There are anniversary drops, and then there are time-capsules you can actually skate. The new 50th Anniversary Skateboard Hall of Fame Gold Reissue capsule from Madrid Skateboards is a full-on tribute to the shapes, graphics, and personalities that helped define an era—done in a gold-dipped, display-worthy finish that still feels true to what reissues are supposed to be: authentic, rideable history. Built around a tight set of legendary pro models, this series leans into the idea that skateboarding’s past isn’t something to “remember,” it’s something to keep rolling forward—one proper board at a time.
MADRID, JERRY MADRID, AND WHY “SINCE 1976” MATTERS
Madrid’s story starts the way the best skate stories do: with building things yourself because you had to. Jerry Madrid began shaping surfboards in his parents’ Southern California garage, and when the surf went flat, he started shaping skateboards too. By 1976—while also working as a firefighter—he officially founded Madrid and pulled in his brothers Jim and Jeff to help run it. That roots-and-craft origin never really left the brand; it’s why Madrid has always had a strong “factory DNA,” and why their reissues hit differently when they’re pressed from the original moulds and treated like real product, not nostalgia decor.
THE SKATEBOARDING HALL OF FAME CONNECTION
The SHoF stamp on this capsule isn’t just a graphic flourish—it’s a nod to the bigger mission of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum: documenting and honouring the people and companies that shaped skateboarding’s culture, innovation, and style. This gold series lands right in that lane—celebration, preservation, and a tangible object that carries the story forward to the next skater who picks it up.
WHAT’S IN THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY GOLD CAPSULE
This release is a focused set of gold-dipped reissue decks tied to classic pro models and era-defining graphics. Each model in the 50th collection is positioned as a limited collector/run piece, with the “only 200 per model” scarcity that makes them feel like modern artefacts—whether they end up on a wall, under glass, or under your feet. The point isn’t just the colourway; it’s that the shapes and graphics are meant to feel period-correct, with Madrid’s reissue approach built around authenticity rather than re-imagining.
BEAU BROWN: PRO RIDER, FACTORY LIFER, AND GRIP TAPE HISTORY
Beau Brown’s place in this story is deeper than “had a pro model.” In the mid ’80s he rode for Madrid, managed the team, worked inside the factory, and helped kick off one of the most influential behind-the-scenes changes in skateboarding: the birth of Flypaper—often cited as the first skate-company grip tape brand. That blend of riding, manufacturing, and innovation is peak Madrid energy, and it’s exactly why his model belongs in a Hall of Fame–flavoured anniversary capsule.
CLAUS GRABKE: TRANSATLANTIC STYLE, SPEED, AND IMPACT
Claus Grabke is one of those names that carries instant weight because his influence wasn’t confined to one brand or one scene. He came up in Germany, became known worldwide for his skating and style, and moved through major moments in skateboarding culture—spanning brands and eras—while also building a serious music career. That “bigger than one lane” legacy is exactly what anniversary projects should spotlight: not just a graphic you remember, but a skater whose presence pushed the culture outward.
JOHN LUCERO: DIY STREET PIONEER AND THE ARTIST BEHIND THE ATTITUDE
John Lucero’s history reads like a blueprint for the rider-driven, do-it-yourself spine of skateboarding. After rising through the ’80s, he went on to found Black Label Skateboards—a brand known for staying independent and rooted in raw skate values. He’s also long been recognized as a skater who contributed to early street skateboarding’s vocabulary, and as a visual voice with a distinctive, instantly recognizable hand. In a capsule that’s about preserving real lineage, Lucero is a cornerstone name.
KEN PARK: RARE BOARDS, CULT GRAPHICS, AND TRUE OLD-SCHOOL FLAVOUR
Ken Park’s legacy lives in those “if you know, you know” corners of vintage skateboarding—early pro-model history, cult-status boards, and graphics that still hit hard decades later. His name has always carried that deep-cut ‘80s authenticity rather than the obvious headline pick, which is exactly why his inclusion makes this capsule feel curated for the real collectors and lifers.
MIKE SMITH: THE DUCK, THE AD, AND ONE OF MADRID’S MOST COVETED BOARDS
If there’s a Madrid model that has myth built into it, it’s Mike Smith’s Duck. The board first landed in the mid-’80s, became one of the brand’s most sought-after decks, and carries that classic collector lore: early ad appearances, limited sightings, and a graphic that still snaps in any era. In a limited anniversary run, Smith’s model feels like the perfect blend of skate history and pure wall-hanger heat—while still being a board you can actually skate.
WHY THIS CAPSULE MATTERS RIGHT NOW
A 50th anniversary should do more than reprint graphics—it should reconnect the line between craft, culture, and the people who built skateboarding’s foundation. Madrid’s gold Hall of Fame capsule does that by keeping the spotlight on skaters whose stories include factory work, innovation, independent brand-building, and the kind of influence that doesn’t need a trend cycle to stay relevant. These decks aren’t just a look back; they’re a reminder that skate history is a living thing—and the best way to honour it is to keep it in circulation. Whether you hang one like a trophy or skate it like it was meant to be skated, this gold series is a reminder that real legacy isn’t fragile—it’s built to roll. Grab your piece of Madrid history now, because once these are gone, they’re gone for good.
