For a lot of skaters, Powell Peralta isn't just another brand name; it's a throwback to the very roots of modern skateboarding. From their iconic graphics to the legendary team they assembled, they represent a chunk of skate history that still shapes how we ride today, right here in New Zealand.
The Enduring Legend of Powell Peralta
The Powell Peralta story kicks off in the late 1970s. Skateboarding was raw, it was rebellious, and it was still figuring itself out. The brand was born from the perfect partnership of two totally different guys.
You had George Powell, a mechanical engineer who was obsessed with building better skateboards from his garage. He was constantly tinkering with new materials and ways to construct decks that could actually handle what skaters were starting to do.
Then there was Stacy Peralta. He was one of the original Z-Boys and a pro skater with an incredible eye for talent and style. He didn't just understand the culture; he was the culture. When they teamed up, they didn't just start a company—they started a movement.
The Bones Brigade and a New Era
This partnership gave us the Bones Brigade, a skate team that would go on to feature some of the most famous names in the history of the sport. We're talking about guys like Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, and Rodney Mullen. They weren't just athletes; they were true pioneers, completely redefining what was possible on a skateboard.
Their influence went way beyond just winning comps. Through their ground-breaking skate videos, they inspired a whole generation of kids around the world, showing them a new way to look at their streets, cities, and suburbs. This wave definitely hit New Zealand, where the brand's iconic graphics, like the Ripper, became instant symbols of skate culture. Having a Powell Peralta board wasn't just about owning good gear; it meant you were part of something bigger.
A Legacy Built on Community
That legacy of innovation and community is still going strong today. Owning a Powell Peralta deck feels like you're holding a piece of authentic skate history that connects the past with the present. It’s a spirit that you’ll find in local, family-owned shops like Blitz Surf Shop, which has been part of the NZ skate scene since 1983.
Like its sister brands from that golden age, this company’s story is woven deep into the fabric of skateboarding. If you want to dive into another side of that era, you might want to check out our guide on the evolution of Santa Cruz Skateboards.
Whether you're a seasoned skater feeling a bit nostalgic or a new rider drawn to the classic look of their designs, Powell Peralta remains as important as it ever was.
Inside the Legacy of the Bones Brigade
The partnership between George Powell and Stacy Peralta was a perfect storm. You had Powell, the engineer, completely obsessed with the physics of making a better skateboard. Then you had Peralta, a legit pro skater with a natural instinct for what was cool, who had the talent, and how to capture it all on film.
This wasn't just about making better gear; it was about starting a movement. While George was in the workshop perfecting materials and construction, Stacy was out building a team that could show the world what was actually possible on their boards. The result was the Bones Brigade, a crew that would become the stuff of legend.
Assembling a Team of Icons
The Bones Brigade wasn't just another skate team. It was a hand-picked collection of personalities, each one ready to push the sport in a totally new direction. These guys weren't just technical wizards; they were genuinely creative.
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Tony Hawk: The vert kid who took aerial skateboarding to heights no one even thought was possible.
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Rodney Mullen: An absolute genius on a board, inventing a huge chunk of the flatground tricks that are the building blocks of modern street skating.
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Steve Caballero: The master of style and consistency who dominated transition skating for decades.
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Lance Mountain: The creative soul of the team, known for his fun-first approach and all-around skills.
These riders, along with others like Mike McGill and Tommy Guerrero, became household names. They weren't just riding for Powell Peralta; they were the living, breathing proof of the brand’s dedication to progression.
The Bones Brigade really hammered home a key point: skateboarding was as much an art form as it was a sport. Every rider had their own unique style, proving that being an individual was at the heart of the culture.
Changing the Game with Skate Videos
Before the Bones Brigade, all we really had were skate magazines. Stacy Peralta flipped that on its head by producing a series of skate videos, starting with The Bones Brigade Video Show in 1984. These weren't just trick montages; they were proper films with skits, killer soundtracks, and a storyline that made the skaters feel like rockstars.
