Here are 5 random skateboard deck collections from the 80’s. In the 80’s the plywood ramp and streetstyle revitalized skateboarding just as the urethane wheel had revitalized the sport in the 70’s. Forced to take an underground, do-it-yourself attitude, skaters began to create their own wooden skate ramps in backyards and empty lots and turn previously unrideable street terrain, such as walls an handrails, into free-skate parks. Skater-owned companies became the norm and innovations in board and truck size allowed the trick envelope to be pushed even further. This generation had its own group of skate stars, some of whom still compete today including Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero. Towards the end of the 80’s the focus shifted to street skating and Vert riding became less popular, it was the era of the first street stars like Mark Gonzales, Natas Kaupas and Mike Vallely.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #1

Alva Chris Cook “clown” from around ‘88 to 89. For some of these boards it’s very difficult to determine the exact release year cause most of these models were manufactured and sold for few years in their time. Found the Chris Cook “clown” at local 2nd hand sporting goods store. The shop keeper had obviously bought bunch of dead stock/factory seconds from some skate shop/store. Paid about $15 for the Cook.

Next up, amazingly well preserved Alva Bill Danforth “nomad” with splatter paint, guessing around ‘88, can’t remember. Has very deep concave that’s very close to uncomfortable. Has been built up since with Thunder 9″ trucks with Santa Cruz “war paint” (some call them “church glass/window” too i guess) graphics. An aquintance scored this board for me roughly a year ago. It has slight water damage on top but nothing serious. Overall in great condition, with original blue & black griptape. The graphics & tail are very well preserved even though there has never been any rails or tailbone mounted.

Next, somewhat beat up ‘88 Jim “Murf” Murphy and a mistreated second generation Alva Eddie Reategui “warrior” from around same time. The Murf was bought as a complete with beat up Indys.

The ‘87-88-ish Eddie Reategui “Warrior” was salvaged from a fleamarket. It seems someone has been practising ollie skill on it etc. without any trucks. Dumbass. Still has lots of life in it regardless the half-ruined graphics.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #2

Lucero “Street thing” by Lucero Skateboards (manufactured by Santa Cruz) from ‘88 to ‘89 traded from a friend. Came originally with silver Gullwing Super Pro’s with flyweight baseplates. Somewhat beat up yet fully rideable and the graphics aren’t too bad either despite the battle scars. Has 8,5″ 2nd gen Ventures and late 80’s OJII Teamriders 92A. I like how the background graphics (the white swirls) subliminally remind me of his Madrid model (aka “Jester” later also known as “X-Teamrider”).

‘88 Vision Boneyard built with not-so-popular Rannalli trucks with Rannalli bushings along with used Madrid Fire Fly wheels 97A in neon yellow. I got this board in a trade in very nice condition, just a few marks on the tail and from the rail mounting screws. Even added the “Don’t die wondering – Vision” sticker (pun intended) to tail to make it complete. Classic shape with cool tiny stacked skeletons allover the graphics. Solid board, classic shape. Same as Punk Skulls.

Late 80’s (guessing ‘87 to ‘88) Maui & Sons “Shark Man” complete with X-Caliber trucks, X-Caliber wheels and full X-Caliber plastics gear. One of the cheaper yet OK quality completes you could purchase from many sporting good shops or even department stores. Classic Maui & Sons graphics and logo and standard yet functional (and campy) Variflex shape. The odd thing about this board is that the base coat is red. The two Action Factory stickers on the tail have been added later. It was a local surf/ski shop back in the day.

