Plan B Skateboards

Plan B Skateboards is based out of Vista, California; it is a skateboard manufacturing company that also markets wheels, accessories and a clothing line. It was created in 1991 from a very elite team of top notch skateboard professionals, headed by Mike Ternasky, who had owned H-street; Plan B had been founded under the World Industries empire of Steve Rocco. When it was created, such skateboarding legends as Matt Hensley, Rodney Mullen, Danny Way, Mike Carroll, Sean Sheffey, Sal Barbier and Ronnie Bertino were included in the Plan B skateboarding team, among others. The Plan B team also expanded into the world of snowboarding and created Type A snowboards.

Rick Howard, Mike Carroll and Sean Sheffey left the Plan B skateboard team in 1993 to start another skateboarding company, Girl Skateboards. Mike Ternasky then died in a car accident in 1994; Danny Way and Colin McKay stepped in and took his place as head of the team. They eventually broke off from World Industries and the latter actually created its own superteam, headed by Rodney Mullen. Nothing was the same after the death of Mike Ternasky, though, and the brand went under.

The year 2005 saw the announcement of a Plan B comeback, with Danny Way and Colin McKay still at the head while maintaining their pro skater status. The same idea of creating a superteam of the best pros picked from other teams was upheld; Paul Rodriguez Jr., PJ Ladd, Ryan Gallant, Pat Duffy and Darrell Stanton, among others, were all added to the team carrying the Plan B skateboard logo.

As far as Plan B skateboard decks go, as well as other Plan B merchandise, reviews are mixed. Some people believe that the brand should not have been resurrected, due to the fact that without Mike Ternasky, the company will never be as strong as it once was. Others believe that Way and McKay have most likely learned something in the more than 10 years since Ternasky’s death and they look forward to seeing such a skating legend as Plan B back on the skating scene.

Some skaters who have used Plan B boards claim that their flip is not too bad and the boards allow for relatively high ollies, though they are not very durable and are quite heavy and sluggish to use. Other skaters claim that the boards are great if you know what you’re doing; these skaters claim that the short life span of the boards experienced by some is due to improper use and poor skateboarding skills. Many agree that the boards have good concave and very good pop. Essentially, it seems like skaters believe that Plan B boards should be used by experienced skaters and not someone just starting out.