In 1985, in a small northern California garage, Dave Bergthold founded Blockhead Skateboards, a brand that would go on to make a lasting mark on the skateboarding world. It started as a personal project born out of a lifelong love for skating.
Dave had been obsessed with skateboarding since the age of ten, but after two years of college and an uninspiring architecture internship, he realized that his true calling wasn’t in office buildings but in the world of skateboarding.
At the time, the skate industry was in a lull, and major companies were nowhere near Dave’s hometown. So, rather than seek employment, he asked himself, “Why not start my own company?” Drawing inspiration from his grandfather, who had built Dave’s first skateboard, he decided to follow a DIY approach. With a modest $3,000—saved up from pizza deliveries and some school money—Dave launched Blockhead. His vision wasn’t just about building skateboards; it was about creating something fresh and creative in the scene.
The first year was tough, but Blockhead was fueled by determination. With the help of family and friends, boards were screen-printed and shipped out from his parents’ garage. His home phone number was even published in ads, leading to late-night calls from excited skaters overseas. Dave’s big gamble was spending a chunk of his savings on a full-page ad in Thrasher magazine, believing that no one took a brand seriously unless it filled a whole page. The risk paid off, and Blockhead started to gain attention.
As Blockhead grew, Dave brought in friends to help, including long-time skate buddy Sam Cunningham and young artist Ron Cameron, whose distinctive artwork would become synonymous with the Blockhead style. Together, they created memorable designs like Sam’s “Evil Eye” graphic, which helped establish the brand’s visual identity. In 1986, the company outgrew Dave’s garage and moved into a cramped former dentist’s office in Roseville. There, Blockhead built its first mini-ramp, setting the stage for late-night sessions that would shape the company’s culture.
By the late ’80s, Blockhead was riding high. The company added top pros Jim Gray and Mark Partain, along with rising star Omar Hassan, to its team. The demand for their products soared, particularly with the introduction of the Wild Things wheels. As Blockhead expanded, it created the first “Blockhead Ramp,” a legendary mini-ramp that became a focal point for the local skate scene.
In 1988, Blockhead received a “sponsor me” tape from a young Canadian skater named Rick Howard. After watching it over and over, Dave and the team knew they had found something special. Rick was immediately added to the roster, a decision that would prove pivotal for both Rick’s career and Blockhead’s legacy.
That same year, Blockhead was approached by Tracker Trucks, which offered to license the brand and move the operation to Oceanside, California. Though Dave was hesitant to leave Northern California, the opportunity to take Blockhead to the next level was too good to pass up. In January 1989, Blockhead relocated, taking with them their DIY ethos and hopes for greater success.
After the move, Blockhead released its “Hard Times” line, one of the first price-point products in the industry. By using single-color graphics and simplifying wheel printing, they were able to offer affordable skateboards without sacrificing quality. This approach helped make skating more accessible while still keeping the brand’s core values intact.
Today, nearly four decades later, Blockhead is still thriving. Dave, now a veteran of the industry, reflects on the journey with pride: “We’re looking back but charging forward!” The company continues to reissue some of its classic designs, like the iconic Notch Nose and Just Another graphics, while also introducing new products such as the Strip Mall Surfers and Clay Pigeons wheels.
Blockhead recently released a new full-length skate video featuring team members old and new, including Laban Pheidias, Chris Lambert, Jesse Hotchkiss, and original crew members like Ron Cameron and Sam Cunningham. With guest appearances by legends like Jeremy Wray, Rick Howard, and Omar Hassan, the video shows that Blockhead’s influence in skateboarding is as strong as ever. And to top it all off, Dave himself can be seen grinding down a mountain—proof that Blockhead’s adventurous spirit is alive and well.
Blockhead may have started in a garage, but its impact has reached far beyond. Fueled by creativity, passion, and the belief that skateboarding should always be fun, Blockhead continues to inspire skaters everywhere.
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