Almost Skateboards
| File:Almost Skateboards logo.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Headquarters | El Segundo, California, U.S. |
Key people | Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song |
| Products | Skateboard decks, equipment, apparel, accessories |
| Website | almostskateboards |
Almost Skateboards is a U.S.-based skateboarding brand established in 2003 by professional skaters and business partners Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song. The company specializes in manufacturing skateboard decks crafted from 7-ply, 8-ply, and carbon fiber materials, bonded with resin-based epoxy glue. Since 2014, Almost Skateboards has been distributed through Dwindle Distribution.
2003–2006: Establishment, Round Three, Cheese & Crackers
Following their departures from enjoi and Artafact, Mullen and Song founded Almost Skateboards, driven by a shared commitment to advancing skateboard innovation. The collaboration was initiated by Mullen after Marc Johnson left enjoi, creating an opening to launch a new venture alongside Song.
The initial roster featured riders such as Cooper Wilt, Chris Haslam, Ryan Sheckler, and Greg Lutzka. Their inaugural video release, Almost: Round Three (2004), highlighted these team members and played a significant role in establishing the brand’s identity within the skateboarding community.
In 2006, the company introduced its first amateur rider, Lewis Marnell, who appeared in a bonus segment of the Cheese and Crackers video. This approach reinforced the brand’s marketing strategy by combining team exposure with innovative product showcases.
2007–2013: Team changes, 5-Incher, Marnell’s passing
In early 2007, Sheckler departed Almost to join the revived Plan B Skateboards. That same year, Torey Pudwill was added as an amateur and elevated to professional status alongside Marnell in 2008. To celebrate Marnell’s pro transition, Song and videographer Socrates Leal created a parody video called "Almost Filmer Asshole," which introduced his debut pro deck featuring a lion adorned with a Rastafarian flag.
Pudwill followed Sheckler to Plan B in March 2010. Subsequently, Justin Schulte joined Almost as an amateur after a trial period; he had previously been sponsored by Element Skateboards. In May 2010, Greg Lutzka left Almost to sign with Darkstar. Later that year, German amateur Willow—formerly of Flip Skateboards—was added to the team with an online welcome video.
In October 2012, Haslam presented Willow with his first professional deck during an autograph session in Germany. On November 26, 2012, "Willow's World," a full-length segment edited by Mike Manzoori of Sole Technology, premiered on the Transworld Skateboarding website to showcase Willow’s professional status. Earlier, in April 2011, Youness Amrani joined Almost as an amateur rider.
The brand released its third video project, 5-Incher, in June 2012. This film introduced amateur Mitchie Brusco along with a "flow" squad consisting of Matty "Schmatty" Chaffin, CJ Tambornino, Michael Sommer, and Issey Yumiba—riders who were not yet salaried team members. All active team riders appeared except for Mullen, who was sidelined due to injury. By this time, Schulte was no longer part of the lineup. 5-Incher also marked Marnell’s final video appearance before his passing in January 2013 from diabetes-related complications.
In August 2013, Almost partnered with Nike SB and TransWorld Skateboarding on "Marrakesh Express," a multimedia feature spotlighting amateur Youness Amrani. Videographer Chris Thiesson captured Amrani’s skating journey across Morocco—from Casablanca through Marrakesh—emphasizing his Moroccan heritage alongside his Belgian upbringing.
2013–present: "Almost Famous" and 10th Anniversary Celebration
In December 2013, the brand introduced the "Almost Famous" series on Tony Hawk's RIDE YouTube channel, spotlighting skateboarder and artist Brian Lotti alongside a contest for the most impressive trick.
The brand commemorated its 10th anniversary in March 2014 with an event held at the Berrics skate facility, where Amrani was honored with his inaugural professional skateboard deck. A retrospective video titled "10 Years of Almost," created by videographer Socrates Leal, showcased the evolution of the company. At the same time, Almost launched a collaborative skateboard deck collection in partnership with DC Comics, broadening its product range.
Throughout 2014, Daewon Song achieved victories in two Berrics competitions: "2 UP" in March—a manual contest featuring custom obstacles and professional skaters such as Brandon Biebel and Chris Cole—and "In Transition" in October, which invited selected skateboarders to film transition (vert) skateboarding segments at various locations. These wins further solidified the company's influence and active role within the skateboarding community.
Passing of Lewis Marnell
On January 20, 2013, Almost Skateboards announced the passing of Lewis Marnell, who had recently released a video segment titled 5-Incher within the prior six months. Specifics surrounding his death were not publicly shared. Marnell was a cherished team rider whose impact extended through signature products and shaping the brand’s identity.
