The Iconic Roskopp Face and Santa Cruz Skateboards Overview

The Roskopp Face: An Icon in Skate Culture

Santa Cruz Skateboards stands as one of the most venerable and influential brands in the skateboarding community. Established in 1973 by a trio of surfing enthusiasts in Santa Cruz, California, the company initially made a name for itself with high-quality surfboards before transitioning into the skateboarding realm. Over four decades, Santa Cruz has cultivated a reputation for innovative designs, legendary artwork, and a deep-rooted skate lifestyle.

The brand’s artistic identity is exemplified by iconic graphics like the Screaming Hand, the Mandala, and most notably, the Roskopp face. Introduced in 1985 by the renowned artist Jim Phillips, the Roskopp face has become a symbol of skate culture’s rebellious and artistic spirit, adorning countless decks and merchandise, and inspiring generations of skateboarders worldwide.

Santa Cruz’s Wide Range of Products and Distribution

Beyond skateboards, Santa Cruz’s parent company, NHS Inc., also distributes a variety of related products, including snowboards, surfboards, and a range of skateboard components. Their portfolio encompasses brands like Creature Skateboards, Independent Trucks, Bronson Speed Co., Krux Trucks, Ricta Wheels, Mob Grip, OJ Wheels, and others, making Santa Cruz a comprehensive hub for skateboarders seeking quality and style.

Longboard Collection: Four Distinct Shapes

The Santa Cruz longboard lineup features four primary shapes, each designed for specific riding styles and preferences:

• The Drop-Thru: Known for its stability and ease of pushing, ideal for commuting and freeriding.
• The Compact Pintail: A smaller, agile shape perfect for relaxed cruising and carving.
• The Mid-Size Pintail: Offers a balance between portability and performance, suitable for varied terrains.
• The Drop Down: Provides a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability at high speeds and during downhill rides.

Comprehensive Overview of Santa Cruz Longboards

Below is an organized summary of the main longboard models, their key specifications, pricing, and design variants. For full details and visual references, you can view the complete list in a dedicated Google Sheet.

1. Santa Cruz Drop Through 36′ Longboard

The Drop Through model is a versatile and durable longboard, measuring 36 inches in length and 9 inches in width. Crafted from 9-ply North American Maple, it offers a sturdy platform suitable for heavier riders up to 250 lbs. Its low ride height results from the drop-through mounting, making pushing effortless and providing excellent stability for freeride and downhill riding.

The board’s 26.75-inch wheelbase enhances stability at high speeds, while the W-shaped concave ensures foot retention during aggressive maneuvers. Its sidecuts facilitate smooth carving, and the small twin kicks enable quick turns and tricks. Equipped with 180mm Bullet RKP trucks and 66mm, 78a Santa Cruz Slime Balls wheels, the setup guarantees responsive handling and high grip for carving and downhill sessions.

Design Variants:

• Floral Flame Dot Drop Thru: Features a vibrant fuchsia background with floral motifs and layered artwork including the classic Santa Cruz Dot with blue and white flames. The deck’s top is fully covered with grip tape, hiding the graphic underneath.
• Roskopp Five Drop Thru: Showcases the iconic Roskopp face amidst colorful comic-style characters, exploding with green, yellow, and pink hues.
• Classic Dot Drop Thru: Displays the traditional Santa Cruz Dot on a red background with yellow branding, offering a simple yet elegant look.
• Journey Drop Thru: Illustrates a joyful blue hand carrying a flower, set against a lively background with mushrooms and other whimsical elements.
• Wave Dot Splice Drop Thru: Combines ocean-inspired graphics with surf waves and colorful line patterns, evoking a beachy vibe.
• Mandala Hand Drop Thru: Features psychedelic-style art of the Screaming Hand with intricate, colorful mandala patterns.
• Prismatic Dot Drop Thru: Showcases a pastel gradient with concentric motifs and checkered patterns, centered around the Santa Cruz Dot.

