There is a question that gets thrown around a lot in skateboarding – “What is the world’s hardest skateboard trick?” But can that question ever really be answered? Maybe not, because it is not something that is easy to put a finger on, since one skateboarder’s opinion may differ from the next, and what one skater may consider to be a very difficult trick, or maybe even the most difficult of all, maybe may not be so difficult for others. But as a skateboard blogger, I do get this question time and time again, so I will attempt to solve this puzzle once and for all.

We could possibly throw the kickflip into the hat of discussion. Pro skateboarding great Tony Hawk himself has said that the kickflip was one of the hardest tricks in skateboarding to learn, and that even he still has problems with it. Sure, there are more advanced and difficult tricks in the world of skateboarding, but for many, the kickflip is a particular struggle, and once it is learned, learning more advanced tricks seems easier and the learning curve improves. But on the other hand, like we already said, there are harder tricks out there. In fact, even the heelflip, the kickfklip’s twin brother, is said by most to be a harder version of the kickflip. So moving on…

How about the tre-flip? It is two tricks in one, basically a pop shuvit and a kickflip together, and it is thought by many to be one of the hardest flatland skateboard tricks.

We could bring up the impossible. I mean, the name itself says it all. Impossible. It just makes it sound so, well, impossible. Legend has it that the trick’s inventor, Rodney Mullen, had thought it up and before he had actually landed yet he was explaining that to friends and they stated that it would in fact be, “impossible”.

But what about vert/transition tricks? It would be unfair to the argument to leave vert tricks out if the argument, and there are those that would say that maybe vert is more difficult than street also (although there are those that will argue the opposite as well). The Mctwist was once thought to be quite difficult. In September 2010 Bob Burnquist landed the world’s first ever 900 on a mega ramp. Does that mean that at the time of this writing, that the 900 would be the world’s hardest skateboarding trick?

Alas, just like the age old question about how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know.

A large number of skate and snowboard companies help out local charities and non profit organizations. Groups like “The Tony Hawk Foundation” and others have used skateboarding to help out people less fortunate.

Recently Billabong held their yearly charity party called “Design For Humanity” at Paramount Studios in Los Angles, CA.

This years event was to benefit and raise awareness for The Invisible Childrens Charity. The charity makes good use of media like film and the internet to protest the use of children being used as soldiers in Uganda. This was a cause a lot of people could get behind and support. The event is always a huge hit and this year’s was no exception. The main theme for the party was a New York City block party.

The crowd was energetic and buzzed and a good time was had by all who attended. No surprise since there was so much going on to keep everyone interested and entertained! The event had two large concert stages, a number of art galleries, several full bars, t shirt booths and live music.

The evening was fired off with the Billabong bikini fashion show which got the crowd really stoked and ready to party. The bikini show started off with tons of dancers and ended in a spectacular neon display. People were hyped up for the rest of the night. The crowed danced into the night and the entire block party was a huge success, they totally managed to capture the feel of a real NYC block party right in Hollywood. DJ Classixx kept the crowd going with a non stop flow of party and dance music and it was all to help an awesome cause.

The crowd rocked until about 2 am when people started to pack up and head for home… or more partying.

Say what you will about satellite radio, it still knows how to attract the stars. One of their primary business strategies has been to secure exclusive deals with big name entertainers to create a slew of channels (or broadcast streams). The strategy makes sense-entertainers are worth the big investment that traditional radio or even network television can’t afford to make in them. They have a certain “brand name” when it comes to familiarity. People immediately link the SIRIUS and XM brand names with a celebrity they know and possibly like. The reputation of the company is elevated, just as the listeners for SIRIUS (and XM, its new division) increase.

Who are some of the most prominent names that have been dealing with SIRIUS and XM? Aside from the major acquisition that was Howard Stern, SIRIUS has also gone after A-list celebrities like Martha Stewart, Jimmy Buffett, Eminem, and Steven Van Zandt. Artist Steven Van Zandt was actually the first of a few major artists who was signed by either SIRIUS or its then-competitor XM to create an entire music channel. What have been some of the fruitage of these ambitious signings? Van Zandt created two channels in the Underground Garage, which is a garage rock sub-genre, as well as Outlaw Country, with a slant towards alternative Country music. Other musicians of note have included Keith Morris of Black Flag, Fred Schneider and David Johansen.

