Tony Hawk Surprises Skateboarder Tate Carew with Pro Board at Paris Olympics

Skateboarding just got a whole lot more exciting after a heartwarming moment during the Paris Olympics. Tate Carew, a talented 19-year-old skater, officially turned pro thanks to a surprise from none other than Tony Hawk.

On July 29, in Paris, Hawk handed Carew a Birdhouse Skateboards pro model board, marking his transition from amateur to professional skateboarder. Alongside Hawk were pro skater Tom Schaar and skateboarding icon Mark Gonzales, adding to the excitement of the occasion.

Carew has had an impressive year, making waves in the skateboarding scene after years of hard work. Growing up in San Diego, a hotspot for skateboarding, he initially juggled skateboarding with his competitive instincts, which were also present in sports like basketball.

His journey included several amateur competitions where he claimed notable victories. In 2021, Carew placed third in the USA Skateboarding National Championships and then topped the podium in 2022.

During the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying window, which ran from June 2022 to June 2024, Carew really hit his stride. In 2023, he took third place in the Park World Championships in Rome and secured his Olympic spot by finishing first in Shanghai and third in Budapest in the qualifying events.

Hawk recognized Carew’s talent a few years ago and predicted that he would be a strong contender in the Olympics. He had intended to present Carew with his pro board sooner but had trouble connecting with him while Carew focused on his training in Europe.

Carew expressed his joy about the surprise, stating, “It’s crazy; I’m glad it happened here. I thought it was a pretty awesome experience.” Schaar, who also received his own pro model board shortly before the Games, shared in the excitement of being part of this special moment.

Birdhouse Skateboards already has a diverse team featuring notable talents, including Lizzie Armanto and Felipe Nunes. Hawk mentioned that the team’s diversity in skating styles sets them apart in today’s skateboard scene.

As the Olympic competitions get underway in Paris, Hawk and Birdhouse are gearing up to support their top-ranked skaters, with Carew at number one and Schaar at number four. With their strong skills and competitive spirit, they are ready to pursue medals for Team USA.

Looking back, Hawk expressed pride in Birdhouse’s long-standing legacy in skateboarding, which he co-founded with Per Welinder back in 1992. The brand continues to thrive in a competitive industry.