Here’s a blast from the past aimed at all of you appreciators of innovative late 80s/early 90s street skating…or maybe just people who enjoy rocking a steady white hoody…

Santa Monica Airlines was the legendary skateboard company run by Z-Boys founder Skip Engblom, which ultimately became the first sponsor of modern street skating pioneer Natas Kaupas. Though originally run out of the back of his surf shop in Santa Monica – where Engblom shaped all the early boards by hand – in 1988 Skip helped Steve Rocco establish ‘SMA Rocco Division’, which later became World Industries and went on to change the face of the skateboard industry for good. A year later in 1989, Santa Monica Airlines was bought by NHS where the name was shortened to SMA, then in 1993 the brand folded completely and the remaining team were distributed around various other NHS companies.

“Here’s a blast from the past aimed at all of you appreciators of innovative late 80s/early 90s street skating…or maybe just people who enjoy rocking a steady white hoody…”

Over his years as a pro for Santa Monica Airlines, Natas had his name attached to several timeless graphics, including this ‘Kitten’ number which originally reared its head in 1990. Playing on his massively popular and now iconic ‘Panther’ graphic which had been a huge seller for Santa Monica Airlines since it’s initial release in 1984, the ‘Kitten’ reworking – once again drawn by Jim Phillips – simply took the familiar triangle housing and swapped out the menacing pouncing panther for a rather placid looking kitten.

Santa Cruz have played to the collectors market quite a lot over recent times and have issued several classic Santa Monica Airline graphics on their signature heavyweight hoodies. This particular one comes with the OG Santa Monica Airlines logo printed on the front breast, with the ‘Kitten’ graphic printed boldly on the back.

Go forth and snap one up at will, then head out and shred some curbs like it’s 1990 all over again.

• SANTA CRUZ – NATAS SMA HOODY
• RRP: £59.99
• SANTACRUZSKATEBOARDS.COM