Video games aren’t the only things I dream I’m in. Occasionally I’ve been known to have absurd notions that I am sponsored by a skateboard company and that it puts my eyes on a deck it calls “Private Eyes”. Then the realization that that’ll never happen brings me home.

Now, Zazzle.com is making my dreams come true (minus the getting sponsored part) with the launch of their custom skateboard deck shop. Throw your design into Zazzle’s customization system, and they’ll print it up and have it out the door within 24 hours. Decks are available in a variety of different designs and sizes to fit any style you’re going for. Starting at $60, it’s only slightly more than a standard deck design you’d purchase at a skate store and almost half the price of Element’s Push Deck. The difference is that this deck can have any design on it. And I do mean anything.

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Inventor Spot wrote up a list of 10 companies they feel create great skateboard deck designs. The companies listed are well known skateboard developers that focus on designs that are anything but ordinary. Element undoubtedly made the list, as well as a few of my other favorites such as Krooked and Baker.

What really disappointed me about the list was the exclusion of Enjoi, a company I believe stands taller than at least five others listed. Graphic artist Winston Tseng designs most of Enjoi’s catalog by himself and has created some fresh and intriguing art that is definitely worth the recognition. Seriously, who the fuck rides Alien Workshop anyway? Rob Dyrdek?

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Remember that carbon fiber Element Push deck? We were impressed by the craftsmanship of the board, so the folks at Element sent us one to check out. Specifically, the Atchley Stealth. The precise manufacturing that goes into making this deck is incredible and I’m glad we got our chance to take it for a test ride. We’ve even got a video showing the board off with my brother David varial kick-flipping and doing what I like to call the “hot abortion.”

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The lightest most durable decks to hit store shelves, Element’s new “Push Construction Positive Negative” series of decks is leading by example and showing old-timers that wood isn’t good. Element had previously released a featherlight helium deck which trapped air in between the layers of the deck. Combining that with with carbon fiber material has spawned the first three pro-skateboarding sponsor Push Constructions: the “Darrell,” the “Muska” and the “Tave”.

Less wood equals responsible foresting and a more eco-friendly board than others. But skaters don’t care about clean air and clean streets. All they’re looking for is a mean grind and people to piss off.

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Lots of cool skateboard designs pop-up on the web, but these laser-etched skateboard decks are some of the coolest we’ve seen yet. Would you get one of these to ride it or would you just hang it on a wall and frame it? This is one piece of art deserving admiration towards its creativity at every glance. After the jump, some of our favorites: (more…)

Skateboarding isn’t for everyone, though Ryan is pretty decent at it. Take Tougher Than Leather - a Greek-inspired skateboard that is made to order from Greece Is For Lovers. Though it looks beautiful and the strap-in style deck is similar to snowboarding, I can see a lot of ankles getting twisted trying to pull off tricks on this board.

They don’t list a price and considering that the board features intricate writing, stitching and craftsmanship, I bet it isn’t cheap. Skating in New York with this board? Not a chance. Stick to the Enjoi.

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