Bucky Lasek
Encyclopedia
Charles Michael 'Bucky' Lasek (icon ; born December 3, 1972 in Dundalk
, Maryland
) is a professional skateboarder.
Lasek turned pro for Powell in 1990—but by this time, skateboarding and vert skating particularly began to lose popularity, and Lasek's career waned. When ESPN
took vert skating under its wing as part of the X Games
in the mid 1990s, Lasek's career made a comeback and he soon became one of the most recognizable skateboarders.
Today, Lasek is regarded as one of the most consistent vert skateboarders in the sport. He frequently masters tricks that are considered too gimmicky and technical by most riders to do in a contest, and lands them with stunning regularity. Some of his signature contest tricks include the Heelflip Frontside Twist and Switch Frontside 540. He is one of only two skaters to flip his board in to an invert (Heelflip Frontside Invert), and the only one to do a 720 on the vert and land backwards (forward-to-fakie Indy 720, known as a "MacKenzie").
As of 2006, Bucky Lasek has won ten medals at the X Games
, including six gold medals. He currently has the highest score in X Games Skateboarding Vert history with a 98.50. He has also earned 2004 titles in the Vans Triple Crown, Gravity Games
, and the Slam City Jam
.
Lasek made a cameo in the low-budget 2003 movie Haggard
, in which he gave a skateboard to Bam Margera
while he was running from the villain Hellboy. He has also made an appearance in MTV's Viva La Bam
. Lasek also appears in P!nk
's music video
for her single "Raise Your Glass
".
As of May 2009, Bucky, through the generous backing of his various sponsors and design team, completed the construction of one of the world's most unique backyard concrete bowls in his own backyard. Bucky refers to it as "Heaven".
-Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
).
with his wife, Jenn, and their three daughters: Devin, Paris, and Tenzin.
Dundalk, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
) is a professional skateboarder.
Biography
Lasek started skateboarding at the age of twelve, shortly after his bike was stolen. After entering amateur contests, he was quickly noticed by Powell Peralta talent scouts in 1987. Powell sponsored Lasek, and he made his video debut in the 4th Bones Brigade video, Public Domain (1988).Lasek turned pro for Powell in 1990—but by this time, skateboarding and vert skating particularly began to lose popularity, and Lasek's career waned. When ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
took vert skating under its wing as part of the X Games
X Games
The X Games is a commercial annual sports event, controlled and arranged by US sports broadcaster ESPN, which focuses on action sports. The inaugural X Games was held in the summer of 1995 in Rhode Island....
in the mid 1990s, Lasek's career made a comeback and he soon became one of the most recognizable skateboarders.
Today, Lasek is regarded as one of the most consistent vert skateboarders in the sport. He frequently masters tricks that are considered too gimmicky and technical by most riders to do in a contest, and lands them with stunning regularity. Some of his signature contest tricks include the Heelflip Frontside Twist and Switch Frontside 540. He is one of only two skaters to flip his board in to an invert (Heelflip Frontside Invert), and the only one to do a 720 on the vert and land backwards (forward-to-fakie Indy 720, known as a "MacKenzie").
As of 2006, Bucky Lasek has won ten medals at the X Games
X Games
The X Games is a commercial annual sports event, controlled and arranged by US sports broadcaster ESPN, which focuses on action sports. The inaugural X Games was held in the summer of 1995 in Rhode Island....
, including six gold medals. He currently has the highest score in X Games Skateboarding Vert history with a 98.50. He has also earned 2004 titles in the Vans Triple Crown, Gravity Games
Gravity Games
The Gravity Games were a multi-sport competition originating from Providence, Rhode Island that is broken down into Winter and Summer adaptations...
, and the Slam City Jam
Slam City Jam
Slam City Jam, the North American Skateboard Championships, was scheduled to return to Vancouver, BC in May 2008, but it has been postponed to May 2009 for unknown reasons. Debuted in Vancouver in 1994, Slam City Jam is the longest-running skateboarding event in North America and is among the best...
.
Lasek made a cameo in the low-budget 2003 movie Haggard
Haggard: The Movie
Haggard: The Movie is a 2003 American independent comedy film based on the true story of how reality television personality Ryan Dunn's promiscuous girlfriend cheated on him. The film was financed, directed and produced by Bam Margera.- Plot :...
, in which he gave a skateboard to Bam Margera
Bam Margera
Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew...
while he was running from the villain Hellboy. He has also made an appearance in MTV's Viva La Bam
Viva La Bam
Viva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. The show was a spin-off from MTV's Jackass, in which Margera and most of the main cast had appeared...
. Lasek also appears in P!nk
P!nk
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
's music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for her single "Raise Your Glass
Raise Your Glass
"Raise Your Glass" is a song by American recording artist and songwriter Pink, released as the lead single of her first compilation album, Greatest Hits... So Far!!!...
".
As of May 2009, Bucky, through the generous backing of his various sponsors and design team, completed the construction of one of the world's most unique backyard concrete bowls in his own backyard. Bucky refers to it as "Heaven".
Contest highlights
- 3rd in 2011 X Games: Vert
- 1st in 2010 Vans Pro-Tec Pool Party: Pro Division
- 1st in 2009 Dew Action Sports Tour: Vert
- 1st in 2009 Vans Pro-Tec Pool Party: Pro Division
- 1st in 2008 Dew Action Sports Tour: Vert
- 1st in 2006 Dew Action Sports Tour: Vert
- 1st in 2006 X Games: vert best trick
- 1st in 2005 Dew Action Sports Tour: Vert
- 1st in 2003 X Games: vert
- 1st in 2003 X Games: vert doubles (with Bob Burnquist)
- 1st in 2002 Slam City Jam: vert.
- 2nd in 2002 X Games VIIIX Games VIIIThe 8th X Games were held in Philadelphia in 15–19 August 2002. The events included Moto X , Skateboarding , BMX , Wakeboarding , Aggressive Inline and Speed Climbing .- Moto X...
: vert doubles (with Bob Burnquist) - 2nd in 2001 X Games: vert.
- 1st in 2000 X Games: vert.
- 1st in 1999 xgames vert
Tony Hawk games
Lasek was a playable character in the first seven games in the Tony Hawk series (Tony Hawk's Pro SkaterTony Hawk's Pro Skater
-Reception:The game was very well-received by most critics, scoring an outstanding 92 on Metacritic based on 18 reviews for the PS1 version. IGN gave the N64 version of the game a 9.1 out of 10 praising the gameplay for "genius control, combo system and design" despite little criticism with sound...
-Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, abbreviated to THAW, is a video game that was released for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube and PC on October 18, 2005. Part of the Tony Hawk series, the game was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision.The PC version of the game was ported and...
).
Personal life
Lasek currently resides in Encinitas, CaliforniaEncinitas, California
Encinitas is a coastal beach city in San Diego County, California. Located within Southern California, it is approximately north of San Diego in North County and about south of Los Angeles. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 59,518, up from 58,014 at the 2000 census. Encinitas is...
with his wife, Jenn, and their three daughters: Devin, Paris, and Tenzin.