Videos like Future Primitive and the iconic The Search for Animal Chin became the blueprint for skate media for years to come. Worn-out VHS tapes were passed around among mates, acting as both how-to manuals and pure inspiration for skaters everywhere, including the growing scene here in New Zealand.
The impact of these videos spread the brand’s influence far and wide. For a lot of Kiwi skaters, this was their first real glimpse of what was happening at the very top level of the sport. It's a legacy that continues today, with modern riders like downhill speed demon Fernando Yuppie carrying on that tradition of pushing boundaries in their video parts.
A Lasting Impact on New Zealand Skate Culture
Powell Peralta's influence has been a constant in New Zealand since the brand’s massive global rise in the 1980s. It fit perfectly into the culture of shops like Blitz Surf Shop, which has been backing Kiwi skaters since 1983. The brand's presence here really took off after 2000 as more and more skate parks opened. By 2010, with over 150 skate facilities across the country, imports of brands like Powell Peralta had reportedly jumped by 28%.
Today, owning a Powell Peralta board is about more than just having a quality setup. It’s about connecting to that deep history. It’s that feeling of riding a piece of gear from the same company that gave Hawk, Mullen, and Caballero their start. For a closer look at one of the key components that made these setups legendary, you can learn more about the history and types of Bones Bearings in our detailed guide. This connection to the soul of skateboarding is why the brand is still a top choice for skaters who care about authenticity and performance.
Navigating the Powell Peralta Product Lines
Picking out the right skate gear can feel like a mission, but breaking down the core product lines from Powell Peralta makes it a whole lot easier. It’s all about knowing what each piece of kit is designed for so you can build a setup that works for you.
Let’s get straight into it, starting with the heart and soul of any skateboard—the deck. Powell Peralta has a few different types, and there’s definitely one built for your style, whether you’re just starting out or have been skating for years.
Understanding Powell Peralta Decks
The first decision you'll make is what kind of deck to ride. Powell Peralta has a few options on the table, but three main types cover pretty much every style of skating. Each is built with a specific purpose, from everyday thrashing and pure nostalgia to next-level performance.
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Standard 7-Ply Maple Decks: This is the workhorse of the skateboarding world, and for good reason. Made from seven layers of hard rock maple, these decks give you a solid mix of flex, pop, and durability that's perfect for street, park, and everything in between.
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Reissue Decks: For a lot of us, these are the holy grail. Powell Peralta Reissue decks bring back the iconic shapes and legendary graphics of the 1980s. You can literally ride the same shapes that guys like Tony Hawk or Steve Caballero made famous, giving you a direct link to skateboarding's golden era.
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Flight® Decks: This is where George Powell's engineering obsession really comes to life. A Flight® Deck is way thinner and lighter than a standard 7-ply, but it’s beefed up with epoxy-infused, fibre-reinforced layers. The result? A board that's incredibly strong, ridiculously hard to break, and has a pop that lasts way longer than any traditional wood deck.
When Flight® Deck technology first hit the scene in 1984, it was a total game-changer. Its arrival in New Zealand in 1987 through the early surf and skate shops led to a massive 60% increase in local pro adoption within just two years. Even now, analysis suggests that by 2026, Powell Peralta will make up 9.5% of the premium deck market in New Zealand, which just shows how well they perform. For a deeper dive, you can check out this detailed report from StellarMR.
To help you figure out which one’s right for you, here’s a quick comparison of Powell Peralta's main deck technologies.
Powell Peralta Deck Technology Comparison
| Deck Type | Construction | Key Benefit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 7-Ply | 7 layers of hard rock maple | Balanced pop, flex, and affordability | All-around skating: street, park, and beginners |
| Reissue | 7-ply maple with 80s-era shapes and concaves | Nostalgic feel and classic graphics | Cruising, pool skating, and collectors |
| Flight® | Maple core with epoxy-infused fibre reinforcement | Thinner, lighter, stronger, and longer-lasting pop | High-performance skating, big gaps, and riders who break boards |
Each construction offers something unique, so whether you’re after a reliable all-rounder, a blast from the past, or a high-tech weapon, Powell has you covered.
