Tony Hawk Rolls Into Brisbane

Tony Hawk may be the most famous and recognizable skateboarder ever known. 

 

With Hollywood movies,  a clothing line and his own video game franchise, he is world renown. 

 

Tony Hawk was in Queensland for the Big Day Out concert Series. 

 

[Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder]: 

"I got invited to skate at big day out. Last time I did that was in 1996. So I was stoked to come back and do it again."

 

With all this fame he still remains grounded and loyal to his fans.  

 

He took time out to meet a lucky 150 fans in Brisbane. 

 

For some fans it was overwhelming to meet Tony. 

 

Some of Tony's biggest projects are his humanitarian work. 

 

He heads a not for profit organization that help disadvantaged children. 

 

The Tony Hawk Foundation has helped build over 400 skate parks in low income areas.

 

Giving around 3 million children and teens access to a safe skateboard environment.

 

Tony believes it is important to teach morals in education to combat discrimination.

 

[Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder]: 

"I think the best thing to do is teach tolerance and I think also a sense of self confidence for the kids that are being hassled  and they need to learn to believe in themselves. I really believe that's what skateboarding brought to me as a kid. I struggled to fit in and I loved it and I fitted into it even though most of my friends didn't I didn't care."

 

He was signing autographs and everyone had a photo opportunity with him. 

 

He even had advice to offer the fans wanting to be like him.

 

[Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder]: 

"My best advice is to do it cause you love it don't expect too much. If you get into skating don't expect to kill it straight away. It takes years and years of practice and we're all still getting better at it. We're all still learning as we go and only do it because you enjoy it. Not because you think it is your ticket to fame and fortune."

 

Tony has been skating for over 30 years and will continue to do so into the future.

 

[Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder]: 

"I guess I am sort of pushing it as far as how far can you go with it. What is the age limit? I don't know but I will let you know when I find it."

 

Adrian Richardson, NTD News, Brisbane