The New Boys of Summer

Aug 31 2007 / Los Angeles, CA
The American summer is synonymous with packing stadiums, eating peanuts and cracker jacks and rooting for the home team. But in the lives of many of today's kids, baseball diamonds have been replaced with skateparks, waves and double sets. The stars of America's new past time aren’t plagued with steroid rumors or publicized salary debates. They are younger and more accessible than the sports stars of past. They could go to your high school, live on your block, or hang at your house. They are the new icons who've forged their paths on boards and bikes, rather than with bats and balls. They still pack stadiums at events like the X Games and the Dew Tour though; they are new Boys of Summer.

Ryan Sheckler
Skateboarding

Even though he’s only 16, Sheckler is hardly a new-comer. He's already won as many major competitions as skaters years his senior -- Slam City Jam, The X Games, Gravity Games and Vans Triple crown, at age 13, to name a few. He may not have baseball cards, but fans con collect other things, such as his pro model skateboard, or signature Volcom jeans. Over the last few years, Sheckler has managed to break through the "little kid" stereotype and become one of the legitimately best street skaters in the world. Don’t believe us? Read his interview in Transworld SKATEboarding, or just watch him skate.
More Info:  Ryan Sheckler Lat34 Profile
Photo Gallery:  Skate Park Finals - 2006 Vans Invitational
Video:  Sheckler's Winning Run in Portland '06

Nate Adams
Freestyle Moto

When Nate Adams first rolled onto the FMX scene he was a shy, quiet 17-year-old kid who could barely look up at the camera. Now five years later he’s one of the biggest names in motocross with wins in the X Games, Gravity Games and this year he and Travis Pastrana keep jockeying for the podium on the Dew Tour. His signature move this season is the Cordova Back-flip, which is one of the toughest tricks in the book to date. For those unfamiliar the trick it involves the rider hooking his feet and arms on the handle bars of his bike and arching backwards, then pulling a backflip. This move has made Adams a legend and has pushed progression forward more than ever.
More Info:  Nate Adams Lat34 Profile
Photo Gallery:  FMX Finals - 2006 Vans Invitational
Video:  Adams Does a Codova Back-flip in Portland

Nyjah Huston
Skateboarding

When Nyjah Huston won Tampa Am (age 10) some people thought he may have been given some extra points because he was so young. But they were obviously not at the contest watching him skate, because despite his age, Houston won the contest hands down. It wasn't long before he was moved up to the majors, as a member of the elite Element pro team. He is the youngest skater on the pro circuit, but at age 11, that doesn't seem to bother him. He has taken second at the first two Dew Tour stops of 2006. Imagine what will happen when he weighs more than 90 pounds.
More Info:  Nyjah Huston Lat34 Profile
Photo Gallery:  Nyjah Element Gallery
Video:  Nyjah Huston Video Profile

Anthony Napolitan
BMX

After he finished last place on the Dew Tour in 2005, nobody thought much of Anthony Napolitan. He did some spring training at Camp Woodward though, and came out in 2006 swinging. He has become the man to beat in BMX Dirt competitions. He tosses front flip no handers like it’s nothing, which is the real reason to watch him. That and he's pretty much BMX's version of Johnny Damon, driving all the girls wild. But Napolitan is more than just a pretty face, he has the skills to back it up.
More Info:  Napolitan wins Dirt at Lousiville '06
Photo Gallery:  BMX Dirt Finals - 2006 Vans Invitational
Video:  Anthony Napolitan Video Profile

Danny Harf
Wakeboarding

Then 21-year old Danny Harf spent last year being compared to 16-year-old Phillip Soven. Thanks to Harf’s innovation and style though, that competition soon subsided, and Harf emerged the wakeboarder to watch. The overall 2006 Pro Wakeboard Tour champion, the reigning X Games champ (a title that will never be taken away since wakeboarding is no longer a medal sport), Harf has hit a home run, and secured his place in wakeboard history.
More Info:  2006 Pro Wakeboard Tour Coverage
Video:  Danny Harf Wins the Pro Wakeboard Title in Reno, NV

John John Florence
Surfing

This past year a kid named John John Florence from Hawaii became the youngest surfer to compete in Pipe (One of the top events of the year in Haleiwa in December). At 90-pounds, he’s definitely no weakling, but unfortunately for him when the waves got big during the comp this last year, the five-foot tall Florence was knocked out. In the case of Hawaii size matters, especially when you consider this grom has the experience necessary after surfing hollow, reefy waves like Pipeline on the North Shore since he was 8-years-old. No one since Kelly Slater’s arrival has been watched so closely or praised as much because it’s obvious a world champion is in the making with this young gun.
More Info:  Florence Takes Haleiwa
Photo Gallery:  SoBe Photo Gallery