Shop Blog

Name: Mike Mcgill’s Skate Shop
Location: 335 S. Coast Hwy Ste. S. Encinitas, Ca 92024
Owner: Mike McGill
Brands: Adio, Alien Workshop, Anti-Hero, A42, Almost, Birdhouse, Boneless, Blind, Baker, Bones, Blacklabel, Chocolate, Circa, Concrete Wave, Comet, Crooks, Darkstar, Dcshoeco, Destructo, Designarium, DGK, Diamond, Dogtown, DVS, Es, Emerica, Etnies, Enjoi, Element, Expedition, Fallen, Flip, Firm, FKD, Foundation, Fourstar, Fury, Ghetto Child, Girl, Globe, Gold Wheels, Gravity, Grind King, Habitat, Hook-Ups, Independent, Innes, Ipath, Jessup, Kr3w, Krooked, Krux, King Rails, Lakai, Lucky, Matix, Mob, Mystery, Nixon, Norcal, One Eight Seven, Organika, Pig, Plan B, Planet Earth, Phantom, Powell, Peralta, Popwar, Protec, Poolking, Rasa Libre, Randal, Real, Reflex, Ricta, Royal, Rush, Sacrifice, Santa Cruz, Shorty’s, Silver, Speed Demons, Speedmetal, Spitfire, Stereo, Swiss, Sector 9, Tail Devil, Tensor Firm, Thunder, Tracker, Tensor, Torch, Toy Machine, TSG, Vans, Venture, World Industries, Zero, Z-Flex  and Zooyork

Hours Of Operation:
11am - 7pm  Monday-Friday
10am - 7pm  Saturday
11am - 6pm  Sunday

Years In Business: 21
Contact: (760) 943-7730 questions@mcgillsskateshop.com, mcgillsskateshop.com
 
Since 1987, Mike McGill’s Skate shop has been providing professional quality skateboard goods to skateboarders of all levels. We take pride in being a 100% skateboarder owned and operated business. The skateboard community deserves a skateboard exclusive shop operated by people who live and breathe skateboarding. We do our best to feature all your favorite skate companies and their products, as well as providing the best in customer service. Our success is directly linked to the shops friendly atmosphere and skilled employees. Feel free to call or stop by and ask our knowledgeable skate-staff any questions you might have. We have been labeled the “Cheers” of skate shops, a place where everybody knows your name and you’re always glad you came. Come to where the Pros go and trust. Some of our regulars include: Jake Brown, Chad Bartie, Lindsey Robertson, Ryan Bobier, Bob Burquist, Ryan Gallant, Ben Gilley, Pierre Luc Gagnon, Bucky Lasek, Kyle Leeper, Joe Pease, Lester Kasai, Chris Miller, Matt Mumford, Slash, Rune Glifberg, Steve Steadham, Jamie Thomas, Danny Way, Adrian Domain, and Tony Hawk.

We pride ourselves on having one of the largest selection of boards to choose from. Roughly 600 boards make up our stock from your favorite brands to some just emerging onto the scene, all organized from A to Z, all year long. Everything from the smallest minis for toddler size skaters, to skatepark and pool size boards for older skate veterans, to a huge section dedicated to old school and vintage boards from Powell Peralta, Santa Cruz, Dogtown, Alva, Santa Monica Airlines, Pocket Pistol, Hosoi, Vision, Madrid, Punk Rock Skateboards, Schmitt’s Stix, Creature, Krooked, Z-flex, Real, and Pool King to name a few. Let our skate-staff help you choose the right board for your size and skate style. Also on our floor are four extra large longboard racks which hold most of what Sector 9 and Gravity have to offer as well as other brands like SkateDesigns, Z-Flex, Loaded, Carve Boards, Pool King, SkateOne, and more. Our selection allows us the ability to offer something for the whole family.

To match our selection of boards we stock an equal variety of trucks, wheels, and bearings. For example unlike most shops we always have a full stock of all 5 sizes of independent trucks, 129 thru 215 in all colors available, as well as the new low profile Indy truck in both sizes and all colors. The rest of our truck selection is stocked the same and includes: Thunder, Thunder Lites, Venture, Krux, Royal, Grind King, Tracker, Destructo, Tensor, Silver, Fury, Force, Torch, Bullet, and Industrial trucks.  We also carry mini trucks from Grind King, Venture, and Industrial that are designed to accommodated the narrower width of mini decks and the weight of little guys. Wide, Old school, vintage, and longer boards often times require wider or specialty trucks like Randall, Bennet, Tracker, and larger Independent trucks, which we keep in great supply.

Wheels! Wheels! Wheels! We stock so many wheels! Super small street wheels, park and pool wheels, vintage and re-issue wheels, smaller softer wheels ideal for beginners, and huge grippy  wheels for those looking for high down hill speeds. Spitfire, Bones Street Tech and Bones Skatepark Formulas, Ricta, Gold, Flip, Plan B, Zero, Mystery, Girl, Chocolate, Baker, Element, OJ’s, Santa Cruz, Bullet, Powell Peralta Re-issues, Sector 9, Gravity, What, Alligator, and Abec 11, are just a few of the brands we carry. Just as important is the large selection and knowledge of the bearings we showcase. For many, bearings can be a confusing and frustrating product to purchase. Bearing range from low end ten dollar bearings to high end 100 dollar bearings. Our expert staff will be happy to explain the differences and help you choose the best bearings for your skill level and budget.

