Santa Monica Airlines: The Definitive History of an 80s Skate Legend

What Is Santa Monica Airlines?

Santa Monica Airlines was an American skateboard manufacturing company that operated from roughly 1983 to 1987. Founded by skateboarders Steve Rocco and Rodney Guerra, the company was based in Venice Beach, California, close to the legendary Dogtown skateboarding scene of the 1970s.

Founding and Early Years

Santa Monica Airlines was born from a simple frustration among skaters: the boards available at the time lacked the durability and aesthetic that riders wanted. Steve Rocco, who had previously shaped fiberglass boards under the brand "Rocket," teamed up with Rodney Guerra in 1982. Their first shop was located on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, just a few blocks from the famous Venice Beach skate park.

The name "Santa Monica Airlines" played on the proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the casual, laid-back "airline" culture of the beach. The brand's core philosophy was to build a skateboard that could withstand the abuse of vert skating, which was then the dominant discipline. Early boards featured wide shapes, steep kicktails, and a thick layer of gloss, characteristics that would become SMA's signature.

The Dogtown Connection

While not a direct descendant of the bankrupt Dogtown Skateboards, SMA inherited its spirit. Several Dogtown alumni, including Craig Stecyk (the journalist who chronicled the Z-Boys), had ties to the Venice scene. SMA's aesthetic — inspired by lowrider culture, punk rock album covers, and surf painting — was deeply Californian. The brand's first production decks were pressed in a small factory in Culver City, a far cry from the large-scale Taiwanese manufacturing that would dominate the late 80s.

The SMA Team: Riders Who Shaped an Era

Santa Monica Airlines' pro team was a who's-who of early 1980s vert skating. The most prominent rider was Tony Hawk, who rode for SMA from 1983 to 1985, early in his career. Hawk's first pro model board was under the Santa Monica Airlines brand, a 10-inch-wide, 30-inch-long fiberglass deck with the iconic "Skull" graphic.

Other legendary riders on the SMA roster included:

• Steve Caballero — Rode for SMA before moving to Powell-Peralta. He is credited with pioneering many modern vert tricks.
• Chris Miller — Known for his technical street and vert skating, he was a key rider of the era.
• Eddie Elguera — A vert specialist, known for his aggressive style and massive airs at the Del Mar skate park.
• Pat Ngoho — An influential technical skater who also designed some of the brand's graphics.

Board Graphics and Artistic Identity

Santa Monica Airlines boards were instantly recognizable. The most famous graphic, the "Skull" or "SMA Logo" board, featured a stylized, lowrider-inspired skull with bandana and sunglasses, often in red, black, or blue. Another iconic design was the "Cross Bones" graphic, with a skeletal hand gripping a skateboard.

The art direction was heavily influenced by Craig Stecyk, who applied his experience from the Dogtown era to craft a cohesive brand identity. The graphics were screen-printed in vivid colors, often wrapping around the board's edges — a technique that was innovative for its time. Small details, like the "Airline" font and the smiley face on some models, became collector's items. The boards were as much art objects as they were functional equipment.

Santa Monica Airlines vs. Powell-Peralta

Santa Monica Airlines never reached the sheer market dominance of Powell-Peralta, the industry leader. Powell had the Bones Brigade, massive manufacturing scale, and a distribution network that SMA could not match. However, SMA differentiated itself on brand ethos. Powell was corporate and polished; SMA was raw and street-level. Where Powell boards often featured airbrushed art and detailed character designs (like the Ripper), SMA's graphics were more minimal, punk-inspired, and aggressive.

Is It Worth Collecting Santa Monica Airlines Today?

Yes — for vintage skateboard collectors, a Santa Monica Airlines deck in good condition is highly sought after. Prices for pro-model boards from that era can range from $200 to over $1,000 depending on the graphic, rider, and condition. The Skull graphic boards are particularly valuable. However, SMA never had the massive production volume of Powell or Vision, so finding a real 1980s board can be challenging. Many fakes and replicas exist; buyers should verify authenticity through the brand's distinct manufacturing marks (often a stamped serial number under the tail).

Santa Monica Airlines collapsed around 1987 due to several converging factors. The skateboarding industry experienced a major downturn between 1987 and 1990, with the action sports boom of the early 80s giving way to what many call "the dark ages" of skateboarding. SMA, which depended on small-scale domestic manufacturing, could not compete with the lower costs of Powell-Peralta or Vision, which were pressing boards overseas. Additionally, the company lacked the corporate management infrastructure to survive the crash.

Steve Rocco and Rodney Guerra eventually parted ways. Rocco went on to found World Industries in 1987, which would later become a major player in the street-skateboarding revival. World Industries' early graphics clearly show the influence of SMA's punk ethos. The Santa Monica Airlines name was later revived briefly in the 1990s by independent licensees, but those boards lacked the original team and cultural impact.

Expert Tips

• Check the drop-through truck mounting holes: Old school SMA decks often have a shorter wheelbase than modern boards.
• Inspect the graphic: Original SMA boards have a thick, glossy clear coat that yellows with age — a sign of authenticity.
• Look for the tail stamp: Original decks have a small "SMA" or "Santa Monica Airlines" stamp near the truck mount.
• Set an eBay alert for "Santa Monica Airlines skateboard" — rare finds appear a few times a year.
• Join the Vintage Skateboard Society Facebook group for real-time authentication and sale tips.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying a "vintage" SMA board without verifying the graphic against a known catalog. Many unauthorized copies were made in the 2000s.
• Paying premium prices for a board described as "Tony Hawk used" without proof — most player-used boards have wear marks consistent with actual skating.
• Assuming all SMA boards are the same: early fiberglass boards (1983-1984) are significantly heavier and less durable than later maple boards (1985-1987).
• Ignoring the board's size: 1980s vert boards can be 10 inches wide — too wide for most modern street skate setups.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

Santa Monica Airlines is a cornerstone of 1980s skateboarding history, particularly for vert and transition skating. Collecting an original deck is a connection to a specific, raw moment in action sports culture. Rating: 8/10 for historical significance; 6/10 for contemporary skateability.