2. Santa Cruz Pintail 33′ Longboard

The 33-inch Pintail is a classic, streamlined shape ideal for cruising and relaxed carving. Its narrow profile widens from tail to nose, with a tapered tail that makes it easy to carry and maneuver in urban environments. The 9-ply maple construction ensures durability and stiffness, capable of supporting larger riders comfortably.

With a 21-inch wheelbase and a mellow W concave, it provides a comfortable, stable ride suitable for exploring streets or bike lanes. The 160mm reverse kingpin trucks and 60mm, 78a Slime Ball wheels deliver smooth, flowing turns and reliable grip for carving and light freeriding.

Design Variants:

• Holo Flame Dot Pintail: Elegant, symmetrical design with contour lines and a subtle Santa Cruz Dot, perfect for those seeking understated style.
• Screaming Hand Pintail: Features the iconic Screaming Hand graphic across the full deck, set against a dark background with red outlines.
• Stranger Things Screaming Hand: A collaboration with Stranger Things, blending spooky themes with Santa Cruz graphics, priced at $218.
• Yin Yang Dot Pintail: Combines Yin-Yang symbolism with bright contour lines, creating a harmonious visual.
• Stipple Wave Dot Pintail: Showcases wave patterns on both sides, with contrasting backgrounds for artistic effect.
• Toxic Dot Pintail: Features vibrant, poisonous-themed graphics in orange, yellow, and pink, with matching top and bottom artwork.
• Wave Dot Splice Pintail: Ocean-inspired with tropical motifs and surf themes, featuring turquoise and pink accents.
• Cabana Dot Pintail: Tropical paradise imagery with palm trees and pastel colors, complemented with a wood veneer top.
• Iridescent Dot Pintail: Exhibits a stunning spectrum of colors with gradient effects, both on top and bottom.
• Obscure Dot Pintail: Dark, flashy graphics with green and blue patterns, with a pink contour line for contrast.
• Rad Dot Pintail: Hypnotic checkered black and red design, enhanced with pink, purple, and orange accents.
• Serape Dot Pintail: Rasta-inspired with bright yellow, red, and green stripes, evoking a lively, sunny vibe.
• Decoder Wave Pintail: Water-themed with turquoise background and wooden veneer top, perfect for fans of oceanic aesthetics.

3. Santa Cruz Large Pintail 39′

The 39-inch Pintail is a scaled-up version of the classic 33-inch model, designed for maximum stability and comfort during cruising. Its longer wheelbase (27 inches) and wider deck (9.6 inches) accommodate larger wheels (up to 72mm) and wider trucks (180mm), making it suitable for high-speed downhill riding and long-distance exploration.

Despite its size, it retains the elegant pintail shape, with a longer nose and tail, providing an excellent platform for relaxed riding and technical carving. The 9-ply maple construction ensures rigidity and support for heavier riders.

Design:

• Amoeba Dot Pintail: Features an organic, amoeba-inspired graphic with vivid red accents and a sleek, artistic finish.

4. Santa Cruz Drop Down 37.5′ Longboard

The Drop Down 37.5-inch is optimized for comfort, stability, and freeride performance. Its low deck height allows for effortless pushing and enhanced balance, making it ideal for long-distance cruising and downhill progression. The wide foot platform, combined with a long wheelbase, provides high stability at speed and during aggressive maneuvers.

This model is equipped with 160mm Bullet RKP trucks and 66mm Slime Balls wheels, ensuring responsive handling and smooth slides. Its functional dual kicks add maneuverability and facilitate technical tricks and switch riding.

Design Variants:

• Botanic Skull Drop Down
• Crane Dot Drop Down
• Toxic Hand Drop Down
• Phase Dot Drop Down
• Obscure Hand Drop Down
• Decoder Roskopp Drop Down
• Split Hand Drop Down
• Contra Eclipse Drop Down

Special Mentions: Vintage and Older Santa Cruz Longboards

Explore a selection of classic, vintage Santa Cruz longboards available on Amazon, including models like the Mahaka Rasta Fade Pintail 39′, Lion God Rasta Drop Thru 40′, and Impact Drop Down 40′. These boards embody the timeless artistry and enduring quality that has defined Santa Cruz for decades.