AVE Grabs Thrasher’s 2015 SOTY

Who was the hardest working man in skateboarding this year? Yep, according to Thrasher Magazine it was Anthony Van Engelen whom they named Skater Of The Year for 2015. And we’re not going to argue with them. Vans has every right to be proud of him. Here’s what they’re saying:

With Vans since 2005, and star of the final part in Vans’ first-ever full length skateboarding video, Propeller released in May, AVE’s performance has dominated the skateboarding scene for the better part of the decade, representing a class of style all his own while influencing generations of skateboarders both modern and legendary. Today, he becomes a legend in his own right, joining past SOTY winners from the Vans team including John Cardiel, Geoff Rowley, Tony Trujillo and Salman Agah.

For the rest of the official word from Vans, please follow the jump.

Vans Congratulates 

2015 Skater of the Year

Cypress, CALIF. (December 8, 2015) – Vans is proud to congratulate Anthony Van Engelen for the coveted recognition as 2015’s Skater of the Year awarded by influential skateboarding institution, Thrasher Magazine. With Vans since 2005, and star of the final part in Vans’ first-ever full length skateboarding video, Propeller released in May, AVE’s performance has dominated the skateboarding scene for the better part of the decade, representing a class of style all his own while influencing generations of skateboarders both modern and legendary. Today, he becomes a legend in his own right, joining past SOTY winners from the Vans team including John Cardiel, Geoff Rowley, Tony Trujillo and Salman Agah.

“Anthony Van Engelen is the Skater of the Year and we all know why: he absolutely annihilated the streets.” —Geoff Rowley

“Anthony Van Engelen: solid work horse, bad ass dude.” —Tony Trujillo

“Anthony’s filming isn’t even like trying a trick, it’s like a bloody battle. I hear about him going back to spots seven times to do shit. By the third time you have to be so over it, I can’t imagine how thick the tension is when he’s trying some crazy shit like that. He is very focused and intense.”—Chima Ferguson

“For a lot of younger dudes AVE is someone to look up to. He works really hard, he really gives a shit about what he’s putting out and he’s a good dude. I’ve looked up to him ever since I first started skating. He was the first dude I tried to emulate.  I saw him do a switch back nosegrind over the back of a ledge in an old Transworld video. My dad had built me a box in my driveway and I rushed home and tried to learn backside nosegrinds over the back of my ledge because of him.” —Gilbert Crockett

“AVE is one of those dudes who you’ve watched your whole life and so to be on trips with him is kind of unreal, you know? You’ll be going to spots and you’ll be like, ‘What the fuck am I doing here? That’s Anthony Van Engelen!’ He’s such a legend.” —Kyle Walker

About Vans Pro Skate

The performance skate footwear category from the world’s leading action sports footwear and apparel company, Vans Pro Skate combines more than 45 years of proven craftsmanship with legendary skate heritage. Since the dawn of professional skateboarding, Vans continues to provide the meaningful product innovations that help drive the performance progression of the world’s best skateboarders.