Talking with Reggie Barnes of Eastern Skate Supply

Eastern Skate Supply is arguably one of the largest independent skateboarding distributors in the world, and has been in business for over 27 years.

At Surf Expo, we got a chance to catch up with ESS Owner Reggie Barnes and Sales Manager Jocelyne Tracy about the state of skateboards.

So how is the business for skateboarding…really?

Part of the ESS booth at Surf Expo

Reggie: We’re in the beginning of a growth period. As a company, so much is dedicated to street skating and popsicle shaped boards, but the growth has really been in longboards and cruisers, and that’s the truth even though people are tired of hearing it.

You said business was down, and now it’s up?

Skate sales have been down except in the cruiser market. As a company, most of our business was in popsicle shapes though we have shifted our buys and added other shapes. We have always carried longboards, but we have definitely added a lot more.

Now for years to come, I think we’ll see growth in skateboarding. I really do.

So are shops asking for more shapes and more types of boards?

Nowadays, the average skater has an arsenal of skateboards, so shops should carry a skateboard for everyone. Not just longboards — boards with soft wheels, boards not designed to just ollie and kickflip.

Gas prices are up so kids are using skateboards as transportation. Also it has become fashionable to have a longboard.

Jocelyne: Everybody can stand on a board and ride it if you don’t do tricks. My first skateboard was a plastic skateboard way back in the day, and now they are blowing up.

See Page 2 for ESS’s biggest brand, hot trends

Plastic Boards?

Plastic boards are popular

Plastic boards like Penny Skateboards and Stereo were a huge hit at Christmas. Globe came out with a plastic board, so has GoldCoast, and NHS just released a plastic Banana Board.

Sector 9 was still the best seller for holiday, but the plastic boards like Penny Skateboards were a great addition to our holiday business.

What are the biggest brands you sell?

Sector 9 is our number one skate brand. Everyone looks at Sector 9 as the longboard company.

Plan B is the number one deck for popsicle shapes for us, followed by Element and then Girl.

And the skateboarding business is growing?

Some surf products

We feel like we are in the beginning of a new skateboard growth cycle. People have been saying that to me for the last years and I didn’t believe them, but now I feel them.

Growth is being surged by non-traditional skate shapes. It’s exciting. And not just for decks, but there are so many accessories that come with other shapes as well.

We are selling a ton of slider gloves, trucks, wheels, and high-end bearings.

And you also have Eastern Surf Supply now?

The surf market is maybe only 10 percent of our overall business but it is truly a growing part. We distribute leashes, wax, deck pads, ding repair kits, and now we are expanding into SUP, and carrying some softtop boards.