The Story Behind Girl Skateboards
Girl Skateboards was founded in 1993 by professional skateboarders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard, along with filmmaker Spike Jonze. Born out of a split from Plan B Skateboards, Girl was built on a philosophy of creativity, fun, and a laid-back California street skating style. From day one, the brand distinguished itself through high-quality video productions, clever graphics, and a roster of skaters who genuinely pushed street skating forward.
The Aesthetic: Clean, Clever, and Consistently Cool
One of Girl's most recognizable traits is its graphic design language. Where many brands go heavy on skulls, horror imagery, or aggressive themes, Girl has always leaned into wit, minimalism, and pop culture references. Their decks often feature clean colorways, playful typography, and collaborations with artists and illustrators. The brand's visual identity has remained refreshingly consistent across decades.
Legendary Team Riders
Girl has been home to some of the most influential skateboarders in history. Over the years, the team has included:
- Rick Howard – Co-founder and one of the smoothest street skaters of his generation
- Mike Carroll – Known for his precise, technical style that defined 90s street skating
- Eric Koston – Widely regarded as one of the greatest technical street skaters ever
- Guy Mariano – His part in Mouse (1996) is considered a landmark in skate video history
- Brandon Biebel – Known for his powerful, stylish approach to ledge and rail skating
- Tyler Pacheco – One of the brand's current standout riders bringing Girl into the modern era
Iconic Skate Videos
Girl's video output has been just as important as its products. Their video series set benchmarks for production quality and skater creativity:
- Goldfish (1993) – The founding video that introduced the brand to the world
- Mouse (1996) – Widely cited as one of the greatest skate videos ever made
- Yeah Right! (2003) – Famous for its innovative invisible board sequences
- Pretty Sweet (2012) – A feature-length film co-produced with Chocolate Skateboards
Girl Decks: What to Expect
Girl skate decks are manufactured by PS Stix, one of the premier deck manufacturers in the industry. Their boards are known for consistent concave, reliable pop, and durable construction. Girl offers decks in a range of widths — typically from 7.75" up to 8.5" and beyond — making them suitable for a wide range of skaters and styles.
Deck Shape & Feel
Girl decks tend to feature a medium concave, which appeals to a broad range of skaters. The wood is typically 7-ply hard rock maple, providing a solid feel underfoot without being overly stiff. Many skaters describe Girl decks as having a "poppy" feel that holds up well over time.
Girl vs. Its Sister Brand: Chocolate Skateboards
Girl and Chocolate Skateboards are sister brands operating under the Girl Distribution company. While Girl tends to have a cleaner, more refined aesthetic, Chocolate leans into a more colorful, artistic, hip-hop-influenced direction. Both brands share distribution infrastructure and have co-produced video content, but each maintains its own distinct identity and team.
Why Girl Stands the Test of Time
In a market where skate brands come and go rapidly, Girl's longevity comes down to a few key factors: authentic roots in professional skateboarding, consistent graphic quality, strong video output, and a team that has always reflected genuine skating culture rather than manufactured hype. Whether you're a collector, a daily skater, or someone building their first quality setup, Girl Skateboards remains a name you can trust.