Learn How to Skateboard With Tony Hawk's MasterClass
The pioneer of modern skateboarding will teach you everything from simple ollies to death-defying Madonnas and more.
Learn How to Skateboard With Tony Hawk's MasterClass
The pioneer of modern skateboarding will teach you everything from simple ollies to death-defying Madonnas and more.
If you grew up in the ’90s or ’00s, there’s a good chance that you watched Tony Hawk defy gravity and bring skateboarding to new heights time and time again — or at least tried to imitate his arial acrobatics in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series. Now, the most influential skateboarder of all time is sharing everything he’s learned as MasterClass‘s latest expert instructor. In Hawk’s own words, the course will “show members that you can carve your own path with dedication and confidence. And maybe a few skate tricks.”
Alongside son Riley Hawk and protege/top female skateboarder Lizzie Armanto, the Birdman will go through a nuanced breakdown of all the tricks he made famous, sharing his wisdom in full for the first time ever. Cornerstone abilities like balancing and ollies are covered at the start, but the difficulty will increase: by the end of the courses, Hawk keys viewers in on high-level maneuvers like the Madonna and McTwist. It’s more than just steezy grabs, flips and more, however. Each lesson will begin with a special anecdote from Hawk, from the hurt of being bullied at the skatepark as a child, to the exhilaration of landing the first-ever 900 at 1999’s X Games.
Over his decades as a professional, Hawk has garnered a perspective that few other skaters can lay claim to. Now, he’s ready to pay it forward. “Experience and knowledge is priceless” he says. “The least we can do is pass it on so that others don’t have to make the same mistakes in order to progress. The new generation of skaters has more opportunity than ever. What they do with it will be crucial to sustain skateboarding’s growth in the coming years. With the right guidance, we can help them evolve skating effectively.”
In celebration of the new seminar, Hawk and MasterClass are also teaming up for a “NBD/Best Trick” Challenge. 21 of the world’s best skaters, ranging from Hawk and Armanto, to Bucky Lasek and Sky Brown, will compete for the “Best Trick” crown, starting on June 24 on Hawk and MasterClass’s social channels. A winner will be announced on June 29.
Head over to MasterClass now to join Hawk’s skate course which launches today, June 21, and peruse 85 expert-taught classes, ranging from Stephen Curry on basketball to Samuel L Jackson on acting and Tom Morello on how to play the guitar. In addition, watch below as Hawk offers a free tutorial on how to do a frontside heelflip.
