Every skateboarder has his/her own style and movements. Some of them are just about techniques and some others are all about style and impression. This post will present 25 skateboarders who can be called the greatest in the world.
Skateboarding is considered quite a unique sport as the athletes are riding the skateboard and performing various tricks on it. Many skateboarders refer to the sport as their profession, but it is also highly appreciated as a form of art.
There have been so many magnificent skateboarders/athletes throughout the years. Legendary skateboarders with style, skills, and dedication to the sport. Over the last decades, some of them have inspired the youngest generation to take part in the sport, and some others added a new shape and culture to it.
Although there are hundreds of legendary skateboarders in the world, we decided to make a list of the greatest 25.
The list below is composed of the best skateboarders across the decades, regardless of their style and their revenue. These dudes/dudettes have style and unquestionable skills and they gave so much of themselves to skateboarding and its culture!
Table of Contents
Greatest Skateboarders Throughout the Years
1. Leticia Bufoni
Born: 13 April 1993
From: São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Turned pro: 2017
Leticia Bufoni is one of the greatest active skateboarders in the world. She is an American-Brazilian professional street skateboarder who won 11 X-Games medals and holds the Guinness Book of World Records record for “Most Wins Of The World Cup of Skateboarding” World Rankings (Street, female). Among the 11X-Game medals, she broke the records and won 6 gold!
In a male-dominated sport, Leticia Bufoni manage to become a gold medallist in the street skateboarding and charmed many with her dedication and style. Leticia broke down all the barriers in women’s skateboarding!
At the age of 28, Leticia continues to be one of the most famous female skateboarders in the world. It is worth mentioning that she has over 4.4 million fans across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Leticia Bufoni consistently holds top placement in the SLS Female division. She has a clear technique, and if she wants, she can land on every trick that you can imagine.
She was also the first woman signed to the Nike SB team and the first woman to cover The Skateboard Mag. In addition, Bufoni had her own reality TV show in Brazil and became a spokesperson for all the female skateboarders around the world.
2. Anthony Mosley
Born: July 28, 1982
From: Los Angeles, California
Turned Pro: 1996
Anthony Mosley is a great skateboarder whose network is about $ 10 million. He was born in Los Angeles and started skateboarding at the age of 13. When Anthony was 16, he started to focus on skateboarding professionally.
Mosley took 2nd place in the first-ever competition in which he participates, in Tampa Am in Florida, out of 250 pro-skaters. Of course, ever since he counts many wins in skateboarding competitions. Even if he holds many wins, he is mostly known for his showmanship and unique style in the sport.
His first professional endorsement came from Billabong when he showed his real value for the future of skateboarding. At this point, Anthony Mosley is also a new entrepreneur who collaborated with Dallas Stokes and created a new skateboarding line with clothes and shoes under the brand of Black Sheep.
He later decided to sell his share on Black Sheep and used a portion of the money to create the Krew clothing (worldwide known as “Be Cool”) skating clinics, as he wanted to pass on his knowledge and skills while giving fun and constructive outlet for all kids.
Moreover, Mosley has partnered with a big music production company and soon he is releasing his debut music album.
3. Tony Alva
Born: September 2, 1957
From: Santa Monica, California, United States
Turned Pro: 16 Years Old
Tony Alva played a massive role in the development of skateboarding. He started skating at the age of 10, and he turned into a pro at the age of 16, as part of the Zephyr Competition Skateboarding Team members, also known as the Z-Boys. Tony Alva along with the Z-Boys, brought a more aggressive style to skateboarding – a style that lasts even today.
Tony Alva, along with some other Californian surf kids, developed a new appearance on skateboarding, known as “vertical skating”. Alva believes that skating must have a sense of continuity and style, as the flow of the surfers in the water.
Alva signed his first professional deal with Vans, in 1974, which allowed him to design the first-ever signature skate shoe.
With his talent and career, Alva managed to become one of the most influential names in the sport.
4. Nico Hiraga
Born: December 19, 1997
From: San Francisco, California, US
Turned Pro: 14 Years Old
Nico Hiraga is a famous skateboarder and actor based in the USA. The lovable skater at the top of his career he turned into acting. He is well known for his freestyle skateboarding.
However, except for that, Nico is also modeled for brands such as Gucci, Prada, and Guess. At the age of 14, Nico turned into a pro skater, but an injury forced him to take a break from skating. That was when he decided to turn into the film and model industry.