Last, but not least a ‘89 Gordon & Smith Bod Boyle “yin-yang”. Came originally with turquoise Gullwing Phoenix trucks and green 95A OJII Combos and yellow Schmitt Stix rails. Later it has been rebuilt with more era/manufacturer correct parts like G&S famous Chro-Moly trucks and my old set of yellow G&S Bam Bam wheels 97A. The Roskopp eye sticker was applied by previous owner and i though it looked pretty cool so i left it there. Has quite a bit of concave and steep tail and all four wheels wells which was pretty rare in late 80’s.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #3

Team Losi “Ooze” using two slightly different shades of regular black grip tape which i think, looks interesting.
Team Losi “Witch Doctor” with new wave/geometric three-colour whatever design to match the top logo.
Team Losi “Pool Dreams” has solid turquoise grip with die-cut hole aroud the top logo. From this image you get a good view of the concave aswell.
Variflex Allen Losi mkIII with “classic” shattered grip tape around the top graphics.

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #4

‘84-85 Variflex Vectra Flat mkII streetstyle/freestyle, (flat as in no-concave). New old stock from the UK. Built with slightly used Variflex trucks and copers from a first gen Pool Fool and blue Variflex C3 wheels.

‘84-85 Variflex Vectra Flat mkII pool/ramp. New old stock from th UK with Variflex Vertex trucks (excellent quality btw, before those cheap looking light aluminum versions found on all ‘87-89 dept store Variflexes). Red Variflex C3 wheels and generic copers.

‘85-86 Variflex Vectra Concave mkII pool/ramp. New old stock from the UK aswell with Vertex trucks and NOS Powell Peralta Street Cubic wheels 90A. It’s funny looking back at these, cause the concave or no concave seemed to be an issue in way as they would boldly print “concave” on to the graphics. In late 80’s let alone these days it’s taken granted.

‘86-’87-ish Variflex Vectra Concave mkIII pool/ramp.Used from ebay for $20. The board arrived after painful 3 month wait cause the seller had no idea how to ship overseas. The deck itself was in somewhat poor condition with delamination pretty much all around the deck but the graphics, both top and bottom, were well preserved. Overall condition (except the serious delam) was pretty nice, i’d say 7/10. All original parts and accessories were there, they were just very dirty. It looked as if it was digged out from a mud hole. Has Variflex plastics, Variflex trucks and Variflex wheels. I really dig the graphics on this one!

Classic Skateboard Deck Collection #5

‘86 Madrid Beau Brown model “collage” NOS. Got to love the “artistic” approach in these graphics. Built for display with used turquoise Gullwing Phoenix trucks and vintage NOS blue 85A Powell Peralta Rat-Bones.

‘86 Madrid X-Teamrider “jester” (a.k.a. John Lucero model after he left Madrid) NOS. Built for display with Madrid/Underground trucks, unknown copers and NOS Kryptonics Slammer wheels 88A.

‘85 Madrid Gary Sanderson “punk” NOS signed by the man himself. Built for display with 9″ 2nd gen Ventures and NOS Kryptonics CSI wheels 85A.

‘86 Madrid Claus Grabke “time” NOS. The beginning of the Grabke clock graphics series from 1986. On of the best Madrid/Grabke graphics actually. Built for display with Tracker Sixtracks Ultralights (w/ Tracker copers) and NOS 85A Santa Cruz “Road Rider” wheels with light blue core from late 80’s (from the looks & feel of these they appear to be manufactured by Kryptonics).

No matter what kind of skater you are, odds are that you won’t be happy unless your dancing surface has the right texture and shape for your particular routine. Whether you haunt the streets or the skate park, dominate the quarter-pipe or the curb, choosing a deck that suits your needs will take a combination of trial-and-error, observation, and setting priorities for your skating.

The skateboard deck underwent a major design revolution when Richard Stevenson patented the concave structure in 1973, introducing front and rear kicks while opening a whole world of possibilities to the previously flat board. Today “concave” has become a technical noun in the glossary of the sport, despite appearing as adjective in standard dictionaries. The “concave” of your deck refers to the variance between kicks and the flat middle of your board. A shallower concave is choice for beginners, who will find a flatter board easier to control, whereas a deep spoon is favored by advanced trick skaters.

