Dan's Papers - August 8, 2008 - Flight of the Hawk

Tony Hawk is more than just the greatest skateboarder who ever lived - he is a true legend, and he is coming to East Hampton. Yep, you read that correctly.

To nearly every teenager and extreme sports enthusiast, "Tony Hawk" is synonymous with the word "amazing." He dominates the sport, and has created a brand based on himself. When he goes up and down a half-pipe at 50 miles an hour, launching himself into a flip while 40 feet in the air, you can see why. Tony Hawk knows how to dazzle.

Hawk's skateboard skills have allowed him to open up his heart to other passions, perhaps the most important of which is helping those less fortunate. Hawk has developed the Tony Hawk Foundation, which builds skateparks for youths in communities that cannot afford them. So far the foundation has built over 250 skateparks around the country, and Hawk wants to do more. All of this is why so many are excited about his annual charity event, Stand Up for Skateparks, to be held at the Ross School in East Hampton on August 10. This marks the fundraiser's East Coast debut, as Hawk hails from California and usually holds events in Los Angeles.

Why head to the Hamptons? Because many of the people with whom connections were made on the West Coast also have homes here, which made the spot very appealing. Also, doing a skating show in Manhattan is pretty tricky because there simply isn't adequate outdoor space.

The Standup For Skateparks benefit is a hot ticket, with kids begging their parents to take them so they can have the chance to watch Hawk do what he does best. The event is being presented by Activision, a video game company (Hawk is the face of one of their bestselling games). It will be a family-centric, action-sports carnival featuring a "vert" ramp and a slew of professional skateboarders, hand-picked by Hawk, to do a demonstration. There will also be BMX riders launching themselves off the "vert" ramp, as well as games, food, live music, auctions and, of course, Hawk.

"We're making concrete changes, figuratively and literally, in communities, and giving at-risk children a place to be active and creative," said Hawk. "I can think of no better way to give back to the skating community than to provide facilities [where] they're most needed."

Hawk has discovered that many community planners shy away from skateboarding, thinking it's a passing fad. Hawk knows otherwise, finding that many of the kids he skated with while growing up have become active, influential members of the community.

In fact, perhaps the most incredible results of The Tony Hawk Foundation's hard work are the community bonds the skateparks have created. He believes the reason for the positive feedback is that kids love to skate, and skating keeps them healthy and out of trouble. These parks do more than create a meeting-place for kids to have fun - they create a sense of camaraderie in the community. It is remarkable how many people use them, and that the kids stay there to skate into the night.

Corporate sponsors are also on "board" with Hawk, including huge companies like NetJets, Fiji Water, got2b, Jeep, The Wasserman Foundation, Jones Soda Company, T-Mobile Sidekick, UFC, Quiksilver, Dynacraft, Kohl's, Birdhouse, Maverick Business Adventures and Soleo Organics, to name just a few. They have given tremendous support to the program. His long list of friends is just as impressive, and the benefit committee includes Lance Armstrong, Andre Agassi, Russell Simmons, Rob Dyrdek, Christopher Boykin, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mia Hamm, Dana White Jr., Jon Favreau, Mat Hoffman, Shaun White, Bobby Kotick, Bob McKnight, Ron Burkle and Scott Greenstein. In the past, this annual event has drawn tremendous celebrity cache, including Pamela Anderson, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), David Spade, Lisa Kudrow and others.

Hawk feels extremely fortunate to do what he does and to contribute to the lives of so many kids, and makes sure the energy and effort of all involved is put to good use. "It is a huge honor to do this, but an even bigger responsibility making sure that the funds are used properly," said Hawk. "We make sure that our funded projects have follow-through, and keep diligent tabs on their progress. That way we have tangible evidence of how the money is making a difference in the communities."

In between all the do-gooding this weekend, Hawk may partake in a little surfing? "Perhaps in the morning before our event. That would be a very cool claim-to-fame," he said. However, one popular area sport is definitely out: "I tried playing polo once in Chicago and the horse did not like my riding style, if I even had one. He bucked me off in the first 10 minutes. I decided that I'm better at riding vehicles than animals."

Stand Up for Skateparks ticket packages vary. For information, contact C.C. Flashman: 760-477-2479, or cc@tonyhawkfoundation.org.