When it comes to street skateboarding, Torey Pudwill and Joey Brezinski are some of the best on the board with four wheels.
Both young men visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord yesterday to autograph posters at the Base Exchange before heading over to the Skate Plaza to work and interact with about 150 youngsters.
Red Bull and JBLM's Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Directorate sponsored the visit.
"We've worked on making this event happen for quite a while," commented Carly Michael, sponsorship director for MWR.
"Tonight should be a lot of fun for everyone here."
>>> Joey Brezinski talks with a skateboarder while Torey Pudwill autographs a poster. Sponsored by Red Bull and brought to JBLM by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate, the two are world-class skateboarders. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson
>>> Young skateboarders at JBLM's Skate Plaza cheer a move by Joey Brezinski. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson
As skateboarding gained popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, skateboarders began to perform tricks in urban areas by using existing urban features to perform acrobatic stunts.
Pudwill and Brezinski continue to promote the sport.
Named the Best Street Skater at the 2011 Trans World Skateboarding Awards and a third place finisher at the 2013 X Games in Street League Skateboarding, Pudwill is passionate about the sport.
"I work hard and skate every day because it's something that I do for fun," he said during a break in signing autographs.
"I'm just trying to get kids to be as stoked for skateboarding as I was as a kid."
>>> Joey Brezinski gets ready to skateboard with JBLM boarders. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson
Often referred to as the "Manual King" for his ability to balance his board on two wheels, Brezinski created the first ever "manual based contest" and has since become a force to be reckoned with winning four of the last six contests since 2007.
"It's just great to be here, meet these kids and have a great time," he said as he watched the action.
"There is definitely some talent here at JBLM."