The 900 skateboard trick represents the pinnacle of technical achievement in skating, requiring extraordinary skill, courage, and dedication to master. This legendary maneuver involves completing two and a half full rotations in mid-air before landing, making it one of the most challenging and respected tricks in all of action sports. When you witness a successful 900, you’re seeing years of preparation, countless attempts, and an athlete pushing the absolute limits of what’s possible on a skateboard.
Portugal’s First to Land the 900 Skateboard Trick
The Legend of the 900
The 900 skateboarding trick gained worldwide recognition when Tony Hawk successfully landed it at the 1999 X Games, instantly becoming a defining moment in skating history. This groundbreaking achievement elevated skateboarding into mainstream consciousness and established the 900 trick as the ultimate test of aerial mastery. The complexity of the 900 lies not just in the physical execution, but in the mental fortitude required to attempt such a demanding maneuver in Best Trick competitions.
Today, the 900 continues to captivate audiences and challenge elite skaters worldwide. While Tony Hawk’s original achievement at the X Games remains iconic, modern athletes like Thomas Augusto have carried the legacy forward, bringing the 900 trick into contemporary competitions and inspiring new generations of skaters to pursue this ultimate goal.
The Origins and Evolution of the 900
Tony Hawk’s Historic X Games Moment
The story of the 900 skateboarding trick begins with Tony Hawk’s legendary performance at the 1999 X Games in San Francisco. After multiple attempts during the Best Trick competition, Hawk finally landed the elusive 900 trick, creating an instant sensation that transcended skating culture. This moment was later immortalized in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video games and retold throughout countless interviews and media. The achievement established Hawk as more than just a professional skater—he became a global icon who brought the 900 to mainstream audiences worldwide.
Technical Breakdown of the 900 Trick
Understanding the 900 requires appreciating its incredible technical demands and the gymnastic skill required for execution. The skater must generate enough speed and height on a vert ramp to complete 900 degrees of rotation—two and a half complete spins—while maintaining control throughout the aerial maneuver. The revolution aerial spin demands perfect timing, body positioning, and spatial awareness as the skater rotates through the air. Finding the precise landing spot after such rotation requires exceptional calculation and years of experience with transitional skating movements to land in Best Trick competitions, where legends like Tas Pappas have demonstrated aerial mastery.
The Influence on Skate Culture
The 900 fundamentally changed how people viewed the sport’s potential and elevated the sport’s profile in action sports competitions. Following Tony Hawk’s success, the trick became synonymous with pushing boundaries and achieving the impossible in skating, often serving as the ultimate Best Trick performance. The 900 trick influenced everything from skating competitions to video games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, where players could attempt virtual versions of the legendary maneuver established in San Francisco. Its cultural impact helped propel skating into mainstream recognition and laid part of the groundwork for the sport’s eventual inclusion in the Olympic Games, building on the foundations laid by legends like Tony Hawk and Tas Pappas.
Modern Pioneers of the 900 Skateboarding Trick
While Tony Hawk pioneered the 900 skateboarding trick, contemporary skaters have continued evolving and refining this legendary maneuver. Vert legends like Tas Pappas helped push the boundaries of vertical progression leading up to and following Hawk’s breakthrough, while athletes such as Mitchie Brusco have taken the 900 further in competition. Younger talents like Gui Khury have pushed age boundaries by landing the 900 at just 8 years old and later becoming the first to land a 1080 on vert, while other skaters have explored variations like the varial 720 as stepping stones to the full 900. These modern practitioners have shown that the 900 remains relevant and continues to inspire new generations to pursue aerial mastery in both regular contests and Best Trick competitions.
Thomas Augusto’s 900
Portugal’s First 900 Achievement
Thomas Augusto made history as the first Portuguese skater to successfully land the 900, marking a significant milestone for both his career and Portuguese skating. His accomplishment has youth everywhere to pursue the sport and showed that the 900 remains as relevant today as when Tony Hawk first landed it in that historic Best Trick moment.
Part of Thomas’ Quiver
Unlike many skaters who treat the 900 as an occasional spectacle, Thomas is actively working to make it a consistent part of his competitive repertoire. His training is focused on building the technical precision and mental strength required to land the 900 under contest pressure. His commitment to mastering it in high-stakes environments reflects his ambition to turn one of the sport’s rarest maneuvers into a reliable competitive weapon in Best Trick competitions.
