Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Skateboards has been an industry leading manufacturer of board sports lifestyle products for over 40 years. Established in 1973, Santa Cruz defined a generation with eye popping graphics that continue to resonate with every generation. Their graphics are some of the most iconic in skateboard history, making Santa Cruz a mecca for skate and surf culture.

Santa Cruz Skateboards represents the unwavering foundation of skateboarding's heritage and innovation, engineered specifically to deliver the perfect balance of legendary craftsmanship, iconic design, and cultural authenticity that transformed skateboard companies from simple manufacturers into the pillars of skateboard culture and artistic expression. Santa Cruz UK has evolved from 1973 California rebellion to global skateboard royalty featuring the legendary Screaming Hand, revolutionary constructions, and designs that capture the essence of skateboarding as both sport and lifestyle. Like skateboarding itself, Santa Cruz design holds tradition and progression at its core, creating essential pieces that bridge skateboard heritage with contemporary innovation while maintaining genuine connection to the professional riders, artists, and communities that define skateboarding excellence. Shop the finest in skateboard heritage from Santa Cruz Skateboards. 

Revolutionary since 1973 and constantly evolving with skateboard progression, Santa Cruz Skateboards represents the most enduring achievement in skateboard industry history through uncompromising commitment to quality and cultural leadership. What started as Richard Novak, Doug Haut, and Jay Shuirman's transition from surfboard manufacturing to skateboard production has transformed into skateboarding's most legendary brand featuring Jim Phillips' iconic Screaming Hand, professional riders including Rob Roskopp and Steve Alba (dad of Last Resort rider Jesse Alba for all the youngers out there), and innovations that established industry standards while preserving authentic skateboard culture. From their groundbreaking Road Rider wheels that revolutionised urethane technology to contemporary interpretations featuring advanced construction techniques, premium Canadian maple, and collaborations with contemporary artists, every authentic Santa Cruz piece combines skateboard DNA with artistic vision. Whether you're after their legendary Screaming Hand graphics that became skateboarding's most recognisable symbol or contemporary pro models featuring cutting-edge construction and team rider collaboration, Santa Cruz transforms your skating while providing the heritage, performance, and cultural credibility that serious skateboarding demands, created by pioneers who understand that great skateboard companies should preserve culture while advancing the art of skateboarding itself.

Santa Cruz Skateboards Brand History & Evolution 

Back in 1973, when three California surfers Richard Novak, Doug Haut, and Jay Shuirman found themselves struggling to sustain their surfboard manufacturing business NHS due to low margins and limited customers, an unexpected order for 500 skateboards from a Hawaiian company provided the breakthrough that would launch skateboarding's most enduring brand. Using surplus fibreglass materials originally intended for surfboards, they fulfilled the order and discovered that skateboards sold rapidly while generating another 500-board request, creating the moment when Santa Cruz Skateboards was born from necessity and opportunity rather than planned business strategy. The early success demonstrated immediate market demand for quality skateboard construction, leading NHS to pivot from struggling surfboard manufacturer to pioneering skateboard company that would establish industry standards through innovative approaches to wheels, decks, and team development rather than following existing business models. Their revolutionary Road Rider wheels represented one of skateboarding's most significant technological advances through introduction of precision bearings instead of loose ball bearings, combined with premium urethane compounds that provided superior performance compared to existing clay and metal wheel options that dominated the early skateboard market. The wheels achieved unprecedented success by selling over one million sets worldwide in 1975 and an additional six million the following year, demonstrating Santa Cruz's ability to identify market needs and deliver products that advanced skateboard performance while building brand recognition through quality rather than marketing hype. Team development occurred organically through genuine relationships within California skateboard communities, with legendary riders including Steve Alba, Christian Hosoi, Jeff Grosso, and Rob Roskopp choosing Santa Cruz based on product quality and company culture rather than purely financial incentives, establishing authentic credibility that attracted skateboarding's most respected professionals. The 1980s marked Santa Cruz's creative golden age through collaboration with artist Jim Phillips, whose contributions extended far beyond simple graphics into comprehensive visual identity that captured skateboard culture's rebellious spirit while creating artwork that enhanced rather than simply decorated skateboard decks and merchandise. Rob Roskopp's signature "Face" deck became one of skateboarding's most iconic graphics through Jim Phillips' artistic interpretation of Roskopp's vision, creating boards that served as cultural artifacts and collector's items while maintaining the performance characteristics that serious street skating demanded during skateboarding's technical evolution. The 1985 creation of the Screaming Hand logo marked Santa Cruz's transformation from skateboard company into cultural institution, with Jim Phillips' artistic vision capturing the power and emotion of skateboarding through imagery that transcended product branding to become skateboard culture's most recognisable symbol worldwide. Phillips' inspiration drawn from high school sketches of drowning hands evolved into sophisticated artwork that connected ancient artistic traditions of hand gestures expressing emotion with contemporary skateboard culture's need for authentic visual identity that reflected the sport's intensity and creative potential. The logo's immediate success through stickers and t-shirts demonstrated Santa Cruz's understanding that skateboard companies could influence culture beyond simply manufacturing equipment, creating brand recognition that extended into mainstream consciousness while maintaining authentic connection to skateboard communities rather than compromising credibility for commercial success. Company expansion through the 1990s and 2000s included technological innovations in deck construction, graphics application techniques, and team development programs that maintained Santa Cruz's reputation for supporting professional skateboarding talent while adapting to changing market conditions and cultural trends within contemporary skateboard progression. Recent developments including reissue programs that celebrate historical graphics, contemporary artist collaborations that extend Jim Phillips' legacy, and continued commitment to supporting diverse skateboard talent demonstrate Santa Cruz's ability to honour tradition while embracing innovation and cultural evolution within modern skateboard communities. From those early fibreglass experiments to today's position as skateboard culture's most respected heritage brand, Santa Cruz has grown by consistently maintaining their commitment to quality construction, artistic excellence, and that distinctive approach to business that serves skateboard culture's authentic progression rather than exploiting it for purely commercial gain or trend-driven fashion consumption.

