Santa Cruz Skateboards is the oldest continuous skateboard company on earth, over fifty years of legendary craftsmanship, iconic design and cultural leadership, from 1973 California to the Screaming Hand on walls worldwide. Shop Santa Cruz at The Vines for decks, completes and apparel from skateboarding's most enduring brand.
Santa Cruz Skateboards Brand History
Back in 1973, three California surfers, Richard Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Shuirman, were struggling to sustain their surfboard manufacturing business, NHS, when an unexpected order for 500 skateboards from Hawaii provided the breakthrough. Using surplus fibreglass intended for surfboards, they fulfilled the order, discovered skateboarding's potential and never looked back.
The defining moment came in 1985 when artist Jim Phillips designed the Screaming Hand, skateboard culture's most recognisable symbol, alongside his legendary Rob Roskopp "Face" series. Five decades on, NHS still runs Santa Cruz alongside family brands OJ Wheels, Bronson Speed Co, Krux Trucks and MOB Griptape. We marked the milestone in our blog: fifty years of radness.
Santa Cruz Skate Team
The current team spans every discipline: street powerhouse Maurio McCoy, pool and transition specialist Erick Winkowski, technical innovator Jagger Eaton, Brazil's Fabiana Delfino, the ever-versatile Tom Asta, Italy's Jacopo Carozzi and rising talent Blake Johnson.
Behind them stands one of the deepest legacies in skateboarding, Rob Roskopp, Steve Alba, Jeff Grosso and Christian Hosoi among the legends whose eras defined the brand and whose graphics still ride through the reissue series.
Santa Cruz Products In Stock
Explore the Santa Cruz range at The Vines Supply Co.
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Santa Cruz Screaming Hand & Classic Decks:
Jim Phillips' legendary artwork on premium maple in sizes from 7.75" to shaped 10.0" boards, classic colourways and contemporary takes alike.
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Santa Cruz VX Decks & Pro Models:
VX construction, lighter, stronger and more responsive through advanced lamination, plus current pro models from McCoy, Winkowski and Eaton.
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Santa Cruz Reissues & Collabs:
Roskopp Face reissues and golden-era graphics alongside hype collaborations, the Godzilla and Pokemon series being recent sell-out examples.
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Santa Cruz Completes:
Ready-to-ride complete setups, the easiest way into a proper first board from a brand that's built them for fifty years.
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Santa Cruz Clothing & Accessories:
Tees, crews, jeans, beanies, sunglasses and wallets carrying five decades of graphic heritage, plus NHS family hardware from OJ, Bronson, Krux and MOB to finish any build.
Santa Cruz Skateboards FAQs
Is Santa Cruz the oldest skateboard company?
Yeah, founded in 1973 under NHS by Richard Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Shuirman, Santa Cruz has operated continuously for over fifty years, longer than any other skateboard brand.
Who created the Santa Cruz Screaming Hand?
Artist Jim Phillips designed the Screaming Hand in 1985. It became skateboarding's most recognisable symbol, the power, intensity and creative rebellion of skating distilled into one graphic.
What is Santa Cruz VX construction?
VX uses advanced lamination to create boards that are lighter, stronger and more responsive than standard 7-ply while keeping the traditional maple feel, worth choosing for enhanced pop and durability in technical skating.
What's the story behind the Roskopp Face graphics?
The Face series came from the 1980s collaboration between rider Rob Roskopp and Jim Phillips, graphics that evolved across releases into icons of the era, now faithfully recreated in the reissue line.
Who is on the Santa Cruz team?
Maurio McCoy, Erick Winkowski, Jagger Eaton, Fabiana Delfino, Tom Asta, Jacopo Carozzi and Blake Johnson, with legends like Roskopp, Salba, Grosso and Hosoi in the brand's deep heritage.
What other brands does NHS make?
The NHS family includes OJ Wheels, Bronson Speed Co bearings, Krux Trucks and MOB Griptape, meaning you can build a full setup from the Santa Cruz stable, all stocked here.
Shop Santa Cruz Skateboards in the UK at The Vines, featuring Screaming Hand classics, VX decks, completes and apparel. Enjoy fast, free UK premium delivery on orders over £70, with free next-day delivery available for orders placed before 4pm.