Landyachtz Skateboards began not as a business, but as a solution to a problem. In the mid-1990s, Tom Edstrand and Mike Perreten were university students in Victoria, BC, and lifelong skateboarders who wanted to recreate the carving and flow of snowboarding during the off-season. But at the time, there were few—if any—brands offering high-quality longboards that could handle the hills of Vancouver Island. So they built their own. What started in a basement quickly gained traction as they began handcrafting boards tailored for downhill riding, stability at speed, and freeride control. By 1997, Landyachtz was officially born.
The brand’s roots are inseparable from the rugged terrain of British Columbia. Landyachtz was shaped—literally and figuratively—by the steep mountain roads, endless coastal paths, and gritty city streets of the Pacific Northwest. From those early years, they focused on performance-driven shapes built for stability, grip, and fun. One of their earliest breakout designs, the Evo, revolutionized downhill skating with a dropped platform and directional geometry built for control and speed. Other designs like the Switchblade and 9 Two 5 followed, all pushing forward the science and art of riding fast.
Landyachtz has never been a one-trick pony. Over the years, the company expanded its line to include boards for every type of skater—commuters, street riders, freestyle experimenters, and surfskaters. The Dinghy, one of their most iconic shapes, took off as the go-to mini cruiser: lightweight, fast, and fun to ride. With its short wheelbase and surfy feel, the Dinghy allowed for sidewalk slashing and effortless portability, making it perfect for urban settings. Variants like the Dinghy Blunt, Dinghy Fender, and Tugboat added subtle tweaks for wider stances, wheel clearance, and terrain adaptability.
Manufacturing and design remain at the core of Landyachtz’s success. The company operates out of a 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse in East Vancouver that includes a woodshop, prototyping facility, and testing space. Unlike many brands that outsource production, Landyachtz still presses many of their decks in-house. They experiment constantly with concaves, materials, and construction methods. Boards like the Drop Cat, Drop Hammer, and Battle Axe use vertically laminated maple and bamboo cores, paired with fiberglass or cork layers for improved flex and vibration dampening. Their Hollowtech constructions remove excess wood in non-stress areas to reduce weight without compromising strength—an innovation that speaks to their engineering chops.
Environmental responsibility is another core value that sets Landyachtz apart. Through their “One Board, One Tree” initiative, the company partners with tree-planting programs to offset the wood used in deck manufacturing. As of today, they’ve planted over 500,000 trees—an impressive milestone in an industry that relies so heavily on natural resources. This initiative is not just a gimmick but a long-term commitment woven into their brand identity.
At BoarderLabs CalStreets, we’re proud to stock a wide range of Landyachtz gear that reflects the full spectrum of their lineup. We carry everything from the compact, maneuverable Dinghy series to the stable and speed-ready Evo and Drop Cat setups. Our shelves also feature Landyachtz’s new generation of surfskates, like the Butter and Pocket Knife, which use the Bear Banger or CX-style trucks for ultra-responsive, pumpable turns. For LDP riders, the Tony Danza and Super Chief offer extended wheelbases and flex patterns ideal for long-distance pushing or carving miles of coastline path. And for skaters who want it all—Landyachtz’s ATV series bridges the gap between street, park, and cruiser, offering street shapes with softer wheels and reinforced construction.
Landyachtz also produces their own wheels and trucks in-house under the Hawgs and Bear brands. Hawgs Wheels, from Fatty to Mini Zombie and EZ Hawgs, provide grip, slide control, and durability tailored to each board type. Bear Trucks are developed in tandem with their decks, ensuring a perfectly dialed-in ride. Whether you’re looking for reverse-kingpin setups for carving or traditional-kingpin trucks for hybrid terrain, Landyachtz has engineered a system where all components work harmoniously together.
What makes Landyachtz truly special isn’t just the quality of the boards—it’s the culture that surrounds them. The brand supports a diverse and passionate global team of riders and creators, regularly releases skate films and visual art, and remains embedded in the local Vancouver scene. They host community events, support local artists, and stay connected to the pulse of skateboarding as both a sport and a lifestyle.
Landyachtz represents a rare blend of craftsmanship, environmental stewardship, and skate culture authenticity. Whether you’re a beginner picking up your first cruiser or a seasoned hill bomber chasing your next line, there’s a Landyachtz setup waiting to transform your ride. And at BoarderLabs CalStreets—just minutes away from Landyachtz HQ—you’ll find not only the full lineup but also the history, advice, and stoke to match. Whether you’re cruising the seawall, bombing mountain roads, or carving your daily commute, Landyachtz offers a ride that’s built to last and made to inspire. 