These images were sparked by a post in the Vintage Skatemag Gallery for a board called the Chaka Zulu. I had a vague recollection of these advertisements from back in the day as being some sort of foil clad foam core deck, but I wasn’t sure. Nathan McDernott saw the post and sent in some pictures of his Galaxy board collection. He has confirmed that these are foam core boards clad in a thin sheet of aluminum. He also mentioned there were some Nash skateboards made with the same technology. Texas Rec Corporation was the manufacturer of the Galaxy skateboards, and their mailing address in Wichita Falls, Texas is about 120 miles from Nash’s location in Fort Worth. These two companies are separate entities, so the Nash models might have come about through geographical proximity and one company or the other reaching out for more business. Both Nash and Texas Rec are still in business, primarily making water sports accessories, with Nash tending towards the more active items you might ride on, while Texas Rec makes a lot of lounge chairs and life jacket related items.
The art on some of these Galaxy boards is pretty ornate, and presented almost like full page illustrations in an art history book instead of typical skateboard graphics. The graphic must have been applied on the metal itself before being adhered to the foam Most designs look like the are 4 color process prints compared to the spot color screens used on screen printed boards. If you recall foam core boards from Santa Cruz, those had a simple, oversized clear decal applied to a white foam deck. The Chaka Zulu advert dates to 1986. Just like the Santa Cruz foam core decks, these decks were likely intended to be used on vert.
This one is called the Magnificent, and it is, as far as typical skateboard art goes.
This one is called Nuada of the Silverarn
Were sales slumping? Here’s a Rambo model that seems very out of place on this expensive construction.
Two versions of a Nash branded Afterburner model with fairly straight forward, generic graphics.
And here the art department at Galaxy have truly lost it. The “Rad” model looks like it was copied from graffiti in a high school textbook. Looks more like something you’d expect from Nash at the time.
Label on the tail. Oooh! Ball bearing wheels!
The patent #4250585 is for “Water skis having a reinforced, foamed-in-place, plastic hull bonded to an aluminum deck”
Abstract
Water skis (1) are constructed with a reinforced, foamed-in-place, plastic hull (6) bonded to an aluminum deck (5 l ). The foamed plastic hull (6) is reinforced, usually with a plurality of reinforcing elements (13-17). Preferably, the aluminum deck (5) is directly bonded to foamed plastic hull (6) without the use of any intermediate adhesives. Desirably, the lower surface of aluminum deck (5) is surface activated and primed before use.
27 comments
Flavio Brazil
I still have a Rambo. My 9 yo boy made some damage playing but it is still beautiful.
Cory Sontag
I have a very good condition Galaxy Rambo complete , feel free to message me with an offer cmsontaginc@gmail.com
Oliver Mallon
I have two pristine galaxy skateboards. One Rambo and one Zulu. Anyone interested email me Oilbhear@yahoo.com
Stephen
Hi, I have a galaxy skateboard in good condition!
I would be willing to part with-it is a No. 3 Warrior Series.
Feel free to email me:
sk2cu2@gmail.com
Curtis S
Hey Daniel, I have one available if you want to email me. Thanks. My comment is below.
Also, sorry for your loss and hope to hear from you.
Curtis S
Hi I have a Rad Design for the Galaxy board available. Deck is in very good condition, with original wheels, trucks, bearings. The Foam Board on top in great condition. Only the grab rail has broken off and no rubber tip.
I collected these a few years back because I liked the design. So I am keeping my Nuada.
If you are looking for one, please contact summersinvestment@gmail.com
Daniel Beggs
If anyone is willing to sell one of these I would love to buy it. My dad was the manager of the plant in Wichita falls that made them. He died of cancer in 1998. It would mean a lot to me. I had several growing up.
Aaron Blades
Worked for Ron as an assembler and skier. He was a great boss
Frankis
Hey man! I
Stephen
Hi Daniel,
I have a No. 3 Warrior Series
Galaxy Skateboard.
Feel free to email me:
sk2cu2@gmail.com
If you send me a number,
I
Adison mahan
Hey bro hmu and we can work something out i have the magnificent no.2 in the warrior series i dont mind parting with email me at adisonmahan@gmail.com
Stephen
Hi Addison,
How much were you looking for for your skateboard?
The magnificent No.2
Warrior Series…
Please let me know…
Thanks,
Steve
Cody Royer
Does anyone know how much Nuada of the Silverarn is worth? I have one it has some wear on it though
Ryan A Cress
I have a Lugh The Magnificent complete I
Nathan
Do you still have the Galaxy?
Richard Treanor
Hey anyone seen #4 of the warrior series?
James
I found a Galaxy Rad deck in my house and it
Rene marrero
Looking for a complete Galaxy Rambo . If you have one for sale, please let me know at my email. marrerondt@gmail.co or text :
4076904346.
Thank you
Rene
Victor
I have one
Albin
I have the nuada sliver arm galaxy deck for sale
nellaine
I have the entire board, same bearings and wheels, practically issues, how much are you selling yours for?
Dave
The Magnificent was my first skateboard! (It seemed to be better quality than a Variflex, but not as expensive as a pro model.) For some unknown reason, I pried off the metal sheet and got an earful from my parents, even the the board was still ridable. The ball bearings were actually really good, and I would transfer them to the wheels on my Gator.
Chris
damn, i wish i could find some art of any of these decks, just the deck.
Anna Scotto
Ciao!
I’m selling a Skateboard GALAXY WARRIOR COLLECTION anni 80
Anybody interested?
Anna
Nathan
Do you still have the Galaxy?
Steve dean
Hi im interestd in the galaxy decks 🙂
spurr
Rambo skateboard= instant street cred.