Enjoi Skateboards History: From Panda Power to a Skater-Owned Comeback

Few skateboard brands have left a mark on skateboarding culture quite like Enjoi Skateboards. Known for its iconic panda logo, offbeat humour, and some of the most memorable skate videos ever made, Enjoi became one of the defining skateboard brands of the 2000s.

From its creation by skateboarding legends Marc Johnson and Rodney Mullen to its recent return to skater ownership under Louie Barletta, the Enjoi story is one of creativity, resilience, and staying true to skateboarding's roots.

The Origins of Enjoi Skateboards

Enjoi Skateboards was founded in 2000 by professional skateboarder Marc Johnson with support from Rodney Mullen following the collapse of The A-Team, another Dwindle Distribution brand. Johnson wanted to create something completely different from the serious image many skateboard companies projected at the time.

The result was Enjoi: a skateboard company built around fun, humour, and individuality.

The instantly recognisable panda logo, designed by Johnson himself, became one of the most iconic logos in skateboarding. Unlike many brands that focused heavily on competition and technical skating, Enjoi embraced a more playful identity while still fielding a team packed with incredible talent.

Early riders included:

• Louie Barletta
• Jerry Hsu
• Rodney Mullen
• Dave Mayhew
• Bobby Puleo

The team quickly developed a reputation for combining technical skating with personalities that reflected the brand's light-hearted approach.

Building a Cult Following

During the early 2000s, Enjoi became one of the fastest-growing skateboard companies in the world.

Its advertising stood out because it rarely followed traditional skate industry formulas. Instead of relying solely on action shots, Enjoi's advertisements often featured cartoons, jokes, and surreal artwork that reflected the company's unique personality.

This approach helped Enjoi appeal to a new generation of skateboarders who wanted skateboarding to remain fun and creative rather than overly serious.

Bag of Suck: One of Skateboarding's Greatest Videos

In 2006, Enjoi released its first full-length skate video, Bag of Suck.

The video featured standout parts from Jerry Hsu, Louie Barletta, Cairo Foster, Caswell Berry, and the rest of the team. It combined high-level skateboarding with the humour and personality that had become synonymous with the brand.

Bag of Suck went on to win TransWorld Skateboarding's Video of the Year award and is still regarded by many skateboarders as one of the greatest skate videos ever produced.

For many skaters, this period represented the golden age of Enjoi Skateboards.

Changes Behind the Scenes

Despite the brand's success, the original leadership eventually moved on.

Marc Johnson left Enjoi in 2003 and joined Chocolate Skateboards. Rodney Mullen also departed shortly afterwards to launch Almost Skateboards with Daewon Song.

As the years passed, Louie Barletta became one of the most important figures within the company. More than just a team rider, he became the public face of Enjoi and helped maintain the culture that had made the brand special.

However, the skateboard industry was changing. Ownership structures shifted, corporate interests became more involved, and many skateboarders felt that some of the original spirit of Enjoi was being lost. Community discussions throughout the 2020s frequently highlighted concerns about corporate control and the brand's future direction.

The Decline of the Original Enjoi Era

By the early 2020s, much of the classic Enjoi team had moved on.

Several prominent riders left the company, while skateboarders increasingly questioned whether the brand still reflected the culture that had made it popular in the first place. Industry changes involving Dwindle Distribution and ownership transitions added uncertainty around Enjoi's future.

Many longtime fans believed the brand had drifted away from the values that originally made it successful.

For a while, it seemed possible that Enjoi would simply become another nostalgic name from skateboarding's past.

Louie Barletta Brings Enjoi Home

The biggest chapter in modern Enjoi history arrived in 2026.

After what Louie Barletta described as a multi-year effort, he successfully regained control of Enjoi Skateboards and returned the brand to skater ownership. According to Barletta, the process took roughly three years and represented much more than a business transaction. He described Enjoi as part of his DNA and something worth fighting to preserve.

The announcement was celebrated throughout the skateboarding community because it signalled that one of skateboarding's most beloved brands was back in the hands of someone who helped build its legacy. Community reaction across skateboarding forums and social media was overwhelmingly positive, with many skaters viewing the move as a victory for independent skateboarding culture.

For many fans, this wasn't simply the return of a skateboard company. It was the return of an attitude that had always made Enjoi different.

Enjoi Skateboards Today

Today, Enjoi enters a new chapter with Louie Barletta leading the brand's future.

The panda logo remains one of the most recognisable symbols in skateboarding, and the company continues to hold a special place in skate culture thanks to its unique blend of humour, creativity, and authentic skateboarding.

As interest grows in skater-owned skateboard brands and independent skateboarding companies, Enjoi's return arrives at a time when many skateboarders are actively seeking brands that remain connected to skateboarding's core values.

The Legacy of Enjoi Skateboards

More than twenty-five years after its founding, Enjoi remains one of the most influential skateboard brands ever created.

Its legacy includes:

• The iconic panda logo
• Groundbreaking skateboard advertising
• Legendary riders including Louie Barletta, Jerry Hsu, and Rodney Mullen
• The award-winning Bag of Suck video
• A lasting impact on skateboard culture
• A successful return to skater ownership

The story of Enjoi Skateboards proves that authenticity still matters in skateboarding. From Marc Johnson's original vision to Louie Barletta's mission to bring the brand back under skater control, Enjoi has always represented something bigger than skateboard decks and apparel.

For skateboarders around the world, the panda isn't just a logo. It's a reminder that skateboarding should always be fun.