This is How Tom Asta Became One of the Best Skateboarders Alive: True Grit | Santa Cruz Skateboards

Life comes at all of us differently. Some people use their situation as an excuse and others use it to fuel their fire. Tom Asta grew up in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and still calls it home to this day. One of the more humble people we've met, Tom takes you through coming up in the skate industry that was based on the other side of the country, with no plans of ever "Going Pro". Natural talent and his great attitude brought him to the likes of Chris Cole and Jamie Thomas who helped him become the seasoned Pro he is today. We are proud to present to you the Tom Asta True Grit.
Produced by Andrew Cannon, Joe Perrin & Trevar Cushing. Edited by Brendan Zipfel
Archival footage by Ian Berry, Adam Hribar, Anthony Travis, Cory Williams, Tyrone Romero & Kyle Camarillo
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[@spencerperry2460]

This just seriously made him one of my favorite pros it's awesome to see someone so gnarly still be a great dad and be so humble

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Mad love for Tom and the family! 💜

[@briancannon3987]

the opposite of bam

[@svnbit8408]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards that quilt is awesome.

[@jodywest9044]

@@svnbit8408 seriously such a awesome quilt

[@limehawk4989]

Big egos are never attractive!

[@KeithSkates]

Tom's a freaking LEGEND!!!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Got that right!!

[@marty.warner]

I bought my first skateboard at g-spot skate shop in langhorne pa, in 2002. I have been skating ever since. that purple shack on the side of the road was iconic! I was 8 years old asking my dad to take me to the g-spot. he thought it was a strip club lol.

[@TherandomguyTV]

😂😂😂 your dad knew the dirty stuff

[@petert4269]

The thing I admire most about Tom is his pants selection. Its low key his greatest strength imo

[@vi0l3nc35]

No pansy ass rolled up capris, straight sauce!

[@MKB927]

The cargos hold Tom's super powers.

[@benfredrickson5212]

Ahahaha I couldn’t agree more

[@williamnepinak5490]

fr fr

[@littlebear2477]

I think it’s more his swag and the way he skates , his style makes his appearance better imo

[@cfitzg]

We need more dads like Papa Asta (and moms like Mama Asta) - support and encouragement is invaluable. Awesome documentary, thanks SC and keep pushing forward.

[@algraevan22]

So solid, been wanting to here Tom’s story forever. Everyone killed this

[@thetinman5297]

*hear ... sorry I had to

[@mashmartmusic]

Amazing story congrats

[@YourBeastRoy]

Tom's my half cousin so known the story, but been waiting for it to be told like this haha so dope

[@longlenge]

During the hot wax days, I ran into him at Radnor park. Literally ran into him. We collided into each other skating flat. He immediately apologized and went right back to skating. That’s all I needed to hear to know he was a chill kid.

[@limehawk4989]

People with big egos are always fighting for their own self-image. Stay humble!

[@greenalienthe1st626]

Can’t wait Legendary

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

See you Tuesday!!

[@BretCahill]

Tom definitely has an awesome style, one of my favorites to watch. He is actually the reason I became interested in checking out the Santa Cruz team.

[@Leebull3]

same. i never bought a santa cruz until tom rode for them.

[@artomarto679]

Lol

[@BretCahill]

@@artomarto679 lul

[@Leebull3]

@@BretCahill whats funny?

[@BretCahill]

@@Leebull3 I was wondering the same thing

[@taharajaei3554]

This answered so many questions! I always wondered why he was this underrated and slept on because he's been killing it for over a decade now. On his insta stories you could see how he drops bangers casually on a random skate sess. True inspiration

[@Plastic35789]

Tom is amazing, makes me like him even more knowing how down to earth and humble he is

[@NineteenEighty8]

tom asta is goat'd, dude has so much style and hella tricks. he always reminded me of tom penny lol, so much STYLE.

