Sam Beckett (skateboarder)
Sam Beckett (born 20 April 1992) is a British professional skateboarder. In 2016, he became the first skateboarder from the United Kingdom to win Gold in the Summer X Games.[1]
Early life[edit]
Beckett was born in Norwich, Norfolk.[2]
Career[edit]
Beckett first began vert skating with his friend and future fellow professional skateboarder Paul-Luc Ronchetti. Due to the lack of appropriate ramps in the local area, the pair had to travel as far as Peterborough and Birmingham to practice.[3] After winning the UK vert series in 2008, Beckett moved to California the following year to further his career. Whilst living there, he joined the Dew Tour, and became the first British skater to land a 720 on a vert ramp.[4] In 2015, Beckett won his first two medals at the Summer X Games, placing third in both the 'Vert' and 'Vert Best Trick' competitions (landing a Backside 540 Ollie rock slide to win the latter).[5] After this initial success, Beckett turned professional[6] and returned to X Games 2016, this time winning the 'Vert' competition outright with his second run in the final, scoring 89.33 in the process.[7]
Sponsors[edit]
Beckett is sponsored by Vans, Route One, Madness Skateboards, Monster Energy, Oakley Sunglasses, Dickies, TSG, Bones and Thunder Trucks.[8]
Personal life[edit]
Beckett is friends with fellow professional skateboarder Alex Perelson, living with him when in California. He is a supporter of Norwich City F.C.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ staff writer (3 June 2016). "X Games Austin 2016 Skateboard Vert". ESPN. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ staff writer (3 June 2016). "Sam Beckett Athlete Profile". ESPN. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ Stephen Cox (5 November 2015). "Sam Beckett Interview". Sidewalk. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ Staff Writer (11 October 2016). "Sam Beckett Athlete Profile". Pro Motocross. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ Staff Writer (11 October 2016). "X Games Austin 2015 Results". ESPN. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ Staff Writer (4 October 2015). "Sam Beckett is Pro". Transworld Skateboarding. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ Staff Writer (6 June 2016). "Sam Beckett X Games Austin 2016 Vert Gold". Route One. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ Staff Writer (12 July 2016). "Sam Beckett Skater Profile". Skatepark of Tampa. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ Michael Burnett. "Alex Perelson Interview". Thrasher Magazine.
External links[edit]
- Sam Beckett at The Boardr
- Sam Beckett at the X Games (archived)