Editing Danny Way

{{Short description|American professional skateboarder (born 1974)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Danny Way
| image = Danny Way.jpg
| caption = Way in 2007
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|04|15}}
| birth_place = [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]], U.S.
| height = {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m}}
| weight = {{convert|180|lb|kg}}
| country = {{USA}}
| sport = [[Skateboarding]]
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Comp|Summer X Games}}
{{Medal|Country|{{USA}}}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[X Games|1995 Newport]] |High Air}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[X Games|2004 Los Angeles]] |Big Air}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[X Games|2005 Los Angeles]] |Big Air}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[X Games XII|2006 Los Angeles]] |Big Air}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[X Games XV|2009 Los Angeles]] |Big Air Rail Jam}} 
{{Medal|Silver|[[X Games XIV|2008 Los Angeles]] |Big Air}}
| imagesize = 
| fullname = 
}}

'''Danny Way''' (born April 15, 1974)<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Beal|first=Becky|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lfvnhQacF8YC&q=1974+Danny+Way&pg=PA77|title=Skateboarding: The Ultimate Guide|date=2013-01-09|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-38113-3|language=en}}</ref> is an American professional [[Skateboarding|skateboarder]]. He was awarded [[Thrasher (magazine)|''Thrasher'' magazine]]'s "Skater of the Year" award twice. He is known for extreme stunts, such as jumping into a [[skateboard ramp]] from a helicopter; that was featured on the cover of ''[[Transworld Skateboarding]]'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.paradeworld.com/uk/news/when-danny-way-dropped-out-of-a-helicopter/|title = When Danny Way Dropped Out of a Helicopter &#124; Parade}}</ref> One of his more notable stunts was jumping the [[Great Wall of China]] on a skateboard via megaramp.<ref name=higgins/>

==Early life==
Way was born in [[Portland, Oregon]], and grew up in [[San Diego]], California.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ledonne |first=Rob |date=2015-10-29 |title=Skate legend Danny Way continues to carry a passion – and break records |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2015/10/29/skate-legend-danny-way-continues-to-carry-a-passion-and-break-records/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leonard |first=Tod |date=2012-12-06 |title=Danny’s Way: Film tells story of extreme skateboarder’s life |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2012/12/06/dannys-way-film-tells-story-of-extreme-skateboarders-life/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> His childhood was marred by difficult circumstances.<ref name=mj4/> His father, Dennis Way, died before Danny's first birthday – Dennis was jailed for failing to pay [[child support]] to his previous wife, and after nine days in jail was found hanged in his cell; his death was ruled a suicide.<ref name=mj4>"[http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102 Danny Way and the Gift of Fear] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231221337/http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102 |date=2013-12-31 }}", ''Men's Journal,'' Bret Anthony Johnston, Aug 2010, [http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102?page=4 p. 4] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231215015/http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/danny-way-and-the-gift-of-fear-20130102?page=4 |date=2013-12-31 }}</ref> Following his father's death, his mother Mary dated a number of men who abused Mary, Danny, and his brother Damon.<ref name=mj4/> Mary subsequently remarried, to Tim O'Dea, who introduced Danny and Damon to skateboarding and surfing. The couple subsequently divorced and Tim died following a surfing session. Danny lost another adult in his life when his childhood mentor Mike Ternasky was killed by an elderly driver who ran a stop sign.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Leonard|first=Tod|date=2012-12-06|title=Danny's Way: Film tells story of extreme skateboarder's life|url=https://www.mcall.com/sdut-dannys-way-film-tells-story-of-extreme-2012dec06-story.html|access-date=2020-10-14|website=mcall.com|archive-date=2020-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016200333/https://www.mcall.com/sdut-dannys-way-film-tells-story-of-extreme-2012dec06-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Professional skateboarding==
Danny Way became the youngest person (15 yrs old) to win a pro vert skateboarding contest at the World Skateboard Association Pro Vert Contest in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by Modern Skate & Surf in 1989.<ref>{{cite news |title=Danny Way's first pro contest win, Michigan 1989 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5kTcgSPV9I&ab_channel=FinnishedSk8boarding  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/U5kTcgSPV9I| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube |date=May 27, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>  Way was introduced in the Powell Peralta skateboard company's video "Public Domain" in the late 80's and H-Street skateboard company's videos ''Shackle Me Not'' and ''Hokus Pokus'' and, shortly afterwards in 1991, co-founded the skateboard company [[Plan B Skateboards|Plan B]], together with Mike Ternasky.<ref name="Haight">{{cite web|title=Plan B Skateboards|url=http://www.skatesonhaight.com/PLAN-B-SKATEBOARDS-s/255.htm|work=Skates on Haight|publisher=www.skatesonhaight.com|access-date=26 August 2012|author=www.skatesonhaight.com|year=2008}}</ref> He has been injured repeatedly, including breaking his neck in 1994, and as of 2009 having undergone 13 operations.<ref name=higgins/>