Our pad and helmet wall is always heavily stocked and ready to protect anyone no matter where you ride. Whether your riding the huge vert ramp at the Encinitas YMCA or skating the streets: 187, Boneless, Scabs, S-One, PRO-TEC, Airspeed, and TSG all make pads that will suit your needs, from pro vert knee pads, to street and park elbow and knee pads, to wrist guards, to Smith and Gladiator knee gaskets, and we stock all of them year round. We also have a great selection of junior kits from Airspeed, TSG, Bullet, S-One, PRO-TEC, and Boneless to choose from. Helmets are no different we stock PRO-TEC, Bell, TSG, Viking youth, and S-One helmets in many different styles and colors. Including Bright colors like lavender and baby blue for the girls. With so many companies and styles of pads and helmets to choose from our expert staff will help guide you and make sure you get a set that fits you best.

Our shoe selection is ready to equip the toughest of street and park riders as well as anyone going out for a night on the town. We stock sizes from 10K for the little ones to size 15 in Men’s from the most popular brands in skateboarding footwear: Adio, Circa, DC, Dekline, Es, Emerica, Fallen, I-path, Lakai, Supra, Vox, and Vans. We stock shoes designed in full suede and gum soles for those who know their great grip and durability on the streets to full synthetic shoes for easy cleaning and vegan lifestyles. We stock the latest and greatest styles from all these brands but with how quick we can go through shoes we also have many different sale shoes and less expensive shoes to chose from.

McGill’s clothing selection is as core as it gets. The shop is full of clothing from true skate brands like Independent, Kr3w, Spitfire, Thrasher, Planet Earth, Black Label, Innes, Toy Machine, Element, Vans, Emerica, Es, Zoo York, Fallen, Zero, Mystery, Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta, Enjoi, Blind, Matix, Slave, and more. Strictly apparel designed for skateboarding. Come in and take a look at our range of high-end premium denim and premium t-shirts to more economically priced styles to fit your budget.

Only one thing left to speak of, and the most important, our staff. We are our greatest asset.
Staff includes (pictured from left to right):
James Nys - Manager, skateboarding since his conception, a true skateboard addict, loves and knows more about skateboarding, skate equipment, and music than anyone we know, working on his 10th year at McGill’s.
Walter Gironas - Assistant Manager, street and skate park killer, studying digital arts, great skateboarding instructor, avid photographer, always smiling, always helpful, loves his skateboard, and we love him!
Mike McGill - Owner / Legend, like his days in the Bones Brigade still McTwists on a regular basis, teaches us something new everyday, there’s no better boss because he’s always been more of a best friend, and we have him to thank for this great place that we work.
Jean David Hutchings (JD) - General Manager, first skateboard at the age of 8, loves skating transitions, can fully grip a board in under 60 seconds, skilled graphic artist and photographer, extremely helpful, working on his 10th year at McGill’s.

More than anything we love working with what we love to do, skateboarding, and we hope after visiting us you will love it even more. For everything you could ever need from people you can always trust, McGill’s is your only stop.

Name: UNIV
Location: 1053B SOUTH COAST HWY 101 ENCINITAS CA 92024 and 100 Collins Avenue #2,3 Miami Beach FL
Owner: MIRKO MANGUM, TIM SWART
Number of Employees: 6
Brands: SHORT LIST: UNIV, Coup De Grace, Nike SB, Stussy, Crooks & Castles, Vans, Alphanumeric
BIG LIST: UNIV, Coup De Grace, Nike SB, Stussy, Crooks & Castles, Vans, Brixton, New Balance, Alphanumeric, Hellz Bellz, Clae, The Hundreds, Insight, Fiberops, Haze, Nooka, Lovewright, Sperry, Bruxe,
Beta Unit, Know1edge, Upper Playground, Ludwig, Pidgin Orange,Dekline, Marc by Marc Jacobs
Hours Of Operation: Everyday 10-7
Years In Business: 2
Closest Resort: Big Bear
Contact: 760-942-UNIV… flo@univ-shop.com… univ-shop.com, robustflavor.com

The UNIV concept shop opened in 2006 in the sleepy little beach town of Encinitas Calif. UNIV features its own line of apparel and accessories for men/women and also uniquely selected footwear and other items from key independent brands. The focus has been to create an inviting cultural aesthetic that brings a different perspective to a traditional action sports town. Our interests our wide and we present our world of inspiration to our customers every day. We snowboard in the winter and recently did a ultra-limited collaboration with our bros at Signal Snowboards.

Exclusive art concept by artist Chrissy LoConti.  This is a snowrev bag for girls.

Chrissy designed a majority of the Snowrev products and is now introducing her own line of jewelery and apparel called Dirty Pretty Things.  Be on the lookout for it very soon.

