ryan sheckler

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

Biography

Early life

Sheckler was born in La Palma, California to Randall Sheckler and Gretchen Walsh. He has two younger brothers, Shane and Kane.

Competition

Sheckler began skateboarding at four years old and 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”.

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.

Media

After his breakout 2003 season, Sheckler spent part of 2004 touring with Tony Hawk, appearing with the skateboarding legend on TEENick and traveling to Australia, Canada, and Spain; Sheckler also appeared in three of Hawk’s video games, Tony Hawk's Underground 2, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland and Tony Hawk's American Sk8land. He will also be in the upcoming Tony Hawk's Project 8 video game. In mid-2004, Sheckler left his board sponsor World Industries and switched to Almost Skateboards, although both companies are owned by Dwindle Distribution. Sheckler had a part in the Almost: Round Three video, released in August 2004. On television, Sheckler appeared on the February 10, 2005 episode of MTV Cribs

Sponsors

Sheckler is sponsored by Almost Skateboards, Bones Wheels, Silver Trucks, Ninja Bearings, Mob Grip, Etnies Footwear (where he has received a pro model shoe, the youngest skateboarder to receive one), Nixon Watches, Oakley, Red Bull, Volcom, Kicker Audio, CCS, and Amp'd Mobile. In his nascent motocross career, he is sponsored by Classic Honda and Alpinestars. Sheckler is often believed to be a "sell out" due to his mostly corporate sponsorships.

Trivia

• Although skateboarding consumes much of his time, Ryan also enjoys Motocross, surfing, and snowboarding.
• Sheckler got 2nd degree burns on his foot during a 4th of July barbeque in 2006 from stepping on a barbeque grill. Despite the burns, he placed 4th in the Dew Action Sports Tour's Right Guard Open after 10 days.
• He has his own V.CO-Operative Series jeans from Volcom which offer an extremely tight fit that tends to result in testicle shrinkage.
• He has his own signature Etnies pro model shoes.

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 Action Sports Tour, Denver event; first place (park discipline)
• Dew Action Sports Tour, Louisville event; 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)
• X Games, Los Angeles event; second place (park discipline)

External links

• Official site
• Ryan Sheckler at EXPN Online
• Ryan Sheckler at the Internet Movie Database
• Ryan Sheckler page on SkateboardDirectory.com