It’s crazy to think of my life as being something people get to see from the inside, but I’m glad you guys are living the life with me. In the five months since the last episode, I’ve been crazy busy, but without all the cameras and stuff around, it almost felt quiet! I got to see a lot of my friends and do regular stuff like surfing and wakeboarding…Then I also put in some much-needed time with my sponsors and worked to get some new business ideas off the ground (more about that though in the future). But then I’d go back to shredding to get ready for the rest of the Dew Tour stops.
Whenever I go on these trips for contests, I try to add in some new tricks because the other guys in the competition just get better and better, so they force me to step my game up. I think I surprised everyone (maybe even myself) when I was in Salt Lake City, Utah and threw in a 360 flip into my contest run. I won that Dew stop, but it seemed like at every event it was me and Greg Lutzka wrestling for the winning spot. Believe me, there’s no hating there when he’d win though because he and I are so close, but I was still looking forward to skating against him in Orlando for the last Dew Tour stop. I wanted to really hold onto my lead and potentially walk away with not only the Dew Cup Park Champion title (for the 3rd time in a row), but maybe even Athlete of the Year. Plus, winning the prize money would really help on the down payment toward this awesome house I want.
In last season’s finale episode, I was all set to buy this sick house in San Clemente. This thing was huge! It was going to have space for my brothers to have their own rooms, plus space for Tony and Casey to move in and be my roommates. Everyone was all excited about the plan and things were going great until I got a bomb dropped on me: my mom, Gretchen got served papers telling her she had to go back to court with my dad about the divorce. If that wasn’t bad enough, then my mom told me she didn’t think it was a good time for me to move out. Unbelievable. Mom brought up my brothers, Shane and Kane, and how they needed me to be around until things settled back down. I couldn’t even deal with it then and just had to leave and talk to Taylor to help me sort it all out. Thank God for friends like her, Tony and Casey because I don’t know where I’d be without them.
Anyway, it was still a super shock to hear my mom was going back to court over something we thought was settled and then, I felt like I was put in the middle of it all. At one point, I even asked my dad what the deal was and even though he told me, he still said it was all really none of my business. You know what? He was kinda right. So when we got to Orlando, I made this deal with my mom that we’re just not going to talk about the divorce anymore. Hearing details and stuff is just something I don’t need to be involved in. I’m still only 17 and my life is already strange enough being a pro skater without worrying about stuff like my parents’ divorce.
But let me back up. The trip to Florida was crazy. We were super late getting to LAX to catch the flight, so late that we almost missed it. It was nuts just trying to get all of us through security and onto the plane, but we made it. And yeah, I’m talking about the cameras too. We must have looked so crazy to everybody we passed as we were rushing through to our gate. Casey, Shane, Kane, Mom and even Dad and Christi were on the flight with me. Oh, and Mitch. He’s the new addition to the crew, but has been a friend of mine for years. Even though he’s the ex-boyfriend of my ex-girlfriend, Cambria, Mitch and I stayed cool and I’m glad to have him around a lot more. Anyway, we got to Orlando and it was so hot and humid there. I couldn’t believe I was going to have to skate in this weather. I brought, like, 20 shirts with me and wore every last one and we were only there for three days!
We’re in Orlando at this sick hotel and pretty much everyone is there – my mom and dad, dad’s girlfriend, Christi, Shane, Kane and Casey and Mitch. The first night, I was just hanging with Shane and Kane and we were laughing about our last hotel bill. It was like $5000 because Kane attacked the mini bar. Mom was NOT happy. So this time, we had to keep him chilled out and we brought our own snacks.
My qualifying day got postponed when it started raining. It never really stopped raining while we were there, but the rain seemed to let up when it was time for us to skate the finals. On the day of finals, we’re getting ready for breakfast and Taylor and Tony arrived to round out the group. My mom said it later, but she kept telling me how happy I looked and she was right. I just always feel better when my friends and family are around me and I can just relax.
