Mike Vallely, a.k.a. Mike V, (born June 29, 1970 in Edison, New Jersey) is a professional skateboarder who resides in Long Beach, California. His career began in 1986. He was first featured on the cover of Thrasher Magazine performing a Sad Ho-Ho Plant. Lance Mountain recognized Vallely's talent and, upon his recommendation, he was sponsored by Powell Peralta.

Vallely's World Industries Barnyard deck is credited for the evolution of the skateboard shape to the current popsicle-shaped deck ubiquitous today in street skating. The Barnyard featured straight rails, not unlike a freestyle deck, and a kicked nose that resembled the tail, giving the board an almost symmetrical shape.

Vallely's past sponsors have included Powell Peralta, World Industries, Venture Trucks, Destroyer Trucks, Tracker Trucks, TV Skateboards, Black Label Skateboards, Transit Skateboards, Vallely Skateboards, Etnies, and Accel Wheels.

In a 1987 copy of Transworld Skateboarding Magazine, Mark Gonzales and Natas Kaupas were seen pointing to a young, up-and-coming pro by the name of Mike Vallely. While the two veteran pros were really pointing to a 'recently busted nose' on Vallely's face, skaters from around the world interpreted these pictures to represent Mike's acceptance into their elite street skating clique. As Vallely explains in the Etnies short film Sponsored, this photo would put him on the "map" of skateboarding at the time, and accordingly, make room for the growth and further acceptance of street style.

He currently rides for Element Skateboards, Element Apparel, Element footwear, Destructo Trucks, Speed Metal Bearings, and SoBe beverages.

Songs by his band Mike V & The Rats can be heard in the video games Tony Hawk's Underground ("The Days"), Tony Hawk's Underground 2 ("Never Give Up"), and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland ("Vendetta").

He appeared in a Viva La Bam episode in which he and "Don Vito" start a war with the CKY crew.

Mike Vallely is also the lead vocalist in his rock band "Revolution Mother".

He is married to Ann and has two daughters, Emily and Lucy.

Along with his skateboarding skills, he is somewhat famous in the skateboarding community for his aggression (as visible in the CKY 3 scene "Mike Vallely vs. Four random jocks" in which Vallely brutally assauls four men who alledgedly call him a "skater fag") and his impressive physical strength. This, along with other stories of Vallely, are chronicled in the DVD Mike Vallely's Greatest Hits. ^*

External links

• Mike Vallely's Official Homepage
• Mike V. and the Rats' Official Homepage
• Mike V. Man Vs. Skatepark Tour 2005 photos in Jackson, Mississippi
• Mike V. Spoken Word Performance at Doc*36 Skatepark in Jackson, Mississippi

CKY | American skateboarders | 1970 births | Living people

Mike Vallely | Mike Vallely | Mike Vallely | Mike Vallely