5. Chris Cole
Born: March 10, 1982
From: Statesville, North Carolina, U.S.
Turned Pro: 18 Years Old
Chris Cole is one of the most famous professional skateboarders. His style can be described as both rebellion and novelty. He is one of the most innovative skaters on the scene of skateboarding.
In 1993, Cole started competing in many competitions, but he turned into a pro in 2000. Cole is doing mind-blowing skateboarding which made him one of the best on the scene. Chris Cole was also crowned “Skater of the Year” twice. Chris also acquired the “Reader’s Choice” award from Transworld Skateboarding magazine.
6. Lance Mountain
Born: June 13, 1964
From: Pasadena, California, US
Turned Pro: 1980s
Lance Mountain was one of the most prominent skateboarders in the 1980s. He is mostly known for his collaboration with Bones Brigade. Lance Mountain managed to acquire the 18th position on the list of “30 Most Influential Skaters of All Time”. His ability is what made him a professional skater.
Lance Mountain is credited with inventing some of the most well-known tricks in skateboarding history: the Sadplant and the Eggplant. He is also known as one of the inventors of the Gay Twist.
Lance has also seen in many skateboarding movies, and he is also part of several skateboarding documentaries.
7. Nyjah Huston
Born: November 30, 1994
From: Davis California, US
Turned Pro: 2005
Nyjah Huston is the youngest gold medallist on in the X-Games history. He won his first gold medal at the age of 16, in 2011. He is also the highest-paid skateboarder in the world as he is winning one medal after the other.
Nyjah Huston is also one of the Olympic skateboarders, and he is endorsed by some of the biggest brands from the skateboarding scene and outside.
8. Tony Hawk
Born: May 12, 1968
From: Carlsbad, California, US
Turned Pro: 1982
Tony Hawk is one of the most dominant skateboarders of all ages. He had a primary role in the skateboarding scene in the decades of 1980 and 1990. Tony Hawk is the inventor of many famous skateboarding moves like the ollie-to-Indy, the gymnast plant, the frontside 540-rodeo flip, and the Saran wrap.
There isn’t any more recognizable skateboarder than Tony Hawk. Today, Tony is an ambassador for skating and also continues to be a shining role model for the skateboarding industry.
9. Sky Brown
Born: July 7, 2008
From: Miyazaki, Japan
Turned Pro: 2016, 8 Years Old
Sky Brown is a British-Japanese professional skateboarder and surfer. She is the youngest professional in the skateboarding industry and she is competing for Great Britain.
Sky Brown won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. This medal made her the youngest skateboarder medallist of all ages in Great Britain.
Sky is considered a phenomenon, and we can’t wait to see what she will accomplish in her career.
The British Olympic champion has already gotten many sponsorships from many skateboarding and non-skateboarding companies.
10. Danny Way
Born: April 15, 1974
From: Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Turned Pro: 1988, 14 Years Old
Daniel Way, mostly known as Danny Way, is an American professional skateboarder, famous for his astonishing extreme stunts.
During his career, Danny Way attempted many extreme stunts, like jumping from a helicopter into a skateboard ramp and jumping China’s Great Wall on his skateboard.
He won gold medals in multiple competitions, in 1995, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009. Danny Way is also a company owner and a rally racer.
In his active career, till 2009, he has undergone 13 operations for extreme injuries. Now, he has sponsorships from all over the world, from companies like Independent Truck Company, DC Shoes, Pacific Drive, MegaRamp, Capix, Plan B skateboards, ASEC, and Nixon.
11. Dylan Reider
Born: May 26, 1988
From: Westminster, California, US
Turned Pro: 2005, 18 Years Old
Died: October 12, 2016
Dylan Reider was an American professional skateboarder, artist, and model. He started skateboarding at the age of 9, and he turned into a professional at the age of 18, with his breakout part in Transworld Skateboarding’s 2006 video A Time To Shine.
During his professional career, he worked with many brands such as Alien Workshop, Birdhouse, Gravis Footwear, Huf, Osiris, Supreme, Quiksilver, and Fucking Awesome.
Unfortunately, his career ended early as in 2014, he was diagnosed for the first time with leukemia and he died on October 12, 2016, due to complications of his disease.
