Tom Sims was an innovator whose impact on snowboarding and skateboarding lives on in the boards we ride and the culture we celebrate today. Born in Los Angeles in 1950 and raised on the East Coast, Sims was a lifelong board enthusiast who chased thrills on waves, streets, and snow. His journey from his first “sidewalk surfing” experience in the early 1960s to founding SIMS Skateboards and SIMS Snowboards reflects the pioneering spirit that made him a legend.
Sims’ passion for boardsports started young. In 1960, a family visit to Los Angeles introduced him to kids skateboarding on sidewalks. Inspired, he crafted his first board out of a 2×4 with roller-skate wheels, an early DIY experiment that launched a lifetime of creativity. Back in Haddonfield, New Jersey, he honed his skills, building skateboards for friends, using parts from roller-skate rinks, and exploring the best hills around his neighborhood. As the surf and skate scenes gained momentum, Sims pursued his passion with a mix of innovation and entrepreneurship. In the winter of 1963, to stay active in snow-covered New Jersey, he created what he called a “skiboard,” an early version of the snowboard, years before the Snurfer came on the market. This skiboard was the spark that would later become SIMS Snowboards, but the world wasn’t ready just yet.
In 1971, Sims moved to California, seeking waves and hills that could match his love for skateboarding and surfing. He soon began crafting longer skateboards, selling them in surf shops like Channel Islands and Val Surf, spreading his name as a talented board builder. He kept innovating, eventually producing the first wide skateboards, which SIMS debuted in its “3 Ways Wide” ad. This ad shook the industry by promoting a wider deck—one that made narrow boards immediately obsolete. By the mid-1970s, SIMS Skateboards had become a force, with an influential team of riders who pushed the sport forward. In 1975, Sims became the World Skateboarding Champion, solidifying his place in skate history. His boards, including the revolutionary SIMS Superply 9.0 in 1978, helped move skateboarding from narrow decks to more versatile shapes that could handle new tricks and styles.
Tom Sims and Rick Tetz shared a dynamic relationship rooted in their mutual passion for skateboarding. Rick Tetz, a former SIMS team rider, connected with Sims not only as an athlete but also as a fellow pioneer in the industry and freestyle scene. As the owner of CalStreets, one of Canada’s first major skate shops, Tetz became instrumental in promoting SIMS products across the Canadian market, helping the brand and freestyle skateboarding reach a broader audience. Their partnership was more than just business—it was based on shared values of innovation and authenticity in skate culture. Tetz’s experience as a SIMS rider gave him deep insight into the technical aspects and quality of SIMS boards, which he proudly promoted through CalStreets. Together, Sims and Tetz championed the evolution of skateboarding, supporting each other’s ventures and pushing the boundaries of the sport.
As Sims’ skateboarding influence grew, he began focusing on snowboarding. By 1981, he licensed SIMS Skateboards to Brad Dorfman, who brought in notable riders like Steve Rocco and Dave Andrecht, among others. This move allowed Sims to concentrate on expanding SIMS Snowboards, even as skateboarding faced economic struggles, with many skateparks closing during a recession. Dorfman’s involvement helped SIMS Skateboards adapt to the changing market, and Rocco’s eventual departure to found World Industries marked another shift in the industry as street skating gained dominance.
Sims’ impact on snowboarding grew rapidly as he introduced boards designed for serious riders, pioneering many of the technologies and styles that define the sport. Although his shift to snowboarding marked a departure from his skateboarding roots, his contributions remained invaluable across both sports. The SIMS name defined an era, embodying a spirit of independence, innovation, and authenticity. Tom Sims’ legacy is woven into the fabric of skate and snowboard culture. His designs, his competitive spirit, and his vision for boardsports helped shape generations of skaters and snowboarders. From his humble beginnings building boards in New Jersey to his profound influence on snowboarding and skateboarding, Tom Sims lived a “boarding lifestyle” long before it became a movement.
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