Tony Hawk 2010 Visit to Brighton
Intro by Zakk M-O
Words and Photos By David Smith
Last year marks the 15th anniversary of the infamous Tony Hawk visit to Brighton Beach alongside members of the Birdhouse crew as part of their European tour, held by Quicksilver on an astonishing temporary 14ft vert ramp. The day saw demos, live music and a press conference where Tony spoke of his thoughts on the Brighton skate scene. Alongside the demo event on Brighton Beach, Tony and the crew visited the freshly installed Shoreham Skatepark Bowl for a sesh- footage of which does exist out there somewhere!
Tony Hawk- Madonna Grab
The scene remains vivid: over 20,000 people packed onto the beach front with veteran skaters and wide-eyed kids alike anticipating the oncoming event. Dominating everything was the G-Ramp- a 14 feet high behemoth
On a warm July evening in 2010 it just got hotter when The Hawk and fellow legends Sandro Dias, Kevin Staab, and Jesse Fritsch dropped in together with some homegrown UK talent. The gods of skateboarding had arrived with collective gasps and cheers as tricks were landed. I was working with BN1 Magazine at the time who had secured a spot for me amongst the many other photographers to record the event. I even managed to gain a spot atop of the ramp with a little gentle persuasion with the event organisers for 10 minutes
Jesse Fristch- Fs Melon
What could have been merely a fleeting spectacle instead became a catalyst. In subsequent weeks, Brighton’s skateparks overflowed with newcomers. Kids who’d only skateboarded in video games begged parents for real boards. Local shops reported surges in beginner setup sales, creating a fresh influx of enthusiasts that ensured the scene’s growth.
The demo didn’t just inspire individuals; it rebranded the city on the skate map when The Level Skatepark was a distant dream. The subsequent £2.2 million renovation of The Level skatepark in 2013 stands as direct evidence of the political capital generated that day. The council had witnessed first-hand that investing in skate culture meant investing in the city’s identity and youth projects. Today’s Brighton skate scene reflects multiple facets of that 2010 catalyst and most importantly, the culture has evolved toward greater inclusivity and community support.
Sandro Dias- Nose Grab
Looking through my photo archives from 2010, those images still crackle with energy. But the pictures I’ve taken since tell the more important story of what happened after the spotlight moved on. Tony Hawk’s Brighton event didn’t create our skate culture—it supercharged it, validated it, and expanded it. The legacy isn’t the memory of spectacular tricks but the thriving, diverse community of skaters who call this city home today, proving that a single day can, indeed, change everything.
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