I’m certainly no expert on vintage skateboard companies, so I’m not quite sure where this fits in, but what we have here is a Santa Cruz advert promoting a Natas Kaupas deck which includes the “Santa Monica Airlines” logo. Perhaps someone can help out with the details of the relationship on that brand to various skateboard companies over the years? I have a vague recollection that it’s a complicated story.
On a simpler note the three other decks featured here are from Rob Roskopp, Claus Grabke and Jeff Grosso.
Those last two are skaters who both had a direct impact on Rad Magazine at various points.
Claus Grabke’s multi-talented and prolific approach included photography, writing and music so he contributed to the European skate scene and the magazine in a very direct way.
Grosso’s influence was less specific, but he was one of those fascinating people who influenced the magazine through his words as well as his skating. He struck chords which resonated strongly with the spirit of the time.
6 responses to “Santa Cruz advert featuring Natas Santa Monica Airlines deck”
Isn’t the connection that SMA and Santa Cruz were both manufactured by NHS? The Santa Cruz vids always had Natas in them although that maybe because he rode their wheels.
Isn’t Steve Rocco mixed up in there too?
Yes, SMA decks were made by NHS, as were/still Santa Cruz. It was Natas himself, that went to Santa Cruz and worked the deal for Skip at SMA, to have NHS press their decks.
No, Steve Rocco, wasn’t in the mix of all that. At that time, I believe was his last few years of running Vision.
Ok here is the scoop, N.H.S. was partners with Rib Lake Plywood, In Marion Wi. They owned the saw mills, They pressed the NHS brands whom NHS dist. for. Titus SMA and Santa Cruz. Rocco tried to take the name SMA world ind. without prior approval and was quickly convinced by some of his lawyers to do some other name. So then came World ind. this never had anything to do with nhs. A lot of people are confused by a lot of things, skateboarding doesn’t always make sense.
There’s a great video on youtube about the whole SMA/Natas thing here (watch all 4 parts) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXRo4HbQLNk
I had that deck, it was great. I think it was one of the first to move away from sculpted rails and cut outs (see the santa cruz ones below) and towards the ‘lollypop’ shape that became the norm not too long afterwards. But what do I know!