Reliving My Youth: A Father-Son Adventure with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4

My childhood in the 2000s was defined by loose-fitting clothing, well-worn hoodies, and the constant, ear-splitting sounds of punk rock bands like Blink-182 and Sum 41. Fortunately for my parents, much of my time was spent with my skateboarding friends. I had pilfered my older brother’s skateboard, and for any young person who wasn’t already part of our group, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was the ultimate recruiting tool.

Even if you weren’t adept on a real skateboard, like me, you could still be a pro skater from the comfort of your living room, rather than attempting daring tricks on a half-pipe. Our diverse group welcomed anyone who felt out of place elsewhere, and it became a significant part of our lives.

Bam Margera Wearing Sun Glasses And A Red Shirt.

We spent our days near the local beach or in quiet multi-story parking garages because, at the time, we lacked a dedicated skate park. Even if you weren’t skating, you would be with the others, chatting, and watching your friends take spills on poorly timed rail grinds. It was consistently funny.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater played a crucial role in introducing kids my age to skateboarding. I recall one classmate, inspired by the game, crafting his own skateboard from scrap wood. The result was quite rudimentary, but that didn’t deter him from using it.

A Trip Down Memory Lane at Shredenhams

Times have evolved, and my hometown now boasts many skate parks, but my skating days are long over. I doubt I could even maintain my balance on a board now; my knees protest at the slightest bend. Despite this, the anticipation for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 reignited my youthful nostalgia.

When I received an invitation to a launch event at Shredenhams in Bristol—an indoor skate park in a former Debenhams store—I couldn’t refuse. It was the perfect chance to introduce my teenage son to a piece of my past.

The skatepark was suitably decorated for the event, with the iconic yellow “SKATE” letters hanging from the ceiling. A competition to collect these letters cleverly brought a classic THPS element into the real world.

Besides the skatepark itself, there was a bar area and numerous consoles set up for playing THPS, which, of course, we did. It turned out that virtual skating is quite different from the real thing, as I was incredibly bad, much worse than I remembered being back in the day. Thankfully, I could conceal my shortcomings by teaching my son the basics, as he struggled to grasp even the simplest moves. Before we realized it, hours had passed, and he was still engrossed in the game. He promptly installed it on his home console after our return.

Giving Back to the Skate Community

To mark the launch of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Tony Hawk and his team made donations to the skate community. They gifted Shredenhams two new ramps, a half-pipe, and a custom ramp complete with stairs and a railing; the latter of which Hawk himself skated on.

Shredenhams owners collaborated on the custom ramp’s design, which was intended as an expression of gratitude for the UK skateboarding community’s sustained support of the franchise since 1999.

Top UK skaters participated in a jam session, showcasing iconic THPS tricks. The evening culminated in a performance by The 900, a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater tribute band, creating a nostalgic 2000s atmosphere.

The THPS team’s support for Bristol’s skateboarding scene extended to a collaboration with Nick Harding, a Bristol-based artist who creates sculptures from recycled skateboards. Harding, who became paralyzed in 2019, channeled his passion for skating into his art.

Harding and Hawk met, exchanging gifts; Harding received one of Hawk’s skateboards, and Hawk a custom sculpture commemorating the game’s launch.

A New Skater Unlocked

My son’s reaction to Shredenhams—a skatepark that would have made my younger self envious—was a simple “Cool.” That’s a five-star review from a teenager who usually only communicates in grunts.

I’ve tried to share numerous games from my youth with my son, but he usually only expresses enthusiasm to appease me. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was different.

More than two decades later, THPS remains popular with younger audiences, as does skateboarding itself. My son now displays a renewed interest in skateboarding; though, I might regret introducing him to the sport if an expensive skateboard appears on his Christmas wish list.