When it was time to skate, I was ready. Usually, I go into “contest mode†and get all tense and focused, but this time it felt really different. There were so many fans screaming and that energy just pumped me up. Plus, it felt like everyone I know was there supporting me and cheering me on. Everything was really flowing for me out there. Even though I didn’t win the trophy for that Dew Tour (damn you, Lutzka!), I grabbed the title of overall Dew Cup Park Champion. That’s my third straight win at the Dew Tour, but better than holding that heavy silver cup was knowing for a weekend, my family was happy because they came together to support me. Realizing that made it easier to come to the decision to not move out just yet. I still want to buy my own place and have that responsibility, but houses will be there– family is still more important.
I still don’t have a girlfriend or some legit girl to just chill with, but it was almost better because I really had to put in a lot of work to finish out contest season. Now that those are pretty much over, I’m really pumped about getting to be at home in San Clemente with my friends, brothers and my mom and dad. There’s some hinting that there’s some travel in my future, but I hope not because I’m really trying to find the right girl to hang with. That’s kinda hard to do when you’re not even in town all that much.
Late.
its great to see you back. Congrats on the dew tour.
ur a freakin awesome skater!! oh and i hope u find a girl soon because u seem like such a nice person and any girl would be lucky to be able to get to kno u...good luck with everything... :]
Hang in there, buddy. You have been through alot of trials in life so far, and winning this last Dew Tour was something you pulled off despite everything crazy going on in your life! But you did it, as you said yourself, with the support of your friends and family. Remember that in the future man, its all about having friends who support you, and giving it right back when they need it. Keep up the hard work and stick by your bros!! God Bless, dude!
2. I am absolutely obsessed w/ you, for the obvious reason that you are gorgeous, and also for the mere fact that you are adorable with your family&friends.
3. Everything I am saying is so cliche haha but there is no real way of getting in direct contact with you so I might as well type it all out here =)
4. umm.. I guess that's all really, but I really hope to come see you skate someday because I wish I was even 1/4 as talented as you are in any type of sport. Good luck with everything =)
I realize you get plenty of people thanking you for everything you do, but I'm just going to be another. I absolutly adore your show, and I love that you put up with the cameras for all of your fans.
Take care, ry, and I hope things with your parents get situated.
Always,
marisa.
Much love and respect,
Michelle
Wow its crazy how similar our lives are! My parents have also recently gotten divorced after 20+ years and even though it is done and over with it is still very hard and seems lk there are new things constantly happening to make my live more difficult. I thought moving out and going to school on the other side of the country and playing the sport i love would help me escape from everything happening at home, but it didnt. I was constantly worrying about everything happening at home and if my little sister was ok too. But i just had to keep my head on straight and go after the things i have wanted and dreamed bout doing. So I know what ur feeling with wanting to do ur own thing and move out and have ur own place cuz i am totally with u on that. All i have to say is with making decisions go with ur gut cuz it seems like u have a great family that will be behind ur back no matter what. Also... with this whole girlfriend thing i have definitely been in ur shoes before where i wanted a boyfriend in my life so bad cuz of ppl around me but then i never end up having one cuz i look too hard and over look ppl. So all i have to say is u cant go out and look for a girlfriend someone just has to come to u. You have to just sit back and do ur own thing lk skate and doin comps and worry bout that in ur life cuz that is huge now and then someone will come along. Someone will come along at the right time where they will fit into ur life so that it wont bring that extra stress. I dont know, correct me if i am wrong but haha i dont think that the point of a girlfriend to make ur life stressful, yes some girls do make ur life hell, but if they do then get rid of them cuz there are plenty of girls out there!!!! Have a great year, Good Luck with everything!!!
oh and happy 18th birthday for the 30th :)
xo
tay
Sick episode. Im glad by the end of the show you decided to stay home for awhile till things settle down between your parents. Hopefully though they wont put you in the middle of their divorce like before. By the way do you owe Kane
5$ since he said that trick was sloppy? and also 20 shirts in 3 days? damn! You were right though, it was great to see everybody together and happy even it for a short time. Congrats on a 3rd straight dew tour cup! Cant wait for the next episode.
