I've followed Alva's career since the early 80's and he was quite the egomaniac and like he said it was all about Tony. This tony is amazing. I am so proud of who he has become as a human being. The whole giving back to his community is simply wonderful. Keep grinding.
Truth.... grew up a few years behind TA. From early teens I was chasin the buzz , trying to escape and chasin the easy way out. It's easy to be a copout, but the longer you are one , the harder it is to change. I'm on a hard road back and i see the light it's what I'm following now, -- Drugs will absolutely F your life up. Stay clear
Your opinion's your own. For sure. Maybe look at this way, in the here and now, you, me, Tony - we can all make choices for good. And, he's making those choices everyday. I sincerely hope you get to meet the man... and who he chooses to be in the here and now. Thanks, man.
Tony Alva & Team Alva were my idols growing up 80,s !!!! So good to see you, Tony Alva in the light you project now, giving back to the community and at peace with yourself
I grew up using skateboarding as an outlet. This touched me spiritually and I’ve always looked up to skaters like Tony. This gives me hope in the world. Such a good dude! ❤️
Almost forgot to include a BIG SHOUT OUT to VANS !!! I'm 64, been wearing your shoes since about `70 or 71 I believe, from your little shop in Chatsworth Ca. Think they were around $5 a pair, I loved em then, still do...
Hey Tony, Although I've never met you, I did kinda grow up with you thru the sk8 mags thru the 70's & 80's in the Val, Simi and Ventura. I watched the Vans short yesterday " Love letters". The statement at the end about "the bottom being when you realize that everyone around has grown up and moved on" really hit home. I have had too many surf & skate buddies either die or wish for death because they were stuck in the PeterPan syndrome. I thank God almost daily that somehow he pulled me thru that dark period of my life...I'm 64, live in S.KOREA, have a fantastic wife and son, good job, playing bass again for a praise and worship team, and FINALLY got back on a sk8 a few days back. It felt strange yet comfortably familiar. Thanks for living Tony. God Bless you...
His message is recovery. It’s the message I heard a few yrs ago that saved my life. Tony Alva has been a legend for so long. Now you can’t help but like the guy even more and it has nothing to do with skateboarding either. Thanks TA
Tony; great to hear your heart; I followed you back in the late 70’s now I’m 54 and so moved and proud of you; May God continue to work through you and to those that you reach out too! God Bless
"The peaceful warrior way, that's the way..stop thinking so much, surrender..start listening to your heart" -Mr. Alva..so much appreciate this man!! You are one my favorite most respected teachers, along with Master Bruce Lee. Much Love
That's great TA, use to sk8 with you in the 70's and after 50 years of skating it's all about giving back and making others better. It's so great and a blessing to see how far you've/we have come. Bless you and yours.
I’ve seen a lot of stories and videos on Tony Alva...this one by far is the most impressive to date. So glad to see Tony find great peace while still inspiring the next generation!
Wow, randomly had this conversation with my daughter just this morning...."look to your own heart for fulfillment". This vid feels like a confirmation for me...thank you 👍
Depends by different things... Everyone have paths to take. I met young souls in the same wise point as Alva is now, at the age of 60. Glad to see him embracing God, by the way
He filled the void with love. Everyone has the void. He found a way to make it beautiful to live. And that is by helping others find the beauty as well.
yeah Tony. Great message. I love seeing This man still ride. I still ride my board also. not as much as i should but like tony i was out of control for a long long while im still here. Always was such an inspiration to watch him skate , its an even greater one to watch him grow....love, and positivity to you always tony. King Alva. What does it mean? its a process.....LIFE..Rest in peace..Jay....
ALVA CHRIST ! ! ! ! . I really don't think i have to say much more than that . Well done Tony and thankyou so very much for setting the right standard for modern skateboarding and living the right way in general . KUDOS MAN !!! peace , love and light from all of us to you forever and ever : * )
Very inspiring message Tony...thank you so much...I remember waiting for the next issue of "Skateboarder Magazine" and when it finally arrived, reading it from cover to cover over and over again until the next one...Loved keeping up with the Zephyr / Dogtown boys...I cherish those memories and you were a big part of it...I met you at Clearwater Skatepark "sun n fun" festival in 1977 and that was also a memory I will never forget...thank you Tony
I had the pleasure of a pool session with him and Kent Senatore around 1978 at a new park in my area. For me it was like a football fan playing catch with Tom Brady or someone like that. Total thrill to see him rip. Glad to see he is still out there promoting the sport and getting his shit together. Nothing but respect.
