San Leandro, CA – Skate Shop News: Big Boards Are Back!

Little wheels, big pants, and 7.775 decks…

This was the style when I started skating.

Just like everything else in life, things go through cycles. Skateboarding started with tiny little pieces of wood with skates nailed to them, then developed into actual decks. These decks were small, thin and flexible. As the level of skating progressed, we needed something a little bigger and more stable. The “fishtail” style board burst onto the scene and everybody went nuts for the style and stability of these decks. 

We rocked the 80’s with the super wide fishtail decks, but then…. here comes the double kick tail!!

All bets are off. We have found our shape.

Despite being invented and patented in 1969 by Larry Stevenson, double kick tails didn’t begin to gain popularity until around 1991. The “Popsicle Shape” takes over and skateboard deck sizes begin to decline from 9″ to 10” to an average of 7″ to 8″ in width.  

We double and triple flipped our way through the 90’s and some of the 2000’s, but then the transition skaters began to return to the limelight… 

Just as the cycles run, small boards are out, big boards are in! With the explosion of pool skating and all around transition skating, bigger boards are beginning to rule the marketplace. 8.75 and 9.0 decks are more and more regular on skate shop walls. 

Companies like Welcome Skateboards are embracing the culture and having fun with their shapes. They are bringing a very retro feel while still utilizing modern technology mixed with amazing artwork. 

Who knows how long the bigger boards will be in style, but while they are, I am loving the surf feel of the wide decks!! Come check out a great selection of Welcome Skateboards and many other large size decks with classic or fun shapes at Orbit Skate and Boutique in San Leandro, CA.