This guy once dreamed of a skateboard. He was ready to go to any lengths to get the long-awaited board. And now his tricks and tricks have become fundamental for any beginner who is just getting acquainted with the art of virtuoso body control, balance and skateboarding. How an ordinary American boy became a real skateboarding star and the ancestor of the most extreme elements of this street sport, you can find out in the following article.
Early years and first thoughts about skateboarding
Above in the photo is Rodney Mullen, who is just starting to learn the basics of his favorite business.
Rodney was born in the sunny city of Gainesville, Florida on August 17, 1966. He grew up as a very obedient and intelligent boy. At the same time, he was so determined that when Rodney begged his father for the board of his dreams, he pledged to wear all the safety shields and not get a single injury so that his father would not take away what the boy wanted all his childhood - to ride a skateboard. The guy was not mistaken in his dream, and now heequal many.
Freestyle around the head
Since the age of eleven, Rodney has been tirelessly skating for hours on end. His skill progressed at an incredible rate, and less than a year later, the first sponsors of Rodney Mullen appeared - a local skate shop. The guy quickly developed, and the first competition was not long in coming. At first he performed at the Florida, and then at the Californian competitions. In 1980, a new skateboard star lit up - he won the main US competition. Recall that at that time he was only thirteen years old.
Until the beginning of the 90s, Rodney won almost all the passing competitions. But, thinking that he had reached his peak, he immediately stopped and began to look for new ways for development. Gradually, freestyle was becoming a thing of the past; it was replaced by a new, more versatile and promising street style. Rodney already had a good knowledge base, and even though he had to start all over again, it was worth it.
Raising the bar
At first, Rodney Mullen thought about leaving the sport, but he was invited to play for the Plan B company, which had a special weight in this sport. Skater began to explore a new world for himself, which opened up huge opportunities for development. And it took quite a bit of time until Mullen was again at the top of Olympus. Interestingly, while working with the board, Rodney was constantly coming up with new tricks that became the basis of the basics in a skateboard. Well, the man himself only modestly says that yes, hecreated, but it was only the next step in his development.
"Oilie" - a fundamental element for any novice athlete. This element helps the skater to jump on a hill or jump over more than a dozen steps. This trick is the merit of Mullen. Rodney Mullen started a new era in street skating. Everything that was previously performed on a flat surface, the skate professional transferred to all sorts of bumps and obstacles, and with incredible speed.
Mullen and Slater
In 1989, the film "Achieving the Impossible" with Christian Slater in the title role was released on television. Rodney dubbed the main character, performing the most complex and virtuoso tricks on a skateboard. The plot of the film tells the story of one guy who could not live without a skateboard, spending his days on the street, rolling and improving his skills. However, at one point he learns about the death of his old friend, who was found hanged. In the film, in addition to our hero, such street sports stars as Tony Hawk, Mike Vallely, Stacey Per alta and other athletes took part.
Rodney Mullen Films
In general, there are many films in Mullen's filmography, but below are the best films that definitely have something to watch:
- "Collision" or "Headbreak" (1986). This is a love story of people who belonged to different opposing stateboard groups.
- "Achieving the Impossible" (1989).
- "Canvas:Skateboarding Documentary (1998). Featuring the world's best skaters like Gershon Mosley, Mike Yorke, Guy Mariano, Ryan Wilburn, Jeron Wilson, Andrew Reynolds and Heath Kirchard.
- "Almost: Round Three" (2004). The film features many stunt videos from professionals such as Greg Lutzky, Ryan Sheckler and Chris Haslama.
- "Skateboarding World Cup" (2005).
- "The Man Who Made the World" (2007). Original title - The Man Who Souled the World. The film is about the man who changed the perception of the skateboard as a teenage fad - Steve Rocco - the founder of World Industries. After all, skateboarding is now a thriving distinct sports culture, with the direct contributions of Rodney Mullen, Jason Lee, Spike Jonze, Mark Gonzales, Natas Kaupas and Jeff Tremaine.
- "John from Cincinnati" (2007). The film project involved such famous people as Rebecca De Mornay, Luis Guzman, Luke Perry, Paul Ben-Victor.
- "Fallen Idols Aka DOPE" (2008). This film opens up the world of skateboarding from a different perspective. Mullen himself says that the line between fame and drugs is too thin, and it is very easy to turn into a bad path. The history of the great rise and fall of some famous athletes.
- "Bone Brigade: An Autobiography" (2012). One day in the 80s, several teenagers came together and created their own skate team. It was not only the choice of sport, itwas their life, which they managed themselves.
- "Waiting for Lightning" (2012). This film is about the famous skateboarder Danny Way, who set himself almost impossible goals every time and achieved them every time.
Rodney Mullen now
Rodney is a hard-working athlete who has worked hard and hard to get where he is today. And although the man never liked to brag about his successes and achievements, he still has several awards that he absolutely deserves. Mullen got married back in 2000 and is still married to his wife, Tracey Mullen. But there is no information about children. It is known that the skater disappeared from the sport for some time, but in 2016 he returned, performing his new daring tricks. It's a little unusual to watch a grown man riding a board, but it's his life, his passion, his reason for being that not everyone can find.
