Greg Lutzka

Gregory Lutzka (born April 20, 1985) is an American professional skateboarder.

Early life Lutzka was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 20, 1985. Lutzka explained in 2014 that he "grew up on skates," and first tried ice skating at the age of two before playing ice hockey in high school.

Professional skateboarding Lutzka was first sponsored at the age of 15 and he explained in 2014 that, upon attaining sponsorship, he realized that professional skateboarding was a feasible option for him. Volcom and Oakley were two of the brands that supported Lutzka, while he was connected with established skateboarders like Rodney Mullen and Tony Hawk. Lutzka relocated to California, U.S., at the request of his sponsors.

Luztka is a former team member of the Globe shoe company team and released one signature shoe model with the brand, named the "Culprit" (also released in a "high-top" model, whereby the length of the shoe is extended to cover the lower shin). A full-length Lutzka video part appears in the United By Fate series of short episodic films that were released by Globe between 2007 and 2009 —Lutzka's part, edited to the Justice song "D.A.N.C.E.", is the feature section of the fourth episode.

Following the completion of his contract with Globe, Lutzka negotiated a skate shoe contract with tennis shoe company K-Swiss in 2009 and, as of August 2012, continues to develop the company's skateboard area. In an August 2012 interview with the internet-based Jenkem publication, Lutzka explained:

They’re building up the program but the economy kind of took a hit right now so like every company is cutting back. Actually I don’t think they’re cutting back that much as they are just taking time to think about the decisions we make. My shoe is pretty much done it just comes down to when they want to release it.

In addition to changing shoe sponsors, Lutzka left Almost to join the Darkstar company (both brands are part of the same distribution house, Dwindle Distribution). Lutzka explained his decision to change sponsors in an interview with Poweredge Magazine:

Now it’s [Almost] just a lot different than it was then; it’s just a different program now than when I was on there. When I was on there it was me [Ryan] Sheckler and Torey Pudwill. Obviously none of us are there now but to me being on a skateboard company is about who you hang out with and who you vibe with and I vibe with those dudes really well, but I was skating with Ryan Decenzo a lot and we travel a lot together because of the Maloof Cup and the Dew Tour. We also skate street a lot together and film with the same dudes. It was a good fit for me with Darkstar because I hang out with Decenzo and I’ve known Chet [Thomas] because he’s helped me with my career since the beginning, so it was a really good fit. Pierre [PLG] was always at all the events and I’m really good friends with Pierre so at the end of the day I hang out with those dudes more than anybody else in skateboarding, so it works.

An August 12, 2014, edition of Thrasher Magazine'''s "Skateline" program announced that Lutzka had parted ways with K-Swiss and joined the Osiris Shoes company. While an official announcement from either Osiris or K-Swiss was not published, the Osiris blog first featured Lutzka on June 22, 2014.

In a September 2014 interview, Lutzka offered advice to young skateboarders:

Skateboarding is all about having fun and having fun with your friends; it’s always been that way, and it’ll always be that way. I think that is number one. Some kids just want to get sponsored and become a pro skater, but most of the pros didn’t ever look at it that way. They just did it because they loved it, got really good at it and opportunities just came from that. Number one, to me, is just enjoying skateboarding because you love it.

Media appearances

Commercials Ryan Sheckler AXE Commercial - Double Pits to Chesty

Music videos Far East Movement - Rocketeer ft. Ryan Tedder (views - 33,815,642) Shwayze & Cisco - Drunk Off Your Love ft. Sky Blu from LMFAO (views - 626,300) Snoop Dogg Ft. The Dream - "Gangsta Luv" (views - 1,487,892)

TelevisionThe X-LifeLife of RyanDiscovery Channel Time Warp!: Episode 4 – "Fuel Girls" The Price is Right Season 45 Episode 148*WipeoutFilmAccepted (2006)

Personal life Lutzka resides in Mission Viejo, California. He moved there in 2004, after living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his mother Lori, father, Jeff, and brother Andy. He explained in 2014 that he enjoys snowboarding and playing guitar when he is not skateboarding. Lutzka concluded his 2014 interview with the statement: "I want to continue to be a good role model. Finally, just enjoy life— people don’t realize how important that is."

2023 - Thrasher Magazine Gangsta of Da Year award - 1st Place 2011 - Maloof Money Cup - 1st 2008 - Mexico City X Games - 1st / Gold 2008 - AST Dew Tour, Portland, OR - 3rd 2008 - X Games 14, Los Angeles, CA - Bronze 2008 - Tampa Pro, Tampa, FL - Street - 1st 2008 - Slaughter at the Opera, Sydney, Australia - Street - 1st 2007 - LG Action Sports World Championships, Dallas, TX - Street - Bronze 2007 - AST Dew Tour Overall Standing - 2nd 2007 - AST Dew Tour, Orlando, FL - Park - 1st 2007 - X-Games Mexico, Mexico City - Street - 1st / Gold 2007 - AST Dew Tour, Portland, OR - Park - 1st 2007 - X Games, Los Angeles, CA - Street - Silver 2007 - AST Dew Tour, Baltimore, MD - Park - 2nd 2007 - Rockstar MASA Pro, Fayetteville, NC - 1st 2006 - AST Dew Tour, San Jose, CA - Street - 2nd 2006 - Tampa Pro, Tampa, FL- Street - 1st 2005 - AST Dew Action Sports Tour Standing - 3rd 2005 - West 49 Canadian Open - 1st 2005 - X Games XI - Street - Silver 2004 - Street Year-End Ranking (World) - 3rd 2004 - Vans Triple Crown Ranking (Street) - 2nd 2004 - Gravity Games Street - Silver 2004 - Slam City Jam Street - 1st 2003 - West 49 Canadian Open Street - 1st 2003 - Globe World Championships - Gold

Digital: Invasion (2002) Digital: All Stars (2003)Thrasher: King Of The Road 2004 (2004) Almost: Round Three (2004) Globe: World Cup Skateboarding 2005 (2005)Vicious Cycle (2005)Streets: Melbourne (2005) FKD: FKD Video (2005) Red Bull: Seek & Destroy II (2005) Oakley: Our Life (2006) Globe: The Global Assault (2006)411VM: Volume 14, Issue 1 (2006) Strange Notes: The Deuce (2007)Thrasher: Money For Blood (2007) Globe: United By Fate (2007–2009)Streets: LA (2007)Transworld: Skate & Create (2008) FKD: Park Project Finale (2010) Darkstar: Forward Slash'' (2012)