Peace,
Kiwa
Glad to you're back for another season. It's amazing to see how you pull through all these difficult events and manage to keep focus. Great job in the Dew Tours, it's pretty cool that you're, most likely, going to land three in a row :].
I can see you have loads of 'thank you's and 'good luck's but who doesn't want/need them? It's amazing how you put up with the cameras following your every move.
So, good luck with your Dew stop and good luck finding that perfect girl. Thousands are probably waiting for you just to look at them! :]
~Ana
I love it when you take your shirt off...please, please do it as much as possible!! I have to fan myself down when you do..oh my!
Life of Ryan is my new favorite show and I will be sure to catch every episode I can.
E~
it is the best.
and you are so hot when you take your shirt off!
Sexy!
love ya :}
i do think u r extremly hott ;)
so i saw the part when u took off ur shirt at the skate competition and all i could say was WoW
u have an AmAZiNG BoDY
and i loved the part when u bet kane if u could land that skate trick thingy haha
u did great at ur dew tour competition also!
and im sure ull find that girl cause ur RYAN SHECKLER =]
and i think moving out on ur own would b a blast cause i really wanna move out but im not old enough haha anyways, ur mom will probs just miss u cause she is so use to having u around with for u and ur brothers and since ur dad isnt there it must b difficult.
Im sure EvERyThInG will go wonderful!
p.s. i am wanting to go and see one of ur skate competitions so i hope u r somewhere around me =]
Don't get me wrong, from your show I can see that you're wonderful brother and loyal friend but I'm not sure if it's real.
It is also hard to believe that you're trying to find a girl, when all of the screaming girls are just dieing to take your shirt off. Could you be a good boyfriend? Loyal and faithful?
It's impossible to be normal, when so many people claim that they love you.
Anyway, good luck on your skating, cause thank God it's very impressive.
anyways.. keep on skateing
Maxx
Just wanted to let you know I admire how you handle things. I dont doubt it one bit that ur life ain't stressful...i totally understand haha minus the whole famous issue. but being 17 is hard...and should be easy. Now that im 19 and working and going to college is crazy and i wish soo bad to be young again...haha and dealing with boys...ugh...lol...never gets easier...but ya i love ur show...you seem like a chill friend, brother, boyfriend, and person just in general...but good luck with everything, i will be keeping up to date with your show :-)
::PEACE::
Peace.
Milady
wow your deffinately going through alot, but arn't we all now a days I am absolutely amazed with the stuff you get through and deal your awesome
keep up the good work
Diana
I think..wait I know you're one of the best skaters I like. It seems like you have a hard life sometimes but it's like when you skate its like you're letting all those things go for a while. I just started skating but I liked skating for a very long time. I would love to get your autograph. It must be so cool being you living in California and having a nice house and a SKATE PARK in your back yard how cool is that. Nice Range Rover by the was I have one too..well my mom but anyway. You're a great skater and keep it up hopefully one day I will get to go to the dew tour and watch you skate and maybe you'll throw a t-shirt or something at the crowd and I'll catch. But keep up the good work it is very thoughtful of you donating money to the children's Cancer fondation. You're awesome dude keep it up (I know you will) God Bless :)
i just wanted you to know that i love you show i just got done watching it and that i think u are so great at skatbording. My friend said that you suck but i think he is so wrong. I am so surprised that you handle all this pressure so good i mean your mom getting served papers and staing at the house even though u want to get your own place. you are just so amazing I wish i could met you in preson that would make my life complete. And i just want to make it clear that I THINKYOU ARE SO CUTE. And i love it how you are so nice with youre brothers i think that is so cool. Will i guess thats all i have to say for now bye
love, kristi
I just found out who you were and you suprised me with your skills! Keep up the good work! [ and have you noticed: these are all girls!! :] so am i but... ] You've made me want to go out there and skateboard also, but all i can say is, that I will NEVER be as great as you are!
