Ryan Sheckler

Biography

Ryan Allen Sheckler (born December 30, 1989) is an American professional skateboarder and the star of the MTV reality show, Life of Ryan. Early life Sheckler was born in San Clemente, California. When he was just 18 months old, Sheckler found his dad's old-school skateboard. Sheckler taught himself to push it around using one knee, and eventually stood up on the skateboard. From age 6 on, he has spent up to 22 hours a week practicing tricks in his backyard skate park, which includes a half pipe, table tops and several grind rails. He developed his own trick called the Sheck-lair - an indy kickflip flyout. Career Sheckler's career took shape during the summer of 1995, when his dad built a new quarter pipe in the family's skatepark. A few years later, he joined the CASL (California Amateur Skateboarding League), entered one of their contests and won. Tony Hawk attended the CASL party and took some time to practice with Sheckler. During 1997-2001, Sheckler won all of the CASL state championships, and signed with his first eyewear sponsor, Arnette – the same company sponsoring Tony Hawk. Sheckler turned professional in 2003 after winning in the X Games, Gravity Games, Vans Triple Crown and Slam City Jam. In 2004, he was named the World Cup of Skateboarding’s National Street Champion. The next year, he took the title again, along with the AST Dew Tour Athlete of the Year. In 2006, 16-year-old Sheckler won the Global Assault in Australia and finished fifth at the Tampa Pro in Florida. Sheckler is currently on tour making a few appearance nationwide for Jourey's Backyard Barbecue (2009). In May 2009, Sheckler launched his new clothing line, RS, that is sold at J.C. Penney stores nationwide. Sponsors Ryan Sheckler rides for Plan B Skateboards. Sheckler is also sponsored by Plan B Wheels, Etnies Shoes, Volcom Clothing, Independent Trucks, FKD Bearings, Mob Grip, CCS Skate Shop, Nixon Watches, Oakley Eyewear, Red Bull and Panasonic. Contest history 2003 Gravity Games, first place (street discipline) Slam City Jam, first place (street discipline) United States Skateboarding Championships, third place (street discipline) Vans Triple Crown, overall first place (street discipline) World Cup of Skateboarding, overall first place (street discipline) 2004 Gravity Games, third place (street discipline) United States Skateboarding Championships, first place (street discipline) Vans Triple Crown, Vancouver event; third place (street discipline) Vans Triple Crown, Cleveland event; third place (street discipline) World Cup of Skateboarding, overall second place (street discipline) 2005 AST Dew Tour, Louisville event; first place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, Denver event; first place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, Portland event; second place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, San Jose event; first place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, Orlando event; third place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour; overall first place (park discipline) Globe World Cup, Melbourne event; second place (street discipline) World Championship of Skateboarding, third place (street discipline) 2006 Tampa Pro, Florida event, fifth place (street), biggest slam AST Dew Tour, Louisville event; first place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, Denver event; fourth place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, Portland event; first place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, San Jose, California event; first place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour, Orlando event; second place; second place (park discipline) AST Dew Tour; overall first place (park discipline) X Games, Los Angeles event; second place (park discipline) Globe World Cup, Melbourne event; first place (street discipline) 2008 Thrasher Magazine's Bust or Bail Competition X games; 1st place Movie/TV career Sheckler has appeared in the movies Grind, Dishdogz, and MVP 2: Most Vertical Primate. He also starred in his own MTV reality show "Life of Ryan", from 2007-2009.