Who are some other prominent names that have inked in deals? Some high profile sports stars have made appearances including Lance Armstrong, Bill Walton, Scott Ferrall, Tony Hawk Bam Margera and Jason Ellis. SIRIUS has even gone after experienced, well-known deejays like Cousin Brucie, Joe Causi and Richard Blade. Experienced political commentators like Bill Press, Michael Reagan, Bill Bennett, Mike Malloy, and G. Gordon Liddy have all graced the network with their seasoned presence.

How about comedy? SIRIUS has worked with Harry Shearer of the The Simpsons fame along with Stephanie Miller and Saturday Night Live’s Jim Breuer. If you’re a fan of Blue Collar Comedy then the names Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall and Ron White will sound familiar, not to mention the eclectic mix of comedy playing at the Laugh Break, with A-lister comics like Jim Gaffigan and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as classics from the honest George Carlin, the heartwarming Bill Cosby, the bizarre Steven Wright, and the irreverent Monty Python.

If you fell in love with Ray Charles or even Wanda from In Living Color then you will feel right at home in The Foxxhole, hosted by Jamie Foxx, the Oscar winning, Grammy-nominated actor and comedian. Fox also presents a whole host of top comedians, comedy skits, showcase music and Radio Theater. Newcomers of note including comedian Greg Fitzsimmons (known from MTV’s Idiot Savants) and Dane Cook.

When it comes to celebrity endorsements, satellite radio has a line up comparable to network television. What can you say, celebrities like success and SIRIUS satellite radio is quickly becoming the nation’s coolest medium.

The joy of skateboarding is unmatched by anything I can think of. You're outside. The sun is shining down on you. You are on a mission to have fun. While you are pushing through the streets, stripalls, and parking lots of your town there are no rules. It's just you and your board vs. the world and it's a great feeling. But there are spaces that offer terrain that you just do not find in the streets. We call these skateparks and they are (usually) great places to skate fun boxes, half pipes, and rails, not to mention meet up with other skaters.

Skateparks are different from thrashing around on the streets in that you have to learn to skate with people that you have never met. This is by no means hard, but I've been noting that the current generation of grams (yeah you, little guys) do not have much, if any, regard for those around them. If you're under the age of 13 then you should pay attention to the contents of this article to make sure you are learning proper etiquette.

First of all, when you enter a park you are last in line for everything unless there is nobody else there, which hardly ever happens. This goes for everyone. I do not care if Tony Hawk shows up at the ramp, he's waiting his turn just like the rest of us. There is a loose rotation that naturally gets established in parks and you need to observe and abide by it. Find your place in line and keep it.

Next, do not be a snake. Snakes are by far the worst type of skaters. Do not cut in front of someone who is pushing up toward a box or drop in on the ramp out of turn. It's easy to not be a snake; just be aware of who's up for what. I'm not saying be a traffic cop. All you have to know is if you're clear to hit the spine, rail, or box. If you are then hit it. If someone is burning across the park in the general direction of the spine, rail, or box then let him take his shot. Whether he hits it or not is none of your concern.

Do not try and win the "cool contest" either. The kids that are trying to be cooler than everyone are typically some of the biggest kooks you'll ever meet. Being cool just comes naturally and when you try to force it you always end up looking like a tool. Skate at your pace and on your terms, just remember to not snake anyone.

Half pipes, bowls, and snake runs have a couple of unique rules that you need to know as well. I'll start with half pipes. First of all, there is a solid rotation on the half and you need to pay attention to it. When a skater is standing on the deck with his foot on the tail of his board that means he's waiting to go. If you're not sure who's up look around. If you see another skater point at you then it's your turn. The same applies to bowls. Also, with bowls there is a different style to the skating than with a ramp. Bowls are there to be carved with some gnarly grinds thrown in. Bowls are all about flow. Skating a bowl like a half pipe is not rad. In fact, it is totally lame. Snake runs are similar to snowboard parks.

