Sam and I love to visit the skatepark in Springville, UT with his Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair. It’s within walking distance from his house so it’s easy to visit when we have some time to goof around and feel like making another shredlord video.

Skatepark Inclusion

Skateparks are one of many places that Sam has been excluded from because he was born with cerebral palsy. Now with the Extreme Motus off-road wheelchair, he is able to join in the fun at these amazing parks that seem to be popping up in cities all over our state.

Using the Extreme Motus off-road wheelchair we can do every obstacle in the park with varying degrees of success. Including the park’s most difficult obstacle, a crescent moon-shaped rail which is more often used as a bench than actually skated.

Our favorite obstacle at this park are the 2 rolling hills because the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair rolls over them so smoothly. With enough speed, I can actually launch Sam into the air and for a brief moment allow him to feel zero gravity.

Who is Tony Hawking?

I posted some short clips of our stunts to the Extreme Motus TikTok channel and they racked up over 600,000 views in just a few days.

Some of the commenters dubbed Sam “Tony Hawking” a clever mashup of professional skateboarder Tony Hawk and wheelchair-bound super genius Steven Hawking.

Tony Hawking Proskater

Like a rapper taking on a new name Sam’s skateboarding persona has become Tony Hawking. Someday I’ll get around to designing some official Tony Hawking merch for Sam’s adoring fans to purchase.

Sam and I have visited nearly every skatepark in Utah and some in Tennessee and Georgia during our travels for Extreme Motus. During our first visit to the park, I was pretty nervous other people would be annoyed by our presence, feel like we were getting in their way, or say something hurtful about Sam or his disability. My stereotype of skateboarders had me thinking they were the “bad kids” in the neighborhood.

I’m happy to report that we have never experienced anything like that. Sam and I have felt welcome, been cheered on when we nail a jump or trick, and overall felt welcomed by everyone there.

We wear helmets most of the time I think in the future we will visit other skateparks and try them out. Maybe even bring a helmet too. Who wants to see some Tony Hawking merch?

List of Skateparks Sam and I have Visited:

1. West Valley  (West Valley City) – The largest skatepark in Utah, featuring a variety of street and transition elements.
2. Provo (Provo) – A modern street plaza with garden beds and skatable obstacles.
3. Lehi  – A well-designed park with a mix of street and transition elements.
4. American Fork  – Offers a variety of street and bowl features.
5. Salt Lake City  – Located in Liberty Park, featuring street and bowl elements.

Pump Tracks:

1. West Valley Pump Track – Located within the Centennial Bike Park, offering a fun and challenging layout.
2. Bluffdale Pump Track – A well-designed track with a variety of features for riders of all levels.
3. The Spoke Pump Track – Located in Salt Lake City, offering a well-designed layout for riders.