Ryan Sheckler Stuns Fans With Epic Skate Comeback—Watch the Viral New Video

Salt Lake City—Skateboarding icon Ryan Sheckler is officially back on the contest circuit, set to drop in at the 30th-anniversary X Games when they land at Utah State Fairpark from June 27–29. The 35-year-old, who captured global attention by winning X Games gold at just 13 in 2003, hasn’t worn a contest bib since 2017, sidelined by a stubborn big-toe injury that finally required surgery in January. “Skating feels good, my attitude around skate feels good,” Sheckler said of his recovery, noting that the procedure ended six painful years and opened the door for a long-awaited comeback. Sheckler spent the week leading up to the event mentoring young riders at Woodward Park City, turning the high-altitude training center into both a classroom and his personal rehearsal stage. Between autograph sessions and foam-pit tune-ups, he polished an eight-to-ten-trick, 60-second run designed for Saturday’s Skateboard Street final—a strategy he believes will keep him in podium contention while showcasing the technical prowess he’s refined over 22 years as a pro. While medals remain a goal, Sheckler says the real victory is skating in front of his wife and two young daughters for the first time. Fatherhood—and a renewed Christian faith—have reshaped his competitive outlook. “My life is going in the right direction,” he reflected, emphasizing that he hopes to be “a light” for the next wave of skateboarders. Fans packing the Fairpark will witness a veteran with three X Games golds and a deep trick bag that spans flawless kickflip indies to precision manual combos. Training at Utah’s 4,200-foot elevation could give him a stamina edge over international rivals arriving late in the week, many from as far as Japan. “I feel good on my board—let’s see what kind of run I can put together,” he said, shrugging off nerves that still surface despite decades in the spotlight. The return also marks Sheckler’s reunion with a city that has long embraced action sports, having hosted Dew Tour stops and continually invested in skatepark infrastructure. Local organizers expect record crowds eager to celebrate both the milestone X Games anniversary and the homecoming of one of skateboarding’s most recognizable figures. Whether he lands on the podium or not, Sheckler’s presence alone elevates the weekend’s star power—and if his practice sessions are any indication, a highlight-reel run may be just a couple of pushes away.