===Plan B (1991–1998)===
The Plan B company was formed as part of the [[Dwindle Distribution]] company, at that time overseen by Steve Rocco and [[Rodney Mullen]], and, like Way, Ternasky was also formerly with H-Street, where he co-managed the company with Tony Magnusson. Ternasky, to the dismay of Magnusson, managed to convince numerous H-Street team riders to resign and assist with the development of the new brand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tony Magnusson Loses Fingers, H-Street, Plan B and More on Free Lunch|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wltaTPJ8r_k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/wltaTPJ8r_k| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=26 August 2012|author=RIDEChannel|date=16 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ternasky's intention was to create a "super team" with riders such as Way, [[Colin McKay]], Mullen, [[Mike Carroll (skateboarder)|Mike Carroll]], Matt Hensley, Dan Peterka, Rick Howard and [[Tas Pappas]].<ref name="Haight" />

===Alien Workshop (1999–2004)===
After the original iteration of Plan B folded in 1998, Danny was sponsored by [[Alien Workshop]]. During his time with the company, Way had numerous pro model boards and was featured in photo advertisements. He also competed in the OP King of Skate competition. Danny was featured in two skateboarding video games: [[MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald|MTV Sports: Skateboarding featuring Andy MacDonald]] and [[Evolution Skateboarding]].

===DC Shoes (1994–present)===
Danny was the first pro skateboarder for [[DC Shoes]] when the brand was founded in 1994. In the first advertisement for his first pro model shoe, Way stood still because he suffered a neck injury while surfing. DC removed Way from their skateboard team in November 2023.

===Plan B (2005–onwards)===
[[File:Sean Hayes, Jereme Rogers, Ryan Gallant, Colin Mckay and Danny Way (2046576162).jpg|thumb|right|Way (far right foreground) with other skaters in 2007]]
Around 2005, rumors emerged in regard to a plan, devised by Way and McKay, to relaunch Plan B. In 2005, with the financial backing of Syndrome Distribution, Way and McKay reformed Plan B Skateboards, maintaining their roles as company co-owners, as well as professional skaters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Plan B Skateboards|url=http://skately.com/library/brands/plan-b-skateboards|work=Skately|publisher=Skately, LLC|access-date=25 December 2012|year=2012|archive-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130074511/http://skately.com/library/brands/plan-b-skateboards|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Sponsorship===
As of 2023 Way is sponsored by Pacific Drive,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Team – Danny Way|url=http://blog.dcshoes.com/us/en/skate/the-team/danny-way|work=DC Shoes – Skate|publisher=DC Shoes, Inc|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013}}</ref> Plan B skateboards (he is the co-owner with McKay), MegaRamp,  Titan Skateboard Tools,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danny Way Pro Legends Series w/ Exclusive 8th Skate Tool, Gold Finish and Pro Autograph |url=https://shop.titanskateboardtools.com/products/titan-legends-skate-tool-danny-way |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=TITAN Skateboard Tools |language=en}}</ref> Element 115 Botanicals,{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} and ASEC.<ref>{{cite web|title=Base Camp|url=http://www.asecaction.org/|work=ASEC|access-date=25 March 2013|author=Frank Scura|year=2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Danny Way|url=http://dannyway.com/|publisher=Danny Way|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511091056/http://dannyway.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Plan B Skateboards|url=http://shop.ccs.com/_-_/keyword-plan+b+skateboards|work=CCS.com|publisher=CCS Direct LLC|access-date=14 September 2012|year=2012|archive-date=18 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918235031/http://shop.ccs.com/_-_/keyword-plan+b+skateboards|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Way's former sponsors include: DC Shoes, the [[Independent Truck Company]], Nixon,<ref name="Nixon">{{cite web|title=Danny Way|url=http://ot.nixon.com/team/danny-way.html|work=Nixon|publisher=Nixon, Inc|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308005640/http://ot.nixon.com/team/danny-way.html|archive-date=8 March 2013}}</ref> and Capix.<ref>{{cite web|title=Team|url=http://www.capixco.com/team.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018064249/http://www.capixco.com/team.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-10-18|work=Capix Helmets, Protective Gear, and Accessories|publisher=Capix|access-date=25 March 2013|date=March 2013}}</ref>  Way's brother [[Damon Way]] co-founded the DC Shoes company with Ken Block.<ref>{{cite web|title=DC CO-FOUNDER DAMON WAY TAKES ON NEW ROLE; TRANSITIONS TO INCASE|url=http://business.transworld.net/5328/news/dc-co-founder-damon-way-takes-on-new-role-transitions-to-incase/|work=Transworld Business|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|access-date=14 September 2012|author=Kailee Bradstreet|date=3 April 2008}}</ref>

