Sandro Dias got his first taste of adrenaline in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He was eleven years old when he and his friend rigged a seat inside a tire and took turns pushing each other down a hill. Later that year, his dad bought him a skateboard and Sandro put away the tire for good.

• Athlete Profile - Sandro Dias

Around the world in the 1950’s, creative surfers had begun nailing planks of wood to roller skate trucks to simulate the feeling of surfing on dry land. At that point, skateboarding was a pastime, a fun way to spend the day when the waves were flat.

• History of Skateboarding

The park course was dominated once again by the 13 year old prodigy from San Clemente California. Ryan Sheckler owned the course from his first near perfect run right through the third. Among the fluid lines and clean airs, it was difficult to pick a favorite trick, but one of the highlights from his third run was a backside lipslide to kickflip 180.

• Gravity Games 2003 Recap