John Joseph Cardiel was born on December 14, 1973, in San Jose, California, and is a legendary figure in skateboarding history.

John Cardiel grew up in Half Moon Bay and later moved to Grass Valley in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. As a country kid with boundless energy, he spent his childhood outdoors riding bikes, skating, and even leaping off waterfalls.

Cardiel’s skateboarding journey wasn’t about sponsorship; it was about the love for skating. He didn’t chase sponsorships; he chased the thrill of the ride. His raw talent and fearless style caught the attention of the skateboarding world. In 1992, he won Thrasher magazine’s coveted “Skater of the Year” award, solidifying his status as a skateboarding icon.

Cardiel was known for his powerful and creative style. His tricks were a blend of technical finesse and sheer audacity. Some of his signature moves included:

The Cardiel Flip: A switch frontside heelflip.
Gap Jumps: Cardiel fearlessly launched himself over massive gaps, earning him the nickname “Jumbo Cajones.”
Fastplant Variations: He pioneered unique fastplant tricks.

Cardiel rode for iconic skate brands including: Vans, Spitfire, Independent Truck Company, and Chrome Industries. However, his most significant affiliation was with AntiHero Skateboards. Founded in 1995 by Julien Stranger, AntiHero Skateboards embodied the gritty spirit of skateboarding. Cardiel’s rugged approach perfectly aligned with the brand’s ethos. He became a core member and contributed to AntiHero’s enduring legacy.

In 2004, tragedy struck. Cardiel suffered a severe spinal injury while filming for the skateboarding documentary “Epicly Later’d.” Doctors doubted he’d walk again, but Cardiel’s determination prevailed. His recovery was nothing short of miraculous, and he returned to skateboarding with renewed passion.

Cardiel’s love for the outdoors extended beyond skateboarding. He immersed himself in cycling, exploring rugged terrains on his bike. His resilience and zest for life inspired many.

John Cardiel Skateboarding Videos

John Cardiel: "Site Unseen" Skateboard Video

"John Cardiel's part from TransWorld SKATEboarding's 12th video, Sight Unseen."

"Union Square 50-50 in SF was sooo insane! Amazing talent in skateboarding... great words from the Gonz at the beginning."

"Cardiel is pure LEGEND!"

John Cardiel "Cash Money Vagrant" Skateboard Video

"Thanks John. Thanks to you and Julian and Gonz and Neil and Jason and Matt and Natas and all of those guys. You've inspired generations of skateboarders. This makes our world a better place."

 "John is one of my biggest heros and influences skating. This is one of my favorite parts from him. All Hail Cardiel!"

"Can never get enough of Cards man, killed it all. Legendary."

All Hail Cardiel: The John Cardiel Story | Epicly Later'd

 "We profile skateboarding legend John Cardiel, whose endless energy & enthusiasm for the sport made him an underground hero. But a near fatal accident in 2003 put his career on the line, and his will to succeed to the ultimate test."

"Saw this guy over 30 years ago at Livingstone concrete skatepark in Scotland UK . Dude blew me away on how fast he skated how high he went and how much he tweaked his grabs absolutely amazing. Demo ended everyone disappeared I dropped in landed flat on my face …. Rough ending to an amazing day"

"The tenacity, willpower, and the mindset this man has is something I'll always strive to emulate. He's just a man, but probably one of the most wonderful and extraordinary men alive today. All hail Cardiel."

"This is the best epicly laterd episode hands down."

Thrasher: Classics - John Cardiel S.O.T.Y. Skateboard Clip

"In 1992, a young John Cardiel stepped on stage and took the world by storm with a SOTY award. Skateboarding has never been the same. This part was excerpted from our S.O.T.Y. video."

"Never ever ever get enough Cardiel. No need for hype, he just kills it. Have yet to see anyone better."

"No one will ever match this level of thrasher"

"All hail Cardiel"

Loveletters Season 8: All Hail Cardiel - Part 1 | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS

Loveletters Season 8: All Hail Cardiel - Part 2 | Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding | VANS