Tony Hawk brings Vert Alert back to Utah this weekend

Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert returns to Salt Lake City Aug. 21-22, bringing some of the world’s top vert skateboarders to the Jon M. Huntsman Center for two days of competition and demonstrations. Photo: Brandon Zack

Skateboarding icon returns to Salt Lake City as top international vert skaters compete Aug. 21-22

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk returns to Utah this weekend as some of the world’s top vert skateboarders gather for Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert, a free two-day competition Aug. 21-22 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center at the University of Utah.

Now in its sixth year, Vert Alert brings together established stars and the next generation of skaters for a celebration of vert skateboarding. The Utah Sports Commission describes Salt Lake City as the event’s only host city worldwide.

Hawk will be part of the Tony Hawk and Friends Demo, giving spectators a chance to see one of skateboarding’s most recognizable figures alongside other legends of the sport.

“Utah and the Utah Sports Commission have embraced our Vert Alert event since its beginning and by doing so have helped evolve vert skateboarding for the next generation, as I continue to push for the inclusion of this discipline in the Olympic Games,” Hawk said in a statement. “Utah has become an integral place for this mission, and I greatly appreciate all of the support we have received.”

Hawk turned professional at age 14 and by 16 was widely regarded as one of the world’s best competitive skateboarders, according to his official biography. He went on to win 73 of 103 professional contests and was crowned vertical skating world champion 12 years in a row.

His influence extended well beyond competition. At the 1999 X Games, Hawk became the first skateboarder to land a 900, completing 2½ rotations in the air. That same year, he partnered with Activision on the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” video game franchise, helping introduce skateboarding to an even broader audience. Hawk later retired from competition but continued performing demonstrations and exhibitions worldwide.

This weekend’s competition will feature five of the six athletes who reached the podium at Vert Alert in 2025, according to the Utah Sports Commission.

Defending men’s champion Gui Khury returns alongside JD Sanches and Egoitz Bijueska, who finished second and third last year. Khury is the 2024 Vert World Champion, while Bijueska is the reigning Park World Champion.

On the women’s side, Mizuho Hasegawa and Mia Kretzer return after finishing second and third in 2025. Hasegawa is a two-time World Championship silver medalist, while Kretzer is a four-time X Games gold medalist. Defending champion Arisa Trew is the only 2025 podium finisher not returning.

“Utah has a long history of hosting the biggest names and moments in action sports, and Tony Hawk is synonymous with that,” Utah Sports Commission President and CEO Jeff Robbins said in a statement. “Having Tony bring Vert Alert back to Salt Lake City speaks to the strong connection he has built with The State of Sport.”

The Utah Sports Commission lists Vert Alert as a free two-day competition featuring top vert skateboarders from around the world, along with the Tony Hawk and Friends Demo. The event will be held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, 1825 South Campus Drive in Salt Lake City.

Vert Alert runs Friday, Aug. 21, through Saturday, Aug. 22.