Santa Cruz Key Features & Construction

What separates Santa Cruz Skateboards from generic skateboard companies comes down to specific construction elements and artistic philosophy developed through five decades of genuine understanding of professional skateboarding demands rather than cost-cutting manufacturing approaches that prioritise profit margins over performance quality. Premium Santa Cruz decks and complete skateboards feature quality 7-ply Canadian maple construction with carefully engineered concave specifications including their signature VX construction technology that creates lighter, stronger, and more responsive boards through advanced lamination techniques developed through decades of professional rider feedback and testing. Modern construction includes precision pressing methods that ensure consistent concave profiles across different deck sizes, with particular attention to maintaining board feel characteristics that enhance flip trick performance, landing stability, and overall control during technical skateboarding sessions that demand reliable equipment response. The graphic application process utilises high-quality screen printing techniques with fade-resistant inks and protective clear coat finishes that preserve artwork integrity through repeated grip tape application and skateboard abuse, creating boards that maintain their visual impact while providing authentic skateboard functionality rather than simply serving as display pieces. Contemporary Santa Cruz aesthetics range from classic Screaming Hand applications that showcase Jim Phillips' legendary artistry to modern interpretations featuring contemporary artists who understand skateboard culture deeply enough to create graphics that enhance rather than simply decorate deck surfaces through meaningful cultural connections. Quality details include precision graphic registration that maintains design integrity across different production runs, premium materials that resist delamination and structural failure under extreme skateboard use, and construction standards that reflect decades of professional skateboard development rather than generic manufacturing processes designed for casual consumers. The artistic philosophy extends beyond individual graphics into comprehensive brand presentation that maintains visual consistency through collaborative partnerships, team selection based on authentic skateboard credibility, and reissue programs that preserve historical designs while incorporating contemporary construction improvements that enhance durability and performance. Professional model development includes genuine collaboration between riders and designers, ensuring signature boards reflect individual skating styles and aesthetic preferences while maintaining Santa Cruz's construction standards that serve professional skateboard demands rather than simply providing cosmetic differentiation that doesn't enhance skateboard functionality. Heritage preservation through reissue programs demonstrates Santa Cruz's commitment to celebrating skateboard history while advancing construction techniques, creating products that connect contemporary skaters to skateboard culture's progression through authentic designs that maintain cultural significance while providing modern performance characteristics. Whether featuring classic Screaming Hand graphics that represent skateboard culture's most iconic imagery or contemporary pro models that showcase individual rider creativity, authentic Santa Cruz products represent the intersection of artistic excellence, skateboard functionality, and five decades of construction refinement by pioneers who understand that great skateboard companies should preserve culture while advancing the technical and artistic potential of skateboard design and manufacturing.

Santa Cruz Skateboards Skate Team

The Santa Cruz Skateboards team represents skateboarding's complete evolution from California origins to global progression, featuring riders who embody technical mastery, creative innovation, and authentic commitment to skateboard culture's heritage and future development.

Maurio McCoy:

Contemporary street skating powerhouse whose technical precision and creative spot selection perfectly embody Santa Cruz's commitment to supporting diverse skateboard talent. His video contributions showcase innovative approaches to urban architecture while maintaining authentic street credibility and progressive skateboard vision that defines modern skating.

