Danny Way

Early life

Way was born in Portland, Oregon, United States (U.S.). His childhood was marred by difficult circumstances. 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. Following his father's death, his mother Mary abused various drugs and dated a number of men who abused Mary, Danny, and his brother Damon. 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 died in a car accident.

Professional skateboarding

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, together with Mike Ternasky. He has been injured repeatedly, including breaking his neck in 1994, and as of 2009 having undergone 13 operations.

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. Ternasky's intention was to create a "super team" with riders such as Way, Colin McKay, Mullen, Mike Carroll, Matt Hensley, Rick Howard and Tas Pappas.

Plan B (2005–onwards)

Around 2005 rumors emerged in regard to a plan, devised by Way and McKay, to relaunch Plan B. Second-phase team member Paul Rodriguez has referred to this period as a time when Way and McKay were talking about "bringing back the dream; awakening the giant", while fellow recruit PJ Ladd has stated, "I had heard about it. That there was like a rumor that Plan B was maybe gonna come back and I think it had gotten around how much a fan of it I was as a kid."

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. Way has explained, "For the sake of what we were a part of, I think Colin and I, you know, didn't want to let go of the formula that gave us the motivation that pumped out all of those videos and stuff that we were able to pump out." Way has revealed that, while he and McKay are the co-owners of the relaunched company, they have adopted the business model that they learnt of from Ternasky during his time running the first phase of the company.

In January 2013, Way provided his perspective on the company's team in an interview for the online magazine, Jenkem:

They are doing the best tricks consistently with every variation of it down the biggest stuff. And it doesn’t take them long, so they have a lot of it. For example when we went to China recently, Sheckler alone has more footage from his 1 trip than all of the Girl team from their China trips combined. I’m not trying to diss on Girl, just trying to put it in perspective, what I think his strengths are. Torey same thing.

Sponsorship

As of March 2013, Way is sponsored by the Independent Truck Company, DC Shoes, Pacific Drive, Plan B skateboards (he is the co-owner with McKay), Nixon, MegaRamp, Capix, and ASEC. Way's brother Damon Way co-founded the DC Shoes company with Ken Block.

Reflections

In 2013 Way reflected on the changes that he has observed over more than twenty years of skateboarding:

I think there’s different level of appreciation now. Back then there was a lot less to go around in the world of skateboarding. Less pros, fewer places to skate… Every little thing that we accomplished, if it was finding a new skate spot, or getting to the skate park, or getting a new board, was such a big deal. Let alone getting sponsored and maybe one day getting paid for skateboarding. Back then a top pro, potentially made $100,000 a year and that was like the one top dude. Maybe Tony was making a hundred grand a year in his hey-day in the mid to late eighties. And that was like, I thought he was like a rock star, you know? Skateboarding seemed so much more special in some ways back then. How the community was so passionate about skateboarding because if you weren’t, there really wasn’t much within it for you.

As the first and only person to ollie over the Great Wall of China (in 2005), Way provided insight into his mental preparation on the day in a 2013 interview:

There were a lot of things that made it a lot more eerie to do something in China versus somewhere else. There was some uncertainty, being in a foreign place with not a lot of resources that I would say I would be comfortable with on a medical level. Aside from that, the structure was not very sound. It was literally moving side to side at least six inches from one side to the other from the wind. So I was definitely humbled by a lot more than what I was going to do on a skateboard that day. I don’t think it’s a ritual for me, but I tried to have a moment to think about all the good things in my life. That definitely made me check in with myself for a second. I usually reflect on my mentors as well. I try to envision my mentors giving me positive feedback.

Awards and achievements

Waiting For Lightning

In early 2012, a public announcement was released for a documentary in which Way's life is explored. 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.

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. Way was also photographed at the Melbourne premiere with Australian vert skateboarders Dom Kekich and Tas Pappas.

Music

Way has been involved in numerous musical projects, such as "Escalera", a band formed with fellow professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist. 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.

Filmography

Videography