This chapter discusses the release of the barnyard skate deck in 1989, the first ever pro model double kick board and the first double kick board to be mass produced. It explores what attracted skaters to the barnyard board, including Mike Vallely's star power, the innovative shape of the board, and its unique and memorable graphics. The chapter highlights how the barnyard board marked a new era in skateboard graphics and discusses its impact on the skateboarding industry.
Watch a skate video today, and you'll notice how similarly shaped the boards are. It’s called the “popsicle” design, because the deck is narrow in the middle and rounded off at both ends, like a popsicle stick. This may seem stupid simple, but that basic, clean popsicle shape is actually the product of a lot of experimentation and iteration. In 1989, one particular board would cement skateboard design as we know it. But to understand it, we have to go back over a decade to the mid-70s, as more and more money poured into the growing sport.
The Double Kick