The best designs come from a need to fill a void, solving problems that exist, and the passion to make it work. The following rant describes what Earthwing is, and why I bother trying so hard with all that I have.
If skateboarding was golf, tennis, or cycling, you would no doubt see a completely different approach to design. Skateboarding is more or less driven by fashion, or what is cool. The trends and team riders, the exposure of each, MTV, ESPN...it's all marketing. Marketing of the same wooden product, to to the same target market. Earthwing is approaching the niche market of skaters who have a pay check, an opinion about quality, and a persistence to never quit. Earthwing is marketing to itself; a fan of skateboarding past and present, giving a voice to this segment of the market that has somehow gone unheard. All of the initial "babyboomers" of the commercial market in the mid 80's are now 30-35 years old, and are still out there. Many have been here all along, but many have left, and are now dusting off the pads to relive, and exist in the one thing they could count on: skateboarding. They are not easily fooled, and could honestly care less about what the newest trends are in action sports. I am one of those guys. I take skateboarding seriously, and explore every innovation in design. My goal is to find out what is the best street, speed, sprinting, slalom, bowlriding, downhill, carving, and sliding deck that could be made with materials found on Earth. I have produced very detailed carbon/balsa racing decks, Kevlar/birch street decks, graphite/bamboo slalom decks, and everything else you could think up. 
The first Earthwing happened in April of 1999 with a win of the Central Park race. I have spent ridiculous amounts of time and money vacuum pressing race winning decks, and better performing street decks for the last 7 years in my apartment in Brooklyn NY. Skateboarding doesn't have the capital that other industries have. It's up to the individuals to raise the bar, and challenge the industry professionals. If we don't, they will be happy selling wooden skateboards until the end of time, trying to figure out how to convince a skater to buy a $55.00 pro deck over a $29.00 blank knowing that they are the same wooden toy. Marketing is powerful, but the real skaters out there are not so easily fooled, and deserve more. This has been brewing for much too long, and the next big shake down is upon us. The possibilities are truly endless.
The 2006 line introduces a grip of decks that survive any terrain. I am using a woven monofilament thermoplastic fiber that will not frey and give you itchy fingers. It is lighter, stronger, stiffer, and thinner than an average wooden deck without feeling like an unpredictable tin can like some composite decks feel. It feels like a skateboard should, sounds like a skateboard should, and will give you back twice as much as you put in. I am you; a fan, and true believer that deserves more, so I did it myself. Skateboarding is in our hands, and mark my words - I am here for us, trust Earthwing, and I will never give up.
I will stand behind any product I make 100% without question and it will suprise you. If you break a deck, or flat spot a wheel, I will either put you on the team, or buy it back. I would rather go out of business than sell product that doesn't fit Earthwing standards. The best is already here, and even better is on the way, but it will probably be a little more expensive - the cost of progression. If I wanted to make money, I would put my chips on oil, or fashion.
I put my chips on skateboarding for life, no matter what. I am only here to provide the best, or nothing at all. Read Concrete Wave everyday.
Brian Petrie
Founder of Earthwing
Visit http://www.earthwingskateboards.com
Read our interview with Brian Petrie
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