It's so satisfying to see someone kill their ego. Tony Alva had such a big head and now he's humble af. We gotta realize that we're all equal in this world. Regardless of our income, popularity, race, gender, age, problems, addictions. We're never going to evolve if we're constantly hating on eacother. We gotta support each other and come together as a community to better ourselves.
I'm just hyped to see the guy on a skateboard. His style is still the same, never gets old. I've been watching this guy it would seem now all my life. If he wore a mask while riding, I could still tell you that's Tony Alva.
Hope you see this Tony. After all these years you are my hero once again...for all the good reasons. Keep on keepin on, from one not that far off 60 early to mid 70s Venice, sm , marvista, Brentwood etc brother skater to another.
Its not that he's my idol ,but he is my hero ,i grew up looking up to him as my roll model ,and now i have so much respect for him as a human being , God bless Tony
I'm not one to tear up easily, but this hit me deep. Relates to my perspective on so many things in life. It's really amazing to see anyone find themselves, but especially someone who is in the same shoes as a lot of us. Words can't even describe my passion for this videography
The mark of a true warrior is kindness and strength in equal measure. Ego centricity is boy energy, outward focus is adult male energy. So many of us who grew up from the 60's onwards inhabited our boy energy for far too long thinking it was something worth preserving at all costs in the face of such poor leadership around us. Finding the kind, strong warrior is the sign of a mature adult - male or female. Im glad Tony has transitioned and put down his anger and pain where ever that came from.
Tony Alva Great work Tony you should be rewarded when you pass as well as the feeling you have being right and all the extra work you are doing. From you with your great skating it is a roll model push in that direction for others and a harder push for skaters and fans. I am a Gen X So Cal beach punk and feel like standing behind what is right is important. Sure I may be mildly offensive to some sheeple but they tell the story to others. Not harmful if they dislike me and could change flaws with them or ones they tell. Thank you Tony for doing what is good and your skating.
Thank you Tony Alva, I'm sorry I snaked you at the skatelab back in 2001, Thank you for letting me live. This made me smile and brought tears to my eyes too. The reason why I started skateboarding seeing you do it on Wide World of Sports in 1975.
I just wanted to say , thank you so much, !!! From axel_g_rind. From Fresno CA , all my love ,!! I'm 55yrs old , and I will sk8, until I am gone!!! I love you
Cab, Hosoi, Alva.....all three of these shredding pioneers of skateboarding all have found Christ and continue to spread Gods word across the world and thats rad. Hosoi has one of the best stories i have ever heard about his path through the industry and how he found the Lord. I would incourage anyone, skater or not to check out his story here on youtube about how he found the Lord. Very inspiring.
See all you Christian's when I die ...oops no you won't cause THERE ISN'T a pie in the sky. Love Tony ( was on the Alva team in 94 ) . Still love you Tony ...Leonard C
not only does this cat still skate fantastic, but he chose to make hard hard changes and do something to help kids that may go sideways without a strong mentor in their life. good stuff indeed.
Tony used to give us free skate decks back in the 80’s when his “ALVA” (AWA) factory was on Redwood Avenue in Venice/Marina Del Rey. The guy was cool. I’ll never forget him as a poor little kid trying to be a skater.
Nothing like time to see life in another way. You were my idol, Tony Alva! Still! Enjoying your new look at life. But now it's another reality, everything has evolved! Not always for better. Skateboarding is no longer a hobby or for rebels, skate parks were rare, only in USA, you felt great when you learned to do an aerial... take the three wheels off the edge... woohoo... it was the skateboarding beast! Now skateboarding is an Olympic sport! Everything changed!
Selfishness to selflessness
Depression to ascension
Negative to positive
Good job Tony!
Well said my friend..
3:24 Notorious big kid?
I've followed Alva's career since the early 80's and he was quite the egomaniac and like he said it was all about Tony. This tony is amazing. I am so proud of who he has become as a human being. The whole giving back to his community is simply wonderful. Keep grinding.
Truth.... grew up a few years behind TA. From early teens I was chasin the buzz , trying to escape and chasin the easy way out. It's easy to be a copout, but the longer you are one , the harder it is to change. I'm on a hard road back and i see the light it's what I'm following now, -- Drugs will absolutely F your life up. Stay clear
I love Tony Alva!
