Willy Santos – Complete Timeline

• 1975 – Born in Subic Bay, Philippines (Naval base). Father a U.S. Navy engineer from Manila; mother Kapampangan.
• 1976 – Family moves to Corpus Christi, Texas (father stationed).
• 1977 – Family relocates to San Diego (Miramar base).
• 1982 – Moves back to Subic Bay during second grade; learns Tagalog.
• 1985 – Returns to San Diego (fifth grade).
• 1987 – Sees local teens skating in Mira Mesa; begins skateboarding at age 12.
• 1988 – Competes in local San Diego amateur contests.
• 1989 – Sends a sponsor-me tape to G&S Skateboards → accepted. First sponsorship.
• 1990 – Appears in G&S Footage video. First print ad: fakie nosegrind at Miramar high school.
• 1991 – Travels with G&S; builds reputation for style and tech consistency.
• 1992 – TransWorld Skater of the Year. Appears in Feasters video. Heavy recruitment from Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, World Industries. Chooses to join Tony Hawk’s new company, Birdhouse Skateboards.
• 1993 – Appears in Ravers. Tony Hawk gives him a Honda Accord to secure him for Birdhouse. Helps recruit Andrew Reynolds and Matt Beach to the team.
• 1994 – Acts in The Skateboard Kid 2. Continues Birdhouse tours.
• 1995 – Appears in Untitled. Suggests Jim Greco to Birdhouse after seeing him skate in New York.
• 1996 – Featured in Europe 1996 and Balance in the World of Chaos. Travels widely with Birdhouse.
• 1997 – Breakout competitive year:
  • 3rd place – Inaugural X Games Street Contest (Rhode Island).
  • Winner – Munster World Cup Street Contest, Germany.
  • Ranked 5th in the world (June 1997).
  • Signature Vans shoe released.
• 1998 – Birdhouse’s The End released. Shares part with Jeremy Klein. Performs iconic creative stunts (bus stop grind, blockbuster sign). Wins New Jersey Vans Triple Crown Street Contest.
• 1999 – Late flips and nollie nosegrinds gain legendary status.
• 2000 – Wins Gravity Games Best Trick Street. Appears in Tampa 2000. Playable skater in Grind Session(PlayStation).
• 2001 – Opens Willy’s Workshop in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego. Appears in Destroying America.
• 2002 – Builds Willy’s Workshop into both shop and skate team.
• 2003 – Mentors young San Diego skaters, balancing pro career and business.
• 2004 – Hosts demos in the Philippines, reconnecting with heritage.
• 2005 – Birdhouse hits global popularity. Willy is a respected veteran pro.
• 2006 – Interviewed in TransWorld “20 Questions.”
• 2007 – Appears in Birdhouse: The Beginning and releases instructional video (Trick Tips with Willy Santos).
• 2008–2010 – Active in community events, tours, and coaching.
• 2011 – Appears in Tour Du Monde. Expands ties with Filipino skate community.
• 2012 – Featured in HBO’s East of Main Street. Recognized as a Filipino-American trailblazer.
  2012 – Skateboard Battle vs Joy Koy
• 2013–2015 – Frequent trips to the Philippines; demos, community events, mentoring.
• 2016–2017 – Mentors rising Filipino skaters, including Kiko Francisco. Builds coaching reputation.
• 2018–2019 – Coaches young Olympians, including Sakura Yosozumi (Japan) and Bryce Wettstein (U.S.).
• 2020 – Appears in SK8MAFIA 2020. Olympic skateboarding introduced.
• 2021 – Sakura Yosozumi wins Olympic gold in Tokyo (Park). Willie credited as mentor.
• 2022–2023 – Collaborates with San Diego Loyal on skate deck collabs. Active coach and mentor.
• 2024 – Celebrated in TransWorld retrospective for gnarly kickflip in Poway. Featured in ABC 10 San Diego for blending skateboarding growth with Filipino culture.
• 2025 – Renamed Curb Warz to Skate Warz to expand scope of the battles. Creates the first Vert Warz with Andy Macdonald and Collin Graham.
• (Present)  Lives in Poway with wife Shelly and two kids. Still skating daily, running Willy’s Workshop, Producing Skate Wars and mentoring athletes worldwide.