Rich Novak is a pioneering skateboarding figure who co-founded NHS, Inc. in 1973, significantly shaping the skateboard industry for over 50 years.NHS? Novak’s co-founders were Doug Haut and Jay Schuirman, their company grew from a surf-focused entity into a major skateboard manufacturer, producing brands like Santa Cruz Skateboards, Independent Trucks, OJ Wheels and Creature. Their […]
George Powell started in skateboarding in 1957. Later, after graduating from Stanford University, he sought to create more efficient and lasting skateboards, integrating innovations such as concave and modern materials. His early designs (Quiksilver and Quick Tail) caught the attention of slalom and downhill skateboarders, and eventually Stacy Peralta. George’s development of “Bones Wheels” provided
Steve Van Doren, son of Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren, has been a central figure in skateboarding for over five decades, serving as the Vans’ “Ambassador of Fun,” and VP of Events and Promotions. His early commitment to the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) has resulted in more than 4,000 public skateparks throughout the
Jerry Madrid’s career is a masterclass in American craftsmanship and industrial resilience. Spanning over half a century, his journey from a teenage surfboard shaper to the head of an iconic global brand has fundamentally shaped the technical evolution of skateboarding. The Early Years: From Surf to Street Jerry Madrid began his career in the late
Tim Payne is not just a skatepark builder; he is the visionary engineer who translated the rebellious spirit of 1970s skateboarding into the permanent, world-class infrastructure of today. With over 35 years of continuous contribution, Payne’s journey from a high school student building backyard ramps in Orlando to the President of Team Pain Enterprises is
