It’s that time of year! The summer X-Games is ready to touch down in Minneapolis, MN! 3 days packed full of extreme sports competition from skateboarding to moto-x. The X-Games consists of both summer and winter events, and obviously we are kicking off the summer games.

For those of you new to X-Games, it is an extreme sport competition hosted by ESPN. The main summer sports are skateboarding, BMX biking, and moto-x (dirt bikes). The X-games first took flight in 1995 in none other than Newport, RI! I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the age of 9. The X-Games helped push skateboarding and motocross into the mainstream in the 90’s thanks to athletes like Tony Hawk and Travis Pastrana.

While the X Games have helped legitimize now mainstream sports like skateboarding and snowboarding, the annual competition also feeds an audience hunger for more extreme sports. In 2007, a skateboarder attempting a massive jump fell five stories to a wooden ramp and ended up in the hospital with a bleeding liver, bruised lung and bad case of whiplash. In essence, the danger is real.

Many of the tricks at the X Games are visibly dangerous, but those that don't result in injuries can make a competitor's career. Case in point: Freestyle motocross rider Travis Pastrana's mid-air double back flip in 2006, one of the X Games historical highlights. How about Tony Hawk’s legendary first landed 900? Both mind-blowing accomplishments at the time.

Travis Pastrana Double Back Flip, X-Games 2006

Travis Pastrana Double Bsckflip

Tony Hawk 900, X-Games 1999

Let’s take a quick look at what will be on display this week!


Vert – Also known as the half pipe. Big air tricks with plenty of flip tricks and grabs.





Street BMX & Skateboarding - Grind rails and kicker ramps with creative choice on lines and tricks.




BMX Dirt – Dirt track with huge jumps and huge air tricks.





Moto-X Freestyle – High energy motocross trick jumps. Massively dangerous big air tricks.




If you have never seen X-Games before, you should definitely tune in this year. It’s a great competition with cool tricks and adrenaline packed events. Growing up in the 90’s, I have a nostalgic place for skating. Any fans out there?