How It All Started
Plan B Skateboards was founded in 1991 in San Diego, California by Mike Ternasky, with help from legendary skaters Danny Way and Colin McKay. The brand was created with a vision to redefine the future of skateboarding, bringing together the most talented skaters of the era to form what many consider the first true skateboarding superteam.
Mike Ternasky was already known for his innovative approach to skate videos and athlete management. His idea was simple but ambitious, to give the best skaters a platform where they could push boundaries without restrictions from larger corporate skate brands. Plan B quickly gained recognition not only for its roster but for the quality of its media, direction, and overall impact on the culture.
The Spirit of the Brand
Plan B is defined by progression, precision, and purpose. From day one, it has positioned itself as a brand for skaters who want to break limits and set new standards. While many brands focus on aesthetics or marketing gimmicks, Plan B has always focused on the substance behind the sport.
The aesthetic is clean and bold, with deck graphics and apparel that reflect confidence without being overdesigned. The brand speaks directly to serious skaters, combining performance with an understanding of the street-level mindset. Its tone is never forced or flashy, instead, it represents what skateboarding looks like when it is practiced at its highest level.
Plan B’s cultural impact stems from its commitment to progression. It became a benchmark for excellence and heavily influenced the way skateboarding was filmed, marketed, and performed throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Product Offering
Plan B produces professional-grade skateboard decks, apparel, and accessories. Their decks are known for clean shapes, strong wood construction, and artwork that walks the line between heritage and modern skate culture.
Signature items include pro model decks from team riders, limited edition drops, and capsule collections tied to major skate video releases. Their softgoods line includes tees, hoodies, and hats that reflect the brand’s minimal and refined approach.
While some brands lean into seasonal hype or novelty, Plan B focuses on consistency and skate-readiness. Every item they produce is meant to be worn or used by skaters who demand durability and performance.
Collaborations and Milestones
Plan B has worked with some of the most respected names in skateboarding. Its original roster included icons like Rodney Mullen, Rick Howard, and Pat Duffy. These collaborations were not marketing plays, they were built on mutual respect and shared vision.
The brand also helped change the way skateboarding was filmed, particularly with the release of classic videos like Questionable, Virtual Reality, and Second Hand Smoke. These films set new standards in editing, trick difficulty, and storytelling within the skate world.
After Mike Ternasky’s tragic passing in 1994, the brand paused operations. Years later, it was revived by original riders Danny Way and Colin McKay, who maintained the brand’s original DNA while pushing it into the modern era.
The Mission and What Comes Next
Plan B’s mission remains unchanged since the beginning. Support the best skaters in the world, innovate without compromise, and push skateboarding forward in meaningful ways.
In recent years, the brand has embraced digital storytelling, continued to sponsor some of the world’s top street and vert skaters, and evolved its product line to stay in step with new generations. However, it never lost its roots.
Looking forward, Plan B is committed to inspiring the next wave of progression in skateboarding. Whether through new skate films, team expansion, or performance-focused product innovation, the brand remains focused on impact over image.
Plan B Skateboards continues to represent what happens when talent, vision, and discipline come together under one name. It is more than a brand, it is a legacy in motion.