~xina
I loved that episode.It was so great to see you that happy at the Dew tour. Having your friends and family there is important. I bet that you will find that one girl. all you got to do is open your mind and eyes and see that there are other girls out there not in San Clemente but anywhere else. I hope i meet you someday. I really do like you and just keep being focused the last thing do is have stress. My advice is Never let anything get in the way of what you love, it makes you lose focus on what's next in life> Hope it helps.
Love n Peace
Lisa R.
XOXO xina
your life is really crazy lol....i love your show i watch it every time its on... its the best show ever!! and i luv you!!!!....
=] =]
you're life seems super crazy..
and relationships...are such a waste i mean i def. know how that is. me and breaking hearts is crazy a lot. but you'll find someone great for you promise =) it's so interesting to hear that alls you want is a good relationship with someone...so many girls would die to be yours. it's amazing that you set your standards soooo high.
i absolutely adore watching your show you're amazing at skateboarding and i had no idea you wakeboard. Meee tooo. that cool. you're a good brother too .. keep it up:) sorry that the cheerleader coming out in me haha.
just stay true to yourself wit everything and things will come with time.
Keep your head up, bud :)
so many people believe in you...but really the only person that matters is yourself.
Ky =)
thats great that you got to have your family right there beside you. what would you have done without them? i wouldnt know what i would do if i didnt have my family beside me if i was a PRO SKATER. wow. thats pretty awesome that you are only 17. and already a pro skater. and a gorgeous one at that. ha. well. i hope you do find a girl for you. well. i better go.
~::*Hannah*::~
the new season like 7 times. :D I think that its soo great how much you love your family and friends. And honestly what girl wouldn't want to date you! And im so hooked on your show its not even funny! My dream is to meet you and get a picture and an autograph! i asked my mom if she would take me to the next dew tour but she said no cause it was expensive!i was soo mad! but do you actually read all of these comments? i think
you should mention that in your blog! by the way i think your totally gorgeous! And is there anyway i could win tickets to a competiotin??? (fingers crossed)
I loved last season. It was pretty amazing. I can't wait to see what's in store for us this season. Congrats on winning the Dew Cup!!! You are an amazing skater and person. You get along so well with your brothers and parents. You have some awesome friends who have your back no matter what happens. I can't believe that you don't have a girl because you are such an amazing person and you are very attractive. I wish that I could meet you in person but your in California and I am stuck in Missouri :( Well good luck finding a girl and I can't wait to watch the rest of the season!
~Lindsay~
studd muffin :]
i dont even know if you read this. i just want to say thank you if you do. i am in recovery from anorexia and i havent been able to skate for almost six years because of my eating disorder. i recently started watching your show and it has been giving me hope that i will be able to skate again. i know i dont know you personally but just from your show i can see how much you have to deal with all the time and i dont know, it makes me feel like i can get through my own battles and do what i really love doing again when im a little better. thanks for inspiring me. lovedust and peacewind....
luv luv~ashley~
I absolutely concur with your philosophy that it's really all about working hard, supporting your friends, and finding a "legit girl to chill with." Sometimes I feel like there just aren't enough chill girls. At least around my apartment building.
Of course, I couldn't help but notice your allusions to Stendhal. You're totally right to imply that his "On Love," perhaps the 19th century's most beautiful description of human emotion, is, in a way, Stendhal's ode to the chill girl. Surely he couldn't have imagined how valuable his insights would be to a professional skateboader living 200 years later in San Clemente, CA.
You perhaps also recognized Stendhal's advice on how to deal with "nugget-stealers" like your friend Mitch. Stendhal does not use this exact phrase (there is no French equivalent), but the relevant chapter is "35: Concerning Jealousy."
Best Wishes,
Phillip