If you're searching for your next skateboard deck but are unsure which one aligns best with your style, perhaps drawing inspiration from professional riders could assist. A pro rider's name on a deck serves as an endorsement. That skateboarding professional trusts the brand, be it Creature, Girl, Santa Cruz, or Polar, and with their name on it, you can trust it too. Let's not overlook the incredible unique graphics that accompany collaboration decks, so even if you decide not to ride it, it will still look impressive at home, taking pride of place. So let's explore some pro riders and the decks they choose to represent.
What is a Pro deck?
A pro deck is essentially one that bears the rider's name. The size and shape of a pro deck are generally selected by the professional skateboarder based on their personal preferences and skateboarding style. It's uncommon, but sometimes a company will modify the size or shape if it is likely to sell better.
Pro riders earn higher pay. So, if a rider receives a pro deck, it indicates that the company sponsoring them values the rider enough to promote them.
How do Pros obtain their Pro deck?
There are several methods by which a pro can earn their pro deck, which often signifies ability and achievements, but it really depends on the brand or shop.
If the skateboarder is well-known (having a solid track record) from appearances in magazines and competitions, it will be easier for them to secure a pro deck from larger, more established companies.
Additionally, if the sponsored skater has been with the company for a long time and has demonstrated brand loyalty, it is the most common way of obtaining a pro deck. Alternatively, if a rider has been with a sponsor for a long time without reaching pro status, another company might entice the rider away by offering the prospect of a pro deck.
Pro Skateboarders and their decks
Rowan Davis
In 2020, Rowan Davis won Slam Magazine's Skater of the Year and has been releasing some amazing footage over the years. Earlier this year, Rowan went pro with Girl Skateboards. His deck features colorful logo artwork, made from the highest quality 7-ply US and Canadian maple for optimal pop. The Couch is a fully functional early '90s shape with a short wheelbase, football nose, wide rails, and square tail.
Jake Wooten
A rising star in the skateboarding scene with a remarkable transition skating ability, Jake Wooten is one of the world's most engaging skaters to watch. Jake Wooten turned Pro for Santa Cruz in August 2021. In an interview with gooddaytoskateboard, he says, “It’s been such a journey the whole way, and it was the dream to make it, to be pro, and for one of my favorite companies. I turned pro, and all my friends were there, the whole team was there, my parents, so it was very special.”
Mike McGill
Mike McGill is one of the legendary figures in skateboarding today. He invented one of the most iconic tricks of all time, named by one of his former teammates, Rodney Mullen, the “MCTWIST.” The Mctwist is a 540-degree aerial grabbing mute style. Today, it is a staple in vertical skateboarding competitions.
The reissue skateboard decks from the latest Bones Brigade series are adorned with new color variants of classic Vernon Courtlandt Johnson artwork.
Oskar Rozenberg
As a product of Bryggeriet High School in Malmö, Sweden, also known as the “skateboarding high school,” Oski Rozenberg-Hallberg has become more than just a graduate; he’s emblematic of a new breed of skateboarding.
His Pro Decks are typically classic popsicle-shaped and are available in various sizes.
