900 (skateboarding trick)

The 900 is a 2.5-revolution (900 degrees) spin that is considered to be one of skateboarding's most difficult tricks, because of the technical skill required to perform it.

Before 1999

A number of opinions exist about pre-1999 900s. The most prominent of these is the argument that Austin Black landed the 900 in 1989, and it appears in an early Santa Cruz film. In response, Tony Hawk has said: Due to the unofficial nature of skateboarding, it is difficult to know what condition of landing is required to claim the trick with credibility.

Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk, one of the most successful vertical pro skateboarders in the world, landed "The 900" at the 1999 X-Games after ten failed attempts. It was past regulation time but, as one announcer said, "We make up the rules as we go along. Let's give him another try." None of the other skaters protested. Hawk twice landed on his board, but it flew out from under him. When he finally completed the trick, his arms windmilled and his hand barely grazed the ramp. [ [http://wired-vig.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,20451,00.html Twist and Shout at the X Games ] ] Nonetheless, he rode away. The trick won the Best Trick competition by a large margin. At a later X-Games, Hawk landed the trick again, this time during regulation time. The 900 was the last trick on a wishlist he had written a decade earlier. Some other tricks on the list included an ollie 540, a kickflip 540, and a varial 720.In an interview in 1999, Hawk admitted he does not have "any desire to spin further".

1080

Shaun White, a professional skateboarder, attempted the 1080˚ in the 2005 Vert X Games edition and in the 2006 X Games Best Trick Vert. He was unsuccessful in landing the trick, but came close. [ [http://expn.go.com/expn/story?pageName=050806_skatevert_bt EXPN.com: - Skate Vert Best Trick: Bob's Best - Expn ] ]

Other sports

The 900 can also be attempted on a BMX bike or snowboard or in-line skates. Mat Hoffman was the first person to successfully land the 900 on film at a competition in Canada in 1989. At the 2002 X Games, Hoffman took the trick a step further by landing a no-handed 900 in the BMX Best Trick competition, earning a gold medal. Simon Tabron's signature trick is the 900 and it is said that no other BMX rider does it better. In the 2007 X Games 13 Simon Tabron landed the first back-to-back 900's.

In comparison to other sports such as skateboarding and BMX, the 900 is not a difficult trick for professional snowboarders or in-line skaters and is performed rather often.

References