12. Eric Koston
Born: April 29, 1975
From: Bangkok, Thailand
Turned Pro: 1993
Eric Koston is a professional skateboarder and company owner. His teammate, and also a professional skateboarder, Brandon Biebel named him the “Michael Jordan of Skateboarding”.
Koston was the Thrasher Skater of the Year in 1996 and is also a two-time X Games gold medalist (2003 Street and 2000 Park)
Eric Koston is featured on the Tony Hawks video games series and also in Skate 2 and 3 video games by Electronic Arts. Eric’s first sponsor was the H-Street Company.
Today, Eric Koston has sponsorships from Independent Truck Company, Spitfire Wheels, Fourstar, Girl, Nike SB, Diamond, Supreme, The Berrics, Oakley, Jessup, and Skullcandy and he recently signed a contract with Diamond hardware and Jessup grip tape.
He is considered a legend in the skateboarding industry.
13. Rodney Mullen
Born: August 17, 1966
From: Gainesville, Florida, US
Turned Pro: 1980
Rodney Muller is one of the most influential skateboarders in the history of the sport. He is mostly known for his street style, and he has been credited for creating many well-known skateboarding tricks that left on the history of the sport.
Some of the most well-known tricks that he invented are the flat ground ollie, kickflip, heelflip, impossible, and 360-flip.
Rodney Muller is also known as “The Godfather of Street Skateboarding” as he gave all his life and abilities to the sport.
Muller won his first-ever championship at the age of 14 and during his career, he won 34 out of 35 freestyle competitions. Over the years, Muller transitioned from freestyle to street skateboarding and added his freestyle into the streets.
14. Paul Rodriguez
Born: December 31, 1984
From: Tarzana, California, US
Turned Pro: 2002
Paul Rodriguez is the son of the comedian Paul Rodriguez Sr. and he has always been in the skate limelight. He is also known by the nickname P-Rod and he is considered a street skateboarder.
P-Rod has won a total of eight medals at the X Games and four of them were gold. He is one of the few skateboarders with a premier agent. P-Rod was initially recruited to the team of a local skateboard shop named “One Eighteen” when he was 14 years old. DNA Skateboards was Rodriguez’s first company sponsor.
He is a well-known skateboarder who counts many victories in his record.
15. Mike Vallely
Born: June 29, 1970
From: Edison, New Jersey, U.S.
Turned Pro: 1987
Mike Vallely, also known as Mike V is an American skateboarder and musician. He is considered one of the most interesting skateboarders in the history of the sport.
Mike V started skateboarding in 1984 at age 14 and turned professional in 1987. He is known for his freestyle skateboarding, and he is also the owner of Street Plant Skateboards. Vallely also was featured in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series.
16. Daewon Song
Born: February 19, 1975
From: Seoul, South Korea
Turned Pro: 1991
Daewon Song is one of the best skateboarders of all ages. He is massively known for his skillful and technical street skateboarding.
Daewon Song, along with Rodney Muller is the co-owner of the “Almost Skateboards Company. In 2006, Songs was named the “Skater of the Year” by Thrasher Magazine. Daewon Song had taken the 29th position in the list of “30 Most Influential Skaters of All Time” by Transworld SKATEboarding on the digital platform in December 2011.
Currently, he has sponsorships with big companies, such as Almost, Matix, DVS Shoes, Tensor, Andale, Mob, Loud Headphones, Glassy, Spitfire, and Brick Harbor.
17. Bob Burnquist
Born: October 10, 1976
From: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Turned Pro: 1990
Bob Burnquist is a Brazilian-American professional skateboarder who has competed for Brazil in his whole career. In 2010, he became the first skateboarder to land a “fakie 900”, being the 5th person in history who managed to complete successfully the 900 trick.
Burnquist is mostly known for his switch stance skateboarding, and he has credited the invention of the vert tricks. Burnquist has also a signature trick called the “Wee Willy grind”.
He is counting 14 gold medals in different competitions during his professional skateboarding career.
18. Steve-O
Born: June 13, 1974
From: Wimbledon, London, England
Maybe Steve-O is mostly known for his participation in the Jackass cast, but before that, Steve-O was one of the best skateboarders.
Even if he is a full-time comedian, Steve-O always finds some time to skateboard while on tours.