Wheels and Bearings: The Engine of Your Ride
Once your deck is sorted, you need to think about wheels and bearings. These are what control how your board feels on different surfaces and how fast you roll. Powell Peralta has always been at the forefront here, mostly through its sister company, Bones Wheels and Bearings.
With wheels, it all comes down to the urethane formula and durometer (hardness). Softer wheels are awesome for cruising on rough Kiwi roads because they soak up vibrations. Harder wheels are faster and better for smooth skate parks and technical tricks. One of their standout products is the Dragon Formula™, which hits a sweet spot—hard enough for slides but soft enough to roll smoothly over dodgy footpaths.
When you talk about bearings, the conversation almost always lands on Bones Bearings.
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Bones Reds: There’s a reason these are the most popular bearings on the planet. They offer a killer combination of performance, durability, and value that makes them a solid choice for just about any skater.
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Bones Swiss: If you’re after top-tier performance, Bones Swiss are the benchmark. They’re made to much higher specs, giving you incredible speed and a much longer lifespan.
For a closer look at all the bits and pieces that make up a board, our guide on the anatomy of a skateboard deck has heaps more detail.
Completing Your Setup
To finish off your board, you’ll need trucks, hardware, and grip tape. Trucks are the metal axles that mount to your deck and hold your wheels—brands like Independent or Ace are always a good match for a Powell Peralta deck. Hardware is just the nuts and bolts that pull it all together, and grip tape gives you the traction you need to stay on your board.
By getting your head around how each part works, you can put together a Powell Peralta complete that’s perfectly dialled for how you want to skate. Whether you’re building a retro reissue cruiser, a high-performance street machine with a Flight® Deck, or a trusty all-around setup, you know the quality is built right in.
How to Choose Your Perfect Powell Peralta Setup
Putting together a new board is one of the best parts of skating. Every single piece plays a part in how it rides, and with a brand like Powell Peralta that’s loaded with history, getting it right can feel like a big deal. Don't sweat it. We'll walk you through picking the right gear for the way you want to skate.
Think of your deck width like finding the right pair of shoes. It's less about your shoe size and more about what feels right under your feet. A narrower deck is snappy and flips faster for street tricks, while a wider board gives you a solid platform for stability on ramps or just cruising around town.
Picking Your Powell Peralta Deck
Your deck is the heart of your setup. Its size and shape are going to have the biggest effect on how the whole thing feels. Your height, the kind of skating you do, and just what you find comfortable all come into play. A taller skater dropping into a big bowl will probably want a wider, more stable board than a smaller skater working on technical flatground tricks.
But it’s not just about width. Shape is huge, especially with Powell Peralta. Most modern decks are symmetrical "popsicle" shapes, which are perfect for street and park skating where you might land a trick either way. But Powell Peralta is legendary for their old-school directional shapes, which you'll see on their Reissue decks. These wider, shaped boards are incredible for cruising, carving up a bowl, or just enjoying that stable, surfy feel they’re known for.
This chart breaks down the choice between standard, reissue, and Flight® decks to make things a bit clearer.
It really comes down to whether you're chasing that modern, high-performance feel (Standard/Flight®) or the classic, nostalgic ride of a Reissue.
Selecting the Right Wheels and Bearings
Alright, let's talk wheels. This is where your board meets the pavement. Think of your wheels like the tyres on a car—different types are built for different surfaces.
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Softer Wheels (around 78A-92A): These are your all-terrain tyres. They’re built to soak up the cracks and rough patches on Kiwi streets, giving you a smooth, quiet cruise. You get a ton of grip, but they're not as fast and won't slide easily.
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Harder Wheels (around 99A-101A): These are more like racing slicks. They're designed for speed and performance on smooth concrete, like you’d find at a good skate park. They’re fast, responsive, and slide just when you want them to, which is perfect for powerslides or grinding a ledge.
A wheel that really shakes this up is the Powell Peralta Dragon Formula. They’re designed to be hard enough to perform at the park but still roll smoothly over rougher ground, giving you a bit of the best of both worlds.
