Career as a skateboarder
Is it really possible to turn your talent for neatly navigating a circular ramp into a fruitful career? If you ask Steve Caballero, Bob Burnquist, and Bucky Lasek, they’ll give you a simple answer. It is a resounding yes. For many years these professional skaters have been entertaining people in skating exhibitions and contests.
How much money can you earn from skateboarding?
Although they haven’t disclosed how much money they make in a year, celebrity skaters like Burnquist and Caballero can earn roughly $1 million each month. But on average, most professional skateboarders earn at least $1,000 each month. This may be a pretty pale sum compared to the $1 million mark, but if you want to hit this amount, start young and start now.
How to win with skateboarding
So here’s the 64 million dollar question: how do you win at skateboarding? These are the most common ways.
1. Competitions
Like any sport, skateboarding is filled with various contests each year. These contests can be minor or major, and can be held in different countries. From Europe to South America, there’s always a skate competition you can join. One of the main contests is the X Games. It is sponsored by ESPN and is presented once a year.
2. Sponsorship
Apart from competitions, you can earn from sponsorships. From free skate clothes to better skateboards or even cash, a brand will sponsor you the moment you become famous. Some of these sponsors demand exclusivity, while others are willing to share their name with other brands. You may also be required to play shows from time to time, depending on your contract.
3. Endorsements
Famous professional skateboarders have been endorsing sports brands, skate clothing, skate shops, and skateboard brands. That’s where most of the money will come from. If your skateboarding skills are known all over the world, you will have more money and more opportunities.
4. Exhibitions
As mentioned above, many sponsors would ask you to play or host a show from time to time. But if you’re an independent skater, you can still participate in these showcases if a major network or show organizer hires you.
Now what?
Now that you know and fully understand how to build a career out of skateboarding, the first thing you need to do is find a manager. If you are confident in your abilities, you will have no difficulty convincing a manager to take you on.
Why should you hire a manager?
For one, a manager knows how to make you famous. He has connections, and you’ll easily get signed into a show or get a sponsor if you work alongside a well-connected manager. Normally, a manager gets a cut of the profit from him, but that’s a small price to pay considering the rewards he’s likely to reap. Also, if you have a manager, you will focus more on honing your skateboarding skills.