900 (skateboarding trick)
Encyclopedia
The 900 is a 2.5-revolution
(900 degrees) aerial spin performed on a skateboard ramp. It is considered one of skateboarding
's most technically demanding tricks.
A number of opinions exist about pre-1999 900s. The most prominent of these is the argument that Danny Way
landed the 900 in 1989, and it appears in an early Santa Cruz film. In 1999 Tony Hawk
said:
, one of the most successful vertical pro skateboarders in the world, landed "The 900" at the 1999 X-Games after ten failed attempts. It was past regulation time but, as one announcer said, "We make up the rules as we go along. Let's give him another try." None of the other skaters protested. Hawk twice landed on his board, but it flew out from under him. When he finally completed the trick, his arms windmilled and his hand barely grazed the ramp. Nonetheless, he rode away. He was awarded 1st place in the "Best Trick" event despite going over the time limit.
At a later X-Games, Hawk landed the trick again, this time during regulation time. In his book, the 900 was the last on wishlist of tricks Hawk had written a decade earlier. Other tricks on the list included the ollie
540, kickflip
540, and varial 720. In a 1999 interview, Hawk said he does not have "any desire to spin further". He did, however,
successfully land the trick during press interviews for the video game Tony Hawk: Ride and at the "Tony Hawk: RIDE Presents Stand Up for Skate Parks" event.
bike, skis, snowboard
, or in-line skates. BMX-Rider Mat Hoffman
was the first person to successfully land the 900 on film at a competition in Canada in 1989. At the 2002 X Games, Hoffman took the trick a step further by landing a no-handed 900. Simon Tabron's signature trick is the 900. In the 2007 X Games 13 Simon Tabron landed the first back-to-back 900s.
Because the gear of snowboarders, skiers, or inline skaters is affixed to their feet, the 900 is not considered to be a difficult trick for professionals in those sports and is performed rather often. Because of this, they are capable of more spins (1080, 1260,1440, and 1620 have been accomplished with snowboards, skis, and inline skates).
Turn (geometry)
A turn is an angle equal to a 360° or 2 radians or \tau radians. A turn is also referred to as a revolution or complete rotation or full circle or cycle or rev or rot....
(900 degrees) aerial spin performed on a skateboard ramp. It is considered one of skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
's most technically demanding tricks.
A number of opinions exist about pre-1999 900s. The most prominent of these is the argument that Danny Way
Danny Way
Danny Way is a professional skateboarder.-Awards and achievements:* 1986: Won the first contest he entered at age 11* 1989: Won his first vert contest in Michigan...
landed the 900 in 1989, and it appears in an early Santa Cruz film. In 1999 Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk
Anthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
said:
Tony Hawk
Tony HawkTony Hawk
Anthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
, one of the most successful vertical pro skateboarders in the world, landed "The 900" at the 1999 X-Games after ten failed attempts. It was past regulation time but, as one announcer said, "We make up the rules as we go along. Let's give him another try." None of the other skaters protested. Hawk twice landed on his board, but it flew out from under him. When he finally completed the trick, his arms windmilled and his hand barely grazed the ramp. Nonetheless, he rode away. He was awarded 1st place in the "Best Trick" event despite going over the time limit.
At a later X-Games, Hawk landed the trick again, this time during regulation time. In his book, the 900 was the last on wishlist of tricks Hawk had written a decade earlier. Other tricks on the list included the ollie
Ollie (skateboarding trick)
The ollie is a skateboarding trick where the rider and board leap into the air without the use of the rider's hands. Particularly on flat ground, it is not intuitively obvious how the liftoff is achieved, making the trick visually striking....
540, kickflip
Kickflip
The Kickflip, Ollie Kickflip, or Ollie Flip is a skateboarding trick where the rider ollies and flips the board over in the air before landing.It was the first of many modern flip tricks to be invented by Rodney Mullen in the early 1980s....
540, and varial 720. In a 1999 interview, Hawk said he does not have "any desire to spin further". He did, however,
successfully land the trick during press interviews for the video game Tony Hawk: Ride and at the "Tony Hawk: RIDE Presents Stand Up for Skate Parks" event.
Other sports
The 900 can also be attempted on a BMXBMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
bike, skis, snowboard
Snowboard
Snowboards are boards, usually with a width the length of one's foot, with the ability to glide on snow. Snowboards are differentiated from monoskis by the stance of the user...
, or in-line skates. BMX-Rider Mat Hoffman
Mat Hoffman
Mat Hoffman is an American BMX rider considered one of the best vert-ramp riders in the history of the sport. He is nicknamed "The Condor" and owns the BMX Freestyle brand Hoffman BMX Bikes, based out of Oklahoma City, OK.-Bio:...
was the first person to successfully land the 900 on film at a competition in Canada in 1989. At the 2002 X Games, Hoffman took the trick a step further by landing a no-handed 900. Simon Tabron's signature trick is the 900. In the 2007 X Games 13 Simon Tabron landed the first back-to-back 900s.
Because the gear of snowboarders, skiers, or inline skaters is affixed to their feet, the 900 is not considered to be a difficult trick for professionals in those sports and is performed rather often. Because of this, they are capable of more spins (1080, 1260,1440, and 1620 have been accomplished with snowboards, skis, and inline skates).
Skateboarders who have successfully executed the 900 in a tournament or on film
- Tony HawkTony HawkAnthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
, July 1999 X-Games, San Francisco, California (USA) - Giorgio Zattoni, April 2004 Marianna HC, Ravenna (Italy)
- Sandro DiasSandro DiasSandro Dias is a Brazilian professional vert skateboarder. He was born on April 18, 1975 in Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil and currently resides in Santa Ana, California. He started skateboarding in 1986 and turned pro in 1995. He is considered the king of the 540 and one of five people to be...
, May 2004 Latin X-Games, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) - Alex PerelsonAlex PerelsonAlex Perelson is a professional skateboarder living in San Diego. Perelson began vert skateboarding in 1999 and turned professional in 2005.-Career:...
, July 2009 Maloof Money Cup, Costa Mesa, California (USA) - Bob Burnquist, first fakie to fakie 900, August 2010 Mega Ramp,(USA) http://www.skateboard.tv/video/5870
- Mitchie Brusco, July 2011 Nescau MegaRamp Invitational, São Paulo (Brazil) http://sports.espn.go.com/action/skateboarding/news/story?id=6730222
- Elliot Sloan, October 2011 Maloof Money Cup South Africa http://espn.go.com/action/skateboarding/story/_/id/7051132/elliot-sloan-lands-first-900-tailgrab-minimega-maloof-south-africa
- Tom Schaar, October 2011 MegaRamp Woodward