Danny Way

Way was born in Portland, Oregon, and grew up in San Diego, California.{{Cite web |last=Ledonne |first=Rob |date=2015-10-29 |title=Skate legend Danny Way continues to carry a passion – and break records |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2015/10/29/skate-legend-danny-way-continues-to-carry-a-passion-and-break-records/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Leonard |first=Tod |date=2012-12-06 |title=Danny’s Way: Film tells story of extreme skateboarder’s life |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2012/12/06/dannys-way-film-tells-story-of-extreme-skateboarders-life/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}} His childhood was marred by difficult circumstances. His father, Dennis Way, died before Danny's first birthday – Dennis was jailed for failing to pay child support to his previous wife, and after nine days in jail was found hanged in his cell; his death was ruled a suicide."[http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102 Danny Way and the Gift of Fear] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231221337/http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102 |date=2013-12-31 }}", Men's Journal, Bret Anthony Johnston, Aug 2010, [http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102?page=4 p. 4] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231215015/http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102?page=4 |date=2013-12-31 }} Following his father's death, his mother Mary dated a number of men who abused Mary, Danny, and his brother Damon. Mary subsequently remarried, to Tim O'Dea, who introduced Danny and Damon to skateboarding and surfing. The couple subsequently divorced and Tim died following a surfing session. Danny lost another adult in his life when his childhood mentor Mike Ternasky was killed by an elderly driver who ran a stop sign.{{Cite web|last=Leonard|first=Tod|date=2012-12-06|title=Danny's Way: Film tells story of extreme skateboarder's life|url=https://www.mcall.com/sdut-dannys-way-film-tells-story-of-extreme-2012dec06-story.html|access-date=2020-10-14|website=mcall.com|archive-date=2020-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016200333/https://www.mcall.com/sdut-dannys-way-film-tells-story-of-extreme-2012dec06-story.html|url-status=dead}}

Danny Way became the youngest person (15 yrs old) to win a pro vert skateboarding contest at the World Skateboard Association Pro Vert Contest in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by Modern Skate & Surf in 1989.{{cite news |title=Danny Way's first pro contest win, Michigan 1989 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5kTcgSPV9I&ab_channel=FinnishedSk8boarding |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/U5kTcgSPV9I| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube |date=May 27, 2011}}{{cbignore}} Way was introduced in the Powell Peralta skateboard company's video "Public Domain" in the late 80's and H-Street skateboard company's videos Shackle Me Not and Hokus Pokus and, shortly afterwards in 1991, co-founded the skateboard company Plan B, together with Mike Ternasky.{{cite web|title=Plan B Skateboards|url=http://www.skatesonhaight.com/PLAN-B-SKATEBOARDS-s/255.htm|work=Skates on Haight|publisher=www.skatesonhaight.com|access-date=26 August 2012|author=www.skatesonhaight.com|year=2008}} He has been injured repeatedly, including breaking his neck in 1994, and as of 2009 having undergone 13 operations.

The Plan B company was formed as part of the Dwindle Distribution company, at that time overseen by Steve Rocco and Rodney Mullen, and, like Way, Ternasky was also formerly with H-Street, where he co-managed the company with Tony Magnusson. Ternasky, to the dismay of Magnusson, managed to convince numerous H-Street team riders to resign and assist with the development of the new brand.{{cite web|title=Tony Magnusson Loses Fingers, H-Street, Plan B and More on Free Lunch|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wltaTPJ8r_k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/wltaTPJ8r_k| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=26 August 2012|author=RIDEChannel|date=16 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} Ternasky's intention was to create a "super team" with riders such as Way, Colin McKay, Mullen, Mike Carroll, Matt Hensley, Dan Peterka, Rick Howard and Tas Pappas.

After the original iteration of Plan B folded in 1998, Danny was sponsored by Alien Workshop. During his time with the company, Way had numerous pro model boards and was featured in photo advertisements. He also competed in the OP King of Skate competition. Danny was featured in two skateboarding video games: MTV Sports: Skateboarding featuring Andy MacDonald and Evolution Skateboarding.

Danny was the first pro skateboarder for DC Shoes when the brand was founded in 1994. In the first advertisement for his first pro model shoe, Way stood still because he suffered a neck injury while surfing. DC removed Way from their skateboard team in November 2023.