[@masonmcconnell9375]

i never thought about it but he does have that tom penny vibe in his own way like a new school tom pretty sick and he does skate on the same team as tom with ES

[@nocturnalme3549]

I grew up around all these guys in the area. I was a little older than them. Tom asta was always a solid dude from day one. He earned all this from the ground up. I never knew his parents owned that bar restaurant til now. My ex girlfriend used to live around the corner from there and we would go in all the time. It Was Erie for me to see that place again, she passed away tradegicly years later. Hot wax was kinda a bogus idea, Cole was always legit but most of those guys were homie style and all of a sudden wanted to be full metal rocker style because they saw zero videos. But they still ripped. That whole town bred some serious heavy hitters. It was crazy to see these local guys go so far in the game. Other kids that came up right there was Kyle Fredrick, ishod, and Pete Eldridge. They all knew each other and of course Cole. Kyle was a heavy skater he was Chris coles boy and was in the same level til Chris took off to the west, same with Pete. They all at some point started to scatter going on tour and filming. We were all their til the last days of love. After they knocked down the plaza kind of took the hype and heart out of the town. It's coming back but will never be the same as it was, it was legendary. We used to skate with oyola and sub zero guys back then also. These guys carried the torch forward along with bam and Maldonado for that time period. They were slightly hyping up that xpark place. It sucked ,but it was the only place indoor for along time, the ground was so slick that you could smash your face if you didn't land perfect. That's why Ishod and asta got so good there skating together, you had to be on point. Finally, Shane colville bringing up that fact that people thought Tom was arrogant or cocky is obviously false, Tom was always cool. Shane on the other back then was really cocky and arrogant, he was doing some projecting there lol. But all in all glad these guys made it and are still here, hope to see more to come.

[@crondigady]

He is as consistent as anyone in skateboarding. He could win BATB, Slides and Grinds, Sweet frontside heel Love Park, and nollie heel back nideblunt a f’in handrail! He is an absolute jackknife. He can skate anything

[@45BRush]

Tom is such a g.

[@itdobesuckin]

that color theory part made me a huge fan of tom. and that WAWA mystery board was HEAT

[@Anetzell]

Koston, Muska, Rowley, Reynolds, Thomas, Guy, Carroll...........Asta IMAO

[@tomf4087]

Probably should have Penny on that list?

[@vi0l3nc35]

Unique style from a polite and humble person, refreshing is an understatement.

[@stylintylin77]

He's still slept on today . Tom's a GOAT!

[@turtle4614]

Love this dude! My favorite skater. I tell him all the time and he likes my comments. What a humble skater! Keep shredding!

[@wollandcd0311]

Super solid peice on Tom Asta..love the fact Chris Cole & tom are from the same small town & are both super tech street skaters..just the whole vibe being put on a local team and just putting it down for the camera! Always good to see an insight into some of these pro,s..gives a different perspective!❤️💛💚💯👊

[@6rubsss471]

Great content here!

[@CFCVideos]

Omg finally! I‘ve been waiting for years for this😀

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

The time has come!!!

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

We knew you would be hyped on this one, CFC!

[@turtleboypurp]

when he did those tricks down love park fountain it completely blew my mind. knew he was going to be legendary from there.

[@benmcreynolds8581]

This was literally the most genuine thing. Like everything that was described about the days in your youth and falling in love with skateboarding are so spot on. I love seeing that Life has truly blessed these people who showed so much heart and stayed on a good path. When I was young, going into those older days it was easy to get too caught up, and be too wild and it's seriously awesome to see his infectious positive energy coming from his children and loved one's and Tom has grown into himself and yet genuinely still has these (is this real? I gotta be dreaming right?) Moment's. AND That is a beautiful freaking thing. Keep spreading & shredding positivity dude. For real. This was such a heart felt story that just unfolded organically, because Tom had a good heart and equally a killer drive, and everything just went well around that. That must be a Mind F*ck... But in the best way possible.

