900

The 900 is a 2½-revolution (900 degrees) aerial spin performed on a skateboard ramp. While airborne, the skateboarder makes two-and-a-half turns about his or her longitudinal axis, thereby facing the other way when coming down than before. 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:

Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk, 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. ^[2] 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". ^[1] 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. Even in 2011 Hawk was still able to land his famous 900 and posted a video of the trick via his Twitter account stating "I'm 42 and I did a 900 today."^[3]

Other sports

The 900 can also be attempted on a BMX bike, skis, snowboard, scooter 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.^[4] 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).^{[citation needed]}

Skateboarders who have successfully executed the 900 in a tournament or on film

1. Tony Hawk, July 1999, X-Games, San Francisco, California (USA)
2. Giorgio Zattoni, April 2004, Marianna HC, Ravenna (Italy)
3. Sandro Dias, May 2004, Latin X-Games, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
4. Alex Perelson, July 2009, Maloof Money Cup, Costa Mesa, California (USA)
5. Bob Burnquist, first fakie to fakie 900, August 2010 Mega Ramp,(USA)^[5]
6. Mitchie Brusco, July 2011, Nescau MegaRamp Invitational, São Paulo (Brazil)^[6]
7. Elliot Sloan, October 2011, Maloof Money Cup, South Africa^[7]
8. Tom Schaar, October 2011, MegaRamp Woodward West, Tehachapi, California (USA)^[8]
9. Zac Rose, April, 2012 at Rye Airfield, NH (USA)^{[citation needed]}

Tom Schaar was also the first skateboarder to perform the 1080, making three full turns on March 30, 2012, also at MegaRamp Woodward West.^[9][10]

References

• Skateboarding Games

1. ^ ^{a b} 1999 Summer X Games: Chat wrap: Hawk soars to legendary status
2. ^ Twist and Shout at the X Games
3. ^ "Tony Hawk 900 in Linkoping Sweden". Shredordie.com. http://www.shredordie.com/video/tony-hawk-900-in-linkoping. Retrieved May 19, 2011. 
4. ^ "The 25 Best BMX Performances in X Games History: 1. Mat Hoffman, No-Handed 900, 2002 X Games in Philadelphia". Jul 28, 2011. http://www.complex.com/rides/2011/07/the-25-best-bmx-performances-in-x-games-history/mat-hoffman-no-handed-900-2002-x-games-in-philadelphia. Retrieved March 16, 2012. 
5. ^ http://www.skateboard.tv/video/5870
6. ^ "14-year-old Mitchie Brusco lands MegaRamp 900 in Sao Paulo, Brazil". ESPN.com. July 7, 2011. http://sports.espn.go.com/action/skateboarding/news/story?id=6730222. Retrieved March 16, 2012. 
7. ^ "Elliot Sloan lands first 900 tailgrab on MiniMega at Maloof South Africa". ESPN.com. October 2, 2011. http://espn.go.com/action/skateboarding/story/_/id/7051132/elliot-sloan-lands-first-900-tailgrab-minimega-maloof-south-africa. Retrieved March 16, 2012. 
8. ^ "12-year-old Tom Schaar youngest skater to land 900". ESPN.com. October 17, 2011. http://espn.go.com/action/skateboarding/story/_/id/7115343/12-year-old-tom-schaar-youngest-skater-land-900. Retrieved March 16, 2012. 
9. ^ "12-year-old skateboarder nails first ever 1080" (video). Red Bull. March 30, 2012. http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/tom-schaar-first-ever-1080-video-021243187489113. Retrieved April 3, 2012. 
10. ^ "12 year old californian lands first 1080 on a skateboard". aol.com. April 1, 2012. http://www.aol.com/video/12yearold-californian-lands-first-1080-on-a-skateboard/517321717/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2&pLid=148423. Retrieved April 1, 2012.