Ryan Sheckler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ryan Sheckler

Sheckler in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Ryan Allen Sheckler
Born	(1989-12-30) December 30, 1989 (age 35) San Clemente, California, U.S.
Occupation	Professional skateboarder
Years active	1998–present
Height	5 ft 5 in (165 cm) – 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	165 pounds (75 kg)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Skateboarding
Turned pro	2003
Medal record Summer X Games Representing  United States Gold 2003 Los Angeles Park Gold 2008 Los Angeles Street Gold 2010 Los Angeles Street Silver 2006 Los Angeles Street Silver 2012 Los Angeles Street Bronze 2011 Los Angeles Street Bronze 2015 Austin Street

Ryan Allen Sheckler, born on December 30, 1989, is a famous American professional skateboarder. He is also an entrepreneur, meaning he starts and runs businesses. Many people know him from the MTV reality television show Life of Ryan, which aired from 2007 to 2009. He also starred in a video series called Sheckler Sessions on Red Bull TV. Ryan Sheckler was even named one of the "15 Most Influential Skateboarders of All-Time" by Fox Weekly.

Early Life and Skateboarding Start

Ryan Sheckler grew up with two younger brothers, Shane and Kane. He first found his dad's skateboard when he was just two years old. This was how he started skateboarding! His dad encouraged him, sharing that he learned his first kickflip around age six. Ryan later shared that he began skateboarding at the San Clemente skate park with his best friend, Jered Marburger. He was even there when the park first opened.

Ryan Sheckler's Professional Skateboarding Journey

Starting Out: 1998–2006

Ryan got his first sponsors, like the Etnies skate shoe company and Oakley, Inc., when he was about seven years old. Etnies even invited Ryan and his brother Shane to their main office in California. There, Ryan received his first pair of Etnies shoes. His official partnership with Etnies ended in 1998 but he would later rejoin them.

In 1999, Ryan was featured on the cover of Big Brother magazine. His parents did not let him read the magazine because it contained content meant for adults.

In 2003, two professional skateboarders, Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song, started a new skateboard company called Almost. Ryan Sheckler was one of the first members of this team. He became a professional skateboarder while he was with Almost. Another team member, Chris Haslam, explained that Almost was formed when Rodney and Daewon teamed up with Ryan and Greg Lutzka. Ryan appeared in the first Almost video, Almost: Round Three. His part in the video was set to the song "Why Can't I Be You?" by The Cure.

New Adventures: 2007–2012

Sheckler skating in 2009

After the Almost: Round Three video, Ryan left Almost to join Plan B Skateboards in 2007. At that time, the Plan B team included many famous skateboarders. Ryan's MTV reality show, Life of Ryan, started in August 2007. His two brothers and childhood friends also appeared on the show.

After joining Plan B, Ryan successfully jumped over a 55-foot gap on Bob Burnquist's Mega Ramp in April 2008. The Mega Ramp is a huge ramp with big gaps and a tall quarterpipe. Ryan also appeared in Plan B's Superfuture video, released in 2008, which included footage from his Mega Ramp skateboarding.

The Superfuture video also showed an amazing trick Ryan did at a spot called the "Costco gap." A skateboard photographer and filmer who were there said they were very nervous because the trick was so difficult. Ryan landed the trick on his fourth try. This led to him being on the cover of The Skateboard Mag magazine.

The Life of Ryan show finished in 2009 after three seasons. Ryan decided to stop the show himself. He explained that he didn't want the show to take him away from his skateboarding fans or from skateboarding itself. He felt it was becoming more harmful to his career than helpful.

In June 2012, the Red Bull online series "Sheckler Sessions" began. The first episode showed the Plan B team at an event. In September 2012, Ryan shared that he was building a new training facility for skateboarding.

Continuing Success: 2013–Present

By early 2013, fans and the skateboarding world were wondering when Plan B would release its first full-length video. Danny Way, a Plan B team member, confirmed that the video was being made. He mentioned Ryan Sheckler, saying Ryan had a lot of amazing footage.

Ryan appeared in a preview for the new video in February 2013. He was filmed doing a kickflip in a street setting. In May 2013, a video celebrated Ryan's 15th year with the Etnies brand. Ryan explained in the video that Etnies gave him his first free skate shoes, and he had been skating in their shoes ever since.

The "Sheckler Sessions" online series ended in November 2013. The final episode was filmed in North Carolina and featured other professional skateboarders.

In January 2014, the Volcom clothing company announced that Ryan had rejoined their team. He had been sponsored by Volcom earlier in his career. The announcement was a short online video showing Ryan signing his Volcom contract.

The first official preview for the Plan B full-length video was released in July 2014. It announced the video's title: "True." Ryan also won the Dew Tour Streetstyle event for the third time in a row in August 2014. This event is a downhill skateboarding contest.

On January 10, 2022, Ryan Sheckler announced that he was leaving Plan B after being sponsored by them for 16 years.

Sponsors

As of February 2022, Ryan Sheckler is sponsored by several companies. These include Red Bull, Etnies, Oakley, Ethika, Grizzly, Independent Truck Company, Art of Sport, Woodward Skate Camp, and Melin.

