How Old Was Tony Hawk When He Landed The 900

When Tony Hawk Wasn't Just Hanging Ten, He Was Hanging... A Thousand?

So, you've heard about the 900, right? No, I'm not talking about the area code for New Jersey, or the number of times your mom called you last night. I'm talking about the skateboarding trick that had everyone from your grandma to your grumpy old neighbor saying, "Well, I'll be!"

Now, you might be wondering, "How old was Tony Hawk when he landed the 900?" Well, buckle up, because we're about to take a ride through time, just like Tony did on that half-pipe.

First Things First: What's a 900?

Imagine Tony, standing at the top of a half-pipe, looking down at a steep, curved ramp that's about as welcoming as a grumpy cat. He's got a board under his feet, and he's about to do something that's never been done before. He's going to spin around... twice.

That's right, folks. A 900 is two and a half rotations in mid-air. It's like doing a backflip, then doing another backflip just because you're feeling extra fancy. And Tony did it all while flying through the air like a human cannonball.

Now, About That Age Thing...

Alright, let's rewind the clock to the summer of '99. Tony Hawk is 31 years old. Yes, you read that right. Thirty-one. That's older than some of you reading this were even born!

Now, I know what you're thinking, "But, but... I thought skateboarders were supposed to be young and reckless?" Well, sure, most of them are. But Tony Hawk isn't most skateboarders. He's the Birdman, the Godfather of Skateboarding, the guy who made skateboarding an Olympic sport.

20 years ago, Tony Hawk landed skateboarding’s 1st 900 | FOX 5 San Diego

So, when Tony was 31, he was already a legend. He'd already done things like the 900's little brother, the 540. He'd already won countless competitions and broken more bones than I can count on my fingers and toes.

Back to the Big Moment

It's July 27, 1999. The X Games are in full swing in San Francisco. Tony is standing at the top of that half-pipe, looking down at a crowd of thousands, and millions more watching on TV. He's got the weight of the skateboarding world on his shoulders, and he's about to do something that's never been done before.

He drops in, hits the coping, and launches himself into the air. He spins, and he spins, and he spins some more. The crowd holds their breath. And then, BOOM! Tony lands it. The crowd goes wild. Tony Hawk, at the ripe old age of 31, has just made history.

So, How Did He Do It?

Well, aside from being an absolute legend, Tony had a few tricks up his sleeve. Literally. He'd been practicing the 900 for years. He'd tried it in competitions before, but he'd always fallen short. This time, though, he was ready.

DID TONY HAWK STEAL THE 900? - Jenkem Magazine

He'd also made some changes to his board. He'd added extra weight to the tail, making it easier to control in the air. He'd also made the board a little bit smaller, giving him more room to spin.

But the real secret to Tony's success? Grit. Determination. A refusal to give up, no matter how many times he fell. That's how a 31-year-old man can do something that no one else has ever done before.

And That, My Friends, Is How Tony Hawk Landed the 900

So, the next time you see Tony Hawk on TV, or you're out at the skate park watching some grommet trying to land a 360, remember this: Tony was 31 when he landed the 900. Age is just a number, folks. It's what you do with it that counts.

And if you'll excuse me, I've got to go call my mom back. She's probably wondering why I've been talking to myself about skateboarding for the past hour.