Santa Cruz is one of the oldest and most respected skateboard brands in the world. Known for their iconic graphics, smooth ride, and quality builds, these decks also stand out for their toughness.
If you're wondering what makes Santa Cruz skateboard decks so strong, you're in the right place.
Let’s explore the features that give these boards their power, durability, and trusted performance.
What Is a Santa Cruz Skateboard Deck? (Explained for Beginners)
A Santa Cruz skateboard deck is the wooden board that forms the core of a complete skateboard. Made by Santa Cruz Skateboards, a brand founded in 1973, these decks are known for their bold graphics, classic shapes, and legendary durability.
Crafted from North American maple, Santa Cruz decks are built to handle daily riding, tough tricks, and hard impacts. They come in various shapes and sizes for street, park, bowl, and cruise setups, making them perfect for skaters of all styles and skill levels.
What truly sets Santa Cruz apart is their use of advanced construction features like Powerply and VX technology, which improve performance while increasing strength and longevity. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skater, Santa Cruz decks deliver top-tier control, pop, and lasting value.
What Makes Santa Cruz Skateboard Decks Strong? (Top 08 Facts)
Santa Cruz skateboard decks are built with performance and durability in mind. Below are eight powerful reasons why their decks are trusted by skaters worldwide for strength, control, and long-term use.
1. 100% North American Maple: A Tough Foundation
The base of any good skateboard deck starts with the right wood. Santa Cruz uses 100% North American hard rock maple, one of the strongest and most flexible types of wood used in skateboarding. This wood grows slowly in cold climates, which creates dense, tightly-packed fibers. These dense fibers help the deck resist snapping, cracking, or warping under stress.
Maple also gives the board just the right amount of pop and flex. This balance is important for tricks, ollies, and stability when landing.
2. 7-Ply Construction: Built for Impact
Santa Cruz decks are typically built using 7-ply construction. This means each deck is made from seven thin sheets of maple, pressed and glued together for strength. Why seven? It offers the perfect combination of lightweight performance and structural support.
Each ply adds to the deck’s ability to handle pressure and resist breaking. The layered build also helps evenly distribute stress across the board, which is key for skating on rough streets or landing tricks off ledges and stairs.
3. Epoxy Resin Glue: Stronger Bonding
Another hidden strength of Santa Cruz decks lies in their adhesive. Instead of using basic wood glue, Santa Cruz uses epoxy resin, a high-performance adhesive that creates stronger bonds between the maple layers.
This type of glue makes the deck water-resistant and more durable over time. It also helps the deck stay together even after months of daily use. For skaters, this means fewer cracks and less chance of the board splitting or weakening in bad weather.
4. Single Deck Pressing: Consistency Matters
While many brands press multiple decks at once, Santa Cruz often uses single-deck pressing, especially for their high-end models. Pressing each deck one at a time ensures a uniform shape, clean concave, and even pressure distribution.
This process may take more time, but it results in decks that have fewer weak spots and more consistent performance. Whether you buy one deck or five, they’ll all feel the same under your feet.
5. Powerply Technology: Chip-Resistant Design
Santa Cruz’s Powerply technology takes things to the next level. These decks include a fiberglass-reinforced top layer that adds major durability to the board. Powerply helps prevent common damage like edge chipping and tail wear.
This makes the board ideal for skaters who ride every day, grind ledges, or do flip tricks. The fiberglass keeps the deck solid without adding much weight, offering a great blend of strength and control.
6. VX Decks: Maximum Strength and Lightweight Feel
Santa Cruz’s VX line is one of the most advanced in the skateboard world. These decks are built with a 5-ply maple core and two layers of fiberglass, creating a deck that is:
Lighter
Thinner
Stronger
More responsive
VX decks are up to 10 times stronger than regular 7-ply decks. They have longer-lasting pop and better shock absorption, which means fewer breaks, even after heavy use. For skaters who push their limits, VX decks offer the strength to back up every session.
7. Built by NHS, Inc.: A Name You Can Trust
Santa Cruz decks are made by NHS, Inc., a legendary name in skateboarding. With over 50 years of experience, NHS has helped shape the sport and continues to lead with strict quality control and cutting-edge innovation.
Each Santa Cruz deck is carefully tested and designed to meet the demands of beginner and pro skaters alike. From street skating to bowls, vert ramps to parks, these decks are built to last.
8. Rider-Approved: Trusted by Pros
Many professional skaters ride Santa Cruz decks because they can count on their durability and consistent feel. Whether it's aggressive street skating, high-speed downhill, or big transitions, Santa Cruz decks offer the support needed to ride confidently.
If pros can trust their life and career on these decks, they’re definitely strong enough for everyday skating.
Final Thoughts
Santa Cruz decks are made to last. They use strong maple wood, a 7-ply build, and epoxy glue. These parts work together to make the deck strong and stiff.
Santa Cruz also adds fiberglass and carbon fiber to some decks. These materials make the board even tougher without adding much weight.
The company has been making skateboards for over 50 years. They know what skaters need. Their decks are great for tricks, cruising, or riding hard every day.
If you’re wondering, “What are the best skateboard decks?” Santa Cruz is a top pick. Their boards are safe, strong, and fun to ride.
Want a board that lasts and feels great? Go with Santa Cruz.
