In the late 70’s and early 80’s, we saw the emergence of professional skateboarders and pro model skate products. Pro graphics were often designed by the skaters themselves and many pro models could simply be recognized by the shape of the deck alone. Eventually, in the late 80’s, skateboarding began to undergo an intense progression, specifically in the streets. This led to increasingly performance-driven popsicle stick deck shapes, allowing for greater versatility and a wider range of tricks. This era was the beginning of the amazingly advanced and technical skating we know today.
But, it came at the cost of individuality and some of the aspects that made skating so unique to begin with.The 90’s and early 2000’s, we saw these ‘shaped’ decks fade away and eventually gain their reputation as being ‘old-school’. They didn’t totally disappear, but they were known to many as being ‘outdated’ and even as a ‘fun board’ that you rode when you weren’t skating your ‘real’ board. Closet cruisers and grocery getters… –States Cruisin City
These days it’s a different story. Companies like Welcome have taken the chance and stretched out on the shark nosed shaped limb and the industry has taken notice. With the resurgence of pool skating and huge tranny comes the style to boot.
Everything comes around. We are witnessing a beautiful blend of the 80’s heshers and the millennial tech wizards with a splash of 90’s innovation. Most skate shops are stocking rails, fish tails, and shark noses… so go grab some striped tube socks, and let’s do some hand plants and front slashes in the deep end.
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