===Awards and achievements===
* 1986: Winner of the first contest he entered at eleven years of age
* 1989: Winner of the first vert contest he entered in [[Michigan]], United States
* 1991: ''Thrasher'' magazine "Skater of the Year"<ref>{{cite web|title=Classics - Danny Way S.O.T.Y.|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuGxsSTiwm8|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=23 August 2012|author=ThrasherMagazine|date=14 December 2009}}</ref>
* 1997: World record for "Biggest Air" – {{convert|12|ft|m}} kickflip
* 1997: First skateboarder to drop into a ramp from a helicopter
* 2002: World record for "Long Distance Jump" – {{convert|65|ft|m}}
* 2002: World record for "Biggest Air" – {{convert|18|ft|m}} {{convert|3|in|cm}} above the top of a ramp (this record was subsequently broken)
* 2003: Second world record for "Long Distance Jump" on June 19 at the [[Point X (skateboard camp)|Point X Camp]] mega ramp – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of {{convert|75|ft|m}}
* 2003: Second world record for "Biggest Air" – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of {{convert|23.5|ft|m}} above the top of a ramp
* 2004: Gold medal at X Games
* 2004: Third world record for "Long Distance Jump" on June 19 at X Games – surpassed his own previous record with a distance of {{convert|79|ft|m}}
* 2004: Second ''Thrasher'' "Skater of the Year" award<ref>{{cite web|title=Thrasher Skateboard Magazine's 2004 Skater of the Year: Danny Way|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu-AMnvfvZc|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=23 August 2012|author=SeanLewis06|format=Video upload|date=16 February 2011}}</ref>
* 2005: First skateboarder to jump over the [[Great Wall of China]] on a skateboard (Way performed this jump with a broken foot after failing a practice jump the day before.)<ref name=higgins>{{cite news|title=Stepping Aside as His Creation Soars|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/sports/30xgames.html|access-date=23 August 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=29 July 2009|author=Matt Higgins}}</ref>
* 2005: "Big Air" Gold medal at X Games XI
* 2006: "Big Air" Gold medal at X Games XII
* 2006: First skateboarder to perform the "El Camino" ("rocket grab" backflip) skateboard trick on a mega ramp – Mexico City, Mexico<ref>{{cite web|title=An {{sic|Inte|view|nolink=y}} With Danny Way|url=http://www.axsgear.com/blog/vintage-skateboard-history/an-inteview-with-danny-way/|work=AXS|publisher=www.axsgear.com|access-date=23 August 2012|author=AXS Reports|date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108162418if_/http://www.axsgear.com/blog/vintage-skateboard-history/an-inteview-with-danny-way/ |archive-date=8 November 2011 }}</ref>
* 2006: First skateboarder to drop into a ramp from the top of the guitar sculpture at the [[Hard Rock Cafe|Hard Rock Cafe & Casino]] in Las Vegas, United States – a height of {{convert|82|ft|m}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Is There No Stopping Danny Way???|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/skate/skate-news/is-there-no-stopping-danny-way/|work=Caught in the Crossfire|publisher=Division Media|access-date=25 March 2013|author=Crossfire|date=7 April 2006}}</ref>
* 2009: World record for land speed on a skateboard – assisted by professional skateboarder and entrepreneur [[Rob Dyrdek]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Danny Way Breaks Land Speed Record|url=http://push.ca/blogs/skatenews/archive/2009/04/17/danny-way-breaks-land-speed-record.aspx|work=Push.ca|publisher=Push|access-date=23 August 2012|author=encomintor|date=17 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126231718/http://www.push.ca/blogs/skatenews/archive/2009/04/17/danny-way-breaks-land-speed-record.aspx|archive-date=26 January 2010}}</ref> 
* 2009: Winner of the inaugural "Big Air Rail Jam" event at X Games XV – [[Staples Center]], Los Angeles, United States

