Made from foam and fibreglass and bursting with colour, Shadow Skates’ distinctive longboard skateboards are built for cruising and long, drawn-out carves. The innovative concept came about when Ian, co-founder and designer, was pondering what to get Hayley for their first Christmas together. He couldn’t decide between buying her a skateboard or shaping her a surfboard so decided to make something of a hybrid between the two. Armed with a background in engineering, Ian began sketches to create something that had the aesthetics of a surfboard but was durable enough to survive on the roads. Satisfied he had met the criteria, he cut a surfboard blank into two pieces and created the first two Shadow Skates. The prototype was a huge success and needless to say Hayley loved her Christmas gift.

Ian wanted to leave an impression but he certainly had not predicted the impression that the boards would make with the rest of the Gold Coast. The pair made a few more and have even introduced a new signature shape to the Shadow family, the Retro. With its shallow-tailed plank and old-school vibes, the Retro Shadow may ignite a sudden urge to grow your hair long and listen to The Beach Boys on repeat as you’re rolling down The Esplanade. With Shadow Skates under your feet, it’s always offshore.