Tony Hawk has kicked his way into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, but San Diegans know his accomplishments extend beyond the halfpipe. Nine years ago, the city honored the local legend by naming May 29 “Tony Hawk Day.”
🦅 The rise of the Hawk
Hawk was born in 1968 in Carlsbad and received his first skateboard when he was 9 years old. At age 14, he turned pro and later won multiple gold medals at the X Games. His career is filled with firsts, like when he landed the first 900 at the 1999 X Games.
San Diegans know him for more than just flipping out on a skateboard — and we’re not talking about his successful video game series “Tony Hawk Pro Skater.” He’s also dedicated to giving back to his community.
🛹 The declaration
In 2014, then-Mayor Kevin Faulconer and former councilmember Lorie Zapf deemed May 29 “Tony Hawk Day,” recognizing the skater for his achievements in his sport and his philanthropic work.
Particularly, this celebrated the Skatepark Project — formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation — that’s dedicated to providing inclusive, recreational spaces in underserved communities. Since its formation, the nonprofit has contributed to 661 parks across all 50 states, including San Diego’s Linda Vista Skate Park and Park De La Cruz in City Heights.
Cruising through the Linda Vista Skatepark.
Photo via @mike.j.gutt
🤝 Observing Tony Hawk Day
When it comes to celebrating, the pro skater once said, “I can’t imagine what you’re supposed to do on Tony Hawk Day.”
But, the observance is rooted in a sense of community, and Hawks’ philanthropic efforts have shown no signs of braking. Recently, he represented Feeding San Diego as a contestant on “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” and the Skatepark Project launched an initiative to teach community organization skills to the next generation of leaders.
