Steve Berra - Skateboarding Career

Skateboarding Career

Berra began his skateboarding career in Omaha, Nebraska, United States (US) at the age of fourteen.

Berra's first sponsor was Blockhead, which led to his experience with the "Blockhead House", where he met fellow skateboarder, Jason Dill. He then moved onto the 101 skateboard brand, owned by Natas Kaupas, and he has since stated that "I didn’t have a good time on 101". Before Kaupas could assign Berra the status of a "professional" team rider, Berra quit 101 and joined Tony Hawk's Birdhouse company.

While with Birdhouse, the 23-year-old Hawk was a mentor figure to Berra, leading to Berra's initial forays into acting. In 1992, Berra left Birdhouse and since admitted that his departure was due to being "young, misunderstood, and silly." Several months later, Berra joined the Foundation team, skating in the company's 1993 video, Super Conductor Super Collider.

In 1998, Berra returned to Birdhouse to create the skateboarding video, The End. In one of the most notable scenes in the movie, Berra's death is simulated with a shot depicting his decapitation (filmed with the aid of a dummy).

Berra again left Birdhouse shortly after the release of The End and joined Alien Workshop alongside Dill and professionals such as Josh Kalis (now with Dirty Ghetto Kids (DGK)) and Rob Dyrdek.

In 2003, Berra struggled with severe ankle pain that prevented him from skating for most of the year and he underwent reconstructive surgery in January 2004. Footage of Berra entering ankle surgery is featured in the DVS Shoe Company video, Skatemore, a production that he managed to film a full part for.

Berra has been featured in MTV shows Rob & Big and Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. Season 2, Episode 6 of Rob & Big revolves around the Tampa Pro professional skateboarding contest, whereby Berra and Dyrdek engage in a US$5,000 bet to "up the ante" of the competition. In Season 2, Episode 8 of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, entitled "The Berrics vs. Fantasy Factory", Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory skate park crew competes against The Berrics crew.

As of 2012, Berra regularly appears on the website venture that he co-owns with professional skateboarder, Eric Koston, The Berrics. Berra is no longer a member of the Alien Workshop team and his sponsors are DC Shoes, Skullcandy, and The Berrics.