Santa Monica Airlines (SMA) was a legendary skateboard company that was founded in the mid-1970s in Santa Monica, California. The company reached its peak popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, producing some of the most iconic skateboard decks of that era. SMA was known for its innovative designs, high-quality materials, and collaborations with some of the best skateboarders of that time.
One of the unique features of SMA was their “team model” approach to skateboarding. They created a team of professional skateboarders that included legends like Natas Kaupas, Christian Hosoi, and Jeff Grosso, who were heavily involved in the design process and marketing of the brand. This set a new standard for how skateboard companies could operate, and SMA’s influence can still be seen in the industry today.
Despite facing financial difficulties in the late 1990s, SMA remains an important part of skateboarding history. Similarly, being able to identify and understand the history of important brands like SMA can give us a greater appreciation for the sport and culture of skateboarding as a whole.
