Printable Biography of Bob Burnquist

Bob Burnquist grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil and began skateboarding at age 11. Bob turned pro at age fourteen while living in Brazil. In vert skateboarding you compete one person at a time and are then scored by a panel of expert judges. So the competitive spotlight creates a lot of pressure that becomes a mental obstacle for many. However, as an amateur Bob competed in hundreds of events before turning pro, and those early contests helped Bob learn how to deal with the pressure that comes with vert competitions. With his open mind, creative and win-or-slam approach, Bob helped to revitalize and shape overall vertical skateboarding in the late ’90s in a big way. He is known and respected for his uncanny and unusual ability to skate equally well both regular and goofy-foot, the progression of trying tricks switch-stance (to the layman, this means he can do most of his tricks backward as well as forward). In 1995, he showed up at the Slam City Jam in Vancouver, BC and competed against every top skateboarder in the world. An unknown to most, he amazed everyone with his technicality and switch-stance lines, and ended up taking first place. That’s how this legendary skater¹s story begins.

The Brazilian born Bob Burnquist symbolizes motivation, progression and passion. Besides being an internationally recognized skateboarder, Bob is known as a very ethical person and solid role model. As a professional skateboarder, he has accomplished more in the last few years than most people do in a lifetime, winning almost every award and contest possible leaving a legacy of versatility and style for generations to follow. He is not only respected by his peers, he has also been recognized by the mainstream sports community, including an ESPY nomination for Action Sports Person of the Year, but more importantly, won the prestigious Laureus World Sports Award for Alternative Sports Person of the year which was presented to him by the legendary Michael Jordan.

He constantly works to progress and push the sport and recently took a huge leap forward as he completed a full loop in a stationary 12 foot pipe. His career has been a series of progressions, one which always seems to leave the last in the shadows. His potential is endless and Burnquist is known as an athlete who will continue to redefine the limits.

He has been voted Best Vert skateboarder by his peers three times and honored with several TransWorld Skateboarding(TWS) Readers and Rider’s Polls Awards. His list of contest wins include: X Games, Gravity Games, OP King of Skate (unique skateboarding/design competition format), Vans Triple Crown, Slam City Jam, countless Brazilian Competitions, and many others. He mentions his Thrasher “Skater of the Year” in 1997 his most relished award.

Burnquist has appeared on Fox’s “Best Damn Sports Show”; Fox Sports Net's "5-4-3-2-1," played a main role in MVP 2 (Disney Movie), and appeared in this summer's feature film, "The Grind". “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” television show featured Bob for his OP King of Skate achievement; a feat never before accomplished. Tony Hawk endorsed Bob Burnquist as one of the best skateboarders in the world and has featured him as a playable character in his record selling video games, Tony Hawk Pro Skater I, II and IV, Tony Hawk’s Underground I and II. Now, Bob is one of the only 3 real life characters remaining in Tony Hawk’s Underground II, the other 2 being Bam Margera and Tony himself. Bob was also featured on the X-Games Skateboarding video game.

In the Print media he has graced the cover of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED For Kids, been featured in Rolling Stone’s 1999 Athletes Of The Year, and ESPN The Magazine as well as the 2004 Olympic issue of FHM.

In June of 2003 MEN’S JOURNAL Magazine reported the results of an international survey by sports specialists who ranked Bob Burnquist as the 4th Best Athlete in the World. Bob has appeared on all the major Skateboarding magazine covers, most recently gracing the cover of Transworld Skateboarding Magazine for his attempt at looping the Legendary Baldy Full Pipe. Bob was also featured in the “Got Milk?” Mustache print ad campaign and has endorsement agreements corporate companies such as Activision, Oakley, and Lego.

Despite all the success, Bob is best-known for his easy-going personality, friendly demeanor and frequent smile. You can often see him roving about spreading the positive vibes.

Bob has played a major role in putting Brazil on the skateboarding map, and is viewed by the Brazilians as the ambassador of Brazilian Skateboarding. He is fluent in Portuguese and English. Although Bob is now recognized around the globe as a leader for skateboarding's progression, he has not forgotten his roots and enjoys the opportunity to be a role model for other Brazilian skateboarders. Because of his numerous accomplishments and model citizen reputation, Bob was invited to be one of the 2004 Olympic Torch Bearers.

In 2000 Bob became a father to his first daughter named Lotus, and in 2007 he became a father again with his Brazilian Woman, Veronica Nachard. A beautiful baby girl named Jasmyn was born.  Since the birth of his daughters, Bob become even more focused on his career to provide the best possible environment and opportunities for his family. "You can’t just lay it all on [your sponsors]. Pros need to have a professional work ethic and the ability to represent a company in the right way. You can¹t take it for granted," he told TransWorld Skateboarding (April, 1999). So, Bob puts his actions where his mouth is-often touring, performing in demos, active in shop appearances and signings, photo sessions, filming video parts, and entering the big contests. Although he is one of the most accomplished vert skaters of all time, many might not realize that Bob enjoys the opportunity to skate street, contest (park) obstacles, backyard pools and any other worthy objects that cross his path. Maybe that’s why he is able to master all types of terrain and is respected by so many people and organizations within the skateboarding community.Recently, Bob has grinded into the Grand Canyon combining a Base jump with Mega Skateboarding. Let's hope Bob stays inspired!

Bob Burnquist: a true skateboarding great, His professional accomplishments are unparalleled. A tech-wizard, innovative ramp-designer, good influence on younger skaters, avid surfer snowboarder, pilot, skydiver, musician, restaurateur, farmer, and family-man. A constant conduit of positive energies and attitude.