Only one person drops in at a time. How hard is that? When it's your turn to drop in then raise your arm to signal that you're dropping. If you see someone raise their arm and you're in their path then get the heck out of the way! If someone is in the snake run do not drop into the bowl at the bottom of it because that will result in a crash and who is going faster faster will win. The guy coming out of the snake run is always going faster.

Are you worried about getting props? Do not be. The guys that get props are the guys that give props. It sounds cliche but it's totally true. Do not give props on every single trick, but do not skimp on the props either. When somebody busts something sick then give him some props. Is that hard? No, it is not.

DO NOT bring in little kids who are not on boards, especially if they are under the age of 10. These kids have no idea of ​​what is going on and can get very hurt. If you find yourself babysitting your six-year old cousin then stay at home and play Wii. It is best for everyone this way.

If you're going to tag the park then make it good. I'm getting pretty tired of seeing lame, single-line ICP tags at the park. Just like everything else, go big or go home. Better yet, do not tag the park at all. It's far easier to dose it with stickers anyway.

Basically just be chill to everyone at the park and we will not give you the stare down. Follow these guidelines and you should be fine for the rest of your life in pretty much everything now that I think about it.

How much do you really know about skateboarding? Test out your knowledge by reading these fun facts. If you know them all, you can dedicate more of your time to learning new tricks! If you didn’t know many of them you can feel better now that you have brushed up on your knowledge of this sport.

More than 18 million people own a skateboard in the United States. 85% of these individuals are less than 18 years of age. 74% of them are males. Yvonne Dowlen still competes though and he is 81 years old! There are children as young as three years old that can do the basics on one as well.

Tony Hawk has a deal with Kohl’s to sell shoes due to having his own line of footwear. Hawk agreed to do so only if they were affordable – never over $40 so that everyone can afford them. He is also responsible for the creative designs on this signature line of shoes.

One of the crazy ways in which professional skaters have helped to raise money for skate parks is by taking part in golf fund raising tournaments. While their fans don’t see it as enough action, these events definitely generate plenty of income for the cause.

The culture of skateboarding emerged in California. It was mainly designed as the ground equivalent of surfing in the water. The first skateboards actually had handles on them that allowed a person to move them.

Approximately 800,000 people are seen by medical professionals annually due to skateboarding injuries. Less than 40% of individuals that do this sport where the proper safety equipment for it.

There are some famous movies out there that depict skateboarding. One is called Gleaming the Cube with Christian Slater. This film debuted in 1989 and is still one of the best with this type of action portrayed in it.

The Tony Hawk video games are among the most popular in the world. There are many versions of them to check out. He has spent hours being video taped so that movements are very realistic to what he is know to do in real life.

With the cost of gas continually increasing, more people are using skateboards for transportation than before. It is no longer just for fun! Many students use them on campus to be able to quickly get around.

It is illegal to own a skateboard in Norway. The ban was implemented in 1989 due to the number of people being injured while riding them. Skateboarding has only started to get a following in Portugal with the highest number of owners of boards being reported in 2008.

The military began using skateboards for some indoor maneuvers in 1997.

Skateboarding is actually good for your health. It can help a person to improve in the areas of balance, flexibility, and coordination. It also helps to tone up muscles and to strengthen the heart.

Concentration and hand/eye coordination improves when a person skateboards. It can help a person to be able to focus their attention for a longer span of time on other activities in their life as well.

One of the biggest failures in marketing for Levi brand of jeans was when they tried to appeal to the style of skateboarders.

There are new facts about skateboarding all the time so take some time for it. When it is too cold outside to skateboard, don’t let it get you down. Go online and find some new facts to get you by until you can ride your board once again! You can impress your friends too with the information you learned about skateboarding in the mean time.

With the recent popularity of skinny jeans, many men still think that they are for women. That’s not necessarily the case anymore. You don’t have to go shopping with your girlfriend or sister and have them buy you a pair of their jeans. Let’s face it…that’d be uncomfortable in more ways than one.

Everyone from actors to pop stars to even professional skateboarders are wearing skinny jeans. With celebrities like Zac Effron, Justin Timberlake (he has a whole line featured in his WilliamRast clothing line), to Tony hawk being spotted in a pair, its no wonder men are starting to want that look.

