Building Skateboards Out of Wood Waterskis

Hey everyone – Jeff King here – Host of Fuel TV’s series “Built to Shred.” Today we’re going to show you how to make skateboards out of old water skis. Sometimes people think that you have to go buy a new skateboard to replace your old deck. But there are some alternatives – like finding an old wooden waterski at a yard sale – to make a new (or even cooler, retro looking) skate deck. To check out more skate spots, moto jumps, snowboard rails, wakeboard obstacles and bmx burns, watch “Built to Shred” on Fuel TV or check out previous shows at fuel.tv.

Step 1:

Find a good wooden water ski. Check out garage sales or flea markets for good deals.

Step 2:

First thing you need to do is take off all the old component parts from the waterski.

Step 3:

Then you draw your shape of skateboard deck you want on the waterski, and if you want, you can draw a template on a piece of paper or you can draw it directly on the ski by hand. You can make whatever shape you want and then cut it out with a band saw.

Step 4:

Use a band saw to cut out the shape you just traced. Let the blade do the work and just lightly guide the saw. If you don’t have access to a band saw you can use a jig saw or some kind of a hand saw if you want. Your edges are going be a little bit sharp, so you’re going to have to sand them when you’re done.

Step 5:

Drill holes for your trucks. Just make sure that when you put your trucks on that you center them. Get a straight edge and run it down the length of the ski/board to get the center.

Step 6:

Next you put your grip tape, your trucks and wheels on the board.

Step 7:

Now it’s time to go shred!