Then you've got your bearings—the small rings that let your wheels spin. For most skaters, the discussion starts and ends with two options from their sister company, Bones Bearings.
Bones Reds are pretty much the industry standard, and for good reason. They give you awesome performance that lasts, all for a great price. Honestly, they're more than enough for most of us. But if you’re chasing every bit of speed and precision, upgrading to Bones Swiss bearings delivers a noticeably faster, smoother roll that lasts even longer. For a deeper dive, our guide on understanding skateboard wheel durometer will help you nail down your choice.
Trucks and Hardware
Last but not least, you need trucks to mount your wheels to the deck. The key here is to match the width of your trucks to the width of your deck. You want the axle to be roughly the same width as your board (give or take a quarter-inch) for the best balance and turning response.
Whether you're a Gisborne grommet building your first setup or a seasoned skater dialing in your ride, paying attention to these details makes all the difference. By matching your deck, wheels, and bearings to your style, you'll end up with a Powell Peralta board that feels like it was made just for you.
Protecting Your Gear and Spotting Fakes
A Powell Peralta board is more than just a setup; it's a piece of skate history you can own and ride. So, you want to make sure you're getting the real deal and that it stays in top shape for as long as possible. We'll run you through how to spot genuine Powell Peralta gear and then get into some workshop tips to keep your board rolling sweet.
Because Powell Peralta is so iconic, fakes are unfortunately out there. The last thing you want is to drop your hard-earned cash on a dodgy knock-off that will skate horribly and fall apart. The absolute best way to dodge this bullet is simple: buy from an authorised dealer.
Shops like Blitz Surf Shop are your guarantee. When you buy from a trusted, family-owned shop that's been part of the NZ skate scene since 1983, you know you're getting the genuine article, backed by real warranties and knowledge you can count on.
How to Spot a Genuine Powell Peralta Deck
Even if you're looking at a second-hand board, you can learn to spot the signs of a legit deck. Authentic Powell Peralta boards have details that counterfeiters usually mess up.
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Top Graphic and Serial Number: A proper Powell Peralta deck, especially a Reissue, will often have a branded graphic on the top. Many also feature a laser-etched or printed serial number—a dead giveaway of authenticity.
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Print Quality: Get a good look at the main graphic. Real prints are sharp, with colours that pop and look correct. Fakes often have fuzzy edges, dull or weird-looking colours, and just a poor-quality print job.
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Wood and Construction: Powell Peralta uses top-notch hard rock maple. The wood layers (plies) should be even, and the edges should be perfectly smooth. A fake might feel oddly heavy or flimsy and have rough, unfinished edges.
It's a classic rule for a reason: if a deal looks way too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to trusted sources like the Powell Peralta collection at Blitz Surf Shop to make sure you get the quality you're paying for.
A Workshop for Practical Maintenance
Once you’ve got your genuine setup, a bit of upkeep goes a very long way. Good maintenance keeps your board fast, safe, and feeling good under your feet, helping you skate better for longer.
Keeping Your Bearings Fast
Your bearings cop a lot of abuse from dirt, dust, and impacts. When they start sounding gritty or feeling sluggish, it’s time for a clean. Carefully pop off the bearing shields, give them a soak in a citrus-based cleaner or isopropyl alcohol, let them dry out completely, and then add a drop or two of proper bearing speed cream.
Knowing When to Replace Grip Tape
Grip tape is what glues your feet to the board. It naturally wears down over time, getting smooth and losing its bite, which can really mess with your control. If your grip is shiny, peeling up at the edges, or clogged with dirt that won't come out, it's time for a fresh sheet.
Checking for Wear and Tear
Give your board a quick once-over every now and then for common issues:
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Razor Tail: This is when your tail wears down from dragging, getting thin and sharp. A little bit is normal, but a seriously sharp tail will kill your pop.
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Delamination: Check around the edges, nose, and tail for any signs of the wood layers starting to separate. Delam is a major weakness and means the board might be on its last legs.
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Proper Storage: To stop your deck from warping, store it somewhere cool and dry. Leaving it in a hot car or a damp shed is a recipe for disaster, as the moisture and temperature swings can make the wood bend and lose its shape.