==''Waiting for Lightning''==
In early 2012, a documentary on Way's life, produced and directed by Jacob Rosenberg,<ref name="Camacho">{{Cite web |last=Camacho |first=Byron |date=2012-03-10 |title=Five Questions with Waiting for Lightning Director Jacob Rosenberg - Filmmaker Magazine |url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/41303-five-questions-with-waiting-for-lightning-director-jacob-rosenberg/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=Filmmaker Magazine {{!}} Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources. |language=en-US}}</ref> was released by [[Samuel Goldwyn Films]]. Entitled ''Waiting for Lightning'', the film focuses on the details of the first four decades of Way's life, including his childhood, the development that led to his career as a professional skateboarder, and a major project that was being constructed in China around the same time period that the documentary was being filmed.<ref>{{cite web|title=DANNY WAY WAITING FOR LIGHTNING TRAILER|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000152066/news/danny-way-waiting-for-lightning-trailer/|work=Transworld Skateboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|access-date=14 September 2012|author=Blair Alley|date=2 February 2012}}</ref>

Way embarked on a tour in support of the documentary that included presentations in Canada and Australia. While Way was in Australia to promote the film, Australian skateboard photographer Steve Gourlay created a portrait of Way standing at [[Federation Square]] in [[Melbourne]], Australia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Danny Way portrait|url=http://stevegourlay.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/danny-way-portrait.html|work=Steve Gourlay's blog o'gram|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=23 February 2013|author=Steve Gourlay|format=Photo upload|date=24 May 2012}}</ref> Way was also photographed at the Melbourne premiere with Australian vert skateboarders Dom Kekich and [[Tas Pappas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=DC Waiting For Lightning - Melbourne Premiere|url=http://vimeo.com/42956388|work=Allday Pictures on Vimeo|publisher=Vimeo LLC|access-date=23 February 2013|author=Allday Pictures|format=Video upload|date=June 2012}}</ref>

==Music==
Way has been involved in numerous musical projects, such as "Escalera", a band formed with fellow professional skateboarder [[Bob Burnquist]].<ref name="Nixon" /> Way revealed in the 2013 ''Jenkem'' interview that he had most recently collaborated with hip hop artists such as Mod Sun and Stevie J, explaining that he gravitates towards electronic and hip hop music producers. Way stated that his most recent collaborations have been "a good influence" in an educational sense, as his previous musical experiences have primarily involved guitar and "organic" instruments. An accompanying photograph for the published interview depicts Way seated in front of his home music studio.<ref name="Ian">{{cite web|title=THE DANNY WAY INTERVIEW|url=http://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2013/01/17/the-danny-way-interview/|work=Jenkem|access-date=18 January 2013|author=Ian Michna|author2=Mike Blabac|date=January 2013}}</ref>

==Filmography==
*''The Reality of Bob Burnquist'' (2005){{citation needed|date=December 2023}}    
*''The Man Who Souled the World'' (2007)
* ‘’[[X Games: The Movie]]’’ (2009)
*''Waiting For Lightning'' (2012)<ref name="Camacho"/>

==Video game appearances==
Way is a playable character in every installment of [[Electronic Arts]]' ''[[Skate (series)|Skate]]'' series. In ''[[Skate (2007 video game)|Skate]]'', ''[[Skate It]]'', and ''[[Skate 3]]'', he owns a fictional mega-skating park. He is also playable in the [[Konami]] video game ''[[Evolution Skateboarding]]'' as well as ''[[MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald]]''.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Racing record==
===Complete FIA World Rallycross Championship results===
====Supercar====
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
|- valign="top"
! Year
! Entrant
! Car
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! Pos
! Points
|-
| [[2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship season|2015]]
! [[JRM Racing]]
! [[Mini Countryman]]
| [[2015 World RX of Portugal|POR]]<br/><small></small>
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[2015 World RX of Hockenheim|HOC]]<br/><small>19</small>
| [[2015 World RX of Belgium|BEL]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Great Britain|GBR]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Germany|GER]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Sweden|SWE]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Canada|CAN]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Norway|NOR]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of France|FRA]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Barcelona|BAR]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Turkey|TUR]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Italy|ITA]]<br/><small></small>
| [[2015 World RX of Argentina|ARG]]<br/><small></small>
! 40th
! 0
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://dannyway.com/ Danny Way Official Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511091056/http://dannyway.com/ |date=2011-05-11 }}
* {{IMDb name|1100995}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Way, Danny}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American skateboarders]]
[[Category:X Games competitors]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:World Rallycross Championship drivers]]