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Vert Skateboarding’s Unexpected Revival: From Tony Hawk’s Era to a New Generation
In 1999, Tony Hawk, the icon of vert skateboarding, redefined the sport at the X Games. Soaring above the halfpipe, Hawk executed a breathtaking 900 – two and a half rotations in mid-air – a trick once deemed impossible. This landmark achievement not only broadened skateboarding’s horizons but also propelled it into mainstream consciousness. However, the spectacular discipline Hawk championed, vert, subsequently waned as street skating gained prominence, leaving massive ramps behind. Now, a resurgence is underway.
A Social Media-Fueled Comeback
Recent months have witnessed a surge of online videos showcasing young skateboarders fearlessly launching themselves off ramps, executing gravity-defying maneuvers previously considered too risky by even seasoned skaters. These prodigious talents are reshaping perceptions of what’s achievable in vert, inspiring a global wave of youngsters to embrace this exhilarating style.
Vert Skating Seeks Olympic Stage
This renaissance of vertical skateboarding, or “vert” as enthusiasts call it, is fueling hopes for its reintroduction to the Olympic Games. Tony Hawk himself is actively advocating for vert’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to capitalize on this renewed momentum.
The Enduring Allure of Vert
Vert skateboarding possesses an undeniable visual appeal. Its inherent simplicity, combined with the sheer thrill of daring aerial feats, makes it readily understandable and captivating even for non-skaters.
Tony Hawk’s Legacy and the Niche Perception
Hawk’s legendary 900 and the hugely successful “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” video game cemented his status as skateboarding’s foremost figure in the early 2000s. Yet, despite his fame, the vert discipline he championed remained somewhat marginalized.
“It’s still kind of considered niche,” Hawk acknowledged in a recent interview, expressing his frustration with vert skateboarding’s current standing.
The Reality of Vert’s Popularity
While Tony Hawk’s vert accomplishments elevated the perception of the discipline, its actual following has historically been smaller. Renton Millar, head of the Vert Skating Commission for World Skate, clarifies that vert skaters have always been a notable minority, admired for their “rad” and spectacular skills.
Tom Schaar: Bridging Generations in Vert Skateboarding
Enter figures like Tom Schaar, a 25-year-old skater widely seen as vert’s next luminary and a crucial link between veteran skaters and the burgeoning generation discovering vert through social media.
Schaar, a member of Hawk’s Birdhouse skateboard company, was born in the same year Hawk landed his groundbreaking 900. By age six, Schaar was riding vert ramps, later achieving both a 900 and a 1080 within the same year at just 12 years old.
“The 900 took considerably longer,” Schaar noted regarding learning these complex rotations. “Once you overcome the apprehension of those additional spins, they tend to blend into a singular spinning sensation.”
Youthful Fearlessness Drives Vert’s Future
Vert skateboarding inherently rewards the type of fearless actions characteristic of youth, making adolescents key in shaping its trajectory.
Evolving Resources and Encouragement for Young Skaters
“Young skaters today have access to more resources,” Hawk observed. “Training facilities are now available, and children are encouraged to start skating. This was not the case in our youth; skating was discouraged, seen as a negative influence with no future.”
Hawk recounted his own decade-long pursuit before landing the 900 at age 31. He now watches in awe as younger skaters rapidly surpass his and his contemporaries’ achievements. Last year, Arisa Trew became the first female skater to land a 900, achieving this feat at just 13 years old.
“Some of these kids, from their very first sessions, are captivated by aerials and grasp the possibilities,” Hawk explained. “For them, a 540 is merely a starting point. A 540 wasn’t even conceived until my teenage years.”
Hawk’s Olympic Push for Vert Skateboarding
Hawk, a fervent advocate for vert, is determined to see it included in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Southern California, a global skateboarding epicenter, provides an ideal backdrop. Hawk has been actively “hustling” to get vert recognized as an Olympic event, believing it will significantly boost its visibility and lead to the construction of more vert ramps. He’s even offered to contribute his own equipment.
“I would donate my ramp,” Hawk enthusiastically stated. “I’d say, ‘Here’s the terrain. Find a location, and it’s yours.’ I possess the world’s premier vert ramp, and it’s portable, assemblable within hours. It’s all yours.”
Olympic Decision Looms
The International Olympic Committee is scheduled to make its final decision regarding vert and other events for the 2028 Olympics at its upcoming executive board meeting on April 9th.
Many within the skateboarding community consider a vert competition an obvious Olympic addition. Hawk noted its exclusion from the 2020 and 2024 Games due to logistical hurdles and a perceived scarcity of vert skaters at the time.
Schaar, also proficient in park-style skating, earned a silver medal in that Olympic event in 2024. However, he views park skating as a necessity, with vert remaining his true passion.
“For someone unfamiliar with skating, street and park can appear overly technical when viewed on the Olympics,” Schaar explained, highlighting vert’s broader appeal.
Hawk acknowledged that when skateboarding was initially considered for the 2020 Olympics, the number of competitive vert skaters was insufficient. However, with the sport’s expanding popularity, his public promotion of vert has intensified.
“The disparity between genders and the overall standard of global skating was significant back then,” remarked Luca Basilico of World Skate. “Times have changed.”
Letting Go of the Past to Embrace Vert’s Future
Vert skateboarding’s evolution necessitates a departure from its past.
By the time Hawk achieved the 900, he and his peers, veterans from vert’s 1980s heyday, were approaching the end of their professional careers. Few new vert skaters were emerging, leaving Hawk as a prominent voice advocating for its continuation.
“Skaters today, particularly those aged 25 and above, will almost universally acknowledge Tony Hawk’s influence on their skateboarding journey,” stated Jimmy Wilkins, a leading vert skater. “Even if not directly, they likely grew up skating in a park he facilitated.”
However, the young skaters now revitalizing vert on platforms like Instagram have less direct ties to Hawk. Born after his pivotal moments, their innovative approach and advancement of vert are distinctly their own.
Elliot Sloan, a 36-year-old vert skater who turned professional in 2008, described a “significant divide” between different generations of vert skaters, leading to a somewhat isolated personal journey. He considered himself fortunate to participate in a sport still alive, largely due to Hawk’s late 1990s successes.
Yet, Hawk’s achievements are now historical, and Wilkins and Sloan are firmly established vert veterans. The emerging generation is progressing rapidly and impressively.
“I’ve witnessed countless kids emerge at seven years old who are remarkably skilled,” Sloan recounted. “Before long, I find myself competing against them.”
A Groundswell of Youthful Enthusiasm
“The most encouraging aspect of this vert resurgence is the grassroots movement among young people,” Millar emphasized. “There are now numerous vert facilities worldwide, a stark contrast to the near absence in the past.”
While this influx of young vert skaters has surprised some veterans, it has empowered Hawk to continue championing the discipline. Regardless of era, popularity, or visibility, vert skateboarding remains inextricably linked to Hawk, who persists in his lifelong passion despite his formal retirement.
“I need to go skate,” he declared at the end of an interview. His friend Bucky Lasek, another icon from the 1990s, was arriving. They were planning to spend the day skating on Hawk’s private ramp, demonstrating the enduring appeal of vert skateboarding.