🛹 Paul Schmitt: The Professor of Skateboarding

Paul Schmitt isn’t just a skateboarder—he’s a craftsman, innovator, and educator whose fingerprints are all over the evolution of modern skateboarding. Known affectionately as “The Professor,” Schmitt’s legacy is less about flashy tricks and more about shaping the very boards skaters ride.

📍 Early Life & First Push

• Born: 1963 in La Crosse, Wisconsin

• Started Skating: At age 10 in 1973, on a clay-wheeled board bought for $3

• Moved to Florida: In 1975, where skateparks and ramps began to flourish

Schmitt’s early fascination with building things—tree forts, go-karts, and theater sets with his dad—naturally extended to skateboarding. By his teens, he was already experimenting with grab rails and deck construction.

🛠️ Inventor Before Influencer

Paul wasn’t known for signature tricks but for engineering breakthroughs:

• Schmitt Stix Rails: Made from UHMW plastic, these were among the first slide rails used on boards

• Deck Innovation: He pioneered concave decks with long kick noses, rounded edges, dyed veneers, and responsive stiffness

• Air Frame Construction: Introduced air cavities in decks to preserve pop and longevity

His boards were pressed under his mom’s car tire before he built a hydraulic press in his bedroom—pure DIY genius.

🏢 Building the Industry

Paul’s influence exploded when he moved to California in 1985:

• Schmitt Stix: His first brand, which gained traction with riders like John Lucero and Jeff Grosso

• PS Stix: Founded in 1987, this became one of the largest skateboard manufacturers in the U.S.

• Brands He Built For: Alien Workshop, Element, New Deal, Girl, Acme, Mad Circle, and more

He’s pressed over 19 million decks in his career—an astonishing figure that reflects his behind-the-scenes dominance.

🎥 Media & Education

• TransWorld Column: Authored “Technically Speaking,” sharing insights into board design

• CreateAskate.org: A nonprofit launched in 2007 that lets students build their own skateboards, blending art, engineering, and math

• Thrasher Magazine: Documented Florida’s backyard ramp contests in the early '80s

🏆 Recognition & Legacy

• Skateboarding Hall of Fame Inductee (2020): Honored for his lifelong contributions

• Nickname: “The Professor”—a nod to his deep technical knowledge and mentorship

📦 What’s He Up to Now?

Paul Schmitt continues to run PS Stix, quietly crafting decks for top brands while mentoring the next generation through CreateAskate. He’s still deeply involved in manufacturing, always pushing the boundaries of what a skateboard can be.

💡 Why Skaters Love Him

Paul Schmitt may not be the guy doing 360 flips down 12 stairs, but he’s the reason those tricks are even possible. His obsession with quality, performance, and innovation has made him a legend—not just in skateboarding, but in design and education.

If you’ve ever stepped on a skateboard that felt just right, chances are Paul Schmitt had something to do with it.

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