Madness Skateboards was built for skaters who like things a little bigger, faster and less predictable. Founded by Bill Weiss, Madness became known for powerful transition skating, darker artwork and skateboard decks that pushed beyond the standard popsicle. Wider widths, shaped outlines, wheel wells and unusual constructions all became part of the brand’s identity. After being pulled away from the people who created it, Madness disappeared for a while. Now Bill Weiss has regained control, the original crew is returning and Madness is properly back. If you're looking to buy Madness Skateboards decks, check out our collection page here.
The Story of Madness Skateboards
Madness officially launched in 2018 through Dwindle Distribution.
The idea came from Bill Weiss, a lifelong skateboarder, filmer and former Blind Skateboards brand and team manager. Rather than creating another standard street-focused board company, Weiss wanted Madness to represent the kind of skating he genuinely cared about: vert, bowls, concrete parks, speed and going as big as possible.
From the start, Madness felt different. The boards featured bold artwork, unusual shapes and detailed finishes, while the team was built around skateboarders who looked comfortable several feet above the coping.
It was a brand with a clear point of view rather than another logo placed on the same old deck.
Madness Skateboard Graphics
Madness has always had a darker and more chaotic visual identity.
The spiral logo is instantly recognisable, while the deck graphics lean towards strange faces, distorted figures, optical patterns and artwork that feels slightly unhinged in the best possible way.
That look suits the name. Madness boards are not meant to disappear into a wall of similar decks. Even the more traditional shapes usually have enough going on to stand out.
Madness Deck Shapes and Construction
One of the biggest things separating Madness from other skateboard brands is its approach to the actual boards.
The range has included standard popsicle decks alongside wider shapes, squared noses, tapered tails, wheel wells, slick bases, raised print and other less conventional details. Madness has never treated every deck as the same product with a different graphic added on top.
That makes the brand especially appealing to transition and bowl skaters, although there are plenty of more conventional widths for street and park skating too.
Construction varies between models, so it is always worth checking the individual product page for the exact width, wheelbase, shape and deck technology.
The Original Madness Skate Team
The original Madness team was centred around skaters who could handle proper transition.
Sam Beckett, Clay Kreiner, Alex Perelson and Jack Fardell formed the core of the early team. Each brought a different style, but they were all capable of skating huge ramps, deep concrete and terrain where commitment matters as much as technical ability.
That team gave Madness a strong identity almost immediately. It was not just a “vert brand,” but it clearly represented a side of skateboarding that many board companies were overlooking.
Other riders became part of the wider Madness crew as the brand grew, but the original group remained closely tied to what the company stood for.
What Happened to Madness Skateboards?
Madness originally operated within Dwindle Distribution.
Following changes in Dwindle’s ownership, Bill Weiss was dismissed in early 2023 from the company where he had spent years managing brands and building Madness. With Weiss gone, the original team also moved away from the brand.
For skateboarders, the problem was bigger than a normal team change. Madness was Bill Weiss’ creation, and without him or the crew behind it, the name no longer represented the same thing.
Rather than continuing under someone else’s version of the brand, Weiss helped form Sidewalk Distribution with Louie Barletta, Steve Douglas and Bod Boyle. He then launched Opera Skateboards, bringing much of the same crew and creative approach into a new skater-owned home.
Is Madness Skateboards Back?
Yes. Madness Skateboards is officially back.
In 2026, Bill Weiss confirmed that he had regained control of the brand after spending years trying to recover it from its previous ownership.
The return is not just an old logo being brought back for nostalgia. Madness is once again being run by its original creator, with the brand available through the skater-owned Sidewalk Distribution setup.
For anyone who followed what happened to Dwindle and its brands, seeing Madness returned to Weiss is a proper win.
Who Owns Madness Skateboards Now?
Madness is back under the control of its founder, Bill Weiss.
Weiss now operates through Sidewalk Distribution, the independent company formed alongside Louie Barletta, Steve Douglas and Bod Boyle following their departures from the old Dwindle setup. Sidewalk describes itself as skater-owned and operated.
This also connects Madness with Enjoi, which has returned under Louie Barletta. The two brands keep their own separate identities, but now share a wider home built and operated by skateboarders.
The New Madness Skate Team
Several of the skaters most closely associated with the original Madness era have returned.
The relaunched team includes Alex Perelson, Sam Beckett, Jedd McKenzie, Jack Fardell, Clay Kreiner and Nick Papa. Liam Pace was also welcomed to the team following the comeback.
Bringing back the riders who helped define Madness makes the return feel genuine. It is the same crew, the same creator and the same type of skateboarding that made people care about the brand in the first place.
Madness Skateboard Decks
Madness produces skateboard decks in a mixture of standard and shaped designs.
The range covers more familiar street-friendly sizes as well as wider boards made for bowls, transition and skaters who prefer extra room under their feet. Selected boards also feature details such as slick constructions, wheel wells and non-standard dimensions.
That variation is a big part of the appeal. You are not limited to choosing between identical popsicles with different graphics.
For every currently available size, shape and construction, visit our Madness Skateboards collection.
Shop Madness Skateboards at The Vines
We are seriously happy to have Madness at The Vines.
The brand being back with Bill Weiss means more than simply seeing an old name return. It puts one of skateboarding’s most distinctive companies back in the hands of the person who actually created it.
Whether you skate street, bowls, vert or just want a deck that looks different from everything else on the wall, browse our latest selection of Madness skateboard decks online or visit us in-store.