File:Sean Hayes, Jereme Rogers, Ryan Gallant, Colin Mckay and Danny Way (2046576162).jpg

Around 2005, rumors emerged in regard to a plan, devised by Way and McKay, to relaunch Plan B. In 2005, with the financial backing of Syndrome Distribution, Way and McKay reformed Plan B Skateboards, maintaining their roles as company co-owners, as well as professional skaters.{{cite web|title=Plan B Skateboards|url=http://skately.com/library/brands/plan-b-skateboards|work=Skately|publisher=Skately, LLC|access-date=25 December 2012|year=2012|archive-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130074511/http://skately.com/library/brands/plan-b-skateboards|url-status=dead}}

As of 2023 Way is sponsored by Pacific Drive,{{cite web|title=The Team – Danny Way|url=http://blog.dcshoes.com/us/en/skate/the-team/danny-way|work=DC Shoes – Skate|publisher=DC Shoes, Inc|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013}} Plan B skateboards (he is the co-owner with McKay), MegaRamp, Titan Skateboard Tools,{{Cite web |title=Danny Way Pro Legends Series w/ Exclusive 8th Skate Tool, Gold Finish and Pro Autograph |url=https://shop.titanskateboardtools.com/products/titan-legends-skate-tool-danny-way |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=TITAN Skateboard Tools |language=en}} Element 115 Botanicals,{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} and ASEC.{{cite web|title=Base Camp|url=http://www.asecaction.org/|work=ASEC|access-date=25 March 2013|author=Frank Scura|year=2013}}{{cite web|title=Danny Way|url=http://dannyway.com/|publisher=Danny Way|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511091056/http://dannyway.com/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Plan B Skateboards|url=http://shop.ccs.com/_-_/keyword-plan+b+skateboards|work=CCS.com|publisher=CCS Direct LLC|access-date=14 September 2012|year=2012|archive-date=18 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918235031/http://shop.ccs.com/_-_/keyword-plan+b+skateboards|url-status=dead}}

Way's former sponsors include: DC Shoes, the Independent Truck Company, Nixon,{{cite web|title=Danny Way|url=http://ot.nixon.com/team/danny-way.html|work=Nixon|publisher=Nixon, Inc|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308005640/http://ot.nixon.com/team/danny-way.html|archive-date=8 March 2013}} and Capix.{{cite web|title=Team|url=http://www.capixco.com/team.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018064249/http://www.capixco.com/team.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-10-18|work=Capix Helmets, Protective Gear, and Accessories|publisher=Capix|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013}} Way's brother Damon Way co-founded the DC Shoes company with Ken Block.{{cite web|title=DC CO-FOUNDER DAMON WAY TAKES ON NEW ROLE; TRANSITIONS TO INCASE|url=http://business.transworld.net/5328/news/dc-co-founder-damon-way-takes-on-new-role-transitions-to-incase/|work=Transworld Business|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|access-date=14 September 2012|author=Kailee Bradstreet|date=3 April 2008}}

• 1986: Winner of the first contest he entered at eleven years of age
• 1989: Winner of the first vert contest he entered in Michigan, United States
• 1991: Thrasher magazine "Skater of the Year"{{cite web|title=Classics - Danny Way S.O.T.Y.|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuGxsSTiwm8|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=23 August 2012|author=ThrasherMagazine|date=14 December 2009}}
• 1997: World record for "Biggest Air" – {{convert|12|ft|m}} kickflip
• 1997: First skateboarder to drop into a ramp from a helicopter
• 2002: World record for "Long Distance Jump" – {{convert|65|ft|m}}
• 2002: World record for "Biggest Air" – {{convert|18|ft|m}} {{convert|3|in|cm}} above the top of a ramp (this record was subsequently broken)
• 2003: Second world record for "Long Distance Jump" on June 19 at the Point X Camp mega ramp – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of {{convert|75|ft|m}}
• 2003: Second world record for "Biggest Air" – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of {{convert|23.5|ft|m}} above the top of a ramp
• 2004: Gold medal at X Games
• 2004: Third world record for "Long Distance Jump" on June 19 at X Games – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of {{convert|79|ft|m}}
• 2004: Second Thrasher "Skater of the Year" award{{cite web|title=Thrasher Skateboard Magazine's 2004 Skater of the Year: Danny Way|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu-AMnvfvZc|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=23 August 2012|author=SeanLewis06|format=Video upload|date=16 February 2011}}
• 2005: First skateboarder to jump over the Great Wall of China on a skateboard (Way performed this jump with a broken foot after failing a practice jump the day before.){{cite news|title=Stepping Aside as His Creation Soars|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/sports/30xgames.html|access-date=23 August 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=29 July 2009|author=Matt Higgins}}
• 2005: "Big Air" Gold medal at X Games XI
• 2006: "Big Air" Gold medal at X Games XII
• 2006: First skateboarder to perform the "El Camino" ("rocket grab" backflip) skateboard trick on a mega ramp – Mexico City, Mexico{{cite web|title=An {{sic|Inte|view|nolink=y}} With Danny Way|url=http://www.axsgear.com/blog/vintage-skateboard-history/an-inteview-with-danny-way/|work=AXS|publisher=www.axsgear.com|access-date=23 August 2012|author=AXS Reports|date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108162418if_/http://www.axsgear.com/blog/vintage-skateboard-history/an-inteview-with-danny-way/ |archive-date=8 November 2011 }}
• 2006: First skateboarder to drop into a ramp from the top of the guitar sculpture at the Hard Rock Cafe & Casino in Las Vegas, United States – a height of {{convert|82|ft|m}}{{cite web|title=Is There No Stopping Danny Way???|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/skate/skate-news/is-there-no-stopping-danny-way/|work=Caught in the Crossfire|publisher=Division Media|access-date=25 March 2013|author=Crossfire|date=7 April 2006}}
• 2009: World record for land speed on a skateboard – assisted by professional skateboarder and entrepreneur Rob Dyrdek{{cite web|title=Danny Way Breaks Land Speed Record|url=http://push.ca/blogs/skatenews/archive/2009/04/17/danny-way-breaks-land-speed-record.aspx|work=Push.ca|publisher=Push|access-date=23 August 2012|author=encomintor|date=17 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126231718/http://www.push.ca/blogs/skatenews/archive/2009/04/17/danny-way-breaks-land-speed-record.aspx|archive-date=26 January 2010}}
• 2009: Winner of the inaugural "Big Air Rail Jam" event at X Games XV – Staples Center, Los Angeles, United States

