Behind the Design: SB Federation Crests

For the USA, the story is of the first, fiery launch— the origin story of skateboarding. Skateboarding was, of course, born out of experimentation and play in the streets of 1960’s California. American skaters can look back to those beginnings, and forward to the global phenomenon skateboarding is today, with a sense of great national pride.

The imagery of the crest combines iconic American symbols—the rose, the eagle, red and white stripes—into the scene of this fiery launch out of North America. The saxophone playing eagles introduce playful characters that, to me, speak to the improvisational, creative, and almost jazz-like nature of skateboarding. Unlike other “sports,” the culture of skateboarding has overlapped with music and art from the very beginning.

So much of skateboarding is about being “in and of the moment”. It is pure frenzy, energy—a response to every surface, texture, and minute crack in the city. The flashes of blue coming from the saxophone out across the blaze of fire symbolize this creative, “in the moment,” energy so particular to skateboarding.

For Japan, the story is of magical underground mastery bubbling beneath the surface and finally erupting into the mainstream for all the world to see.

Though skateboarding was born outside of Japan and took longer to take root there, and perhaps longer, still, for the rest of the world to wake up and take notice, the Japanese skate scene has captured the world’s attention now. In both the street and the arena, Japan has some of the most creative, interesting, and undeniable talent in skateboarding and is an inspiration to skateboarders around the world.

The Japanese crest tells this story of erupting talent. The two koi fish flanking its sides embody the hard work, effort, and courage required to swim upstream—or in skateboarding’s case, go against the grain. The cherry blossom petals passing from the base of the volcano out through its mouth describe the beautiful underground scene that still sits at the foundation of Japanese skateboarding, but has now bloomed and flourished into an irrepressible force that’s taken over the global spotlight.

Skateboarding is for everybody. Skaters come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and ability levels. They span continents, classes, and gender spectrums.

The agnostic crest depicts four unique orchid species running vertically from top to bottom. Below, sit two chameleons at opposite ends of the vast and wavy earth connecting them.

Orchids are one of the most diverse plant species on the planet, with 28,000 varieties, while chameleons have the ability to transform almost infinitely, taking on ever-changing rare, beautiful, and unpredictable colors.

Together, these crest elements represent the endless variety and boundless individuality that is so central to skateboarding and its global community.