Where to Buy Powell Peralta in New Zealand
So, you’ve got a good idea of the gear that’s right for you. The next step is finding a trusted spot to buy genuine Powell Peralta skateboards here in New Zealand. You might see some vintage boards pop up on collector sites, but for new, top-quality gear, your best bet is always an authorised retailer. This is the only way to be sure you're getting a legit product with a full warranty and the performance you expect.
For Kiwi skaters, supporting a local, family-owned skate shop is about more than just buying a board; it’s about plugging into the heart of the skate community. It’s where you get real-world advice from people who actually skate and properly understand the gear they sell.
Shopping Local at Blitz Surf Shop
Here in Gisborne, Blitz Surf Shop has been part of the East Coast surf and skate scene since 1983. When you walk into our store, you can see those iconic graphics up close, feel the exact concave of a deck under your hands, and get honest advice to make sure you leave with the perfect setup. That hands-on experience is huge, especially if you’re dialling in your first board or trying a new shape.
Powell Peralta has a massive following in New Zealand, and that’s something we see every day.
The Convenience of Shopping Online
If you're not in Gisborne, no worries. Our online store brings the Blitz experience right to your doorstep, wherever you are in New Zealand.
At Blitz, we want to make sure quality skate gear is accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer NZ-wide delivery and free shipping on eligible orders over $150. It’s just our way of helping you get the best gear without the extra cost.
Shopping online with us is straightforward and secure. You can browse our full range of Powell Peralta decks, wheels, and completes, compare different setups, and build your dream board from home. If you want more tips on what makes a good shop, check out our guide on what to look for in a skate shop.
Whether you drop by the shop for a chat or browse our collection online, you're getting more than just a board—you're tapping into decades of skate knowledge and a commitment to quality. We’re here to help you get rolling on a piece of skateboarding history.
Your Powell Peralta Questions, Answered
Even after digging into the history and tech, you might still have a few questions floating around before you grab your own Powell Peralta setup. We get it. Here are some quick, straight-up answers to the things we hear most often from skaters.
Are Powell Peralta Reissue Decks Actually Good to Skate?
Absolutely. While they look incredible hanging on a wall and are definitely collectible, Powell Peralta reissue decks are built to be thrashed. They're made using modern, top-quality construction, so they can easily handle a solid session at the park or in a bowl.
The real magic, though, is that they use the original shapes and concaves from the 1980s. This gives you a completely unique feeling under your feet that a lot of skaters love for transition, cruising, or just experiencing what it was like for the Bones Brigade legends back in the day.
What’s the Difference Between a Flight Deck and a Regular Deck?
The biggest difference is all about how they're built and how long they last. A standard deck is made from seven layers of maple wood, which has been the go-to formula for decades. It’s a reliable and proven design that just works.
A Powell Peralta Flight® Deck, on the other hand, is a different beast altogether. It’s thinner and noticeably lighter than a standard 7-ply, but it’s reinforced with an epoxy-infused fibre layer that makes it ridiculously strong and way more resistant to breaking.
The real-world benefit of a Flight® Deck is its pop. Because it's so strong, the board's "snap" for ollies and flip tricks lasts much, much longer than a traditional wood deck. It's a smart investment for any skater who's hard on their gear.
What Powell Peralta Gear Is Best for a Beginner in NZ?
For anyone just starting out, a Powell Peralta complete skateboard is the perfect way to get rolling. These setups come fully assembled right out of the box with quality components that are perfectly matched, taking all the guesswork out of building your first board.
They offer awesome performance and durability for the price, making them ideal for learning the basics at your local NZ skate park. You get that genuine Powell Peralta quality without needing to stress over picking individual parts. The experts at a local shop can help you choose the right size and graphic to get you rolling with confidence.
Ready to find your perfect setup? At Blitz Surf Shop, we stock a huge range of genuine Powell Peralta decks, wheels, and completes. Browse our full collection online and enjoy free NZ-wide shipping on eligible orders over $150. Explore our Powell Peralta collection today.
