The World Rookie Tour Documentary: 20 years of action sports is finally here.
Premiering on Thursday, October 23 at 16:00 CET on the official World Rookie Tour YouTube channel, the film celebrates two decades of passion, progression, and community in youth freestyle sports.
From the first snowboard contest to a four-season global tour
It all started in 2006 at Mottolino Snowpark in Livigno, Italy, where a small group of snowboarders gathered for the first Livigno Rookie Fest. What began as a local snowboard event soon became a worldwide movement: the World Rookie Tour, the longest-running youth freestyle series in Italy and one of the most respected in the world.
The first official documentary, released in 2015, covered the early years of the Tour (2006–2015), when everything revolved around snowboarding.
Now, a decade later, the story continues with a brand-new chapter (2016–2025) that shows how the Tour has grown into a four-season international circuit, including snowboard, freeski, skateboard, and surf.
A pathway for the next generation
Since its beginnings, the World Rookie Tour has provided a real platform for young riders to develop their talent and start a professional career in action sports.
Many of today’s global champions started right here as rookies.
Takeru Otsuka became a three-time World Rookie Finals winner before earning X Games gold.
Kokomo Murase first competed at just eleven and later became an Olympian and X Games champion.
Valentino Guseli stands today as one of the most complete snowboarders in the world, with World Cup podiums across halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air.
Hiroto Ogiwara, two-time World Rookie Champion (2021 & 2022), set a Guinness World Record by landing the first-ever backside 1980.
Matej Švancer turned rookie titles into Youth Olympic gold and FIS World Cup victories, and Leila Iwabuchi made history in 2025 by landing the first-ever back-to-back 1260 line in women’s snowboarding.
From the skate scene, Toe Sasaki, a former WRT competitor, became the 2024 World Skateboarding Championship gold medalist, while Mia Brookes became the youngest Snowboard World Champion ever.
More than competition
The World Rookie Tour Documentary 20 Years is not just about contests and medals. It’s about growing together, building friendships, and sharing creativity across generations and continents. Each event — from the snowy peaks of Livigno to the skateparks of Europe and the beaches of surf rookies — reflects the same Rookie spirit: learning, connection, and fun.
Featuring interviews with Meinhard Trojer and Marco Sampaoli, Co-Founders of the World Rookie Tour, the new film retraces the evolution of this global community and the power of believing in youth.
Watch the World Rookie Tour Documentary – 20 Years of Action Sports premiere on Thursday, October 23, at 16:00 CET on YouTube, and don’t forget to subscribe and set your reminder to join the celebration live.