Tributes poured in from teammates and company leadership via social media, acknowledging Marnell’s positive spirit and commitment to skateboarding as a career. Daewon Song remembered him as a generous and motivating friend, while Chris Haslam posted images demonstrating Marnell’s creativity, including a custom-built bicycle equipped with integrated speakers. Luis Cruz, Almost’s brand manager, highlighted Marnell’s enduring influence within the Almost family.
Following his death, Almost Skateboards prominently featured Marnell in its spring 2013 product catalog with signature decks and a memorial portrait bearing the inscription "LEWIS MARNELL NEVER FORGOTTEN 1982 – 2013." The "Almost Famous" video series dedicated an episode named "Lewis Marnell Forever" in his honor.
As of late 2014, Marnell remained listed on the company’s team roster, and his signature skateboard deck continued to be available through the Holiday 2014 catalog, with all proceeds donated to his family. This practice underscores Almost’s dedication to honoring influential team members while supporting their families, reinforcing its community-oriented business philosophy.
Carbon Fiber Construction Decks
- The Über Light is a 7-ply Resin deck incorporating a carbon fiber inner layer along with a foam core, resulting in a board that is stronger, lighter, and stiffer compared to traditional wooden decks. Originally released as a limited run of 500 "Über Experimental" boards, it entered regular production by May 2012. Designed by Mullen, the latest Super Uber Light V3 model is featured in Almost Skateboards' "Spring 12" catalog.
- The Impact Support deck consists of an 8-ply Resin construction enhanced by die-cut carbon fiber discs positioned around truck mounting points to prevent pressure-induced cracking. It offers improved strength and reduced weight relative to Almost's Resin-7 and Resin-8 decks and comes with a 30-day warranty.
- Introduced in 2010, the Double Impact series combines carbon fiber discs with Resin-6 construction complemented by a carbon fiber top sheet. This design delivers superior durability and lighter weight than the Impact Support model and includes a 45-day warranty.
Contests
In 2011, Almost nearly launched the "Double Impact Contest Series" in collaboration with Liberty Boardshop, making its first appearance at the Brea 12 set. The trick that secured victory was a switch-stance 360-flip.
The second installment of the contest occurred in August 2012 at Springfield Skatepark in Oregon, organized alongside Tactics skate shop. The grand prize was a skateboard delivered monthly for an entire year, which Scott Grady earned by performing a nollie backside heelflip and a switch varial heelflip.
The Europe Impact Tour kicked off in January 2013, showcasing performances by Haslam, Amrani, and Wildgrube. Double Impact contests were integrated into tour dates, beginning with the inaugural event in Berlin at Skatehalle-Berlin skate park. Winners were awarded a year’s worth of Almost skateboard decks; notably, the Berlin champion was photographed holding Wildgrube’s signature "Willow" model deck.
Professional
- Rodney Mullen
- Youness Amrani
- Yuri Facchini
- Max Geronzi
- Tyson Bowerbank
Former
- Ryan Sheckler (Sandlot Times Skateboards)
- Greg Lutzka (Darkstar Skateboards)
- Torey Pudwill (Thank You Skateboards)
- Lewis Marnell (deceased)
- Chris Haslam (Brainchild Skateboards)
- Daewon Song (Thank You Skateboards)
- John Dilo (Jacuzzi Unlimited)
- Sky Brown
- Mitchie Brusco
Amateur
- Fran Molina
- Aaron Kim
- Titi Gormit
- Mikel Vidal
Locals
The "Almost Famous" initiative introduced the concept of "Almost Locals," referring to skateboarders who receive decks without being official team members—a status commonly known as "flow."
- Filipp Lepikhin
- Issey Yumiba
- CJ Tambornino
- Jean-Marc Johannes
- Daryl Dominguez
- Micky Mariano Papa
- Christopher Chann
Matty "Schmatty" Chaffin initially appeared among the "flow" riders in 5-Incher but subsequently joined DGK ("Dirty Ghetto Kids"). He was officially recognized as a DGK flow rider in 2012 and progressed to professional rank with Mystery Skateboards by 2016.
Staff
- Luis Cruz – Brand Manager
- Eric Wollam – Designer
- James Craig – Team Manager
Videos
- Almost: Round Three (2004)
- Almost Cheese & Crackers (2006)
- Almost 5-Incher (2012), directed by Colin Kennedy (The Berrics) and produced by Brand Manager Luis Cruz