Penny Skateboards

Penny Skateboards are the fun plastic skateboards that mimic the original style and riding specifications of 1970's plastic skateboards. Made in Australia by Ben Mckay, these retro skateboard styles have become more and more popular in the last few years with the popularity of the Dogtown and Z boys movies and the rise of more casual skaters going for a lazier, less-techincal, cruiser board skating style.

We all remember those early, grainy images of long haired, moustached surfers skating on plastic banana boards in the 70's. While you don't have to be a throwback junkie to appreciate these boards, it's good to understand where plastic skateboards fit in to the skateboarding history timeline.

Several companies besides Penny have begun manufacturing these plastic board styles, most notably the Atom Retroh, the Vinyl Cruiser by Stereo, and the Globe Bantam. All of these boards are of a much higher quality and authenticity than some toy you are likely to find at Target or Wal Mart.

These plastic boards are usually a little shorter and skinnier than today's typical wooden-ply skateboards. They are around 21" to 24" long and about 6" or 7" wide. They also mostly only have one upturned tail instead of an upturned nose and tail like most modern skateboards.

Penny makes a little bit longer plastic skateboard also called the Nickel, which at 27" provides a wider footing stance, closer to what most modern skaters are used to.

And I have to point out that there exists and amazing glow in the dark penny skateboard.

If you know how to skate, these smaller sizes and only having one tail shouldn't limit your range or ability one bit. If you're familiar with any of the late1970's and early 1980's skaters who were tearing up the pools and ramps you know that they started out skating similar boards to these, and they made no excuses while they ripped.