![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/th_1st_board_0.jpg?h=0fad5ea6&itok=wHHfsY8e)
Tony Hawk's first skateboard he got as a present from his brother. It was the beginning of the steep career of the Californian who was born in San Diego in 1968.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/tony_on_1st_board_0.jpg?h=c3858670&itok=UcJ7bk5c)
Nine-year-old Tony Hawk on his first skateboard.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/delmar2_0.jpg?h=8c9a3da7&itok=ildUS5u_)
At the age of 12, Tony Hawk won amateur competitions all over California. At 14, he went pro.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/tonyhawkfrontsideair_bart_jones_0.jpg?h=ab838e0e&itok=OUiIdMPZ)
The exceptional talent won the title "Vertical Skating World Champion" 12 times in a row from 1988 to 1999.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/tonyhawk_shadowboxphoto2_0.jpg?h=a51a5cf9&itok=_H3nUDn_)
In the late 80s Tony Hawk toured the world to skate in demos and competitions.
![Credit: antton Shortly after the X-Games 1999 Tony Hawk retired from competitive sports and only skated at shows and demo events.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/1279479258_9826_tonyhawkmadonnacredit_antton_0.jpg?h=e25354c0&itok=q-9KvPBz)
Shortly after the X-Games 1999 Tony Hawk retired from competitive sports and only skated at shows and demo events.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/th-stale-fakie_longretouch_0.jpg?h=761d3eb3&itok=R5zzqZlz)
In the same year he launched his legendary video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/th_loop_0.jpg?h=0080fdce&itok=RhsenEI2)
Tony Hawk in the infamous BBHJ Loop.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/thfrontwallr_0.jpg?h=4fabf752&itok=IKaOlJT1)
In addition to his career as a professional skateboarder, Hawk founded the skateboard labels Birdhouse Projects and Hawk Clothing.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/tony_hawk_-_bs_air_0.jpg?h=164501e0&itok=AwS5tgAo)
After the X-Games 2003 he did not take part in any competitions anymore, but continued to tour the world with top athletes from the skateboard, BMX and motocross sectors.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/tonyhawk-whitehouse_0.jpg?h=12fe9829&itok=rRPW1m6i)
Tony Hawk at the Nose Wheelie outside the White House.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/tonyhawk_action_0.jpg?h=825d61a0&itok=FachbzhE)
Tony Hawk is one of the most famous and influential athletes in the world.
![Credit: Tony Hawk](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2019-01/final-tony-hurricane_0.jpg?h=869b5c9e&itok=gZ4af0sl)
Together with the Tony Hawk Foundation, he is responsible for setting up new skateparks in the USA.