Bucky Lasek

Charles Michael 'Bucky' Lasek (born December 3, 1972 in Dundalk, Maryland) is a professional skateboarder.

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 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 skaterboarders 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 Gay 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 has also earned 2004 titles in the Vans Triple Crown, Gravity Games, and the Slam City Jam. He currently resides in Olivenhain, California with his wife and two daughters, Paris and Devin.

Lasek made a cameo in the low-budget 2003 movie "", 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".

ponsors

* Element Skateboards
* Mechanical Grip Tape
* Randoms Hardware
* Independent Truck Company
* Type-S wheels
* Pro-tec helments
* Boneless Pads
* Vans Skate Shoes
* Billabong Clothing
* Von Zipper Sunglasses
* Ogio Packs
* Environmental Coalition
* T-Mobile
* Rock Star Energy Drink

Contest highlights

* 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 VIII: vert doubles (with Bob Burnquist)
* 2nd in 2001 X Games: vert.
* 1st in 2000 X Games: vert.
* 9th in 2000 X Games: 1997 X Games: vert.

Tony Hawk games

Lasek was a playable character in the first five games in the Tony Hawk series (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater-Tony Hawk's Underground).

Other references

*Bucky recently did an interview with WWE Diva Victoria which can be read [http://www.wwe.com/inside/superstartosuperstar/exclusives/s2svictorialasek here]
* [http://www.shredordie.com/videos/88cbc26301 Bucky Gives Birth] short clip on www.shredordie.com
*Official website: http://www.buckylasekskate.com
*Bucky talks about what he loves about his hometown, Baltimore: http://www.visitmybaltimore.com/video/243/