1031 skateboards just turned 5 and who better to tell you about it then 1031 co-founder, owner, and pro skater Kristian Svitak!

5 YEARS!!!! Thats right, its been just over 5 years now that we have been doing 1031. Seems just like yesterday all my friends were giving me uncomfortable looks when I told them I was starting my own company. Or people were on the message boards saying we would be out of business in 6 months. Well, we're still here and its crazy to think of everything we have done and grown into.

In the past 5 years we have put out 3 full length videos and are about to release our 4th, gone on 5 full U.S. tours, traveled to lots of other countries, expanded our international distribution by a ton, increased sales all around by even more tons (yeah I know, I talk like a kid), advertised in every issue of Thrasher magazine, sponsored awesome skaters that became great friends, started Landshark Wheels, started Regulator distribution, and we have all had tons of coverage in the mags, internet and T.V. Im not trying to brag but when asked to reflect on these years I get pretty stoked!

In the time we have been doing all of this I have seen at least a couple handfuls of other companies come and go. Why we lasted Im not completely sure. I do know that one major part is that despite what anyone may say, there are a lot of skaters out there that support us! That is awesome! I cant say "thank you" enough times to make everyone understand how much all of the support means to me and everyone else involved. We started this with nothing more then the money in our pocket, which wasnt much. And now, we're broke.... NO just kidding!!!! We are growing more and more every day. It is honestly a trip!

Now looking forward, we are getting ready to release another full length video, we are advertising all month every month on the Thrasher site, we are now running 2 page spread ads in every issue of Thrasher and of course we will continue to tour our ass's off!

Thanks to all of you out there that have helped us in any way! Bought our crap, let us sleep on your floor, made us a home cooked meal, took us out to dinner, helped work on the tour van, whatever!! You get the point. I sincerely appreciate it all!!

Ok, those of you that know me know that I never write anything that straight without being super sarcastic. I know, I hate being all serious but I figured I could do it at least once after 5 years. So with that being said..........

GO F.. I mean.... GET BENT!!!!
Kristian Svitak