Which famous skateboarder had his own MTV reality show?
Skateboarding was born on the west coast of the United States, where skateboards began as deconstructed scooters. When they gained popularity, the boards began to be mass-produced and found a home among surfers, who used them as a way to ride a board even when they weren't on the waves.
Since then, several men and woman have made names for themselves in the sport. Arguably, the most well-known skateboarder in the world is Tony Hawk, who is famous even outside of the tight knit skating community; he has a clothing line, skateboarding gear, popular videos games, and more. His branding reflects his talent; every time he competed in the X games, he earned a medal, and he now gives back to the skateboarding community in the form of the Tony Hawk foundation, which provides funding to skate park projects.
Alexis Sablone, a female skater, has also shaken up the skating scene, garnering her fair share of attention for her admirable skill. Although she admits she doesn't particularly like skating competitions, she won medals in her first four X Games appearances. But her talents don't stop at her amazing feats of athleticism; she has also earned degrees from Columbia and MIT.
With skaters like Sablone and Hawk leading the way, skating is becoming more and more prevalent. Skate parks are countless and international. Skateboarding has inspired magazines, websites, TV, and many dedicated fans.
Skateboarders, however, don't rise up through the ranks like other athletes; they don't generally join teams at their schools (although school skateboarding programs do exist). Skateboarders practice as much as possible, honing their talents and trying new tricks. While skateboarding is a solo sport, it's important to skate in competitions and brand yourself to gain recognition in order to gain sponsorship to rise through the ranks of skateboarders.
Skateboarders are constantly pushing the limits of what is possible, which means the world of skateboarding is always growing, and changing. Fans everywhere are watching to see what's next.