The Tony Hawk Foundation Stands Up For Skateparks Benefit Is Coming To The Hamptons

By Nicole B. Brewer and John Anthony Olsen

For years skateboard legend Tony Hawk has been thrilling the crowds across the country with his extreme tricks. This weekend he's bringing the thrills to the Hamptons with his inaugural Activision Presents Stand Up For Skateparks benefit in Bridgehampton.

Tony Hawk in action during the 2007 Stand Up For Skateparks event in Beverly Hills.
Photos courtesy of the Tony Hawk Foundation

After five years in Beverly Hills, California this family-centric, carnival-style, star-studded benefit will expand to the East Coast for an intimate Vert skateboarding and BMX demonstration where Tony Hawk and other top skate and BMX pros will perform on Tony's personal vert ramp.

In addition to the exciting Vert demo, the day will host an interactive action-sports carnival featuring unique activities and giveaways, as well as food and drinks for children and adults alike. All proceeds from the day will benefit the Tony Hawk Foundation, which seeks to foster lasting improvements in society with an emphasis on supporting and empowering youth. Through special events, grants, and technical assistance, the Foundation supports recreational programs with a focus on the creation of public skateboard parks in low-income communities. The Foundation favors programs that clearly demonstrate that funds received will produce tangible, on-going, positive results.

To prepare for the event we had a young friend of Hamptons.com, John Anthony Olsen, 8, ask Tony a few questions from the fans. John Anthony is a skateboard enthusiast and he will be on-site during the event for a few follow-up questions with Tony, and you never know, he might learn a trick or two from the man himself. We'll capture everything on video for you and post next week.

John Anthony Olsen: How old were you when you started skateboarding?

Tony Hawk: 10

Where is your favorite place to skateboard?

TH: In my backyard skatepark or on my Huckjam vert ramp.

How many hours a day do you practice?

TH: Usually two to three hours, but not quite everyday or I get burned out.

What do you do when you are not skateboarding?

TH: Spend time with my family, snowboard, and surf.

What is the hardest skateboarding trick for you to do and are you working on anything new?

John Anthony Olsen and Tony Hawk at the Stand Up For Skateparks event in Bridge-
hampton. Photo by Nicole B. Brewer

TH: The hardest tricks for me to land consistently are Kickflip McTwists and 900's because so many things can go wrong with either one of those. I have been trying to learn Ollie 720's for a while now, but I can't figure out how to keep my front foot on during the last 180.

How many skateboards do you have and do you have a favorite?

TH: I have a small collection of about 50. My favorite is my very first one - a Bahne fiberglass board from 1977.

Why are you coming to the Hamptons in August?

TH: For our first East Coast event benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation. We are trying to raise funds in order to build public skateparks in low-income areas.

How many pairs of Tony Hawk shoes do you have?

TH: I have about five pairs of every design.

What is your favorite Tony Hawk game?

TH: The one we are currently working on. It doesn't have a name yet, but it will be the most fun because it's a whole new way to play skating games.

What is your favorite TV show?

TH: The Daily Show

With the help of their Stand Up For Skateparks benefit, The Tony Hawk Foundation has awarded over $2.3 million to 390 communities in 47 states. The Activision Presents Stand Up For Skateparks event will take place on Sunday, Aug. 10 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ross Lower School located at 739 Butter Lane in Bridgehampton.

For more information, click here.