Steady Meditation

Catching up with Skateboard legend, Steve Steadham

Nov 20, 2025

Skateboard legend Steve Steadham made his bones on the storied late-70s / early-80s skatepark contest circuit.

Born in New Mexico and growing up between Las Vegas and Southern California, Steve began skating in 1977 at the age of 12.

Soon after picking up his first board, Steadham began regularly shredding mythical SoCal skateparks like Del Mar Skate Ranch and Upland’s Pipeline. He also frequented Skate City, Whittier where, for a time, he worked in the pro-shop alongside his future pro-teammate, Lance Mountain.

In 1982, while skating at Upland, Steadham’s life changed forever when he was offered a sponsorship deal by Powell Peralta, arguably the most prestigious team for which one could ride.

Laughing out loud, he still marvels at the encounter, “I was skating at Upland and some local skaters said Stacy and the Bones Brigade were gonna pick me up.”

He describes his time skating for Powell, “It was the best experience of my life. We went to Canada, all over the U.S., and Australia.”

Steadham skated for Powell Peralta, as a member of the Bones Brigade, from 1982 - 1985, along with also-iconic teammates like Kevin Staab, Steve Caballero, Tommy Guerrero, Lance Mountain, and Tony Hawk. His first namesake deck was manufactured by Powell Peralta in 1984, featuring his signature skull and spade design.

In 1986, at a high point within his ever-expanding career, Steadham left Powell Peralta (amicably) and founded Steadham Designs.

At the helm of his own brand, Steve had the freedom to craft the visual identity and create his own world of graphics. Recurring visual themes included his O.G. skull and spade (from his original Powell Peralta deck), a B-52 bomber aircraft, and a number of powerful, distinctly Africa-inspired graphics, including artwork touting Citizen X, the Ska Punk ska band for which Steve co-founded and plays guitar.

In Thrasher Magazine’s February 1983 issue, Steadham appears in a Powell Peralta advertisement printed on the inside back cover.

This is a very early (if not the very first) instance of African American representation in advertising for the modern “Action Sports” industry. This fact is significant, considering that the once-vilified “sidewalk surfers” have created what is currently a multi-billion dollar industry.

Explaining “why representation matters”, professional skater Clyde Singleton, had this to say in a heartfelt and thorough February 2025 Instagram post celebrating Steadham and Black History Month, “Being a 13-14 year old kid, and seeing LEGEND - Steve Steadham doing his own brand, plus, it was something I could relate to - meant the entire world.”

Steadham Designs has evolved into Stedmz, producing skate decks and gear from a retail / skate / performance / community space, located just minutes from the Las Vegas strip.

Stedmz Music & Skate Shop

Boulevard Mall

3572 S Maryland Parkway

Las Vegas, NV 89169

www.stedmz.us