The Tony Alva Story Q & A | Skate | VANS

[@xfxrxmxt1981]

I liked he admitted he was cocky arrogant and now he decided to change, to become humble and a new human being. Never is too late.

[@mykeyoh1536]

Tony ripping in a bowl at 60 when my skate only hangs in the garage today... Seeing Exene talk about being introduced to Tony by Darby.... I kept it together until the very end man. But when Grosso tells him about how "lost" he was as a little kid and Tony instantly replies without hesitation "We all were dude!" The tears just started flowing. Thanks for all of it guys!! FYI - I recovered too and went on to work in Recovery as a career. Make no mistake Mr. Alva, stories like yours change and save lives and families. - Mike Huntington Beach Ca. 👍😎🏄‍♂️✌

[@dinovaxine7433]

go cruz it

[@raymonddon8875]

love the asian hawaiian skaters!

[@larryfairman3800]

I shaped my first board in 1977... my first signature model 1979... had THE Alva poster on my wall in 1980. This story, all of it, is a light in the world. God bless you Tony

[@patricktom1126]

Alva is a living legend. And it's amazing that his story continues to evolve. #RIP Grosso

[@Largepro21]

💯

[@TheSpeedracer555]

I grew up riding in the 70s! And rode 2 different TA boards! I always wanted to ride like him! He will always be my favorite skateboarder! Christian was my younger brother's favorite!

[@hitachicordoba]

I attended a Team Alva demo in the South Bay in the mid 80's (IIRC Hartsel, JT and Cooksie) and Immediately bought a pink Bill Danforth deck afterwards. It had a high kicktail and was great for ollies, I was super stoked!

[@lukeadams8565]

RIP Grosso still tears me up man he is the one i blame for getting back into the passion i have always loved alva is the og much respect brother i have always loved you guys and the whole dream peace love and light to all

[@mrtube1024]

Words cant express how awesome this documentary is TA is the God father of skateboarding anyone who gets on a board looks up to him. He shows us all the good bad and the ugly and the man is going strong at 62. TA you are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for showing us that life is short and we all have to do what we have to survive be positive and hold on and keep on going. RIP Grosso the last clip of Grosso and TA really touched the heart.

[@markpiccarreto5131]

I've been looking forward to this documentary for a year. I've been skateboarding since 1974. I actually snuck into a skate park in Rochester New York that isn't completed yet and took a couple runs. Ready for the grand opening next month. Anyways I'm 55 years old and Tony was always the inspiration way back when and still today! What a great documentary!

[@JaredFan666]

It will always be one of my life goals to go to his shop in cali and buy one of his boards

[@felicia_joshhlubb931]

I love that he dedicated this to Grosso !! T.A. is a great skateboarder and a great person !!!

[@davidteixiera8398]

Thanks guys for all the SHRED skated since 74 Tony is the God father hands down I still have 3 of his boards and one turned into tooth picks . Much love to all my fallen Hero's Much love guy's.

[@chestrockwell4640]

Well done and RIP Grosso 🖤

[@chriskunce3331]

Thank you Vans for this. I grew up in the Bones Brigade era so I never really understood the Dogtown and Alva guys back then. This was so awesome to learn about and to realize we were all the same and still are...we are skateboarders.

[@CaptainFantastik1]

Same, I grew up on Powell/Santa Cruz and I thought the Alva Posse thing was pretty lame. I always felt it was image over substance with them. They couldn't hang with the other industry pros so they needed to rely on partying and image. That said, respect to TA. He IS the original seed.

[@raymonddon8875]

love the asian hawaiian skaters from dogtown!

[@freshislandart]

So stoked to see local Hawaii kids checking out the Alva quiver of so many types of boards at the local surf shop, “HiTech Maui” , and then meet a groom girl on an Alva at the Safeway parking lot a couple nites later, Mahalo TA!

[@martingoudreau5600]

T.A. I am a new fan, I skated In my younger days, always liked the sensation of it. Love the movie, I identify with your punk attitude. I’m 45 and i think I’m a going to buy a street surf skate this year. Thank you for your dedication to the art.

[@xJeremy75x]

Love how Alva is dedicating the movie to Jeff Grosso!!!

[@IRgEEK]

Wow! This was so wonderful, and not just for the amazing footage. Brutally honest about the struggles many of us deal with. Kissed with Grosso love. Personal and real. Really touched me as a punk ass skater who started in '76. Who brought the fucking onions?! Thank you @vans

[@loriweinstein2223]

About time!! Us east coasters have been waiting forever!! 🤙🏼

[@SkateGirlAndrea]

Totally, been waiting for this.

[@raymonddon8875]

love all the old school asian hawaiians like shogo kubo, jeff ho, peggy oki, christian hosoi's dad & many other asians who put their stamp on skate scene. much love and respect from germany.

