Hi everyone, Dietz here with an update. Since our autograph liaison Eric is currently in Chicago with our newest exclusive Mark Buehrle doing a signing I wanted to inform you guys about the private signing that we just conducted here in the office with the “Godfather of Skateboarding” himself, Mr. Tony Hawk. Like many of you I’m sure, I grew up watching Tony attempt some of the most ridiculously dangerous stunts and tricks on a board while also playing his incredibly addicting video games. To this day I can recall him hitting the 900 on national TV.

Just like yesterday and last week, we ran an e-mail out to our entire customer base yesterday asking them to send in their questions for the skateboarding legend. The catch was if your question was selected to ask Tony you would win a FREE signed 8x10 photograph. Tony was extremely receptive to answer the questions I had for him and was very approachable and personal. Thank you again to everyone that participated in the giveaway and congratulations to the lucky 5 winners. These last few Q&A’s have had such a great response we are definitely going to continue these in the months to come, so keep checking those inboxes! Without any further ado here is the small Q&A I conducted with Tony Hawk:


Q. What are your thoughts on the new breed of skateboarders out there that seem to try to injure themselves more often that not by attempting to try tricks that are overly outrageous? Back in your day, it was all about performance and perfection. Now it's all about extremes. – Jonathan
A. The notion now is you have to be excessively daring or outgoing by doing bigger stunts. That is just the nature of the sport these days and a better way of getting noticed. I only endorse it though if I truly believe that the skater has the talent and ability to do those kinds of things.

Q. I am seven years old and live in Spotsylvania, VA, I came to see Tony at Six Flags last summer. I would like to know what is the most difficult trick that Tony has learned to do and how long it took him to learn it? - Randy H.
A. Either the Kickflip McTwist or the Kickflip 540. I had to test those for a very long time and I’ve only nailed them twice and I really don’t want to try them anymore. (laughs)

Q. What special moment in your career, would you consider the defining moment that made all the broken bones and bruises worth it all? – JC from Staten Island
A. It would have to be the 900 for me because it was the trick that took the longest pursuit to finally do. The fact that it was on national TV sort of crossed the boundary from people seeing skateboarding as just a novelty.

Q. Are you involved in the engineering and design aspect of skateboards? - Marc V.
A. Absolutely...each pro on our team picks their own shape and graphic on their board and I mostly oversee and have input on it. When it comes to that though we like to let the pros represent themselves however they want.

Q. How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to be a professional skater? - Mark W.
A. At the time I made the decision I was real young so they were extremely supportive. I was at the top of the amateur ranks and the only time they really showed any kind of concern was when I was nearing the end of High School. But they were still confident that I could pursue it because by the time I had graduated I had already bought my own house.