Birdhouse Skateboards (originally Birdhouse Projects)was founded in 1992 by Tony Hawk and Per Welinder, both former professional skateboarders with...
Birdhouse Skateboards (originally Birdhouse Projects)was founded in 1992 by Tony Hawk and Per Welinder, both former professional skateboarders with Powell Peralta, during a challenging time in the skateboarding world. The popularity of skateboarding had waned after the 1980s boom, and vert skating was on the decline due to the rise of street skateboarding. As their pro careers seemed to be winding down, Hawk and Welinder wanted to stay involved in the sport they loved, so they decided to launch their own brand. Initially, Hawk and Welinder faced significant struggles in establishing Birdhouse. They worked out of a small warehouse in Huntington Beach, cold-calling skate shops to sell their boards. The early days were financially tough, with Hawk even taking out a second mortgage to fund the company. The pair survived on a tight budget, eating simple meals like Taco Bell and peanut butter sandwiches while continuing to skate and pursue their passion.
Despite these hardships, Birdhouse began to gain traction after Hawk’s standout performance at the 1995 X Games, which helped raise skateboarding’s profile and proved the legitimacy of the sport. Over time, Birdhouse became one of the most respected skateboarding brands, known for its talented team and iconic skate videos. The team has included legendary skateboarders like Jeremy Klein, Willy Santos, Andrew Reynolds, Heath Kirchart, Rick McCrank, and Lizzie Armanto, creating some of the most memorable skate videos like The End, Feasters, and Saturdays.
Birdhouse also won Thrasher’s King of the Road competition four times and appeared in Tony Hawk’s video game series, solidifying its place in skateboarding culture. Now, 30 years later, Birdhouse remains a thriving brand with Hawk still regarded as one of the most influential figures in skateboarding, continuing to thrive on its core values of passion, authenticity, and camaraderie.