[@raymonddon8875]

the island boyz from dogtown rock!

[@gotti84121]

Started Skateboarding in the 70’s Wearing “VANS” & Reading Skateboarder Magazine... Long Live Skateboarding!!!

[@terrymassey7619]

I absolutely love this message!!! In my opinion it takes time and adversity to gain perspective on life, those of us who have been there and faced the struggles of life, and overcame lots of shit learn to appreciate the things that really matter! Be true to yourself, learn who you are, and pass on that knowledge whenever possible! Thanks so much guys! True living legends in my book!

[@raymonddon8875]

love the asian hawaiian skaters from dogtown... much love and respect from germany!

[@carloquinn5233]

Alva, good to see that your still in shape! Great comments about your story and the rst of the Team,

[@brannonevans3685]

Living legend.

[@RickKosickFilms]

I've been looking forward to seeing this film.

[@videotra]

What a treat. I have never known my pro skaters like my other friends have, and although I coulda told ya that the AWA logo said Alva, I really had no idea who you were and are, Tony, until watching. I've been skating since the early 90's, so my experience is obviously different. However, I starting ripping with absolutely no idea of what was possible on a skateboard. All of my friends in that early period of my skate life were oblivious to the larger culture of skateboarding too. It was a pure start and I've kept it up. Since then, my life has been rich in family, friends, and just enough challenge to keep me humble and grateful. I'm a father, a son, a brother, a Montessori teacher, an artist...many enriching things, but skateboarding remains one of my most cherished experiences and practices. The message that this doc brings rings so true to me. Thank you. A message of freedom, kindness, calculated risk, grace, growth, community, open mindedness, acceptance of others, philanthropy, creativity, love, strength, positivity, self reflection, mastery, determination, style, fun, spontaneity, dedication, hope, haha...So happy that I've lived long enough to see this maturity brought to skateboarding. And to learn that the insanely self destructive and fuck-you energy that runs through sk8 culture was largely a product of the same dude that's bringing such reflective and modeled wisdom is perfect. A true artist.

[@smedleybutler8787]

Big fan of Christian hosoi as a kid. Good to know he's a solid dude real life! Had the rising Sun Sims board, independent 169,kryptonics 70 mm.

[@stuartliddle7228]

Wow that was unexpected! AWESOME>>>>> RIP JEFF GROSSO HAS BEEN SO MISSED THIS YEAR.... TA#1!!!!

[@mikeway2223]

Good stuff. Great insight into his personal journey. Very entertaining to watch.

[@markuzzzzz2k]

1:01:54 It's a bit eerie to hear Jeff say that, RIP Jeff Grosso

[@draytonsawyer6669]

Thank you vans thank you Christian thank you Tony Alva this was so amazing been a huge fan since 1984

[@draytonsawyer6669]

And definitely thank you six stair and Jeff Grosso

[@maxraider2]

Thanks Vans !Thanks TA !!

[@gergydj]

Salute to the og skating gods and Jay Adam's long live the to the gods we bow to you love and respect

[@a.jthomas6132]

RIP Jay Adams

[@braindeadjalapeno]

We need a jay boy story

[@amys.johnson8449]

RIP Jay Adams.May you rest with God.

[@Juan-yq3fb]

@@braindeadjalapeno We need a Jay Adams movie.

[@brunogermer]

Tony and Hosoi, big legend! Dogtown style

[@SkateboardSoldier]

I started skateboarding in "67" The Bay Area and haven't stopped. I was skating vert in the early 70's. Been skateboarding for 57+ years and still at it. Wassup TA.

[@joeymills3410]

Love my Alva Abstrakt, best board I’ve ever owned, addicted to dog town since I heard of the crew as a kid in the late 80’s/ early 90’s, keep shreddin and inspiring us all

[@SkateGirlAndrea]

Can't wait, 😃🛹♥️🌊

[@joninsco861]

Thank you Alva and Crew for the great Times. True Skaters to the Bone. Telling your History . I watched and Sessionend with some Of you . The moments Frozen in time. Again Thanks. J.Insco ,SFCA 8:26 AM 10/01/2020

[@francismorganstern6455]

Back in the early,80s i saw An Alva demo in Greenwich CT It was either Murphy or Danforth they came to me after the demo asked me if I knew were to get weed i told them I have some at home went to my house I had a quarter pipe in front of my house we smoked Matt Hoffman the BMXer was there also and skated for the next hr or so man the highlight of my life

[@arifproklamasi8120]

Vans has all the legends that they can make documentary of, generation after Alva, Tony hawk, hosoi, Steve Caballero then Street legend Andrew reynolds and the generation after. Solid team.

[@JerryMraz.]

Great job Buddy, Rick, WEEEEMS!!!!

