LEWISTON — Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk dropped in Monday at the local skate park, showing off his grabs and other cool moves to the delight of hundreds of teenagers, their parents and other gawkers.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal
World renowned skateboarder Tony Hawk shows off his skills for area enthusiasts at the skate park in Lewiston on Monday.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal
Kevin Staab performs a front-side tail slide at the skate park in Lewiston on Monday. Staab showed up at the park with world renowned 'boarder Tony Hawk.
The stop was apparently the last for Hawk and his Birdhouse Team on a tour of 10 in the Northeast, according to Jodd Bowles, a founding member of the committee that created the park that opened in 2006.
"My first reaction, I was shocked," said Dylan Dunne, 15, of Auburn. "It was really shocking for me. I've watched everything he's done. He's like the best skateboarder around."
Dunne, an avid inline skater, said he rushed over to the skate park with a friend after receiving more than 10 text messages on his cell phone that the world famous skateboarder had rolled into Lewiston. Just missing the performance on the half-pipes, Dunne said he went over and sat outside the tour bus and waited for his chance to catch a glimpse of Hawk.
Lady Luck was on Dunne's side as Hawk emerged from the bus to hang out and sign autographs for his eager fans. The Edward Little High School sophomore was the first in line to meet Hawk, shake his hand and get his picture taken with the skating legend known for his signature "900" move. Hawk is thought to be the first skateboarder to ever master three spins in the air.
Sponsors erected tents overlooking the park and gave away clothing and other promotional goodies to onlookers.
Sporting a red T-shirt and black helmet, Hawk, who is well-known through his video games as well as his board skills, spent more than an hour in the park, navigating the smooth cement curves, ramps and ledges.
A participant in the tour seeking driving directions from New Hampshire alerted officials at the city's Department of Recreation to Hawk's unexpected appearance.
"We found out about it this morning," said Administrative Assistant Claudette Jordan. "He did donate $10,000 to the skate park, so that's why he's here."
Submitted photo
Dylan Dunne, 15, of Auburn, gets Tony Hawk's autograph.
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cobbguy, you are right. My
cobbguy, you are right. My desire to constantly rant about lazy, near-worthless people has no place here.
Tony Hawk is an athlete who brought credibility to the sport, and gave unlikely athletes a reason to continue. The donation was instrumental in giving generously to a segment that is usually scorned and overlooked.
I apologize to anyone offended by my ill placed comments.
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Simply amazing. A positive role model for young children everywhere and I see negative comments about jobs and welfare. It simply didn't occur to anyone that perhaps people would take some vacation / sick time to see someone who has had such a large impact on the skating world and contributed to our very own community. Sometimes the lack of intelligence in some of these postings simply baffles me.
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How did this turn political? It gave local kids a chance to meet someone they might look up to, there was excercise (not tv or video games) involved. How about if we say thanks to Tony Hawk for being a role model and leave it at that!
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Agreed... well said. Tony is 41 years old and still ripping like an 18 year old... simply amazing! VERY generous donation to the city of Lewiston. Thanks Tony!
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Absolutely Amy, well said.
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and where is it that you don't work akuma? you're no where near as funny or pertinent as you think.
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He is a positive role model what do you do in your free time? Aside from drowning puppies, feeding kittens to lawn mowers, and enjoying a little bit to much church wine on the side? Considering that he put ten grand into it while the town councilors put fifty grand into facades and signs it is clear that who cares more about the town and its citizens is someone who does something right. Welfare is someone who can never care, he was never raised to, he forgot who Robert Owen was, and deems children as young as six viable for work.
Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2
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Dear sir, please take your negativity elsewhere. I, as red-blooded, full time workin' American (question my employment if you wish), just happened upon this event on my afternoon break yesterday. I can attest to the article's statement that this was attended by mostly high school age kids with a sprinkling of parents and professional adults as well. You, sir, are simply being a crotchety old crab. What we have here is a great story of a self made man who kids can relate to, visiting the skate park that he very generously donated a sizable amount of money to, and spending time not only signing autographs and taking photos but actually skating with said kids. These kids were able to spend time with a legend of the sport, who may very well be a hero to some of them. From the sounds of it you may not have had any heroes growing up, or perhaps you're feeling some resentment because you were never fortunate enough to be within arms reach of them. Whatever the case is, and at the risk of being redundant, take your negative garbage elsewhere. The city of Lewiston gets a world renowned skateboard star and some good, positive press, and all you can talk about is welfare. Give it a rest.
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Good thing we have a region filled with non-working folks so an event like this can be well attended. Your time is near, you lazy drug-hazed bums. The revolution will cut your pathetic existence to $0 and you might have to work...
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It was well attended by many High School kids (it was after school hours), younger kids, and professional adults (many still in suits and ties). So please take your political themed soapbox and go sit in the corner, or better yet use it to go float down the Androscoggin.
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This is great, when I was young It would of been a dream of mine to see the Tony Hawk stomping in on Lewiston turf. It figures that he comes now that I am away in college.
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They didn't look all that comfortable in the 9' (from what the video shows)
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It will never cease to amaze me that we can't have a single story in this paper appear without some dumbass politcal comment. GET A LIFE.
Thanks to Tony for stopping by and making this happen for these kids. You're a good man!
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Amen.
There's nothing about politics here, move the internet fight baiting to a story that is actually relevant.
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He must be Obama's Skating Zar.
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Much thanks to Tony Hawk for stopping by on the tour as it was a great even for all in attendance. The tricks were sick, the crowd amped up and yet still respectful, it was a really cool scene.
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On a side note, great shots Jose!
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