19. Rachelle Vinberg
Born: August 27, 1998
From: Long Island, New York, U.S
Rachelle Vinberg is an American skateboarder and actress, mostly known for her participation in the HBO series, Betty. At the show, Rachelle captures show the meaning of modern-day skateboarding.
Her older cousin taught her how to skateboard before he turned 12. However, she learned most of the tricks while watching YouTube videos and practicing on her own. Rachelle Vinberg started skating mostly with the boys in her neighborhood.
20. Jason Dill
Born: November 21, 1976
From: Huntington Beach, California, US
Turned Pro: 12 Years Old
Jason Dill is one of the most influential skateboarders of all ages. At the age of 8, Dill met an also future professional skater, Ed Templeton, who as he mentioned changed his life.
Jason Dill got his first sponsorship that the age of 12. In 1998, he joined Alien Workshop where he spent 15 years on the pro team. Dill was named one of the “30 Most Influential Skaters of All Time” by Transworld Magazine, and he also starred in many apparel lines and skateboarding businesses.
21. Heath Kirchart
Born: September 5, 1977
From: Santa Ana, California, US
Heath Kirchart is a professional skateboarder who is well known for his creativity, pyrotechnics, and destruction. The truth is that no one can get enough of his skateboarding. In his participation in the Birdhouse’s THE END, he showed his real talent and skills. He featured everything from a kickflip to 50-50 on a Blockbuster sign to a 20 stair frontside lipslide.
His trademark is that he is wearing all white clothes and a trucker hat. Heath skated professionally for Alien Workshop, under the Sovereign Sect, along with former Birdhouse teammate and long-time friend, Steve Berra.
Heath Kirchart retired from professional skateboarding in 2010.
22. Torey Pudwill
Born: May 2, 1990
From: Simi Valley, California, U.S.
Torey Pudwill is also known by his nickname “T-Puds”. He is most famous for his street style skateboarding. T-Puds, made his first appearance in the 2005 Shorty’s video How To Go Pro when he was around 14 years old. Following that, T-Puds was a flow rider for Alien Workshop for “at least a year”.
During his career, he was then invited to join the Almost team by company co-owner Daewon Song. Currently, T-Puds is sponsored by: Thank You Skate Co, Diamond Supply Co, Bones Bearings, Venture Trucks, Ghetto Child Wheels, Grizzly Grip, Happy Hour, Loud, Red Bull, Nike SB and Nixon Watches.
In 2011, Τ-Puds received the “Street Skater of the Year” award from Transworld Skateboarding magazine.
23. Elissa Steamer
Born: July 31, 1975
From: Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
Turned Pro: 1998
Elissa Steamer is an American professional skateboarder. She started skateboarding in 1989. During her career, she won 4 gold medals in street skateboarding competitions, one silver medal and one bronze medal.
In 2003, Elissa Steamer was voted “Female Skater of the Year” by Check it Out Girls magazine. Steamer has also appeared as a playable character in the first five installments of the Tony Hawk’s Pro-Skater series.
24. Marc Johnson
Born: January 6, 1977
From: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US
Marc Jonhson is a famous American skateboarder who counts some of the most well-known sponsorships. Since 2017, he is sponsored by Adidas, Thunder, Spitfire, ABC Hat Co., MOB grip tape, Andale Bearings, Loud Headphones, and Glassy Sunhaters.
Paul Rodriguez, another pro skateboarder, put Johnson in his “top ten” list of favourite professional skateboarders in July 2013. Marc Johnson is known for his incredible style and technique capabilities.
25. Mark Gonzales
Born: June 1, 1968
From: South Gate, California, US
Mark Gonzales, who is also known as “Gonz” and “The Gonz” is considered one of the pioneers of modern street style skateboarding. In 2011, “Gonz” has voted the “Most Influential Skateboarder of All Time” by Transworld Skateboarding Magazine.
A couple of years before, in 2006, Transworld Magazine also awarded Mark Gonzalez with the Legend Award. At the age of fifteen, Gonzales adopted a more modern, innovative approach to street skateboarding.
Mark Gonzalez, except for being an exceptional skateboarder is also an artist-poet and writer. In 2016, Gonzalez joined the Pro-Tec-skate team.
As of 1970, skateboarding is considered a state of art! The sport is full of artists, innovators, street, freestyle, and aggressive skaters who are practicing their best. Skateboarding will gain more reputation in the future and more rewards will be created for the athletes.
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