Discover Penny Skateboards: Watch This Video

Penny boards evoke nostalgia among seasoned skaters nowadays, and for many, they might have been the introduction to skateboarding. Distinguished by their short, narrow plastic deck, they originated in the 1970s and gained popularity through the 80s. But what makes these small plastic skateboards stand out? Is it their distinct design and style, or is it the retro appeal? If you follow our YouTube channel, you would have noticed that we recently restored a Penny Skateboard from the 80s. Check it out here!

With brand new grip tape and cleaned-up wheels and trucks, this classic was ready to hit the road again. One challenge was how sticky the ride initially was, but with shiny new wheels, it rolled smoothly once more and turned out to be a lively little shredder. skateboard bearings wheels, it rolled freely once more and proved to be a wild little shredder.

Penny Boards – A Tribute to the 80s

The 80s were an exciting era to grow up in. It was a time of big hairstyles, oversized shoulder pads, and neon-colored clothes. For those old enough to recall being picked up from school in their mother's Vauxhall Cavalier, with Bonnie Tyler playing loudly, it was a carefree period. We’d rush home to watch Thunder Cats while munching on a bag of Space Invaders, but those four channels on terrestrial TV weren't enough to keep us in one spot for too long.

I remember being in one of two groups: either having a BMX and racing around like Elliot from E.T. or skateboarding like Marty McFly. If the weather was pleasant, it didn’t take much convincing to head outside and meet friends at the park to start cruising. Penny boards were a popular option for many kids of the time who wanted something a bit more agile and lightweight. The deck was made of plastic instead of wood, it didn’t come with traditional designs, and used larger wheels more suited to longboards and cruisers, available in various flashy colors. Even though it didn’t feature a cool graphic like most wooden skateboards, that didn’t stop us from adding stickers to personalize our ride. skateboard wheels graphics and used larger wheels more attuned to longboards and cruisers and could come a variety of garish colours, but even though it didn’t have a sweet graphic on like with most wooden skateboards, it wouldn’t stop us from slapping on the stickers to personalise our ride.

Nowadays, we don’t see many plastic Penny Skateboards around, as their popularity has largely been replaced by polypropylene, shortboards, or cruiser skateboards. However, who knows? Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia and many of us who lived through the 80s look back fondly. Maybe it’s through rose-tinted glasses, but I think we can all agree, it was a fantastic time.

The Rise of Skateboarding in the 80s

Skateboarding didn't hit the mainstream until the 70s, when it emerged in the Californian sun and culture, influenced by the surfing scene. It wasn't the sport we recognize today. Initially, it was primarily cruisers and longboarders taking over the streets, boardwalks, and parks on the west coast. That changed in the 80s, as skateboarding, as we know it today, exploded in popularity. Icons like Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Steve Caballero, among others, elevated the sport, demonstrating its true potential. Consequently, skateboarding became known as the extreme action sport it is now, with numerous variants and styles of skateboards emerging from this boom, including the modest Penny Board.

Even today, skateboarding remains as popular as ever, becoming a recognized sport with professional tournaments and events in the Olympics. We’re witnessing bigger and better tricks from the new generation of skateboarders, and we’re eager to see where this amazing sport heads in the future. So, remember to stay updated with SkateHut, the largest skate shop in the UK, for all things skateboarding.