[@clstile]

@Ben McReynolds I love this comment .. I’m 38 now but this vid reminded me so much of my child hood through the mid 90s to early 2000s .. I grew up in a small desert town near JT California .. we had some dinky skate spots around the local grocery stores .. a small roller rink turned “skate park” by some old men who didn’t know a thing about skateboarding , and the local high school where I got several citations for skating .. it was before cell phones took over , internet was AOL when your parents weren’t on the phone , and we’d still watch our favorite skaters on VHS tapes .. I had such a loving relationship with skateboarding because not only was it insanely fun to push around with my friends , but it was a total escape from problems at school , home , young love etc.. when I was on my board I was completely free .. I skated everyday rain or shine , snow and wind .. as long as I got at least a couple hours in everyday, I felt like myself .. I can’t remember what made me lose that relationship with skating .. maybe when I became a young father at 20 years old , pursuing my career , losing my mother .. maybe a combo of all those things .. now I push around occasionally , collect decks I couldn’t afford as a kid , and watch videos like this on KZbin lol! I’ll always have that love for skateboarding , and fond memories of being on my board in my youth .. it truly was the happiest years of my life, and I’m always stoked to see these guys that kept with it and became successful doing what they love! These videos bring me joy Much peace and love from Southern California ✌🏼🖤🤙🏻

[@skaternoahz]

CANT WAIT!!! 🔥🔥

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

See you Tuesday!!

[@bradycraig8437]

I love how Tom Asta opens his hand up wide when he’s doing a lot of tech tricks❤️🔥

[@opgg1]

Tom is not only talented skater but also humble and down to earth dude. Wish him and his family all the best.

[@MarcMillerr]

I grew up skating in NE Philly and man this video brought back so many memories. I watched Tom grow and progress so much. He would be at xpark everyday, I remember going to his Color theory video showing at reign. Dudes always been real chill. Congrats tom

[@flexinthesehoes2155]

I bet we skated together at one time I'm from Tacony

[@JazzMachine77]

What a nice and down to earth guy! Loved to hear his story.

[@georgematthew1682]

His demeanor matching his skating is like how great musicians personalities match their playing, a truly refined artist🤌🙌🔥

[@zestywesty3940]

Yo he’s a nice person in real life I met him randomly with the zero team In st.Paul years ago I was driving home with the homies and we look to the left and the zero team is just skating some spot haha, we talked with him he was super chill and calm about everything it was so random but he was mellow

[@MrBlawver7]

20 yrs ago I skated Santa Cruz. Now coming back to skating and seeing what a great job you guys do on KZbin with your content, I am going to support you guys even more. Keep doing what you are doing and big shout out to the film team and managers on this company!

[@dbc.ash.]

DBC.. Daily Blessings Coming! Thank You ALL for Everything, Everyday!! I wish I had support growing up like this but I didn’t…. FML!!!

[@SpoonmanGamesnStuff]

tom is definitely the king of nollie flip/heels

[@matthewjames206]

I always think of how fun it must be to skate like Tom Asta. He's so consistent and steezy. And I like how he mirrors his tricks. He also seems like a really humble dude Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Santa Cruz continues to put out the best content.👏👏🍻

[@mashmartmusic]

Definitly one of the best episode so far congrats guys.!!

[@codyclark2780]

Waited a few days for this to premiere. Damn good watch, Santa Cruz. Thanks !

[@Bonesmalone27]

Such a humble cool dude! Hopefully we get an Eman episode!

[@AShlaimon]

My favorite skaters in the mid late 90’s Peter smolik, Jamie thomas, eric koston.

[@baytucks]

lesgooo 🍿

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Orville Redenbacher on deck 🍿

[@TR7Skate]

what a legend! his colour theory is an OG SKATE part 😎

[@jsco.99]

Man loved his fallen & mystery days! He’s ah legend!!

[@matthewwilson8897]

This looks sick! Notifications on, ready for this✌️

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

See you soon!

[@matthewwilson8897]

Great vid, wish it was 30 mins longer though☺️✌️ was a great story!

[@808kicks2]

Tom is so insanely humble and genuine I’m glad humans like him still exists they are truly a dying a breed ❤️ oh and his skateboarding tricks are pretty rad too

[@joshuajones6257]

Commenting to say I support you, Tom! Been following you since your Fallen/ Zero days.