In early 2012, a documentary on Way's life, produced and directed by Jacob Rosenberg,{{Cite web |last=Camacho |first=Byron |date=2012-03-10 |title=Five Questions with Waiting for Lightning Director Jacob Rosenberg - Filmmaker Magazine |url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/41303-five-questions-with-waiting-for-lightning-director-jacob-rosenberg/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=Filmmaker Magazine {{!}} Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources. |language=en-US}} was released by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Entitled Waiting for Lightning, the film focuses on the details of the first four decades of Way's life, including his childhood, the development that led to his career as a professional skateboarder, and a major project that was being constructed in China around the same time period that the documentary was being filmed.{{cite web|title=DANNY WAY WAITING FOR LIGHTNING TRAILER|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000152066/news/danny-way-waiting-for-lightning-trailer/|work=Transworld Skateboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|access-date=14 September 2012|author=Blair Alley|date=2 February 2012}}

Way embarked on a tour in support of the documentary that included presentations in Canada and Australia. While Way was in Australia to promote the film, Australian skateboard photographer Steve Gourlay created a portrait of Way standing at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia.{{cite web|title=Danny Way portrait|url=http://stevegourlay.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/danny-way-portrait.html|work=Steve Gourlay's blog o'gram|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=23 February 2013|author=Steve Gourlay|format=Photo upload|date=24 May 2012}} Way was also photographed at the Melbourne premiere with Australian vert skateboarders Dom Kekich and Tas Pappas.{{cite web|title=DC Waiting For Lightning - Melbourne Premiere|url=http://vimeo.com/42956388|work=Allday Pictures on Vimeo|publisher=Vimeo LLC|access-date=23 February 2013|author=Allday Pictures|format=Video upload|date=June 2012}}

Way has been involved in numerous musical projects, such as "Escalera", a band formed with fellow professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist. Way revealed in the 2013 Jenkem interview that he had most recently collaborated with hip hop artists such as Mod Sun and Stevie J, explaining that he gravitates towards electronic and hip hop music producers. Way stated that his most recent collaborations have been "a good influence" in an educational sense, as his previous musical experiences have primarily involved guitar and "organic" instruments. An accompanying photograph for the published interview depicts Way seated in front of his home music studio.{{cite web|title=THE DANNY WAY INTERVIEW|url=http://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2013/01/17/the-danny-way-interview/|work=Jenkem|access-date=18 January 2013|author=Ian Michna|author2=Mike Blabac|date=January 2013}}

• The Reality of Bob Burnquist (2005){{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
• The Man Who Souled the World (2007)
• ‘’X Games: The Movie’’ (2009)
• Waiting For Lightning (2012)

Way is a playable character in every installment of Electronic Arts' Skate series. In Skate, Skate It, and Skate 3, he owns a fictional mega-skating park. He is also playable in the Konami video game Evolution Skateboarding as well as MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://dannyway.com/ Danny Way Official Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511091056/http://dannyway.com/ |date=2011-05-11 }}
• {{IMDb name|1100995}}

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Category:1974 births

Category:Living people

Category:American skateboarders

Category:X Games competitors

Category:Sportspeople from Portland, Oregon

Category:World Rallycross Championship drivers