[@alanladdseinekatze859]

My... The introduction by ypu guys is as close as possible to being to much to take for a viewer that is into skateboarding since beyond three decades, now, having evolved into admiring the person Jeff Grosso like almost none other person beside him. And all this simply by having a model of his as the firstvserious one ever, in '87, over the few video parts he had in the late eighties, through the recent 10 y of the Letters. Greatest respect to you guys, those really close to him, to be able to be so respectful to not just cry but express your true feelings in the manner you did here. I will not get more into it. Thank you guys so, so much for this. You are the best. All of you.

[@MorenoChileOficial]

WOW! almost crying!

[@timothyhyena3106]

Peggy Okie!!! Wow!! Haven't seen her since I was a child. True beautiful legend.

[@andrewwhaley2909]

Great Job... loved it. TA forever

[@Incomudro1963]

The day after my 57th birthday, I can remember that! Been a fan of Tony Alva since I first learned about him from Skateboarder Magazine in the 70's.

[@originalseed6744]

Happy bday broski

[@brockmacdonald8127]

I’m 56 and remember seeing him Skateboarder Mag too. He was my idol. Still got that deck in the pic on my living room wall. Hail to the King.

[@thomasglave3407]

TONY! THANKS BIG TIME!! ITS RUBBING OFF AND WE ARE LISTENING. So many folks need your sincerity and stoke for Life. I don't listen to anybody unless they ride a board.....hahaha. Seriously, GREAT words from you and Hosoi(My Brother rode your Sun Board religiously) I started a few years later in 84' whenever it was FLAT we would skate for days literally. We are a unique "religion" People have stereotyped us since Day 1. The experts say average people naturally dislike something they don't understand or can't explain themselves making them possibly appear dumb so they Bail everytime. I think coming from your experiences, it makes it ALOT easier and comforting to listen to. Like you said CHANGE is Hard!!! The only change I like is FRESH PAVEMENT & BEARINGS..... Tastes Better. 😁 KEEP IT UP. WE ALL KNOW THAT FEELING and will ALWAYS & FOREVER Crave IT. You would think we are above the B/S and are proud to eat pavement, dirt, concrete, work hard at it....We were supposed to be the ones that b/c of the Natural High we are privileged with in return for the endless hours of sweat pouring blinding us temporarily.....seeking that same feeling of when you are consistently "PULLIN IT"!!!!!!!! It might just be a well executed Downhill Bomb, whatever you are after that day. I carry my board everywhere b/c I live near a dozen bridges and that is a Free Ride/Buzz when Bridge is OPEN. SIT IN TRAFFIC?? NOPE. USE THAT WIDE OPEN LANE & BOMB THAT BAD BOY sometimes 2-3 times if Alot of Boat Traffic and GET AMPED!! If you are prepared, ALWAYS WORTH THE BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS. That's why WE ALL understand/ " Get IT" and respect each other especially Locals. (Appreciated Worldwide) For ALL of you out there that quit Skateboarding because you couldn't grasp the Ollie , we all know who you are even though I was willing to help you no matter how long it took..... I hope you took up Flying JETS or something because we quit hanging in 84'😂😂 I am 100% certain that we ALL SK-8 Punks would have become Skateboarders even if you live in the middle of nowhere. A DOCTOR is born a DOCTOR. A SK-8'r is born a SK-8'r. THE END. Please share Sk-8Boarding with your Son's and Daughters, Nieces and Nephews even if you never have. If you took a Classroom full of kids today and checked back in 20 years, I promise you the boarders boys and girls would be happier and less troubled. You can build Ramps with them and they will be in the BEST freaking shape of their entire lives!! Maybe you're a BadAss Carpenter/Builder or not.... You can KZbin TIMPAYNE?? Coooool!! STAY STOKED!! Only a Skater knows the feeling......... THANKS AGAIN TO TONY & TO EVERYONE ON THIS PROJECT. SUPER DOPE.

[@1900metallica]

I've been waiting for this video... for the past 3 years. It's. about. time.

[@EL-CUCUY310]

im 32 been skating since i was 13...Always knew who tony alvas was but i didnt know he was this god damn gnarly. He seems pretty damn intelligent and down to earth. He was baker before baker \m/. All hail TONY ALVAS!

[@EL-CUCUY310]

RIP GROSSO

[@bowerydoll]

Peggy!!!💗

[@slayer666ere]

Tony Alva is one hell of a surfer and skater I wish I could be as good as him as surfing and skating he's also one of my favorite guys for surfing🤘❤️🤘

[@alexandrecalmon]

Good to see you as MC, Gordo from Rio.

[@rodrigolantaron2305]

I had the honor of being invited by Vans to do a demo with him in Argentina. I remember when some guy told me "ahí está Alva" I spent like ten minutes trying to realize it ...