[@ronniecreager2585]

Kostons and cargos when just chillin. This guys a legend

[@themoog924]

Solid dude. Thanks SC and Tom!

[@theozar]

I’ve been saying this foos under rated for yeaaarrrrsss

[@tylerriggs95]

I first saw Tom at a Nocturnal demo in Philly in like 05-06 and knew right away he was something else. Went home and Googled him immediately and found some of his footage. Been a fan ever since.

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Watching Tom skate in person is unreal! 🤯

[@tylerriggs95]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards Makes our day when we pull to a park in PA and he's there! Still quiet and humble!

[@lilspittin313]

What a master, switch flip in and out..whoa!

[@adambaja6256]

all the best for a Santa Cruz squad

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Much love 💜

[@marcjohnson6187]

I met young Tom Asta when he turned 18 in Macau China! it was a fallen trip.

[@stayontrack]

Tom's back arm looks funny when he does his tracks, noticed it's a habit he's had since he was young

[@versevica]

Quite a purist in a way ya know, loves skating, honed his skills to level up but didn't try to force things to happen for him it just came naturally. In a scene flooded with a lot of loud brash young skaters coming up almost competing for a spot in the limelight its refreshing to see that the chill, respectful approach can get rewarded. Tom let's his skating do the talking and that's a plus on top of just being a nice guy! Great vid!

[@215Kane]

Asta is a Pennsylvania champion

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

PA STAND UP!!!

[@chrismadison7276]

Always been one of my faves! Keep doing you Tom! You should be super proud of what you have done on a skateboard!

[@MaedaYugo]

So inspiring ! I really dig your documentaries, love to know more about the legends out there !

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Thanks for watching!

[@ryanrowe1975]

Tom Asta is a stud skater to improving his flip tricks to a another level of landing basic maneuvers tricks to tricks

[@paulanthony1689]

I was a fan of Tom before, but this doc increased my appreciation of him. Well done!

[@about80crickets]

Langhorn tap water hit different

[@blainesworld6404]

I live in p.a. and skate so many local parks and the times I show up Tom Asta is there. I've talk to him briefly and he is such a chill humble person.

[@nnnooowwwaaayyy]

Tom rips, and has ripped. I’m confident he will continue to rip for many years to come!

[@soundsbitter]

Tom is such a great dude

[@liamthegreat22]

this was a rad vid, mad respect for tom asta. wish y'all talked a little more about the switch to Santa Cruz and how its been and why tom has mad love for it (bcuz he said he focusing on the Santa Cruz part over the eS part)

[@Josh_Wilding]

I bought my first board and skate video at our local shop called stomping grounds, it was sweet the shop, the people, and the video I wanted to buy was hot wax. I still love that video and never realized tom Asta himself was apart of my childhood video I grew up on. The video was as good as my other two videos Ed at the shop told me to watch. It was almost round 3 and girl yeah right. I never will forget these three videos with the kid in hot wax when he did those tricks I was like damn who is that kid! He knows Chris Cole and these other rad dudes! Then I was like this video was filmed in PA we gotta go! Ever since then I looked up to these guys and just have so much fun. Skating is life and brings life. You can make a spot out of nothing sometimes just reclaimed wood.. it gave me hope and made me realize it is a form of Art, like music to my ears. The vibrations and paths we carve with our board is like a "moving muscle memory 3D art sculpture" with our own individual stage.. I started skating whatever after that and felt more alive. It also has a way with bringing life to people and giving and giving. It's the gift that keeps giving. I love my friends and how many awesome memories we had, this is crazy it's been so many years since hot wax came out and now I thank you guys for being the realest shredders alive and showing us how to have fun in a dull place like youngstown ohio.

[@ahenson4297]

God Bless Tom, man… fucking love that dude. Humble as can be and wildly inspirational. Keep killing it.