Video Games

Ryan Sheckler is a character you can play in several video games. These include Tony Hawk's Underground 2, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, Tony Hawk's Project 8, and Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.

The Sheckler Foundation

In 2008, Ryan created The Sheckler Foundation. This foundation helps children and athletes who are injured or recovering. Its main goal is to encourage the community to "Be the Change!" The Foundation holds two big charity events every year: "Skate For A Cause" and the "Ryan Sheckler X Games Celebrity Golf Tournament."

In November 2013, the foundation announced its first "SkateBOARD" members. This group includes professional skateboarders like Greg Lutzka and Christian Hosoi. They help support and promote the Sheckler Foundation's projects.

Personal Life

In a 2012 interview, Ryan Sheckler shared that when he's not skateboarding, he enjoys surfing, relaxing, and spending time with his family. He said his main priorities are staying healthy, being a good brother and son, keeping his family safe, and continuing to skate and film video parts. He also mentioned that his top priority is always the health and safety of his family.

In late 2017, Ryan shared that he had faced challenges in his life and sought help to overcome them. He later stated in an interview that he is a born-again Christian.

In November 2021, Ryan proposed to his girlfriend, Abigail Baloun. They had been together for about a year and a half. Ryan and Abigail got married on March 3, 2022. One year after their wedding, on March 3, 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Olive Oleta. Their second daughter, Lilah Fox, was born on July 8, 2024.

Training for Skateboarding

Ryan Sheckler uses special exercises to stay strong and fit for skateboarding. These include plyometrics (jump training), Olympic weightlifting techniques, and exercises that work one side of the body at a time. These help him improve his fitness and specific skateboarding skills.

Skateboarding Contests and Achievements

Ryan Sheckler first competed in a skateboarding contest in 2002. He has won many awards and competitions throughout his career.

2003 Contest Wins

• Gravity Games: 1st place (Street)
• Slam City Jam – Vancouver, Canada: 1st place (Street)
• X Games: 1st place (Park)
• United States Skateboarding Championships: 3rd place (Street)
• Vans Triple Crown: 1st place – overall (Street)
• World Cup of Skateboarding (WCS): 1st place – overall (Street)

2004 Contest Results

• Gravity Games: 3rd place (Street)
• United States Skateboarding Championships: 1st place (Street)
• Vans Triple Crown, Vancouver event: 3rd place (Street)
• Vans Triple Crown, Cleveland event: 3rd place (Street)
• World Cup of Skateboarding: 2nd place overall (Street)

2005 Contest Wins

• AST Dew Tour – Louisville, US: 1st place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – Denver, US: 1st place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – Portland, US: 2nd place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – San Jose, US: 1st place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – Orlando, US: 3rd place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour: 1st place – overall (Park)
• Globe World Cup, Melbourne event: 2nd place (Street)
• World Championship of Skateboarding: 3rd place (Street)

2006 Contest Wins

• Tampa Pro: 5th place (Street)
• AST Dew Tour – Louisville, US: 1st place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – Denver, US: 4th place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – Portland: 1st place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – San Jose, US: 1st place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour – Orlando, US: 2nd place (Park)
• AST Dew Tour: 1st place – overall (Park)
• X Games XII (Los Angeles), US: 2nd place (Park)
• Globe World Cup – Melbourne, Australia: 1st place (Street)

2008 Contest Wins

• Thrasher Magazine's "Bust or Bail": 1st place
• X Games XIII: 1st place (Street)

2010 Contest Wins

• X Games XIV: 1st place (Street)

2011 Contest Results

• X Games XVI: 3rd place (Street)
• Simple Session: 1st place (Street)

2012 Contest Results

• X Games XVII: 2nd place (Street)
• Street League Skateboarding 3rd Series, 3rd Stop (Glendale, AZ): 3rd place
• Dew Tour: 1st place (Streetstyle)

2013 Contest Wins

• Dew Tour: 1st place (Streetstyle)

2014 Contest Wins

• Dew Tour: 1st place (Streetstyle)

Film and TV Appearances

Skateboarding Videos

Ryan Sheckler has appeared in many skateboarding videos:

• Digital: Everyday (2003)
• Tony Hawk's Secret Skatepark Tour (2004)
• Thrasher: King of the Road 2004 (2004)
• Almost: Almost: Round Three (2004)
• Volcom: Chichagof (2004)
• FuelTV: Firsthand: Ryan Sheckler (2005)
• Globe: World Cup Skateboarding 2005 (2005)
• Tony Hawk's Secret Skatepark Tour 2 (2006)
• Etnies: Restless (2006)
• Oakley: Our Life (2006)
• Globe: The Global Assault (2006)
• Plan B: Plan B in Dominican Republic (2008)
• Plan B: Superfuture (2008)
• Etnies: Sangria Nights (2009)
• Plan B: Plan B in Moscow, Russia (2009)
• Strange Notes: Wish You Were Here (2009)
• Thrasher: King of the Road 2010 (2010)
• Red Bull: Perspective (2013)
• Plan B: True (2014)
• Justin Bieber - What Do You Mean? (lyric video) (2015)
• Lifer - (2023)
• Rolling Away - (2023)

See also

In Spanish: Ryan Sheckler para niños

• Sole Technology
• Skate shoes
• Flip tricks
• Skateboarding