Classic Skateboard Shapes

Skateboards have come a long way from their humble beginnings. While we still see some classic shapes, like those from the 50s and 60s, most modern skateboards are completely different.

Skateboard designs have changed over the decades.

Skateboards have been around for a long time. Early on the boards were simply planks of wood. As the sport evolved, so did their design; you can now find all kinds of shapes across a variety of deck constructions. Modern skateboarding is influenced by culture and fashion just as much as it's influenced by function.

Early skateboards were made from everything from fiberglass to aluminum

Most early skateboards can trace their origins back to surfers who would attach rollerskates to everything from milk crates to simple wooden boards. It wasn't until the 1960s that they became mass-produced. But these early board constructions helped set the template for future innovation.

The modern-day skateboard design is still based on this simple concept of using wood with wheels attached on top, but there are many changes that would come in future eras of skateboarding that would propel the industry forward.

Fishtail decks were all the rage in the '80s

In the 1980s, skateboarders were all about fishtails. These boards had a high point near the front and tapered down toward the back like a fishtail—hence their name. Skateboards from this era often had wheel wells, which gave them clearance for larger wheels.

During this time punk rock heavily influenced the scene and became a template for the graphics that were added to the decks. The graphics of 80s decks would become heavily influential as modern skateboards continue to be mass produced and pro models entered the market. 

By the 2000s, decks were made with multiple shapes 

Nowadays you'll be hard-pressed to find a skatepark where the skaters all ride the same type of board. As the industry has evolved skaters have been exposed to new and innovative deck constructions borrowed from every era of skateboarding. Some may prefer the simple shape of a standard street skating deck while others prefer more unconventional designs like those of the '80s. 

Skateboards are always changing.

What’s next for skateboard design? Who knows! But as long as there are innovative people out there creating new ways to get around, skateboards will continue to evolve. For Skaterbuilt that means constructing the gnarliest in classic designs with modern technology to keep you doing what you do best—shredding.