05:02
Faizan
The ability to travel and do skateboarding for a living is a dream of many passionate skateboarders. Professional skateboarders earn income through winning contests, but the bulk of their income comes from sponsorships. Pro skateboarders are contracted to promote products and are paid a salary. They also receive free gear and support so they can travel and enter contests. If you're interested in making the transition from amateur to pro, be prepared to work hard on your skate skills and market yourself to potential sponsors.
Learn Professional Tricks
One of the first steps to going pro is to learn some pro-level tricks. While difficult amateur tricks look great, you can't expect to stand out or have a company sponsor you without some pro tricks in your arsenal. Practice tricks such as the 540 and the 720 kick-flip. The 540 is when the board spins 540 degrees with a kick-flip and the 720 is when the board spins 720 degrees with a kick-flip. Spend your time practicing and nailing several pro-level tricks.
Join a Skate Crew
Crews are a mainstay in sports like skateboarding and sometimes being a part of a skate crew makes it easier to get recognized and turn pro. Skate crews practice and compete together. It's also a good way to meet other skaters with the same ambition of turning pro. You may already have an idea of a skate crew that you would like to join. If not, check out local crews and find one that appears to be a good fit.
Travel to Contests
Traveling to contests is a good way to get your name known outside of your city or town. Every year big name pro and amateur contests are held throughout the country. For example, the Boardr Am is the premier amateur skateboarding series and is held in various cities, including Las Vegas and Detroit. The winners of the contest are flown out to compete in the finals at the X Games. The Tampa Am is another top contest. Sponsor representatives attend major competitions like these, so traveling to compete is a good way to network and meet potential sponsors.
Create a Sponsor Video
Create a video to show off your skating ability and attract sponsors. String together 10 to 15 minutes worth of footage of you at your best. This means pulling off your most difficult tricks and maneuvers together with some easier tricks to show you have a solid foundation. To show your versatility, shoot skate park footage as well as street. Include a post-highlights interview to show your personality and dedication. Discuss your goals, your passion for skateboarding and why businesses will benefit from sponsoring you. Mail your video to potential sponsors, take it with you to give out at events and upload it on video sharing websites.
Learn Professional Tricks
One of the first steps to going pro is to learn some pro-level tricks. While difficult amateur tricks look great, you can't expect to stand out or have a company sponsor you without some pro tricks in your arsenal. Practice tricks such as the 540 and the 720 kick-flip. The 540 is when the board spins 540 degrees with a kick-flip and the 720 is when the board spins 720 degrees with a kick-flip. Spend your time practicing and nailing several pro-level tricks.
Join a Skate Crew
Crews are a mainstay in sports like skateboarding and sometimes being a part of a skate crew makes it easier to get recognized and turn pro. Skate crews practice and compete together. It's also a good way to meet other skaters with the same ambition of turning pro. You may already have an idea of a skate crew that you would like to join. If not, check out local crews and find one that appears to be a good fit.
Travel to Contests
Traveling to contests is a good way to get your name known outside of your city or town. Every year big name pro and amateur contests are held throughout the country. For example, the Boardr Am is the premier amateur skateboarding series and is held in various cities, including Las Vegas and Detroit. The winners of the contest are flown out to compete in the finals at the X Games. The Tampa Am is another top contest. Sponsor representatives attend major competitions like these, so traveling to compete is a good way to network and meet potential sponsors.
Create a Sponsor Video
Create a video to show off your skating ability and attract sponsors. String together 10 to 15 minutes worth of footage of you at your best. This means pulling off your most difficult tricks and maneuvers together with some easier tricks to show you have a solid foundation. To show your versatility, shoot skate park footage as well as street. Include a post-highlights interview to show your personality and dedication. Discuss your goals, your passion for skateboarding and why businesses will benefit from sponsoring you. Mail your video to potential sponsors, take it with you to give out at events and upload it on video sharing websites.
Posted in: skateboarding