This look became really popular for men in the 50’s and 60’s after stars like Mick Jagger, The Beatles and resurged in the 1980’s as punk anti-fashion made this look a hit. Bands like The Clash and The Ramones brought the look back into the mainstream once more.

That age old saying “Everything old is new again” definitely applies to this fashion trend.

There are quite a few men’s apparel lines that carry skinnies. Brands like Levis, Lee, Gap Old Navy, and American Eagle are starting to add more to their already popular men’s apparel. If you’re more of the rocker type who likes the tighter jeans to wear to shows or clubs, you can get a pair of men’s skinny jeans from brands like Alpha Numeric, Commune and even Tony Hawk’s fashion line Hawk Clothing.

So you don’t have to be embarrassed to buy a pair of skinny jeans. They aren’t for women and won’t make you look “girly” You can shop your favorite store and find a great pair that are comfortable and make you feel like a rockstar!

Shaun Roger White was born September 3, 1986 and is America’s favorite professional snowboarder and skateboarder. Shaun is also a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and holds records in Gold Medals and overall medal count for the X Games. He’s also won 10 ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award).

Early Life

Shaun White was born in sunny San Diego, California. He is of Irish and Italian descent. He was born with a congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot. He had two open heart surgeries before he turned one year old. He is 5′ 8″ tall or 1.73 meters. White spent his formative years riding Okemo Mountain and Bear Mountain ski resorts in Ludlow, Vermont, and the San Bernadino Mountains of Southern California.

Career

Rising through the snowboard ranks, Shaun White also rose through the skateboard ranks at the same time. Tony Hawk, professional skateboarder, took an interest in Shaun White because of his prowess. At this time Shaun was 9 years old and Tony Hawk befriended him at a local skate park and started mentoring him. This helped White turn pro in skateboarding by the age of 17. Shaun has most notably gone onto win the overall title of Action Sports Tour Champion, as one of his many titles. White is also the first person to compete in and win both the winter and summer X Games in two different sports.

Snowboarding Career

White followed in his older brother’s footsteps when he switched from skiing to snowboarding at six years old. At age seven he received his first sponsorship. White has participated in two Winter Olympic Games in his career so far. He won a gold medal in the snowboard half-pipe event in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. Since Shaun White has participated, has won a gold medal every year since 2002 in the X Games. He has a total of 15 medals (10 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze). This includes the X Games competition through 2009. This is the first quadruple win streak by a male athlete in one discipline, the snowboard slopestyle. In 2007 Whites win streak was broken when he lost to Andreas Wiig and Teddy Flandreau. White took the bronze. Shaun won the Air and Style contest in 2003 and 2004.

2006 Winter Olympics

Shaun White won gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics in the half-pipe. He only scored 37.7, which is low. White was almost out of the competition. He recorded a score of 45.3 in his second run. In the finals, Shaun scored 46.8 out of a possible 50. The silver went to fellow American Danny Kass with a score of 44 points.

2007

2007 was a big year for Shaun White. He placed third in slopestyle and first in the half-pipe at the 25th (2007) Burton U.S. Open. Shaun was also crowned the first “Burton Global Champion”. He won $100,000 as the Global Open Champion and for his first place in the half-pipe he was awarded $20,000, and he was awarded $90,000 for third place in the slopestyle. He was also given a new car, a Corvette. Way to go Shaun!

2008

The first Shaun White video game was released on November 16, 2008. It’s called “Shaun White Snowboarding”. It was released in Europe on November 14, 2008. The Shaun White Snowboarding video game was the 20th best-selling game of December 2008 in the United States. At his third US Open Snowboarding Championship Competition in 2008, Shaun White captured his snowboard half-pipe title by executing a nearly flawless second run. This went along with his third US Open slopestyle competition.

2009

The SuperPipe at the Winter X Games XIII, there was a lot of controversy. Shaun’s competitor, Kevin Pearce, had 5 hits on the pipe. They were the same tricks White did in his final run. Kevin Pearce started his run with a big grab, while Shaun started his run with six hits and a big backside rodeo 540. Pearce’s was bigger but Shaun had had six hits whereas Kevin had 5 hits. Pearce’s first hit wasn’t as technical as White’s first hit. Because Shaun’s hits were bigger the judges decided he deserved the better score. White became the second competitor, with this win. Tanner Hall was the first to do this. White was the second competitor to do it. This was to win the superpipe in consecutive years at the Winter X Games. White had two straight years of winning bronze before he finally won the gold.

At Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain, on February 14, 2009, Shaun won the FIS Cups Men’s Half-Pipe event. He qualified immediately out of the gate by having a score of 45.5. It was the day’s best score. With a thumb sprained on an over-rotated backside 1080 in the second qualifying run, he clinched the event with the first of his two runs in the finals. He was awarded the highest score ever at FIS in his first finals. He earned a 47.3 score.

Do you live to skateboard? Are you just itching to find the nearest half pipe? You probably never thought that your love of skateboarding could land you a scholarship for college. This unusual college award is given to high school seniors who endorse skateboarding within their town or community. The first-place prize is a $5000 award, and three runners-up will receive $1000 each. This reward is given in honor of Patrick Kerr. He was a skateboarder and skateboarding activist from Philadelphia.

How are you able to receive this unusual college award? You will need to complete the usual application process and also send in an essay about the way skateboarding has been positive influence for you.The essay will need to be at least 500 words. Speak from your heart and show your passion about your interest. If you love this sport, this should come quite naturally. You will also need to have a couple of letters of recommendations from people (over 18 years old) who can vouch for your skateboarding routine. The best way to get this award is if you can show that you are a skateboarding supporter. This means that you can show documentation that you have performed different promotion activities for skateboarding. Some participants have lobbied, petitioned, and worked on raising money for skate parks to be built in their communities. Others have helped to get local recreation centers involved in skateboard facilities and ramps.

One of the committee members that decide on the recipients of this award is legendary skateboarder, Tony Hawk. He is idolized by many teens and college students. Aside from DVDs and online videos, there are many video games based on him. He, along with other professional skateboarders, set out to help other skateboard enthusiasts make their dreams come true. Are you still unsure about applying for this award with these skateboard legends making the decisions? You actually don’t need to send in any videos showing off your skills. This probably would be quite intimidating for many people since Tony Hawk is so accomplished. However, your passion and support of the sport is required.

What is required is that one needs to be a high school senior with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. You must be enrolled full time in a two or four year undergraduate program at a college or university. The application deadline is April 20th and the essay of the top ten candidates will be sent to each member of the Board to be reviewed. This is a way you can write about your true passion

There are lots of Tony Hawk Skate board party supplies available to help you decorate and prepare for a Boom Boom HuckJam Skateboard Celebration. If your kids are always on their skateboards this is probably going to be the theme they want at their next birthday gig. Well, Mom, you are in luck. This is an easy theme to find supplies and cool party favors for.

The party supplies for Boom Boom HuckJam includes dinner plates, dessert plates, cups and napkins and they all have Tony Hawk on them. And he is doing his skateboard stuff. The activity mats have Tony on his Motorex. Everything is centered around Tony and the sport he made famous.

Get some wall decals, there are ten in a pack, and these reusable wall decals have Tony and skateboards. Check them out, they are pretty cool and your kids will love them. Pick a personalized birthday banner to decorate your party room, add some of the fun party supplies, a few party favors and some games…and you have some Boom Boom HuckJam birthday fun. There is a skateboard pinata if you need a birthday game idea and there are temporary tattoos to use as game prizes. The kids will flip over these Tony Hawk Tattoos!

The Tony Hawk HuckJam party favor boxes are full of fun party favors for the kids. They are described as fuel for Cranked Flips and Eggplant-to-Fakie tricks. The party favor boxes contain: Tony Hawk Boom Boom HuckJam Sticker Sheet, 5″ Candy-filled Skateboard, Assorted Color Glow Light Stick, Laser Spinner, Pop Rocks® Candy plus an All-star Wristband.

Your skateboarding fans will love this pack or buy your party favors separately and choose from the stickers, the tattoos or the coolest water bottles around…the Tony Hawk’s New Boom Boom HuckJam Sports Bottle. This is the party supplies pack you want if your son or daughter is a Tony Hawk and a skateboard fan. Now go out there and plan a