “The Birdman” was born May 12, 1968. Fans regard him as a pioneer modern vertical skateboarding. Fox Weekly named him the “most influential skateboarder all time” in 2014. Tony is the first to complete the first documented trick involving the completion two-and-a-half mid-air revolutions a skateboard on July 27, 1999.
Popularity and success always open the door for scrutiny, and as Hawk says, “fame is like you’re living a microscope, and anything you do or say can be misconstrued or taken down a rabbit hole.” However, fame was never Hawk’s aim. Growing up San Diego the 1970s, Hawk was bound to get a board. His elder brother, Steve, was an outstanding surfer who skated frequently and kept boards around the house. Out curiosity, Hawk tried his luck, first using skateboarding as a means transportation and school. His life was turned upside down when he saw photos skaters a magazine, which inspired him to set on a new path. “I was flabbergasted what I saw and I just thought, “I want to get that level. I want to learn how to do that”, he says.
that time, skating was more focused style and how high one could go. Nevertheless, Hawk enjoyed manoeuvring his body and board new
ways, setting him apart many in his cohort.
Hawk likes to think himself as a skateboarding advocate and someone who just helped it along. He founded an extreme sports exhibition and tour called the Boom Boom Huck Jam Las Vegas 2002. Aside his talent the board, Hawk is embedded numerous projects that prioritise the intersection skateboarding and community. His foundation, The Skatepark Project, helps build public skateparks underserved communities.
Extreme sports athletes always run the risk injuring themselves severely, which is why the end prize is always a large sum money. Beside the monetary reward, these players earn the respect the people, being revered their devil-may-care attitude and immense bravery trying these sports.