I used to work in one of the biggest snowboard shops in the world.

The name of the store is Wave Rave Snowboard Shop and its located in Mammoth Lakes California. I worked there for about three years under the supervision of owner Steve Klassen, GM Tim Gallagher, Alex Wells and Dawn True. Working for Wave Rave was definitely an experience I will never forget.

I started working at Wave Rave in 2002 and immediately felt like I was family and that Wave Rave was my home. I would spend more time at the shop than I would at my condo. All of my friends during my first season were working there, and at one point five kids from my home town Jamestown New York worked in the shop. This was a great time.

Everyone was so supportive of me as a snowboarder and their encouragement lead me to do many great things with my riding.  They helped me get sponsorships and pushed me to ride everyday.  One of Steve Klassen’s requirements for working at Wave Rave is you have to love to snowboard and ride as much as possible.  He really encourages snowboarders to ride and loves to employee kids that are as passionate about riding as he is.  Steve is a pro snowboarder and has been shredding in Mammoth since before they allowed it.  Steve is one guy who is willing to do anything for his employees and looks out for his whole crew.

I remember the sales training and product knowledge Wave Rave used to offer.  It is something I will always carry with me and use it everyday.  “Sparc it up”.

to be continued.

Thats right folks, now your able to order all your favorite Revolution gear online only at SHOP-REVOLUTION.COM

Make sure to stop by buy a tee or a sticker pack to help support Injured Riders.

This post is for all the girls. Sure you have seen Wave Rave Snowboard Shop on MTV’s Laguna Beach and possibly even made your way up here yourself, but if not read on and find out why you have to come and check us out.

We have a huge selection of womens snowboards, boots, bindings, outerwear and fashionable apparel to keep you looking and feeling good out there. We also have a great staff filled with girls who ride. For example, check out this picture of Allison and Cheyne, they both tear it up on the hill and are here to help you get the right gear.

Check out the ladies section.

Ladies T shirts: Snowboard Revolution, Friends United Network, FUN, and Snowboard Revolution. Shirts for all the girlies. We love yo, and we hope you love us. These two companies definitely keep it real. Check out their stuff.

Head Gear Anyone, we have a huge selection to match up your outfits.

If you are a lady, check out Wave Rave Snowboard Shop. Dawn True does an awesome job of picking out the best apparel available in the industry. Just check out the selection, you can tell she has the eye for this stuff.

Wave Rave Snowboard Shop is located in Mammoth Lakes California and is owned by pro snowboarder Steve Klassen.  This place is similar to the Willy Wonka Chocolate factory for Snowboarders.  The entire shop breathes snowboarding, and just going inside makes you want to get out on the hill.  The best part about it, the shop has everything you will need on the hill.  The staff is filled with riders who are dedicated to getting you stoked and making your riding experience everything it should be.

Check out this picture of the metal work inside Wave Rave.  It was done by Mammoth local and long time shredder, Dustin Delgudice.  This is a memorial for two snowboarders that passed away.  Jeff Anderson and Craig Kelly are the riders you see the silhouettes of.

Ahhh, the snowboards.  Wave Rave has one of the largest snowboard selections I have ever seen.  If you dont know what to ride, just ask one of the many employees who ride, and know what they are talking about.

THE MANager Alex Wells is from Jamestown New York and has been tearing it up in Mammoth for about six years now.   He rules on the hill, and definitely knows whats up when it comes to Snowboard Gear.  So hit him up when you cruise in.

Yeah, you know Snowboard Revolution is Holding It Down over here.

We are heading to Snowshoe West Virginia this weekend to check out the powder situation in this mountain range. Not the entire Suburban Blend crew is going because Sue just had a baby!! Ethan. Everyone is stoked on the new addition to the shop.
Check out Snowshoe burried in snow, more pictures to come once we get there. Suburban Blend

Name: Wave Rave Snowboard Shop
Location: 3203 Main St. Mammoth Lakes California
Owner: Steve Klassen
Number of Employees: 30 +
Brands: Burton, Lib Technologies, Rome Snowboards, Gnu, Sessions, Billabong, Mission Six, Oakley, Dragon, Electric, Grenade, DC, 32, Dakine, Volcom, Capita, 686, Unity, Vonzipper
Hours of Operation: 7:25 am-10:00 pm Mon-Sun
Years Open: 1988 (Before Mammoth Allowed Snowboarding)
Closest Resort: Mammoth Mountain, 2 Minutes

Largest Snowboard Shop in The World

Wave Rave Snowboard Shop was founded in 1988. Through the years, the shop has grown from a small little shop, to being one of the largest specialty snowboard shops in the world. One thing that makes our shop unique, is that everyone who works here rides. It’s important to us that we are all about snowboarding. We just don’t work in a snowboard shop, snowboarding runs through our veins. Rest assured that when you shop in our store, you are buying from riders who live and breathe the sport. If you want to talk to us about anything having to do with snowboarding, just call or come on in. We’re happy to spread the stoke.

If you travel to Mammoth Lakes you should visit this big store.

Buy snowboard products online at http://www.waveravesnowboardshop.com/