[@jackcarreno907]

I just picked up 1 of his power station project decks. Going to set it up soon so I can rep the old school. Miss that golden age of skateboarding.

[@happyfrancis]

Excellent doc - He started it all...

[@bondalero0074]

Huge R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Alva and the Grosso props!#Alva#Vans#🛹🔥

[@ibanezrg7421]

Thanks Vans!!!!

[@SmoothRuffian]

Love the dude you've become T.A.

[@jimmylionstar4163]

Thank you Legends" Love AND Light - Live Large - SkaTeLiFe"

[@luizhortas]

muito bom video, é aqui do brasil , alva um dos icones do skate, tive alva rock wheels , andava muito

[@willysworldtv]

Amazing!! Such a legend!!

[@rosbelramon3924]

Awesome Tony!!!

[@crackin2000]

That was wonderful thank you

[@gunnarandersson3408]

The ICU here in northern Norway is peaceful and quiet , thank you patients !

[@healix8526]

Awesome!!! So excited!

[@carlwarrenphoto]

Sweet my after work viewing

[@jessewolter7990]

Bloody gorgeous,I cried 10 times 😆😂🎩📍💯🎬✅✅✅✅✅✅✅

[@KurbzGarage]

I remember living in this shack in Oceanside where I had a recording studio and my friend Bruce Taylor from JFA walked in with TA. He hooked me up with a board I still have road it to the ground

[@carvinblack]

Me too!

[@slayer666ere]

Awesome video Tony Alva is one of my favorite skateboarders I have an '80s Tony Alva skateboard original OG and it's a sweet deck and I still have it and I would never trade it or get rid of it that board is my favorite board it means so much to me probably one of my decent skateboards that I had it had such a cool shape and Design of my Tony Alva skateboard it has an amazing shape great setup and I love that board and I still have it another great skater I like to is Christian the soy oh my God there's just a nice list but on that top of the list is Tony Alva Tonya had some sick boards in the 80s

[@clintharman3828]

ALVASPIRATION! 🙏🏼

[@VinylFluidRecords]

So good! Great job on this!

[@fingerluck]

Heloo... Morning here in Indo and am here. Ohh f%#*& work, i just want to shred my board straight up after this... Yeaaaaaaah!!!!

[@BeachBumsk8]

So stoked!!!! Yewww🤙🏻

[@gt_outdoorexcursions]

Damn Damn Damn!!! Thanks for this one!!

[@Awseome1210]

Thanks Tony🤙

[@travisthechimp7857]

''Nobody really knows the oldest age for a professional skateboarder because there hasn't really been very many old skateboarders'' ~ Toney Alva LOL!

[@tweekedmobb1789]

rad! we need something like this for Jay

[@fernandomaron87]

Yeah, he needs his own life-telling documentary. His story is as incredible as Tony's.

[@Photor]

Skater of the year 1980...wow... who knew you could become famous from skateboarding... Icon

[@basvanderhaar2052]

Best docu ever, Jeff Grosso for ever!

[@incontruth4116]

Been waiting.

[@theantichrome9842]

Legendary.

[@carlwarrenphoto]

Thank you

[@jason3534]

The legends.

[@sharkmeldon]

A True God among men!

[@jasonstella74]

Awesomely Done. Respect to all those cats past and present still Thrashin...

[@kimrice394]

Grosso - “I had no plans of being 60” RIP

[@daviricarto4284]

Somente as lendas!

[@PAMCADA]

It’s Today👍

[@chepe989]

Legend!!

[@sergioflasher2868]

Awesome !!

[@johnfodo4129]

About time his story is out 🤘🤘🤘

[@johnfodo4129]

Needs to go on the 9 club

[@carvinblack]

@a w Which albums were you listening to?

[@leandropossar641]

So N-I-C-E !!!!

[@eduardoribeiro28]

T.A the Real Goat of skateboarding

[@matthewodom6032]

Sick!!!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

Cool story bros. I can see several marketing angles implemented on this one.

[@victorcordero6682]

That was a great intro Christian

[@MrPatrickslovell]

How freaking cool is TA!

[@a.jthomas6132]

Since I have watch both the Dogtown and the Z-Boyz documentary and Lords of Dogtown, I felt like this is my most request! When will this comes out on DVD & Blu-Ray?

[@carvinblack]

I just ripped a copy tonight. 😎

[@a.jthomas6132]

@@carvinblack I do not want a ripped. Just want a physical copy.

[@carvinblack]

@@a.jthomas6132 I get ya. I like physical too. I ripped a copy just in case they don't put it out. 🤙

[@a.jthomas6132]

@@carvinblack You do realize you will get arrested for that, right?

[@carvinblack]

@@a.jthomas6132 Yep. Can't wait.

[@dionanderson8185]

Christian Hosoi & Tony Alva 💯 Rip Grosso