20 Facts About Tas Pappas

Tas Pappas was previously a professional skateboarder, primarily in the discipline of vert skateboarding, and competed in a number of major international events.

Tas Pappas was born in 1975 in Melbourne, Victoria and grew up in the north-western suburb of St Albans.

Tas Pappas became fascinated with skateboarding at the age of 12 years after watching touring American professionals perform at the Prahran skate park.

Tas Pappas then visited the United States for the first time three years later, before relocating to the US at the age of 17 years after he dropped out of Kings Park High School.

Tas Pappas explained that he was "humbled" soon afterward, as he subsequently broke his back.

In 2005, Tas Pappas married Colleen, an American he met through skateboarding.

Tas Pappas explained in 2014 that his drug use at the time led to paranoia about his wife being involved in an extramarital relationship and during an argument he physically assaulted Colleen.

Also in 2008, Tas Pappas flew to South America in an attempt to procure cocaine to smuggle into Australia so that he could pay off a drug debt.

Tas Pappas, who attempted to smuggle the drug in three skateboard decks while intoxicated on benzodiazepines, alcohol and amphetamines, was intercepted at Sydney Airport after the traces of cocaine on his clothing alerted authorities.

Tas Pappas was consequently imprisoned for three years in various New South Wales facilities.

In November 2011, Tas Pappas was afforded the privilege of prison day-release on weekends and used this time to skate the vert ramp in Albury, New South Wales.

Tas Pappas continued to develop his marriage with Helen Norman, whom he raises a son with, and he resumed skateboarding.

Tas Pappas has truly put the board into orbit with this stupendous video part which contains some of the best vert skating we have seen from anyone in eons.

Just incase you missed it, in 2011 Tas Pappas was given the Video Vault treatment for his epic Mad Circle part from almost 20 years ago.

In 1996, Tas Pappas won both titles at the Hard Rock Cafe Skateboarding World Championships, beating Tony Hawk.

In 1999, following physical rehabilitation for his injuries, Tas Pappas placed highly in a string of events, including the X Games and the Milwaukee Triple Crown.

On 28 October 2006, Tas Pappas won the vert skateboarding event at the LG Action Sports World Championship, beating Brazilian professional Sandro Dias in a tiebreaker.

In May 2012, Tas Pappas attended the Melbourne premiere of Danny Way's documentary Waiting for Lightning, where he was photographed alongside Way and fellow Australian vert professional Dom Kekich.

The documentary began production in 2010, as footage of the Tas Pappas brothers was sourced from friends and filmmakers.

Tas Pappas is employed as an abseiling window cleaner and attends a Christian church for mass.