Bob Burnquist

Bob Burnquist (born October 10, 1976 in Rio de Janeiro) is a famous Brazilian skateboarder. The biggest competition that he has won was the 2001 X-games. His speciality is switch stance skateboarding. He has always tried to find new ways to make his tricks more creative and more difficult. He has a signature trick called "one-footed smith grind".Bob Burnquist grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil and began skateboarding at age 11. In 1995, he showed up at the Slam City Jam in Vancouver, BC and competed against every top skateboarder in the world. An unknown to most, he amazed everyone with his technicality and switch-stance lines, and ended up taking first place. And that's how the story begins.

Bob symbolizes motivation, progression and passion. Once a young lost soul, Bob has evolved into a remarkable human being and role model. He has accomplished more in the last few years than most people do in a lifetime. He has won almost every award and contest possible, leaving a legacy of versatility and style for generations to follow. He is not only respected by his peers, (Tony Hawk considers him one of the best skateboarders) he has also been recognized by the mainstream sports community, including an ESPY nomination for Action Sports Person of the Year and the prestigious Laureus World Sports Award for Alternative Sports Person of the year which was presented to him by his hero Michael Jordan.

Bob specializes in skating switch-stance (backwards), skating vert switch as well as, or better than, most pros wish they could forward. He recently astounded the skate community by completing the loop switch at the SPOT in Tampa, FL. In 2002 Bob proved his untouchable skills when he was crowned the OP "King Of Skate"; skating switch-stance in the loop with the top removed. You have to see it to truly appreciate it.

Although Bob is now recognized around the globe as a leader for skateboarding's progression, he has not forgotten his roots and is a role model for other Brazilian skaters. He has brought notoriety to the country, and opened the gates for other gifted Brazilian skateboarders. He has appeared on Fox's "Best Damn Sports Show"; played a main role in MVP 2, is a playable character in Tony Hawk Pro Skater and X Games Skateboarding video games. Bob has graced the cover for SPORTS ILLUSTRATED For Kids, featured in ESPN The Magazine and many of Skateboarding magazine covers. Bob recently was featured in the Got Milk? Mustache campaign and endorses large corporate companies such as Activision, Oakley and Lego.

Since Bob moved to California, he has purchased a home in Vista, CA and added his own backyard skate pool and ramp. In 2000 Bob became a father when his girlfriend, fellow professional skater Jen O'Brien, gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Lotus. In 2001 Bob became co-owner of Melodia restaurant, in Leucadia, CA, with his family.