Danny Way

Danny Way (born April 15, 1974) is an American professional skateboarder. He was awarded Thrasher magazine's "Skater of the Year" award twice. He is known for extreme stunts, such as jumping into a skateboard ramp from a helicopter; that was featured on the cover of Transworld Skateboarding magazine. One of his more notable stunts was jumping the Great Wall of China on a skateboard via megaramp. His childhood was marred by difficult circumstances. Following his father's death, his mother Mary dated a number of men who abused Mary, Danny, and his brother Damon.

Professional skateboarding Danny Way became the youngest person (15 yrs old) to win a pro vert skateboarding contest at the World Skateboard Association Pro Vert Contest in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by Modern Skate & Surf in 1989. Way was introduced in the Powell Peralta skateboard company's video "Public Domain" in the late 80's and H-Street skateboard company's videos Shackle Me Not and Hokus Pokus and, shortly afterwards in 1991, co-founded the skateboard company Plan B, together with Mike Ternasky. He has been injured repeatedly, including breaking his neck in 1994, and as of 2009 having undergone 13 operations. Ternasky's intention was to create a "super team" with riders such as Way, Colin McKay, Mullen, Mike Carroll, Matt Hensley, Dan Peterka, Rick Howard and Tas Pappas.

Sponsorship As of 2023 Way is sponsored by Pacific Drive, Plan B skateboards (he is the co-owner with McKay), MegaRamp, Titan Skateboard Tools, Element 115 Botanicals, and ASEC.

Way's former sponsors include: DC Shoes, Independent Truck Company, Nixon, and Capix. Way's brother Damon Way co-founded the DC Shoes company with Ken Block.

Awards and achievements 1986: Winner of the first contest he entered at eleven years of age 1989: Winner of the first vert contest he entered in Michigan, United States 1991: Thrasher magazine "Skater of the Year" 1997: World record for "Biggest Air" – kickflip 1997: First skateboarder to drop into a ramp from a helicopter 2002: World record for "Long Distance Jump" – 2002: World record for "Biggest Air" – above the top of a ramp (this record was subsequently broken) 2003: Second world record for "Long Distance Jump" on June 19 at the Point X Camp mega ramp – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of 2003: Second world record for "Biggest Air" – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of above the top of a ramp 2004: Gold medal at X Games 2004: Third world record for "Long Distance Jump" on June 19 at X Games – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of 2004: Second Thrasher "Skater of the Year" award 2005: First skateboarder to jump over the Great Wall of China on a skateboard (Way performed this jump with a broken foot after failing a practice jump the day before.) 2005: "Big Air" Gold medal at X Games XI 2006: "Big Air" Gold medal at X Games XII 2006: First skateboarder to perform the "El Camino" ("rocket grab" backflip) skateboard trick on a mega ramp – Mexico City, Mexico 2006: First skateboarder to drop into a ramp from the top of the guitar sculpture at the Hard Rock Cafe & Casino in Las Vegas, United States – a height of 2009: World record for land speed on a skateboard – assisted by professional skateboarder and entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek 2009: Winner of the inaugural "Big Air Rail Jam" event at X Games XV – Staples Center, Los Angeles, United States

Waiting for Lightning In early 2012, a documentary on Way's life, produced and directed by Jacob Rosenberg, was released by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Entitled Waiting for Lightning, the film focuses on the details of the first four decades of Way's life, including his childhood, the development that led to his career as a professional skateboarder, and a major project that was being constructed in China around the same time period that the documentary was being filmed.

Way embarked on a tour in support of the documentary that included presentations in Canada and Australia. While Way was in Australia to promote the film, Australian skateboard photographer Steve Gourlay created a portrait of Way standing at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia. Way was also photographed at the Melbourne premiere with Australian vert skateboarders Dom Kekich and Tas Pappas.

Music Way has been involved in numerous musical projects, such as "Escalera", a band formed with fellow professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist.

Filmography The Reality of Bob Burnquist (2005) The Man Who Souled the World (2007) ‘’X Games: The Movie’’ (2009) Waiting For Lightning (2012)

Video game appearances Way is a playable character in every installment of Electronic Arts' Skate series. In Skate, Skate It, and Skate 3, he owns a fictional mega-skating park. He is also playable in the Konami video game Evolution Skateboarding as well as MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald.

Racing record Complete FIA World Rallycross Championship results Supercar Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pos Points 2015 JRM Racing Mini Countryman POR HOC19 BEL GBR GER SWE CAN NOR FRA BAR TUR ITA ARG 40th 0