A Short History Of Three Popular Makers Of Skimboards

Outdoors Articles » Water-sports » A Short History Of Three Popular Makers Of Skimboards

A Short History Of Three Popular Makers Of Skimboards

As a teenager in the 1970s, growing up in Laguna Beach, California meant learning how to skimboard. Three skimboard manufacturers are doing quite well in this market. As the sport becomes more popular around the world, these companies are having fun trying to meet the need to produce new and improved skimboards.

Tex Haines and Peter Prietto, who were part of the first generation of skimboarders to grow up in Laguna Beach during the 1970s, started Victoria Skimboards in 1976. Today, it is the most authentic and innovative skimboard company in the world. They have dominated the market for over thirty years, progressively refining board shapes, introducing the rocker and the first foam core board. Using input from their team of riders has been the key to producing the board quality you have come to expect from this company.

The first ZAP skimboard was built in 1983 in Venice, Florida. At that time, Bob Smetts was building surfboards and sailboards under the 'Smetts' and 'Windflight' labels. ZAP was created to supplement the surfboard building income. Eventually making these boards was his only business.

During early 1990s, ZAP began being marketed globally. As a skimboarder, Bob understands the needs of riders and is always looking for ways to improve the design, shapes and quality of his boards. His company understands the details involved in creating real performance boards.

In 2002, Aaron Peluso and Andy Chiavetta created Exile Skimboards. Andy had been making these boards for himself and friends since 1991. When he got together with Aaron, they figured out a way to start Exile. Being one of the younger companies around, it is now the largest manufacturer of high-end board in the world. They were able to contract with some of the world's top skimboarders when they first started their company. That gave them a good head start in the business and they are showing no signs of slowing down.

These skimboard manufacturers are evidence that this sport is becoming very popular around the world. There are now skimboarding contests held in the United States and Europe to establish ranking amongst skimboarders and to provide a way for companies to market new designs of their skimboards.