Natas Kaupas Skateboard Setup (2026)

Natas Kaupas is an American former professional skateboarder from South Santa Monica, California, born March 23, 1969, of Lithuanian descent. Raised in the area known as Dogtown, Kaupas is credited alongside Mark Gonzales as one of the pioneers of modern street skateboarding. He turned pro in 1984 for Santa Monica Airlines after appearing on the cover of Thrasher doing a wall ride, then at 16 negotiated a manufacturing and distribution deal with Santa Cruz to meet demand for his boards. His panther graphic decks became some of the best-selling boards of the era. Kaupas received the first professional signature skate shoe ever, from Etnies, in 1987. He invented the Natas Spin on fire hydrants, appeared in Santa Cruz's Wheels of Fire (1987) and Streets on Fire (1989), then founded 101 Skateboards in 1991 through World Industries, a label that later developed Eric Koston, Gino Iannucci, and Jason Dill. He was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in 2014. Santa Cruz reissue/Vans.