Ryan Sheckler

Born in the year 1989, on December 30, in San Clemente, California to Gretchen and Randy Sheckler, the well-known superstar of skateboarding, took up his passion for skateboarding even before he knew how to read. As the story goes, apparently when Ryan was just 18 months old he came across his father's old skateboard, which his father had used when he was in school, and began trying it out at once. His skateboarding thrill began by him sitting on that old skateboard with one knee on it and pushing off with the other foot.

With his father encouraging him, the four-year old Ryan first jumped on a skateboard, and ever since he has been rail sliding and kick-flipping himself into skateboarding superstardom. But that did not come without dedication and hard work. It is said that since he was 6 years of age, he has been spending 22 hours in a week trying out and honing his skateboarding skills in his backyard, where he used to have his own skatepark. In fact, he has devised his very own skateboard trick which he has named Sheck-Lair. By the time he was 10 years of age, Ryan Sheckler had become a sponsored skateboarder.

A Peek into Ryan Sheckler's Skateboarding Career

Soon after turning into a pro, the gold was won by Ryan Sheckler at the 2003 X Games, in a street competition. He also topped the street competition at the 2003 Slam City Jam. He has also toured with Shaun White and Tony Hawk on the Gigantic Skatepark Tour organized by Tony Hawk. Plus, he has also acted in 'Grind', a movie based on skateboarding. By winning the gold in X Games, Ryan Sheckler has earned the honor of being youngest pro skateboarder to do so. Apart from being awarded the Dew Action Sports Tour Athlete of the Year in 2005, Ryan Sheckler has also won the World Cup of Skateboarding's National Street Champion twice. Then he won the title of the Global Assault held in Australia in the year 2006. And then his career reached new heights when his reality show, 'The Life of Ryan', was debuted on MTV in the year 2007.

A Peek into Ryan Sheckler's Personal Life and Other Interests

Ryan Sheckler's longtime idol has been Tony Hawk, and he had dearly wished to invite him for his 7th birthday party. Hawk did come to the party and even practiced a few skateboard tricks with Ryan.

Ryan Sheckler's height is 5'8", and his nickname is 'Shecks'. He has two brothers, Kane and Shane. He is 18 years old and still doing his high school studies as a homeschooler, with science being his favorite subject.

He loves the music of 'The Cure' and 'Guns and Roses', and 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' is the movie that he says is his favorite.

Apart from skateboarding, Ryan also loves swimming, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and surfing. Cars are another passion of his. He adores going for rides on his Yamaha YZ85. And he says that if he had not made it in skateboarding, he would have been involved in the sport of motorcross.

To quote Ryan Sheckler: "The key to my life is balance. A sense of balance has allowed me to reach great heights with my skateboarding."