He is utilizing his talents to help the world. That is what life is all about. DO GOOD!!!
wish I could tap the :thumbsup: for ya' a few more times...
Omgawd vans and im a sk-8er but i love tony
Your opinion's your own. For sure. Maybe look at this way, in the here and now, you, me, Tony - we can all make choices for good. And, he's making those choices everyday. I sincerely hope you get to meet the man... and who he chooses to be in the here and now. Thanks, man.
3:24 Notorious big kid?
Tony Alva & Team Alva were my idols growing up 80,s !!!! So good to see you, Tony Alva in the light you project now, giving back to the community and at peace with yourself
Mines too!
❤ loved Tony from '77/78....see him in Heaven someday!
I grew up using skateboarding as an outlet. This touched me spiritually and I’ve always looked up to skaters like Tony. This gives me hope in the world. Such a good dude! ❤️
Almost forgot to include a BIG SHOUT OUT to VANS !!! I'm 64, been wearing your shoes since about `70 or 71 I believe, from your little shop in Chatsworth Ca. Think they were around $5 a pair, I loved em then, still do...
Man I love this Video. I'm a 43 year old skater. Tony has always been my idol. I just so love this side of him too. He's is the bomb. Period
Maturity. Wisdom. Testimony.
mark salling glucth glictch gutts.
What a candid interview...Tony is truly an inspiration. What a guy!
Hey Tony, Although I've never met you, I did kinda grow up with you thru the sk8 mags thru the 70's & 80's in the Val, Simi and Ventura. I watched the Vans short yesterday " Love letters". The statement at the end about "the bottom being when you realize that everyone around has grown up and moved on" really hit home. I have had too many surf & skate buddies either die or wish for death because they were stuck in the PeterPan syndrome. I thank God almost daily that somehow he pulled me thru that dark period of my life...I'm 64, live in S.KOREA, have a fantastic wife and son, good job, playing bass again for a praise and worship team, and FINALLY got back on a sk8 a few days back. It felt strange yet comfortably familiar. Thanks for living Tony. God Bless you...
His message is recovery. It’s the message I heard a few yrs ago that saved my life. Tony Alva has been a legend for so long. Now you can’t help but like the guy even more and it has nothing to do with skateboarding either. Thanks TA
This story needs to carry on. I'm here.watching in 2020. Pass the torch to 2021 and never stop!!! All Lives Matter!!
Real spiritual food for thought.... to get outside of one's self for a change, and consider others. Thanks Tony Alva.
Tony; great to hear your heart; I followed you back in the late 70’s now I’m 54 and so moved and proud of you; May God continue to work through you and to those that you reach out too! God Bless
Tony…. So good to hear your story. I’m 14 yrs sober and I get it. Your an inspiration
Thanks Tony, u are a big inspiration. I’m 54 and I’m starting skating again. Finally I can do what we always wanted to do. Love u man! :)
Happy to see Tony found God 🙏🏽 This was beautiful! God bless him.
Amen to that!
This is amazing. I feel like myself and many others have been on the same journey. Thanks for posting this.
"The peaceful warrior way, that's the way..stop thinking so much, surrender..start listening to your heart" -Mr. Alva..so much appreciate this man!!
You are one my favorite most respected teachers, along with Master Bruce Lee.
Much Love
I've been riding for 31yrs. Tony has always been a huge inspiration. Thanks Tony Alva
That's great TA, use to sk8 with you in the 70's and after 50 years of skating it's all about giving back and making others better. It's so great and a blessing to see how far you've/we have come. Bless you and yours.
Tony WE have always been PERFECTION in the EYES.
Thank you!
I’ve seen a lot of stories and videos on Tony Alva...this one by far is the most impressive to date. So glad to see Tony find great peace while still inspiring the next generation!
Wow, randomly had this conversation with my daughter just this morning...."look to your own heart for fulfillment". This vid feels like a confirmation for me...thank you 👍
Age mellows the Soul.. its getting older that calms people down everyone has to go through it.. ✌️
I wish bro lol my dad is getting angrier and angrier as the years go by and it’s getting baddd
Julian Garza Lol dang well so much for OPs post
Depends by different things... Everyone have paths to take. I met young souls in the same wise point as Alva is now, at the age of 60. Glad to see him embracing God, by the way
and some i think never learn; and they just keep coming back
3:24 Notorious big kid?
