Curren Caples
Curren Caples (born January 10, 1996) is an American professional skateboarder renowned for his fluid style and technical prowess in park and street skating. Born in Akron, Ohio, to a family deeply rooted in surfing and skateboarding culture, Caples relocated to Ventura, California, at a young age, where he began skateboarding around age four or five and quickly emerged as a prodigy.[1][2][3] Homeschooled by his mother to prioritize training, Caples benefited from his father Evan Caples' background as a former professional surfer and owner of a local skate shop, fostering an environment that blended surfing influences with skate progression at spots like the now-closed Skate Street in Ventura.[3][4] He turned professional in March 2013 at age 17, debuting at the Tampa Pro contest where he finished 15th, and soon after secured sponsorships including with Vans, with whom he released his signature pro shoe in 2025.[1][3][5] Caples rose to prominence through high-profile video parts and competition success, earning two gold medals (Munich 2013 and Austin 2015) and two silver medals in X Games Skateboard Park events, establishing him as a top contender in the discipline.[6][7][8] His career highlights include joining the Fucking Awesome team, contributing to influential skate videos, and maintaining a versatile all-terrain approach that draws from his surfing heritage, while continuing to compete and release parts as of 2025.[5][4][9]Early life
Birth and family background
Curren Caples was born on January 10, 1996, in Akron, Ohio, United States.[2][3] He is the son of former professional surfer Evan Caples and was named after legendary surfer Tom Curren, reflecting his family's deep roots in surfing culture from birth.[2][10] His mother, Shelley Caples, homeschooled him to prioritize his skateboarding training.[3] He has a younger sister, Peyton Caples.[11] At a young age, Caples relocated with his family to Ventura, California, establishing it as his hometown and providing proximity to coastal environments that supported early involvement in surfing and skateboarding.[1][12] The household's enthusiasm for action sports created a nurturing setting for his development.[12]Introduction to skateboarding and surfing
Curren Caples began skateboarding at the age of four in Ventura, California, where he initially practiced basic tricks in front of his house and at local parks like Skate Street.[13][4] His early sessions were informal and self-directed, often barefoot on the pavement near his home, fostering a natural progression without structured coaching.[4] Around age 13, Caples started surfing more seriously, drawn by Ventura's proximity to the ocean and encouragement from local peers who shared the coastal lifestyle.[13] This introduction marked an expansion of his skills from concrete to water, blending the balance and flow required in both activities.[14] From his youth, Caples engaged in cross-training between skateboarding and surfing, which helped cultivate a fluid, versatile style that seamlessly integrated elements of each discipline, such as smooth transitions and adaptive movement, all developed through peer influence rather than formal instruction.[14][13]Skateboarding career
Amateur achievements
Caples began skateboarding at age four and quickly rose through the amateur ranks in Ventura, California, securing sponsorship with Flip Skateboards by age 11 due to his prodigious talent and style.[15] This early recognition came from consistent performances in local and regional events, where he dominated Ventura-area competitions and earned additional endorsements from brands like Vans starting at age 12.[16] His rapid progression highlighted a fluid, creative approach that set him apart in the Southern California skate scene. By age 14, Caples made his international debut at X Games Los Angeles 2010, finishing fourth in Skateboard Park and establishing himself as a standout amateur.[17] He continued to build momentum with a ninth-place finish at X Games Los Angeles 2012 in the same event, showcasing technical prowess in bowl and park skating.[17] These results drew widespread attention from the skateboarding community, leading to offers for professional contracts. Caples' amateur career peaked in early 2013 with a victory at Damn Am Costa Mesa, where he won both qualifiers and finals, securing a "golden ticket" to the professional division at Tampa Pro.[18] Just months later, as a newly turned professional, he captured gold in Skateboard Park at X Games Munich 2013, edging out Pedro Barros with a high-scoring run that solidified his status as an elite talent.[6] This win marked a pivotal milestone, transitioning his amateur successes into a prominent pro trajectory.Professional debut and progression
Caples transitioned to professional status in March 2013 with Flip Skateboards, following his standout amateur performances. His debut as a pro came at the 31st Annual Tampa Pro, where he competed against an elite field and finished 15th overall after advancing through qualifiers and semis. This initial outing showcased his adaptability across street and park terrains, setting the stage for a career defined by versatility.[19] From 2014 onward, Caples established himself in major circuits like Street League Skateboarding (SLS), achieving consistent top-10 finishes in events such as the SLS Pro Open and subsequent stops, which highlighted his technical precision and innovative lines in park setups. These results solidified his reputation for pushing boundaries in park-style skating, blending fluid surf-inspired maneuvers with high-risk street tricks to influence a generation of all-terrain riders. His progression through the mid-2010s emphasized steady growth, with sponsorship expansions and media exposure reinforcing his status as a core contender in professional skateboarding.[20][5] By 2025, Caples entered a notable "renaissance" phase, characterized by renewed media attention and reflections on his enduring career. In interviews, he discussed refining his style for longevity, emphasizing mental resilience and creative evolution amid over a decade in the pro ranks. This period included high-profile features and his signature Vans shoe release, underscoring his ongoing impact on skateboarding's blend of street, park, and surf aesthetics.[9][5]Major competition results
Caples turned professional following his strong amateur showing at the 2013 Tampa Pro, where he advanced through qualifiers and semis to finish 15th overall in street, propelling his entry into major pro circuits.[21] His breakthrough at the X Games came in 2013, earning a silver medal in men's skateboard park at X Games Barcelona with a score of 82.00 on his best run, finishing behind gold medalist Pedro Barros. Later that year, at X Games Munich, Caples claimed gold in skateboard park, edging out Barros with a high-scoring run that showcased his technical prowess in the vert and park disciplines. In 2015, he defended his park dominance by winning gold at X Games Austin, scoring 86.00 on his final run to narrowly defeat Barros again. The following year, Caples secured another silver in park at X Games Austin 2016, posting 87.66 but falling short of Barros's gold-medal performance. Additional X Games appearances include a 7th-place finish in men's street at X Games Austin 2014 and a 5th in street at X Games Oslo 2016, demonstrating versatility beyond his park specialty.[22] By the end of 2016, Caples had amassed two golds and two silvers across X Games events, establishing him as a consistent medal contender.[8] Beyond X Games, Caples achieved top finishes in the Vans Park Series from 2014 to 2018, including multiple top-10 placements such as 7th at the 2016 Huntington Beach Global Qualifier and 7th at the Shanghai Pro Tour finals.[23][24] He also competed prominently in Street League Skateboarding (SLS), earning a 6th-place finish in the pro open at Barcelona in 2016 and contributing to team rankings in subsequent seasons.[25] In 2023, as a hometown favorite, Caples participated in X Games California at Ventura County Fairgrounds, placing 16th in men's skateboard street elimination.[22][26]| Event | Year | Discipline | Placement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X Games Barcelona | 2013 | Skateboard Park | Silver (2nd) | X Games Official Results |
| X Games Munich | 2013 | Skateboard Park | Gold (1st) | X Games Official Results |
| X Games Austin | 2014 | Skateboard Street | 7th | X Games Athlete Profile |
| X Games Austin | 2015 | Skateboard Park | Gold (1st) | X Games Official Results |
| X Games Oslo | 2016 | Skateboard Street | 5th | X Games Athlete Profile |
| X Games Austin | 2016 | Skateboard Park | Silver (2nd) | X Games Official Results |
| X Games California (Ventura) | 2023 | Skateboard Street | 16th | X Games Athlete Profile |