By checking out, you agree to our terms and conditions.
Santa Cruz is one of the oldest names in skateboarding, and this collaboration pairs that heritage with official Pokémon artwork. It's not a toy-aisle board with a sticker slapped on cheap ply. These are proper Santa Cruz decks, built to the same construction standards as their standard range, finished with licensed Pokémon graphics.
The range covers standalone decks for riders and collectors who want to build or customise their own setup, and complete skateboards that arrive ready to ride. That mix means it works for different buyers: a parent after a first skateboard with a graphic their kid will love, a collector after a display piece, or a skater who just wants a Pikachu deck under their feet at the park.
Want to see the wider range alongside the Pokémon pieces? Shop the Santa Cruz collection to compare graphics, sizes and deck-only versus complete options in one place.
We can't guarantee exactly which characters or colourways are in stock right now. Santa Cruz and Pokémon release new drops over time, and popular graphics sell through. Pikachu and Charizard have both featured in the collaboration and tend to be the standout names, worked into Santa Cruz's classic screaming hand and dot design language rather than printed as a generic character sticker.
Because this is a licensed range with limited production runs, the graphics people want most don't hang around long. If you've got a specific character in mind, especially for a birthday or Christmas, check what's currently listed on the Santa Cruz collection page rather than assuming it'll still be there closer to the date.
This is the most common point of confusion, so it's worth being clear upfront.
A deck is just the wooden board itself, with the Pokémon graphic pressed onto it. No trucks, wheels, bearings or grip tape. Deck-only makes sense if you're transferring parts from an existing setup, building a custom board from scratch, or buying purely for display.
A complete skateboard includes everything: deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, grip tape and hardware, built and ready to ride. If you want a Pokémon skateboard someone can actually take to the park on day one, get a complete.
If you're new to skateboarding and picking a graphic is the fun part but the setup itself is confusing, read our beginner's guide to buying your first skateboard for the basics on trucks, wheels and grip, then come back and choose the graphic. You can also browse complete skateboards for beginners to see how the Pokémon completes compare with the wider beginner range on spec.
Sizing works the same for a Pokémon complete as it does for any other skateboard. Age and height are the starting point, not shoe size.
For riders under 5ft, usually ages 3-10, a junior complete is the better call. These are typically around 29 inches long and 7.25-7.5 inches wide, which makes them easier for smaller riders to carry, stand on and turn. If a Pokémon graphic is going on a young child's first board, check whether it's offered in a junior size before assuming a full-size complete will do. Not every licensed graphic gets released across every deck size.
For riders roughly 10-13 who've outgrown junior sizing but are still on the smaller side, a 7.75 inch complete keeps the board lighter and easier to control while they build confidence.
Teenagers and most new full-size riders are usually best starting with an 8.0 inch complete: a solid middle ground, not so wide it feels cumbersome, not so narrow it feels twitchy. Adults and taller riders, or anyone buying a Pokémon board mainly to cruise rather than skate technically, often prefer 8.25 inches for the extra stability.
If you're buying for a child and unsure where they land, our junior and mini youth completes collection is filtered specifically for smaller riders.
Yes. The Pokémon x Santa Cruz range is an official collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Santa Cruz Skateboards, not a third-party print or unlicensed knockoff. That matters for two reasons.
First, quality: genuine Santa Cruz deck construction, the same maple ply and pressing standards used across their core range, not a budget import with a Pokémon sticker on it. Second, collectability: officially licensed runs tend to hold their appeal better than unlicensed prints, which matters if you're buying with half an eye on a collection rather than just a rider's next board.
This isn't Santa Cruz's only licensed collaboration. If Pokémon isn't quite the right fit, or you want to compare styles, check out the Stranger Things x Santa Cruz collection, which follows a similar format of licensed graphics on genuine Santa Cruz decks.
A lot of the demand for these boards comes from gift buying rather than skaters actively shopping for their next deck, and it's a genuinely good gifting category. A Pokémon graphic gives you a recognisable reason to buy, while a Santa Cruz complete gives you a product that's actually worth owning, not a novelty that gets ignored after Christmas morning.
A few practical pointers if you're buying for someone else. If the recipient already skates, deck-only might suit them better, since experienced riders often prefer to build their own setup with trucks and wheels they trust. If they're new to skateboarding, or the board is partly for display, a complete removes the guesswork. And if you're buying for a child, check the size guidance above before you check out. A board that's too big is a common reason first skateboards end up gathering dust.
For more gifting ideas alongside the Pokémon range, browse gifts for skateboarders to see protection gear, accessories and other completes that pair well with a graphic deck.
If you're buying deck-only for display rather than riding, a few basics keep it in good condition. Store it away from direct sunlight, as UV exposure will fade the graphic over time. Keep it somewhere dry, as maple ply can warp in damp conditions or with big temperature swings.
Many collectors wall-mount their deck rather than leaving it stored flat or leaning against furniture, both to protect it and to actually display the artwork. If that's the plan, see our skateboard deck wall mounting guide for a straightforward way to do it without damaging the graphic or the wall.
If you do decide to ride a deck you originally bought for display, check the trucks and hardware you're pairing it with are the right size for the deck width. Mismatched hardware is one of the most common setup mistakes.
Is the Pokémon skateboard collection officially licensed? Yes. It's an official collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Santa Cruz Skateboards, built to Santa Cruz's usual deck construction standards rather than produced as an unlicensed novelty print.
What Pokémon characters feature on Santa Cruz decks? Pikachu and Charizard have both featured prominently, alongside other well-known characters from the franchise. Availability changes as new drops are released, so check current stock for what's in at the moment.
Can beginners ride a Pokémon complete skateboard, or is it just for display? Complete skateboards in the range are built to ride, with the same trucks, wheels and hardware you'd find on any other Santa Cruz complete. Deck-only versions can be ridden too if you build them up with your own parts, or kept purely for display if you prefer.
What size Pokémon skateboard should I buy for a child? For riders under 5ft, a junior complete around 7.25-7.5 inches wide is usually the best starting point. Riders aged roughly 10-13 often suit a 7.75 inch complete, while teenagers typically move up to an 8.0 inch board.
Are Pokémon skateboard decks limited edition? Production runs are limited compared with Santa Cruz's core catalogue, and popular graphics tend to sell out faster. If you have a specific graphic in mind for a gift, it's worth buying ahead of the occasion rather than waiting.
Can I buy just the Pokémon deck without trucks and wheels? Yes. Deck-only versions are available for riders who want to build their own setup, or for buyers who want the graphic purely for display or wall mounting.
Ready to see what's currently in stock? Shop the Santa Cruz collection to browse the Pokémon range alongside completes, decks and the wider Santa Cruz catalogue. Not sure on size or graphic? Call the shop on 01837 55778 and we'll help you pick.