Training and Preparation
Mastering the 900 requires systematic training approaches that build both physical capability and mental confidence. Thomas’s preparation involves countless hours on vert ramps, gradually building the speed, height, and rotation control necessary for successful execution. Practices such as studying video footage of previous skating legends like Mitchie Brusco or Tas Pappas help him help him analyze and adopt their techniques and understand the subtle details that make them known as the best in the game. The preparation extends beyond physical practice to include mental visualization and stress management techniques that help maintain focus during actual attempts.
Olympic Ambitions and the 900 Trick
Thomas’s proficiency of the 900 skateboarding trick aligns perfectly with his Olympic aspirations and goal of landing the maneuver in official park competition. His 13th place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest levels, while his 900 trick capability provides a unique advantage in future contests, especially Best Trick competitions. The combination of Olympic experience and his proficiency with the 900 positions Thomas as a formidable competitor who can deliver spectacular performances on skateboarding’s biggest stages.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Thomas’s success with the 900 serves as inspiration for young skaters worldwide, particularly those from countries with growing and developing skating scenes. His achievement proves that dedication and proper training can overcome any obstacle in pursuing skating mastery. Through social media and skate content, Thomas shares his 900 trick journey, providing educational value and motivation for aspiring skaters. His story demonstrates that the 900 remains achievable for committed athletes willing to invest the necessary time and effort.
The Next Chapter of the 900
The 900 skateboarding trick continues representing the absolute pinnacle of aerial skating achievement, inspiring athletes and audiences decades after Tony Hawk’s groundbreaking X Games performance. Thomas Augusto’s mastery of this legendary maneuver proves that the 900 trick remains as challenging and relevant today as ever, while opening new possibilities for competitive skating.
FAQs About the 900 Skateboarding Trick
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about the legendary 900 and its place in modern skating.
How difficult is it to learn the 900?
The 900 is considered one of the most challenging maneuvers in the sport, requiring years of dedicated practice and exceptional aerial control. Most professional skaters spend countless hours perfecting their rotation technique, speed generation, and landing precision before attempting the full 900 trick. The physical demands include generating enough height on a vert ramp to complete two and a half rotations while maintaining spatial awareness throughout the spin. Only a select few skaters worldwide have successfully mastered this legendary trick, making it the ultimate test of board skill.
What equipment do you need for attempting the 900?
Successfully attempting the 900 requires access to a properly designed vert ramp with adequate height and smooth transitions for generating necessary speed and airtime. Professional-grade safety equipment including helmets and protective padding is essential given the high-risk nature of this maneuver. The skateboard setup should prioritize stability and control, with many skaters preferring specific wheel configurations and truck settings optimized for vert skating. Training facilities like those found at major skate parks provide the controlled environment necessary for safely practicing such demanding aerial maneuvers.
Who are the most famous skaters to land the 900?
Tony Hawk remains the most famous skater associated with the 900 having first landed it at the 1999 X Games in a moment that became legendary in action sports history. Other notable skaters who have mastered the 900 trick include Tas Pappas, Mitchie Brusco, and more recently, young talents like Gui Khury who continue pushing age boundaries. While Danny Way is a vert legend who influenced aerial skateboarding progression, he hasn’t successfully landed the 900 trick, despite many believing otherwise. However, his contributions to vert skating helped pave the way for the technical innovations that made the 900 achievable. Each of these athletes has contributed to the trick’s evolution and inspired new generations of skaters.
Can the 900 be performed on different ramp types?
While the 900 is most commonly associated with traditional vert ramps, skilled skaters have adapted the maneuver for various transition types and ramp configurations. The key requirement is generating sufficient height and airtime to complete the two and a half rotations, which typically demands well-designed vert transitions with adequate speed-building capabilities. Some skaters have experimented with attempting 900-degree rotations on mega ramps and other specialized structures, though the traditional vert ramp remains the standard platform. The specific ramp characteristics greatly influence the approach, execution, and landing strategy required for successful completion.
How has the 900 trick influenced modern skating competitions?
The 900 has significantly elevated the technical standards and spectacle expectations in modern skate competitions, particularly in vert and park disciplines. Competition judges and audiences now recognize the 900 trick as the ultimate demonstration of aerial mastery, often resulting in top scores when successfully executed. The trick’s inclusion in major competitions has pushed other skaters to develop increasingly complex aerial maneuvers to remain competitive. Modern skate competitions benefit from the excitement and prestige that 900 trick attempts bring, attracting larger audiences and media attention to the sport.
