Santa Cruz 40th Anniversary & Museum Grand Opening.

Santa Cruz Skateboards turned 40 years old this past weekend – – think about that for a second . . . 40 years they have been making, innovating and supporting skateboarding.
Lets all give them a round of applause for that!

To celebrate this milestone – they did what any skateboarder would do – have a party.

They also used the occasion to open their brand new Skate Museum at their head office in Santa Cruz, California.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend by Centre Distribution – the Canadian distributors for all of the NHS brands (NHS is the parent company of Santa Cruz, Independent, Creature, Flip, Mob, Krux, OJ’s, Road Rider, and a few others).

The Museum opening was on Saturday at 4:00 PM – we were fortunate enough to be able to get in a little early and have a private tour with Bob Denike, President and CEO of NHS.

The museum is absolutely amazing.  Having grown up through the very early days of skateboarding it was a bit emotional for me to see everything that I had enjoyed in my childhood all laid out on display.

NHS has done an amazing job of displaying their role in shaping the sport we all love, and I would like to give them a big Thank You for doing so.

After the museum tour there was a fun get together with great food, cold drinks and great people, including more legendary skateboarders than I have ever seen in one place.  (watch for a cool contest on this point to come)

In typical skateboarder fashion – there was also an after party.
The after party featured Salba’s band “Powerflex5”  – a great surf/skate band.

As if that wasn’t enough for the weekend – Sunday was the Indy Rider Rally at the San Jose skatepark.  Again – food, music, beverages, hot rods, bikes, pro skaters and legends were all present to the have FUN with the amazing sport of skateboarding.

A Huge THANK YOU to NHS, Bob Denike, and Moses Itkonen for one of the best weekends of my life!

Here are some photos of the weekend.

Always follow the Screaming Hand!
Always follow the Screaming Hand!
The skateboard that started it all for Santa Cruz.
The skateboard that started it all for Santa Cruz.
Bob Denike giving a private tour. (all those Road Rider wheels are original!)
Bob Denike giving a private tour. (all those Road Rider wheels are original!)
Skating originally was all about speed. This is a "Skate Car" that used to compete as places such as Signal Hill.
Skating originally was all about speed. This is a “Skate Car” that used to compete as places such as Signal Hill.
John Hutson was the fastest man in the world at 53.4 MPH (85.9 KPH) almost 40 years ago. (here I am recreating his tuck)
John Hutson was the fastest man in the world at 53.4 MPH (85.9 KPH) almost 40 years ago. (here I am recreating his tuck)
Small selection of the early years.
Small selection of the early years.
Moving forward into the late 70's and 80's. This is when Jim Phillips began doing many of the graphics for SCS.
Moving forward into the 80’s. This is when Jim Phillips began doing many of the graphics for SCS.
More of Jim Phillips work. All the black and white images beside the deck are the original art used to make the screens for printing the decks.
More of Jim Phillips work. All the black and white images beside the deck are the original art used to make the screens for printing the decks.
Also in the museum of course is the history of Independent Trucks. The time line follows the history and ultimate joining of Ermico and NHS.
Also in the museum of course is the history of Independent Trucks. The time line follows the history and ultimate joining of Ermico and NHS.
All 11 Stages of Indy trucks.
All 11 Stages of Indy trucks.
Some amazing, and very rare pieces of the Indy history.
Some amazing, and very rare pieces of the Indy history.
A peak into the screening area at NHS.
A peak into the screening area at NHS.

 

 

The casual get together.
The casual get together.
After party with Powerflex5 - Salba on lead, Corey Miller (of tattoo fame) on drums and guest vocals by Mofo.
After party with Powerflex5 – Salba on lead, Corey Miller (of tattoo fame) on drums and guest vocals by Mofo.
Indy Rider Rally at the San Jose skatepark. There was more transition in this park than all of Canada!
Indy Rider Rally at the San Jose skatepark. There was more transition in this park than all of Canada!
Rad hot rods in the parking lot.
Rad hot rods in the parking lot.
The Indy truck.
The Indy truck.
Another rad Skate band - Clay Wheels - with Bob Denike on guest vocals.
Another rad Skate band – Clay Wheels – with Bob Denike on guest vocals.
Random skater in one of the bowls (oh wait . . . it's Eric Koston)
Random skater in one of the bowls (oh wait . . . it’s Eric Koston)

 

Again – a HUGE Thank You to everyone involved.  And a Bigger THANK YOU to everyone one who skates!