Ryan Sheckler

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ryan Allen Sheckler (born December 30, 1989) is an American professional skateboarder.

1 Early life
2 Competition
3 Media
4 Trivia
5 Contest history
6 External links

[edit] Early life

Sheckler was born in San Clemente, California, to Randy Sheckler and Gretchen Walsh. He is the oldest out of 3 children. His 2 brothers are named Shane and Kane. Ryan first started skating at age of 18 months in his driveway with the neighborhood kids. Three years later, his new backyard mini-ramp helped him improve by leaps and bounds, soon propelling him into the local skatepark scene and a CASL State Championship victory every year he entered. In fact, Ryan's talent at nabbing contest wins is snowballing today. Right after turning pro in early 2003, he quickly proceeded to bag back-to-back world-class professional events like the Slam City Jam, Triple Crown New Jersey, Gravity Games and the X Games.

[edit] Competition

Sheckler began skateboarding at eighteen months old and by the time he was four years of age he was performing ollies. He then became one of the world’s youngest professionals in the sport at 13 years old. In August 2003, Sheckler competed in the X Games and became the youngest participant ever to have won a gold medal, taking first place in the “SBX Park” event. Sheckler finished the 2003 season ranked first in the world in the street discipline, having taken first place in the event at the Gravity Games and third place in the event at the United States Skateboarding Championships

Sheckler has continued to find success in park events, winning two events in 2005 on the Dew Action Sports Tour and, having accumulated the most points over the Tour’s five stops and across the Tour’s skateboarding disciplines, taking the title of “Athlete of the Year”. In 2006 he again topped the rankings in the skate park discipline.

Sheckler’s performance in street events has been mixed; he finished ninth in the event at the 2004 X Games but nevertheless finished 2004 ranked second in the world in the event, having also captured a Gravity Games bronze medal and United States Skateboarding Championships gold. In 2005, Sheckler finished third in the street event at the World Championship of Skateboarding in Munster, Germany.

In skateboarding circles, Sheckler is known for the eponymous “Shecklair” move, a combination of a kickflip, stiffy and an Indy air completed with the legs fully extended.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Media

After his breakout 2003 season, Sheckler spent part of 2004 touring with Tony Hawk, appearing with the skateboarding legend on TEENick and travelling to Australia, Canada, and Spain; Sheckler also appeared in four of tonyhawk video games, Tony Hawk's Underground 2, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, Tony Hawk's American Sk8land and Tony Hawk's Project 8. In mid-2004, Sheckler left his board sponsor World Industries and switched to Almost Skateboards, although both companies are owned by Dwindle Distribution. Then, in early 2007, he switched to Plan B Skateboards. Sheckler had a part in the Almost: Round Three video, as well as Oakley's "Our Life"released respectivley in August 2004 and August 2006. On television, Sheckler appeared on the February 10, 2005 episode of MTV Cribs. He has begun work on his own show^{[citation needed]}.He is said to appear on the 2007 Kids Choice Awards.

[edit] Trivia

Although skateboarding consumes much of his time, Ryan also enjoys Motocross, surfing, snowboarding, and golf.
Sheckler got 2nd degree burns on his foot during a 4th of July barbecue in 2006 from stepping on a barbecue grill. Despite the burns, he placed 4th in the Dew Action Sports Tour's Right Guard Open 10 days later.^{[citation needed]}
He has his own V.CO-Operative Series jeans from Volcom, pro model shoes from Etnies and sunglasses from Oakley.

[edit] Contest history

2003

Gravity Games, first place (street discipline)
Slam City Jam, first place (street discipline)
United States Skateboarding Championships, third place (street discipline)
Vans Triple Crown, overall first place (street discipline)
World Cup of Skateboarding, overall first place (street discipline)

2004

Gravity Games, third place (street discipline)
United States Skateboarding Championships, first place (street discipline)
Vans Triple Crown, Vancouver event; third place (street discipline)
Vans Triple Crown, Cleveland event; third place (street discipline)
World Cup of Skateboarding, overall second place (street discipline)

2005

Dew Sports Tour, Louisville event; first place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, Denver event; first place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, Portland event; second place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, San Jose event; first place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, Orlando event; third place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour; overall first place (park discipline)
Globe World Cup, Melbourne event; second place (street discipline)
World Championship of Skateboarding, third place (street discipline)

2006

Tampa Pro, Florida event, fifth place (street), biggest slam
Dew Action Sports Tour, Louisville event; first place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, Denver event; fourth place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, Portland event; first place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, San Jose, California event; first place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour, Orlando event; second place; second place (park discipline)
Dew Action Sports Tour; overall first place (park discipline)
X Games, Los Angeles event; second place (park discipline)
Globe World Cup,Melbourne event; first place (street discipline)