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Old School Shaped Decks: The Art Behind the Skateboarding Sport

Once a skater, always a skater. Beyond countless lines of fashion, decades of movies, and even an Olympic debut – after everything’s been said and done, what still remains is: once a skater, always a skater. We’re talking about skateboarding, of course.

And you’d have to think long and hard to find another sporting activity where everything from outlook to attitude have flowed almost seamlessly from its first generation right up to the present one.

It’s what happens with activities that are invented by young people – the original spirit transcends all generations that follow. So, it’s no surprise that the admiration and appreciation for things that are reminiscent of earlier skating eras continue to be looked upon with reverence back when skating was cool, before it became cool.

All decked out

The clothing and the music may be different, but if you can imagine, or remember, pushing off the first time on a Powell Peralta or Dogtown deck, then you already have a taste for old school skating. If you’re privileged enough to have a 40 or 50 year old vintage deck sitting in a dusty corner of your attic, then consider yourself fortunate.

If not though, then now’s the right time to check out the great range of reissues and old school shaped decks that are available and maybe to start thinking about skating in ways that even your parents would approve of. Skull & Sword, Totem and Explosion are some of the most iconic concepts to ever qualify as deck art, and nowhere are they more at home than on reissued versions of classic-styled decks.

They were on the leading edge of the wave of ever larger, ever more imposing graphics; and the flat, wide expanses of old school decks didn’t just make for great custom canvases back in the day: they make excellent platforms for taking rails, jumping stairs, and for simply cruising today. A new, old school deck is the perfect compromise when it comes to tricks and transportation, and throwing in some hot retro graphics to match gives getting decked out a brand new meaning.

old school shaped decks
source: entirelyextreme.com

Board basics

It’s probably safe to say that one of the most interesting aspects of skating and skateboard design is how in spite of the many different styles there are, that they all basically perform the same functions.

Technically, there are only three types of board when it comes to deck design.

·   Standard decks

Ranging from 65-82cm in length, these are the classic popsicle-shaped decks with a uniformly shaped nose and tail, and a deck-width between 19-20cm. They are ideal trick platforms.

·   Cruiser decks

These decks are generally the same length as their standard brethren, but the range of shapes and dimensions of their noses, tails, and sizeable deck-widths varies between 22-25cm. These decks live up to the name as cruisers, and are good for any location or occasion.

·   Longboard decks

Ranging from 96-152cm in length, there’s no disguising why these decks are regarded as longboards. They also come in a variety of nose, tail, and deck shapes, and are great for transportation, but they’re most easily recognized by their aggressive, wheels-out stance.

The question, however, is where do old school skateboard decks fit in in this trio? The answer is surprisingly simple: everywhere. The reality is, true old schoolers combine the nimble trickery of standards, the all-purpose utility of cruisers, and the rapid transit aspects of longboards all into a single platform. And the coolest part is, they’ve been doing it for longer than there’s been an actual name for it.

Fast forward to today, and modern old schoolers are now regarded as the ultimate skating mashables. For skaters who don’t have a preferred type of deck or riding style, the new school, old schoolers hitting the market are bringing skating back to the basics.

longobard old school shaped decks
source: tactics.com

Art for art’s sake

There’s another noteworthy facet to old school skate decks that might otherwise go unnoticed. Yes, they are great for tricks, cruising, and even for getting from A to B but they also make excellent display pieces. The reality is the extraordinary graphics adorning almost any old school deck is worthy of recognition strictly on its artistic merit alone, even from within the ranks of old school decks:

·   Original old schoolers (decks that were actually manufactured back in the day);

·   Reissued old schoolers (decks that are modern reproductions of original old schoolers); and,

·   New old schoolers (decks that are modern productions with old school stylishness).

The openness, expressiveness, and willingness to push boundaries that skaters and graphic designers have embodied for decades is as powerful as anything that other artists have been doing for centuries.

With their mesmerizing originality and in-your-face messaging, it’s not uncommon to find decks now adorning the walls of businesses, as well as the homes of skate fanatics and private art collectors.

The factors driving the demand for old school deck art are no different from the ones at work for any artistic endeavor:

·   Brands and artists;

·   Availability; and,

·   Rarity.

The implication, of course, isn’t that an unridden, reissue of a much-loved deck you owned 40 years ago is destined to become a museum piece. But there’s no reason not to hang it (along with a few others) in your game room or study and enjoy its beauty.

old school shaped decks
source: swcenter.fortlewis.edu

The final word

At the end of the day, it’s safe to say that few activities have been more effective at binding generations of participants together than skating. Each successive generation has defined skating in its own way and by its own standards. Each generation has also taken great efforts to acknowledge the ones before it.

The fact that old school shaped decks and deck art are still as prominent in skating culture as the desire to land ever harder tricks says that the desire to preserve that bind is just as strong as it’s ever been. Once a skater, always a skater. If you’re a skater, the future for decks has never been better! 

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