Ryan and Gretchen Sheckler Aim to Empower Kids With Foundation
Ryan Sheckler might be best known for his skills on the board, but heās now managed to create a foundation that reaches far beyond the skate park. Itās been almost 10 years since The Sheckler Foundation began and its growth has been overwhelming for the whole Sheckler crew. The foundation produces fundraising events, passion projects and web-based initiatives to raise money and awareness for childrenās causes and injured action-sports athletes on the road to recovery.
Ryan often skated at the YMCA in Encinitas at a young age where legend Tony Hawk shred. He then entered the California Amateur Skateboard League at six years old, igniting his contest winning streak and was finally picked up by his first three sponsors: Etnies, Volcom and Oakley by eight years old. Once he got sponsored he was considered the ānew kidā at many of the skate parks that he visited while traveling and experienced a side of skateboarding that he hadnāt before.
āItās a bully systemāa brand new kid who just wants to skate and enjoy this freedom that I feel every day and they show up to a skate park with a new board and new helmet and theyāre immediately shut down by other kids,ā said Ryan.
He wanted the skate park to be a place that everyone would feel accepted and safe and he knew he had to help his fans, especially the ones that felt isolated. āThe support and the love was just crazy so I wanted to be able to give that back because I was in a position to start doing that,ā said Ryan. He started participating in events with charities like Childrenās Cancer Research Fund and The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and eventually created The Sheckler Foundation with his mother and manager Gretchen Sheckler-Hachee, who is both the Director and CEO of the foundation.
The inspiration for The Sheckler Foundation began after a young girl named Casey, who had leukemia, asked to meet Ryan. She made the request through The Make-A-Wish Foundation. At the time, Shecklerās MTV show āLife of Ryanā had aired. Viewers were starting to see his personal sideāespecially his bond with his brothers.
āShe looked at my strength and was impressed. I looked at her strength and the scar, the beautiful scar that went down her neck. I couldnāt imagine the fight she had been through,ā said Ryan.
It was then that he knew he wanted to do more for others. āAt that point in my life my worries were hitting a rim on a curb, it was selfish. She really opened my eyes, and thatās when it really started.ā
The Sheckler Foundation aims to support children and injured athletes in action sports. Their āBe the Changeā program drives this mission. Through the programās online platform, supporters vote on where donations go. They award a $10,000 grant to a selected recipient roughly six to 12 times each year. āItās incredible to see the can-do attitudes that come from these children. They persevere even through they have been through so much,ā said Gretchen. āWe are so grateful to experience these moments with them.ā
The foundation raises grant money through its two major annual events: The Oakley Golf Tournament and Skate For A Cause. This month is the Oakley Golf Tournament at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. The gala will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9 honoring Shecklerās longtime agent and The Sheckler Foundation board member, Steve Astephen. Sunday, Sept.10 will be the golf tournament at the Monarch Golf Links. This event draws a big crowd of celebrities and action-sport athletes each year. Guests enjoy a vintage nautical-themed golf tournament set on Monarchās one-of-a-kind course, where every hole comes with an ocean view. Throughout the day, players can expect fun activities, a 200-foot helicopter ball drop, and sunset cocktails. The evening wraps with an awards ceremony and more moments worth toasting.
Down Time
When Sheckler isnāt skating at his private park in the Sheckler Foundation warehouse, heās usually surfing in San Clemente. He also works closely with his personal trainer and stays focused as he prepares for his next big event.
New Ink
Shecklerās newest tattoo spells āloveā on the side of his hand. His goal now is to lead with love and compassion.
One on One
Sheckler loves hanging out with the kids who benefit from his foundation.
The Sheckler Foundation
1011 Calle Amanecer
San Clemente, CA 92673
949.542.3079
Written By: Kelli Withaneye
Photographed By: Erik Isakson