Erick Winkowski:

Pool and transition specialist whose aggressive style and deep understanding of skateboard heritage connect Santa Cruz's history to contemporary progression. His approach to concrete transitions demonstrates the brand's ongoing relevance within diverse skateboard disciplines while maintaining authentic connection to California skateboard culture.

Jagger Eaton:

Technical street innovator whose contest success and video contributions represent Santa Cruz's continued ability to support elite-level skateboard talent. His progression from amateur to professional status showcases the brand's commitment to developing authentic talent through genuine support rather than purely commercial arrangements.

Fabiana Delfino:

Brazilian street skating talent whose international perspective brings global credibility to Santa Cruz's roster. Her technical abilities and creative video parts demonstrate how the brand continues to attract exceptional skateboarding regardless of geographical boundaries while maintaining selection standards based on skateboard excellence.

Tom Asta:

Versatile street skater whose video contributions and technical development represent Santa Cruz's philosophy of supporting individual expression within professional skateboarding. His creative approaches to street obstacles showcase the brand's continued commitment to artistic skateboard progression and authentic community building.

Jacopo Carozzi:

Italian street skating representation whose European perspective enhances Santa Cruz's international appeal while maintaining authentic connection to the brand's California heritage. His technical precision and spot selection demonstrate global skateboard culture's evolution while preserving core values that define authentic progression.

Blake Johnson:

Rising talent whose video parts demonstrate the next generation of Santa Cruz skateboarding while honoring the brand's heritage of supporting creative individual expression. His development within the team structure showcases Santa Cruz's commitment to nurturing authentic skateboard talent through long-term relationship building.

Legacy Legends:

Including Rob Roskopp, Steve Alba, Jeff Grosso, and Christian Hosoi, whose historical contributions established Santa Cruz as skateboard culture's premier brand while continuing to influence contemporary team development and brand direction through their ongoing involvement in skateboard progression and cultural preservation.

Santa Cruz Skateboards Models

Explore our comprehensive range of Santa Cruz Skateboards UK at The Vines Supply Co., featuring legendary heritage, premium construction, and iconic design that represents the finest in skateboard culture and performance.

Santa Cruz Screaming Hand Collections:

The legendary Jim Phillips artwork that became skateboard culture's most recognisable symbol featuring premium maple construction, fade-resistant screen printing, and deck sizes from 7.75" to 10.0". Available in classic blue colorways and contemporary interpretations that maintain the graphic's cultural significance.

Santa Cruz Rob Roskopp Reissues:

Iconic "Face" graphics recreated through modern printing techniques while preserving original artwork integrity. These heritage models connect contemporary skaters to 1980s skateboard culture through authentic designs that showcase Jim Phillips' artistic collaboration with legendary team rider Rob Roskopp.

Santa Cruz VX Technology Decks:

Advanced construction featuring lighter, stronger, and more responsive characteristics through innovative lamination techniques. VX construction provides enhanced pop, durability, and board feel while maintaining traditional 7-ply maple aesthetics and performance that serious street skating demands.

Santa Cruz Pro Model Series:

Current team signature boards including Maurio McCoy, Erick Winkowski, and Jagger Eaton models developed through genuine rider collaboration. Each model reflects individual skating styles and aesthetic preferences while maintaining Santa Cruz construction standards and cultural authenticity.

Santa Cruz Heritage Graphics:

Classic designs from Santa Cruz's golden era including vintage logos, Jim Phillips artwork, and historical team models. These releases celebrate skateboard history while incorporating contemporary construction techniques that enhance performance without compromising aesthetic integrity or cultural significance.

Santa Cruz Complete Skateboards:

Ready-to-ride setups featuring Santa Cruz decks, premium trucks, wheels, and bearings selected for optimal performance. These complete packages provide authentic Santa Cruz experience while eliminating compatibility concerns for riders seeking professional-quality equipment without component selection complexity.

