The Toyota Athlete of the Year honors the athletes bringing the most progressive runs to Dew Tour. This year Curren Caples takes the title with his smooth surf-style. With impressive runs in both Street and Streetstyle, this newly turned pro—going pro early in 2013—has proved he has what it takes to hang with the best.

Caples was nominated Toyota Athlete of the Year for his smooth style and unique lines during Skate Street from the Toyota City Championships in San Francisco, CA. Caples was the only skater to send a massive shifty ollie from the China Banks onto the manual ledge and one of a few to hit the China Banks with such creativity, speed and style. 

“I like the China banks, those things are fun,” Caples had to say of the iconic street course. Although, too young himself to ever skate the iconic Hubba Hideout, the Dew Tour rookie proved he could skate with style and ease on the legendary replicas. 

Massive frontside kickflip over the hip of the China Banks

Stylish backside tailslide over the big bench on the China Banks

Frontside nosegrind on the Hubba Hideout replica

Frontside noseblunt on the bump to table

Frontside shifty over the hip of the China Banks

Massive shifty ollie from China Banks on to the manual ledge

Curren Caples is the Toyota Athlete of the Year

The Toyota Athlete of the Year award focuses on the athletes who are elevating their sport by pushing their riding with progressive runs and tricks, while providing amazing and inspiring moments for their fellow athletes and, of course, the fans.

After each event final in 2013, Dew Tour Judges nominated the most progressive rider in each discipline. Then, the athletes who received the most online fan votes after each event were awarded a $2,500 prize on behalf of Toyota, which also made them eligible to win Toyota Athlete of the Year.

As the winning athlete, Caples will be awarded $25,000 on behalf of Toyota.

Caples respectfully beat his fellow nominees, Garrett Hill, from the Beach Championships, and Alex Beaulieu-Marchand, nominee from the iON Mountain Championships.