In the world of skateboarding, there are brands, and then there are lifelines — companies born from necessity, love, and grit. Decomposed Skateboards is one of those rare few. At the heart of it is Witter Cheng, a quiet force in the freestyle community who turned personal passion into global impact, shaping the modern freestyle scene one deck and one act of kindness at a time.
FROM BRUNEI TO BOARD SHAPES
Witter Cheng’s journey began in the late 1970s in Brunei Darussalam. Skateboarding wasn’t exactly booming in the region, but Witter’s first board — a secondhand Grentec passed down by a college-bound friend — lit the fuse. Growing up without much, he learned to stretch every moment and every board to its limit. As the decades rolled on, Witter skated through the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s, moving from Brunei to Australia, and finally settling in the United States, where his deep commitment to freestyle skating began to take root.
A ONE-OFF THAT NEVER STOPPED
Decomposed Skateboards officially started in 2004, born from a moment of necessity. When Capital Skateboards, Witter’s sponsor at the time, shut down, he couldn’t find a freestyle deck that fit his needs — so he made one. That first board, the Freakstyle 1, was meant to be a one-off, a DIY solution to keep him rolling. But other freestylers took notice. Soon, legends like YoYo Schulz, Guenter Mokulys, Keith Renna, Per Canguru, and Russ Howell joined the roster. A community began to form around the shapes and vision of Decomposed.
MORE THAN DECKS
What started as a small operation quickly expanded into the go-to freestyle skate shop. The Decomposed website became a curated hub for hard-to-find gear: freestyle-specific decks, trucks, wheels, griptape, hardware, bushings, risers, and more. From custom deck shapes to ultra-hard bushings made in collaboration with RipTide Sports, Decomposed offers products that are often overlooked by larger skate companies. Many of their offerings are designed exclusively for freestylers — from unique tail shapes to precision-milled freestyle trucks.
They also carry gear from a wide network of global brands, handpicked for their freestyle compatibility. If a product doesn’t serve the technical and creative demands of freestyle skating, it doesn’t make the cut.
A NAME WITH WEIGHT
The name “Decomposed” reflects Witter’s fascination with worn-out decks — once-living trees turned into artifacts of effort and expression. His habit of collecting used, trashed boards became symbolic of the brand: a deep respect for skating’s past, and an awareness that every scar tells a story.
GIVING BACK, STAYING REAL
Unlike many skate companies that pivot into trends or maximize for profit, Decomposed remains fiercely independent — still managed by Witter and his wife Samantha, decades later. They’ve kept the brand true to its roots, using proceeds to support animal shelters and rescue organizations, and maintaining a rider-first approach to everything they do. Decomposed has helped fund contests, support lesser-known riders, and shine a light on a discipline of skateboarding that’s often overshadowed. Their mission is simple but rare: give back to freestyle, spread kindness, and stay passionate. As Witter often says, the day they stop loving what they do is the day Decomposed shuts its doors.
THEIR IMPACT ON FREESTYLE SKATEBOARDING
In a skate world that often chases whatever’s trending, Decomposed stands as a steady foundation for freestyle skaters worldwide. Whether you’re learning walk-the-dogs or throwing down railflips in a parking lot, chances are your setup has been touched by Witter’s legacy. The brand’s commitment to performance gear, historical continuity, and rider support has made it a pillar of the global freestyle scene.
For newcomers, Decomposed is often the first stop when building a real freestyle setup. For veterans, it’s a lifeline to stay in the game. And for everyone in between, it’s a reminder that skateboarding isn’t just about tricks — it’s about community, creativity, and the love that keeps it all rolling.
