Willy santos biography

Willy Monolato Santos (born c.
Willy Monolato Santos is a Filipino-American professional skateboarder and entrepreneur, specializing in street skateboarding.
Born in the Philippines, Santos' family settled in Mira Mesa.

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chrome ball sits down with willy for conversation.

Alright Willy, so we’ll start back at the beginning of all this. How did it all start for you? How were you first introduced to skateboarding and what was your first board? You know, typical interview intro stuff.

Basically I saw some older guys doing boardslides on a double-sided curb at this school I used to live by in Mira Mesa. I want to say they were older but there were probably just in Junior High. They were doing boardslides and I thought that was just the coolest thing ever and I wanted to do that. It was around that time a bunch of kids from around my neighborhood also started skating too so I got a board.

My first real board was a Christian Hosoi deck from when he was on Skull Skates. It was white and pink with Gullwing Super Pro 3s, Bones 3 wheels and NMB bearings. I had clear griptape with a Gullwing Zone sticker right in the center.

I remember the place where I bought it was like a toy store and they actually charged us to put the board together. There was actually a wait list for them to do it. So

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Celebrating Community: Skateboarding legend Willy Santos talks sport's growth and his Filipino culture

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- San Diego native Willy Santos has been a staple in the sport of skateboarding, turning pro at the age of 15, joining Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse brand and now, coaching young athletes all over the world.

As we enter Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Santos spoke to ABC 10News This Morning Anchor Melissa Mecija about his career and giving back to the community.

“We moved from the Philippines. My dad was in the U.S. Navy,” Santos said. “It was at my local elementary school that I saw the older kids doing board slides on the curb and I was just so fascinated.”

Santos said early on, he was just having fun and loved learning new tricks.

As a teen, he turned pro and ended up teaming up with Tony Hawk, himself a San Diego-area native. Santos said his dad told him the renowned skateboarder called him after school one day.

“He was starting his own brand, which is Birdhouse. I was on Birdhouse for nearly 25 years,” Santos said.

Santos has competed al

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SD Loyal Launches Skateboard Collaboration With Willy Santos

San Diego Loyal SC announced that it has partnered with legendary skateboarder, Willy Santos, and his online skateboard shop, Willys Workshop, to launch a first of its kind SD Loyal x Willy Santos skateboard deck. The innovative collaboration unites soccer and skateboarding, celebrating two of the world’s most iconic sports.

Featuring the classic dog character used on Willy Santos Birdhouse decks of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, a limited edition run of the skateboard deck is available now, in-person only at The Shop @ SD Loyal in Mission Valley (open Monday-Saturday 12PM-5PM) and online at Willys Workshop’s website here.

SD Loyal SC’s one-of-a-kind collaboration

“In our four-year history, this is the most unique collaboration we’ve been a part of,” said SD Loyal President, Ricardo Campos.

“A skateboarding legend and San Diego’s own, Willy Santos has been a loyal ambassador to our club since day one. Skateboarding culture in San Diego is authentic and bold, characteristics