Becoming Pro and Staying Pro are Different Things
Upon watching Tony Hawk’s latest, and apparently his self-proclaimed last video part, it got me thinking more deeply about the whole longevity scenario within skating, as well as any similarly physically taxing activity.
I highly recommend watching the clip (linked below), which partly inspired me to write this, in combination with a discussion on an episode of Hawk vs Wolf podcast, which he co-hosts with Jason Ellis, an Aussie ex vert pro. In it, they discuss the matter of not only being good enough to “make it” and become a pro skater in the first place, but the difference between that and then maintaining the status of legitimate pro for an extended time period.
Tony Hawk is still doing NBD’s at 55 in his new clip The Tapes You Leave Behind
During my active years as a sponsored skater, I saw many amazing pro’s come into the scene with much hype, but to then drop off, often swiftly & unceremoniously, and mostly disappear into the shadows, if not completely into the void to be basically never heard of again. Over the years I’ve discovered that several of them still skate, which is always cool to see. But there’s (usually) a difference between skating for fun, and really putting it out there, as well as putting oneself on the line.
As the time passed, I recall thinking about it more prominently as each one dropped off the radar, and wondering how long one can skate for, as at this point in time skating was relatively young and no precedent had been set, and hence I questioned how long I would stay committed for to keep trying hard and pushing myself. Consequently, I vividly remember the moment when I acknowledged to myself that I’d lost that proper drive, which was seconds after tearing the medial ligament in my knee in Bondi Bowl. But thankfully for the most part I was at peace with it, as I already had the understanding that such a time was coming, and a few years prior, stemming from my passion for music, I had taken up DJ’ing as a less injury-prone pastime – although I reckon that I broke a few neighbours eardrums in my early learning stages!
At that point it had been pretty much 25 years of unwavering and almost single-minded obsession (outside of snowboarding & surfing), with 16 odd years of those being sponsored and actively engaged in that realm – and headspace (although several years before being sponsored I was aspiring to get there! Additionally, in my 33rd year of mindful skating, I competed in, and won, a Masters park competition). Not to mention my continued evolving involvement in various facets of the industry coinciding with my actual skating.
Hence, I guess that I had a decent stint compared to some, relatively speaking at least, and therefore believe that I have some understanding of what it takes to push through and keep the vibe alive.
There are many reasons why anyone stops skating, or stops skating hard. Debilitating injuries, or just not wanting to be hurt anymore, alcohol and/or drug abuse, pressure to consistently produce comp results and/or media, work/career (and not being able to be injured, or risk getting fired etc), other interests, or just being over it, among other things. But the predominant factor, outside of a chronic injury status, is essentially a choice due to one’s state of mind. We all deal with things in our own way, and for many of us we can mostly choose to come & go in whatever aspects we feel. There’s no right or wrong, as skateboarding – and life – will carry on irrespectively, so we must do what may be best for our individual circumstances, which at times may involve other people. There should be no shame in that whatsoever, but perhaps just so long as we constantly aspire to be the best version of ourselves, and to share that with the world and our loved ones. Afterall, skating and other such frivolities are merely an added bonus!
Outside of Flow:Skate, Ti currently works with Globe & Hardcore Distribution, who distribute a multitude of globally recognised and popular brands, such as Opera Skateboards
There are quite a few crew who still represent to this day not only solidly, but also publicly, by way of social media, video parts, competitions, or a mix of each, after decades of consistent and prolific dedication & masochism. The more obvious ones would be Cab, Lance, Rune, Rodney, Andy Mac etc, but I have to give a special props to the street skaters, as I do believe that it’s more challenging overall to maintain street pop & agility, plus public domain output, as compared to vert/transition stuff – although I’d never discount the ever-present spectre of hanging up and getting pitched straight to the flat bottom of a decent sized vert ramp or concrete bowl! Andrew Reynolds, Jamie Thomas, Daewon Song, Guy Mariano, Geoff Rowley, Ron Allen (who is actually older than every one of the aforementioned, including the transition guys!), and also a more than honourable mention goes out to Aussie’s Darren Kaehne & Davo, plus Renton Millar in vert-land, all of whom are still shredding with on-point technique as well as the odd bit of gnar thrown in (mostly from Reynolds!).
Surfer Kelly Slater deserves a shout out here too, for legitimately winning heaving Pipeline, a literally deadly wave, at two weeks off being 50 years old, against all of the young guns on the pro tour. It definitely takes a particular mindset that is committed and razor-sharp, much like the reef below those barrels, for such undertakings.
Still, being really good and maintaining a level is one thing, but having the inspiration as well as determination to progress, not just one’s own skill set, but also within the vernacular of the pursuit, is something else. Now, some might say “oh but Tony is cashed up and doesn’t need to work a ‘real job’, so he can afford the time to skate and try stuff etc..”. While there is a certain validity in that, it could be directly countered with the statement that he doesn’t need to skate at all anymore, and why would he bother putting his body at risk when he could very comfortably have quit and rested on his laurels many years ago – and still deservedly have received all of the accolades that he has earned.
Indeed, there are many tricks, and ways of doing them, that Tony hasn’t necessarily done, yet the fact that he’s still contributing in unique & meaningful ways (as much as any of it is meaningful) towards the ever-evolving picture of the art itself is a testament to what being a professional is – and that’s not to mention any of his equally ongoing industry & scene endowments.
To not only be skating but also contributing in such a way after 45+ years on board, and the injuries that come along with that, including his recent broken femur and the complications that arose from it, is most certainly an amazing feat. I mean, how many would have the mental fortitude to continue to push through such punishment, particularly for such a fleeting goal in this age of digital bombardment?!?
Backside finger-flip from Tony’s first broadly released video part in Powell Peralta’s The Bones Brigade Video Show, released in 1984
On saying all of that, this isn’t meant to specifically venerate Tony, or to create a contest of any sort, of how long anyone has skated, how many tricks invented, contests podiumed, or video parts produced – all of which he incidentally has in spades. For conversely, Tony also has his self-confessed personal flaws, as we all do, whether we may acknowledge them or not. But as the old saying goes, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater; and so may we all learn from our mistakes, and not be continuously judged for them.
But this is more so to highlight, albeit with an extreme example, what real-time dedication, perseverance and commitment to any given vocation can look like, and the sacrifices that it may readily entail, very often to our personal lives, and also towards those around us.
As Bon Scott sang, it’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock’n’roll, but the grind will likely be gnarly if you wanna stay there, no matter the activity – however it may well be an equally if not more than enjoyable ride if you love what you do.
Namaste
Article authored by Ti Coleing, lifelong skateboarder, industry guy, and head coach & fun-provider at Flow:Skate.
We offer coaching for all levels, however our main focus is intermediate to advanced skaters looking to take their skills & mental fortitude to the next level.