If you want an independent look with a professional feel, there are a number of companies that will accommodate skateboard artists who wish to add their own design to a custom-built skateboard deck. You can send in your design and order just one, though this can be expensive and the cost per unit goes down dramatically when you order in bulk.

Opportunities exist aplenty for a talented graphic artist in the skateboard world. One option would be to offer freelance skateboard deck design services. Of course, if you feel you’ve got what it takes, you can submit your design to the variety of deck and logo contests sponsored by bigger, already established skate companies. Winning decks can be released in a limited edition artist series, and sometimes a talented artist even lands a day job as a salaried designer.

Quality skateboard decks are made from virgin Canadian Maple, still the lumber of choice for skateboard bases. The standard deck is compiled from at least seven ply of lumber for strength. For traction, you’ll need a layer of grip tape, which comes stock with many decks, although applying your own gives you more control over the style and texture of your board. Blank decks are like canvases, and once you get the habit of installing rare graphics via the grip tape, you’ll never go back to a stock deck again.

On the other hand, maybe having a signature model from your favorite pro will lend you the confidence you need to mount that challenging half-pipe or take on that stairwell with the inviting handrail. In that case, you’ll probably pay a little extra for a pro edition or team model-but maybe the extra inspiration will be worth it.

Your skateboard deck is more than just the wood mounted to the two trucks; it’s the essence of your board, the platform for your performance, your personal billboard. Brand loyalties, personal philosophies, political statements and musical preferences are all expressed on the colorful decks of today’s skater. Making it your own creation can be half the fun.

Here is some information about Erik
Erik Ellington (born August 9, 1977 in Anchorage, Alaska) is a professional skateboarder. Ellington is goofy footed. He currently resides in Hollywood, California.

Ellington rides for Baker Skateboards, Spitfire Wheels, Thunder Trucks, Supra Footwear, KR3W Clothing, Active Mailorder, and Black Hole Griptape. He turned pro at the age of 21 for the Zero Skateboards team.

Ellington was a member of the “Piss Drunx’ c. mid-to-late 1990s to 2000s with Jim Greco, Ali Boulala, Andrew Reynolds, Dustin Dollin.

He has appeared in videos such as Zero’s “The Thrill of It All”, & “Misled Youth”, Emerica’s “This Is Skateboarding,” & “Kids in Emerica” and “Baker 3″.

In 2005, Ellington left his shoe sponsor, Emerica. He started a new footwear company, Supra, along with Jim Greco, Tom Penny, Antwuan Dixon and Chad Muska. In 2006, his pro model shoe from Supra hit stores named “DOUBLE E”. The shoe’s design resembles his older shoe, “Ellington 1″ from previous sponsor, Emerica. The Ellington 1 was remade by Emerica as the “Vettes”.

Ellington co-founded a new eyewear company called Brigada with Jim Greco in 2007. They started the company without the help of any distributor and finance it with their own savings.

Ellington is married to Lucianna. They have one child, Julius Luther Ellington, born September 17, 2005.

Element Skateboard Deck Stitches – Bam Margera Skateboard Deck Designed and engineered with lightweight materials, featherlight products perform above and beyond what is currently on the market without sacrificing quality or strength. element will be offering a full line of products including boards, bearings, wheels and apparel.

Description: Also known as the deck, this is the infamous wooden platform on which trucks are mounted to the bottom and griptape is applied to the top. The nose and tail of the board are, typically, concaved and raised slightly to provide a more functional kicktail for the rider.

Additional Info: Industry standard boards typically consist of 7 or 9 plies of hard maple wood laminated together and pressed into whatever concavous shape makes skateboarders happy. Most technical decks are in the range of 7.25 to 8.5 inches wide and between 29″ and 33″ inches long (longboards and the increasingly popular ‘old school’ board shapes vary much greater in width and length). Being made of wood and stomped on ruthlessly by aggressive human beings, decks do break frequently. Despite this, wood is continully used due to it’s comfortable, responsive nature. We do kill a lot of trees, but it’s for a good cause…