Tony Hawk is probably the most recognizable skateboarder ever. Can you imagine if he had a twin? They would have ruled halfpipes and empty swimming pools all over the world. Instead, we got only one Tony Hawk, and his Birdhouses and video games. However, we do get two Puehse skateboarders, and they're looking to take the skate world by storm.
With tremendous talent, Nic and Tristan Puehse (pronounced PEW-zah) of Shingle Springs, Calif., outside Sacramento, have become a grass-roots marketing phenomenon. Their ability has taken them to China and onto “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” They have 14 sponsors, including Nike and Gatorade. And they are the stars of one of the most popular skateboarding videos on YouTube, a clip that has been viewed more than 2.5 million times since it was posted in January.
Of course they couldn't do this without support from their parents, but the father comes across a little Marv Marinovich-ish.
None of this would have been possible without the support of their father, Michael, a man with a vision, a video camera and a marketing plan.
“If they continue to progress like they’re doing, there’s no doubt they’re going to be pro,” said Michael Puehse, who has helped his sons’ careers by sending videotapes of the boys to potential sponsors since they were 6.
Oh well, with any luck we'll see them kicking ass in the X-Games in future years, and not losing their shoes on a crazy jump attempt. Besides, seeing them skating in unison is a bit mezmorizing, though it's also a little freaky.
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