Founded: 1978
Founder: Skip Engblom
Location: Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica Airlines is a skateboard company that was started by Skip Engblom in 1978. He worked out of the back of a surf shop, making the first boards himself by hand crafting and shaping the wood decks. Over time, SMA was a pioneering force, greatly influencing the way skatebaords were created, designed – in terms of both shape and deck graphics and the way companies sponsored team riders.

Board quality was always one of the most important things to SMA. They always used high quality woods and were always pushing for new manufacturing techniques, which led to longer lasting, more durable decks and boards that would perform better for their pro riders as well as the skaters who bought their products.

SMA’s team riders were always pushing boundaries too. Natas Kaupas, one of their most famous pro riders was well known in his time for taking skating to the extreme and creating tricks that were previously unthinkable.

Contributing Members: @mrthingone