"the void is filled with love"
RIP Jay Adams
And sid😔
Jiří Burian sid was loosely based around 2 real people
Jiří Burian oh and a fan of tony
He filled the void with love. Everyone has the void. He found a way to make it beautiful to live. And that is by helping others find the beauty as well.
Good stuff -
I always admired his commitment to seemingly any/every turn . One of the greatest ever.
I am absolutely blown away that this is the same Tony. Really powerful stuff. Thank you for the speaking the truth. Much love and respect!
yeah Tony. Great message. I love seeing This man still ride. I still ride my board also. not as much as i should but like tony i was out of control for a long long while im still here. Always was such an inspiration to watch him skate , its an even greater one to watch him grow....love, and positivity to you always tony. King Alva. What does it mean? its a process.....LIFE..Rest in peace..Jay....
Tony and Jay , have and always will be my heroes, it was them that gave me the spark,.
ALVA CHRIST ! ! ! ! . I really don't think i have to say much more than that . Well done Tony and thankyou so very much for setting the right standard for modern skateboarding and living the right way in general . KUDOS MAN !!! peace , love and light from all of us to you forever and ever : * )
Very inspiring message Tony...thank you so much...I remember waiting for the next issue of "Skateboarder Magazine" and when it finally arrived, reading it from cover to cover over and over again until the next one...Loved keeping up with the Zephyr / Dogtown boys...I cherish those memories and you were a big part of it...I met you at Clearwater Skatepark "sun n fun" festival in 1977 and that was also a memory I will never forget...thank you Tony
You were my hero when I was a kid now I am a 47 year old man you are still one of my hero's.
Keep up the good much needed work Tony.
Props to you Alva. Much love brother. Thanks for giving hope.
I had the pleasure of a pool session with him and Kent Senatore around 1978 at a new park in my area. For me it was like a football fan playing catch with Tom Brady or someone like that. Total thrill to see him rip. Glad to see he is still out there promoting the sport and getting his shit together. Nothing but respect.
beautiful mini docu
so much love for you Tony
Keep it up!
Brought tears to my eyes of joy i tell you
It's so satisfying to see someone kill their ego. Tony Alva had such a big head and now he's humble af. We gotta realize that we're all equal in this world. Regardless of our income, popularity, race, gender, age, problems, addictions. We're never going to evolve if we're constantly hating on eacother. We gotta support each other and come together as a community to better ourselves.
Stoked that you like it. Tony's a great guy in every way.
He was my hero growing up and he's still inspiring
Tonys 180 is alchemical. Its so true that he just embodies the spirit of skateboarding, Hes the perfect archetype.
I love that old school surf style. That needs to make a comeback
Just watched lords of dog town,now I'm here!! Good stuff Alva....God Bless
This is what our country needs more of LOVE for each other an GOD. Thanks Vans and Tony for making a real video 👍
Wasn't expecting any tears leaving my face.. Truly inspiring video.
Aaqilah Brown th-cam.com/video/mBGPJ0tVoYw/w-d-xo.html
Now even more than before, I respect T.A. for the great skateboarder he still is and the great human being that he has become. GOD bless you Tony.
I needed this message/testimony today. Thanks Tony.
I'm just hyped to see the guy on a skateboard. His style is still the same, never gets old. I've been watching this guy it would seem now all my life. If he wore a mask while riding, I could still tell you that's Tony Alva.
unity , service , recovery equals love . Way to go TA .
He drilled down and finally found his Heart. It just had gotten covered up by the cement he once skated on. Bravo!
Alva always has been and always will be the man, one inspiring man
Beautiful piece of work Even better The best Recovery ! God bless TA
Hope you see this Tony. After all these years you are my hero once again...for all the good reasons. Keep on keepin on, from one not that far off 60 early to mid 70s Venice, sm , marvista, Brentwood etc brother skater to another.
Its not that he's my idol ,but he is my hero ,i grew up looking up to him as my roll model ,and now i have so much respect for him as a human being , God bless Tony
I'm not one to tear up easily, but this hit me deep. Relates to my perspective on so many things in life. It's really amazing to see anyone find themselves, but especially someone who is in the same shoes as a lot of us. Words can't even describe my passion for this videography
Tony, thank you for sharing, you are a true inspiration.
The mark of a true warrior is kindness and strength in equal measure. Ego centricity is boy energy, outward focus is adult male energy. So many of us who grew up from the 60's onwards inhabited our boy energy for far too long thinking it was something worth preserving at all costs in the face of such poor leadership around us. Finding the kind, strong warrior is the sign of a mature adult - male or female. Im glad Tony has transitioned and put down his anger and pain where ever that came from.
