Dennis Busenitz is a big deal in skateboarding—known for his speed, precision, and unique style. Although Dennis was born in the USA, Busenitz discovered his love of skateboarding in Germany, more specifically in Munich. He lived here with his parents and siblings until he was 15. As with many others, it was “the famous neighbor boy who effortlessly ollied up a curb” that sparked his fascination. This led Dennis to spend countless hours on his board in the following years and even take part in various German contests. Ten years later, at the age of 15, he moved back to Kansas in the USA with his family – by then, skating had long been more than just a hobby.
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adidas X Dennis Busenitz
In Kansas, he quickly found his place in the local scene and developed the style that would later make him famous: fast, precise, and with a flair for creative lines. After finishing high school, Dennis moved to one of THE skateboarding capitals at the turn of the millennium: San Francisco. He quickly connected with the guys from Deluxe, who started flowing him REAL Skateboards stuff after only a short time. However, it didn't take long for him to become an official AM for the company. At the 2005 Tampa Pro Contest, he was awarded pro status and Busenitz achieved what hardly anyone would have bet on – he won one of the most prestigious contests in the world!
A year later, in 2006, Dennis Busenitz joined the adidas Skateboarding team. For him, this brought things full circle, as he had worn adidas shoes since he was a child. His first pro model, inspired by the classic Copa Mundial soccer shoe, combined functionality with the aesthetics of his Bavarian roots – and became a perennial favorite. Ten years later, adidas celebrated this anniversary with him in Munich, where it all began.
Today, Busenitz lives with his family in Sebastopol, California, a small town about 50 miles north of San Francisco. There he leads a quiet life: children, gardening, coffee—and, of course, skating as often as possible. “I try to keep things as boring as possible when I'm at home,” he says with a wink. Nevertheless, he is regularly on the road to take part in projects and tours.
Even though Santa Rosa is just around the corner, Dennis is still drawn to San Francisco for skating. A lot has happened in the last 20 years in the metropolis, which is not only home to his board sponsor but also to Thrasher Magazine. He has mixed feelings about the changes in the city: he thinks it has become “cleaner, smoother, almost like a big shopping mall,” but the legendary hills remain—and with them, the incomparable skateboarding feeling. Despite his success, Busenitz remains down-to-earth and reflective. He even takes a relaxed view of the discussion about skateboarding at the Olympic Games: “I think it's cool that it's getting so much recognition. As long as people go out and just skate, everything will be fine.”
When he looks back on his career, he thinks above all of trips with former idols who have now become friends—such as John Cardiel and Tony Trujillo—on tours through Arizona and Oregon. These moments, he says, are the heart of skateboarding: freedom, friendship, and passion.
Whether on the streets of Munich, the spots of San Francisco, or in his garden in California, Dennis Busenitz remains true to what defines him: a skater with heart, speed, and an unwavering sense of what matters most.