Sheckler's Life!

We Wanna Know: Ryan Sheckler

Nov 29 2006 / Los Angeles, CA

Ryan Sheckler is easily one of the most popular skateboarders of the moment. Not only is he young (16 years old) and talented, he is also a fan favorite. Lat34 goes inside the mind of skate phenomenon Ryan Sheckler to find out what makes him tick.

Ryan Sheckler prides himself on staying out of trouble on and off the Dew Action Sports Tour. That’s why he was slightly chagrined about his recent injury.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Sheckler burned his left foot at a beach barbecue near his home in San Clemente, Calif. Most 16-year-olds, especially ones that sell sneakers with their names emblazoned on them, would have kicked back and taken a few weeks off. But Sheckler was determined to return ASAP, perhaps in time for the next tour stop in Denver.

“I’ve won every contest I’ve entered this year,” he said. “I’d like to keep that going if I can.”

Since earning his first sponsor six years ago, Sheckler has been a young man in a hurry. At the age of 13, Sheckler was the youngest entrant in the X Games to capture a gold medal, finishing first in the “SBX Park” event. He followed with a first place at the Gravity Games and third place in the U.S. Skateboarding Championships.

His trademark move, the “Shecklair,” is a combination of a kick flip, stiffy and Indy air with legs full extended. Sheckler’s friends include Rodney Mullen and Tony Hawk. After touring with Hawk in 2004, Sheckler appeared in his buddy’s video games, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 and Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland.

Sounds like a hotshot kid still traveling in fast company. But talk with Sheckler and one soon realizes how down to earth he is. Mullen and Hawk have emphasized the importance of balancing life and a career. From them Sheckler learned the mantra, “Live a clean life and you will live a prosperous one.”

Sheckler explains that he tries “to look at everything and decide what would be good in the eyes of others. If you do that, if you approach every day like God wants you do, you’ll definitely enjoy a good life.”

Sheckler said he doesn’t drink or smoke and refuses to get caught up in the tour’s party atmosphere. He said he has “too much to lose.”

If all of that adds up to being a role model, Sheckler says he’s fine with the extra responsibility. “I like it when kids and their parents come up to me after a competition,” he says. “When they say, ‘Good job,’ it makes all the work and practice worth it.’”

Growing up Sheckler was swimming by nine months and riding belly-first on his father’s skateboard by 18 months. As a toddler, he survived a potentially tragic accident when he stuck a screw driver into an electrical socket. (He came out of it unscathed.) Before his sixth birthday, Sheckler found Hawk’s fax number and sent off a party invitation. The legend attended after being assured that chocolate cake would be served.

Through it all Sheckler tried other sports –TBall as a youngster, wrestling in ninth grade – but he was most comfortable on a board and on his own.

Mullen and Hawk also turned pro at a young age, so Sheckler listens to any advice they offer. “Guys like Rodney and Tony know the kind of work you need to put in to go somewhere,” Sheckler says. “I don’t mind putting in the work and practice because I hate going back and having to redo things. I just hate that. Everything has to be done right the first time for me.”