[@Worldunfold]

Wow so inspiring! Never knew Tom was so humble and chilled dude. Mad respect 🫡

[@ER_aka_RAM]

Fawesome! Tom rules, so stoked he was able to stick it out in PA with his family and made it 🤙🏽

[@christianvasquez3937]

When i was living in NJ I went out to middletown for a day after they had just finished building the park and tom was there. he was so casual, so nice..i was so nervous and at the time dealing with back issues so all i could do was ride and some ollies so i ended up just stopping halfway through and watching tom sesh the ledge. It was amazing. It was a pleasure to see and meet him again orlando, he carried the same cool calm collected energy.

[@fakiewilly]

So good and loved the Toronto footy.

[@seanpoore500]

Hell yeah man, I remember you from the patchwork and g-spot days, I miss that place. I knew for sure you were going places. Keep shredding an inspiring these kids man 🤙

[@one_eyeddd473]

Dudes style n trick selection always had him in my top 5 hes been a stud forever glad hes gettin this spotlight showing him veing a loving father, dudes a pro foreal.

[@spencerperry2460]

Omg I can't wait for this dude Asta has been killing it for so long

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Incredibly consistent throughout his whole Pro career!!

[@twuandixon8675]

@@SantaCruzSkateboards keep that mam as a legacy pro, hell sell boards forever let alone hes ginna be good for aaaaaaaages.

[@coolhand1377]

Love this guy.

[@84vietskater]

How can you not like Tom skating and the style that comes with it. Everybody dreams of skating like him!

[@blankwavemessiah]

One of best skate related videos ive seen in years

[@monkeywrenchdesignshop7856]

Well that was awesome!

[@theinfofficial]

REAL NICE

[@oghash4912]

Dude is legendary🔥💯💚

[@215Kane]

This is sick

[@skateorsplit]

nice bro! LEGEND!

[@littlebear2477]

It’s refreshing to here he was quite and let his skating speak for itself. You don’t always need to talk , sometimes you can say more by saying nothing at all

[@gooseallie4417]

This is great! More of these please! Tom is a legend. Also Andrew can we get more episodes of the vert button podcast?! Thanks

[@ShredzShop]

Love Tom and loved this vid!! 🙌❤

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Much love Shredz! 💜

[@ToniLovesSkateboarding]

One of my fav skaters! 🤘🏽

[@orangecheez]

Toms such a cool dude in person too . I always talk to him at the park and he's very down to earth .

[@FamiliaLopezPacheco]

Shout-out Santa Cruz & much love to tom ASTA & his Family 🤟🏾

[@psychogeuse9772]

much luv for this dude, so sick.

[@mattkeenan7969]

Yesss he’s the best congrats man

[@RecoveredRidleyTruther]

Love this. Live about 40 mins from langhorne my whole life. I remember seeing cole at love park as a kid

[@SantaCruzSkateboards]

Woah no way! What an epic memory!

[@nocturnalme3549]

Bucks represent.. Glad to see everyone still out there doing it big. This area bred some of the gnarliest guys in the game. Cole, asta, ishod, Eldridge, Fredrick's, just too name a few. There will never be a era like that again, mid 90s to mid 2000s. Classic Philly will never be the same. Last of the mohicans. 💯

[@mcdonaldsbigmac3935]

this dude is awesome his style is the type that honestly makes you want to skate

[@jazzmanworkz]

dope story bro - inspiring!

[@kevinminor2836]

Shout out Tom. He comes my area and I’ve seen him rip so many times. Gnarly dude, and super humble. Shout out 215.

[@judderzm2252]

Super cool dude sick skater really nice guy lovely family absolutely stoked for them all 😁

[@ew_xk25]

everybody gangster till tom asta documentary drops💀

[@markwarne5049]

Tom is so skilled insane an I love Cole an Thomas they legends an so wise and thoughtful ,interesting to listen to talk about skating. God bless!

[@bones1885]

awesome documentary very entertaining ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@xyphor317]

Love Asta. He’s one of my favorites

[@matthewbrandon267]

Favorite skater

[@theacgkid]

Tom is the best man! Gotta love that guy!