God bless Tony Alva. Thank you, Vans!
Yes true words tony alva is a living skateboard legend God blees Tony alva amen
SOLID !!! Went to his 50th birthday party at his shop. Was a hoot fully open bar and all sorts of stars .
Great Tony...
Skateboarding is not a crime!
Keep up the good work!
Peace!
thanks TA, you're the best!
Glad he found the truth. The truth is nothing more and nothing less. But real truth is hard to find.
Truth?
Jesus is the truth i am the truth the way the life
Right the fuck on Tony you are on the path' I celebrated 18 years of Sobriety Yesterday keep on keeping on brother Blessings +
Tony Alva Great work Tony you should be rewarded when you pass as well as the feeling you have being right and all the extra work you are doing. From you with your great skating it is a roll model push in that direction for others and a harder push for skaters and fans. I am a Gen X So Cal beach punk and feel like standing behind what is right is important. Sure I may be mildly offensive to some sheeple but they tell the story to others. Not harmful if they dislike me and could change flaws with them or ones they tell. Thank you Tony for doing what is good and your skating.
This deserves way more than 190k
Thank you Tony Alva, I'm sorry I snaked you at the skatelab back in 2001, Thank you for letting me live. This made me smile and brought tears to my eyes too. The reason why I started skateboarding seeing you do it on Wide World of Sports in 1975.
ha you snaked TA that's awesome.
Rad Tony, always respected your skating, but the Ego was gnar. Stoked to see you free. It is all about the kids!
It's good to see a message from a skate video that isn't kids being disrespectful and trashing the place they skate and fighting cops...
Good for you Tony!! It takes a Hell of a man to really look inside yourself,and then have the guts to find peace!!
I just wanted to say , thank you so much, !!! From axel_g_rind. From Fresno CA , all my love ,!! I'm 55yrs old , and I will sk8, until I am gone!!! I love you
The void is filled with LOVE. I'll take that. Thanks.
Cab, Hosoi, Alva.....all three of these shredding pioneers of skateboarding all have found Christ and continue to spread Gods word across the world and thats rad. Hosoi has one of the best stories i have ever heard about his path through the industry and how he found the Lord. I would incourage anyone, skater or not to check out his story here on youtube about how he found the Lord. Very inspiring.
See all you Christian's when I die ...oops no you won't cause THERE ISN'T a pie in the sky. Love Tony ( was on the Alva team in 94 ) . Still love you Tony ...Leonard C
A legend. Not many people I'd have un ending questions n conversations with but he's 1 of the people I'd probably annoy with them.
Can't be better. Alva is a legend.
So much positive wisdom in this video
a very generous and kind man! long live alva!
not only does this cat still skate fantastic, but he chose to make hard hard changes and do something to help kids that may go sideways without a strong mentor in their life. good stuff indeed.
God Bless You Tony Alva!
Right on glad to see your humble seen ya skate in the late 70s always loved the Alva boards
Tony Alva is a testament of becoming wiser with age.
This video is ahead of its time.
Brought a tear to my eye
This is really good. I understand where he is coming from. Thank you TA.
Thank some humans for coming to realization the world and reality is gone without individuals like alva
I needed that Tony, thank you.
Tony used to give us free skate decks back in the 80’s when his “ALVA” (AWA) factory was on Redwood Avenue in Venice/Marina Del Rey. The guy was cool. I’ll never forget him as a poor little kid trying to be a skater.
Nothing like time to see life in another way.
You were my idol, Tony Alva! Still! Enjoying your new look at life.
But now it's another reality, everything has evolved! Not always for better.
Skateboarding is no longer a hobby or for rebels, skate parks were rare, only in USA, you felt great when you learned to do an aerial... take the three wheels off the edge... woohoo... it was the skateboarding beast!
Now skateboarding is an Olympic sport! Everything changed!
That's why I only wear Vans... for supporting folks like Tony and others. And who the f* dislikes a video like this?
When you had the world in your pocket and you had to share it to the greater world. Respect Tony Alva
Eres el mejor Tony crecimos con ustedes Grandes skaters... desde México 💜❤
Thank you, Tony
great message, and Vans are and always have been great shoes
I love you TA, you and jay make me proud to call you guys my heroes.
Freedom through surrender Thank you thank you thank you T.A. much love brah
God that was tough to watch. Absolute legend