Santa Cruz Skateboards Buying Guide

Choosing Santa Cruz Skateboards depends on your appreciation for skateboard heritage, understanding of quality construction, and connection to authentic skateboard culture rather than trend-driven fashion consumption or commercial alternatives that lack genuine foundation. For authentic skateboard heritage, focus on Screaming Hand graphics that showcase Jim Phillips' legendary artistry, premium construction through Canadian maple and VX technology options, and cultural significance that connects to skateboard history while providing contemporary performance standards. Consider sizing carefully as Santa Cruz offers comprehensive range from 7.75" technical street options to 10.0" transition boards, with construction quality that serves both professional skateboarding demands and collectors who appreciate authentic skateboard art and cultural artifacts. Quality matters significantly with Santa Cruz, premium materials and five decades of construction refinement justify pricing through superior durability, authentic cultural significance, and commitment to supporting genuine skateboard progression rather than mass-produced alternatives that lack historical foundation or performance standards. Construction options serve different performance priorities, traditional 7-ply maple for classic feel and proven reliability, VX technology for enhanced pop and responsiveness, and heritage reissues that connect contemporary skating to skateboard culture's golden era through authentic designs and premium materials. Graphic selection reflects personal aesthetic preferences and cultural appreciation, Screaming Hand for iconic skateboard imagery, pro models for rider connection and individual expression, and heritage reissues that provide investment in authentic skateboard history while serving contemporary skating needs and collector interests. Cultural context enhances decision-making, understanding Jim Phillips' artistic contributions to skateboard culture, Santa Cruz's role in establishing industry standards and professional skateboard support, and their ongoing commitment to preserving skateboard heritage creates deeper appreciation for authentic brand values and construction quality. Team influence provides insight into contemporary skateboard progression through rider feedback that shapes product development, with professionals like Maurio McCoy representing technical street progression, Erick Winkowski showcasing transition excellence, and heritage legends maintaining connection to skateboard culture's foundational principles and artistic vision. Professional model choices should align with individual skating styles and aesthetic preferences while appreciating rider contributions to skateboard culture, though all Santa Cruz products maintain identical construction standards that ensure authentic performance regardless of graphic selection or artistic collaboration. Consider long-term cultural significance through supporting skateboard companies with genuine heritage and ongoing contributions to skateboard progression, products that maintain value through authentic design and superior construction, and brands that prioritise cultural preservation over purely commercial expansion or trend-following approaches that compromise skateboard authenticity. Most importantly, choose Santa Cruz Skateboards when you appreciate skateboard culture's authentic heritage and ongoing progression, as the brand represents genuine celebration of skateboard history by pioneers who understand that great skateboard companies should preserve tradition while advancing the technical, artistic, and cultural potential of skateboarding as both sport and lifestyle rather than simply manufacturing products for commercial consumption or fashion market trends.

Santa Cruz Skateboards FAQs

What makes Santa Cruz the oldest continuous skateboard company? Founded in 1973 by Richard Novak, Doug Haut, and Jay Shuirman, Santa Cruz has operated continuously for over 50 years without ownership changes or interruptions. Their transition from surfboard manufacturing to skateboard production established industry foundations while maintaining authentic connection to California skateboard culture and progressive innovation.

Who created the Screaming Hand and what does it represent? Artist Jim Phillips designed the Screaming Hand in 1985, inspired by high school sketches of drowning hands and artistic traditions of using hand gestures to express emotion. The logo became skateboard culture's most recognisable symbol, representing the power, intensity, and creative rebellion that defines authentic skateboarding.

What is VX construction and why choose it over standard maple? VX technology uses advanced lamination techniques to create lighter, stronger, and more responsive boards while maintaining traditional 7-ply maple feel. Choose VX for enhanced pop, improved durability, and superior board response during technical skateboarding without sacrificing the classic skateboard characteristics that define authentic performance.

Are Santa Cruz reissue boards suitable for serious skating? Absolutely, reissue models maintain identical construction standards as contemporary boards using premium materials and modern manufacturing techniques. The heritage graphics enhance cultural connection while providing authentic skateboard performance, creating functional art pieces that serve both collectors and active skaters.

How does Santa Cruz maintain authenticity while achieving mainstream success? Santa Cruz preserves authenticity through continued support of professional skateboard talent, commitment to quality construction over cost reduction, and artistic collaborations that enhance rather than exploit skateboard culture. Their success stems from serving skateboard communities rather than pursuing purely commercial expansion.

What is the significance of Rob Roskopp's Face graphics? The Jim Phillips-designed "Face" series became 1980s skateboard culture icons through collaboration between legendary rider Rob Roskopp and visionary artist Jim Phillips. These graphics represent the perfect fusion of skateboard performance and artistic expression while maintaining cultural significance that transcends simple product branding.

Why choose Santa Cruz over newer skateboard brands? Choose Santa Cruz when you value authentic skateboard heritage, proven construction quality, and genuine cultural significance over trend-driven alternatives. The brand offers five decades of skateboard innovation, legendary artistic collaborations, and ongoing commitment to supporting authentic skateboard progression rather than fashion market exploitation.

Shop our complete Santa Cruz Skateboards collection, featuring legendary heritage, iconic design, and premium construction from skateboard culture's most enduring brand. Enjoy fast, free UK premium delivery on orders over £70, with free next-day delivery available for orders placed before 4pm.