Shaun White biography

Synopsis

Shaun White, born in San Diego, California on September 3, 1986, had two cardiac surgeries before the age of 5 due to a congenital heart defect. He began skateboarding after following his older brother to the nearby YMCA, and took up snowboarding at the age of 6. Known as the "Flying Tomato," White is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and has won several medals at the Winter and Summer X Games.

Early Life

Professional snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White was born Shaun Roger White on September 3, 1986 in San Diego, California. Born with a congenital heart defect, White had two cardiac surgeries before the age of 5. He first got into skateboarding after following his older brother, Jesse, to the nearby Encinitas YMCA. After he took up snowboarding at the age of six, his mother ordered him to slow down by telling him he could only board backward, or switch, a skill that would help further his career.

Professional Boarder

White has competed in the Winter X-Games since 2002, amassing eight medals, including the first four-peat by a male athlete in one discipline: The slopestyle. In 2006, he won the gold medal in the men's halfpipe at the Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. He went on to win another goln in the men's halfpipe in 2012, at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

White is also a professional skateboarder, gaining inspiration from legend Tony Hawk, whom White met at age nine. In 2006, he won first place at the Dew Action Sports Tour's Right Guard Open in skateboard vert. He is the only skater to land the bodyvarial frontside 540.

Known for his shock of red hair, he is often called the "Flying Tomato," or Il Pomodoro Volante in Italy, where he is also popular. White signed his first sponsorship at age 6 with Burton snowboards. He has had a full roster of sponsors throughout his career, including T-mobile, Target, Mountain Dew and HP. His career has also spurred several promotional projects, including a snowboarding video game, a clothing line and several snowboarding DVDs.

Trouble with the Law

In September 2012, White was arrested for public intoxication and vandalism after a rowdy hotel stay in Nashville, Tennessee. White allegedly destroyed a phone and pulled a fire alarm in the hotel, causing patrons to evacuate the building. According to reports, White attempted to flee the hotel in a taxi, and when a hotel patron tried to stop him from leaving, White kicked him and ran from the hotel. A chase ensured—the patron pursued White on foot—until White fell, hitting his head on a nearby fence. White was treated for his injuries at a nearby hospital and after his release, he was arrested and booked by officers.