Enjoi Skateboards: The Panda Brand That Changed Modern Skateboarding

Enjoi Skateboards was officially founded in 2000 by one of the most influential figures in 1990s street skateboarding: Marc Johnson. For countless skaters, Marc Johnson was not only one of the most technical and innovative riders of his generation, but a true icon who reshaped the way modern skateboarding is understood.

Skater of the Year, stylish, creative, and always thinking outside the box, Marc Johnson had already spent formative years at World Industries alongside Rodney Mullen under the guidance of Steve Rocco. It was precisely from that experience that the desire arose to create something completely different—more fun, ironic, and less tied to the aggressive image that dominated much of the skateboarding scene of those years.

Legend has it that the name “Enjoi” and the idea for the famous panda came directly from a dream Marc Johnson had. From that moment on, the panda immediately became the brand’s symbol, evolving into one of the most iconic logos ever seen in the global skateboarding scene.

From its earliest years, Enjoi brought a completely fresh perspective to the American skate scene. The brand successfully blended technical skateboarding, absurd humor, provocative graphics, and a much more relaxed and creative style compared to many other brands of the era.

Marc Johnson, Rodney Mullen, and the Birth of Skateboarding’s Most Famous Panda

Marc Johnson and Rodney Mullen immediately set out to build a project that was completely different from traditional skate companies. Enjoi didn’t want to be just a skateboard brand, but a true identity capable of standing out both in videos and in the brand’s overall aesthetic.

Marc Johnson handled practically everything: graphics, marketing, catalogs, products, art direction, and team building. Every detail was carefully curated to create a brand recognizable at first glance.

Right from the start, the company signed riders destined to become legends, such as Jerry Hsu, Louie Barletta, Dave Mayhew, and Caswell Berry. All were skaters with strong personalities and a style completely different from the more serious and aggressive skate scene of that era.

Within just a few years, Enjoi became one of the most popular brands in the world thanks to wildly unconventional marketing, outrageous graphics, and videos filled with creative and fun skateboarding.

But just as the brand was growing enormously, Marc Johnson slowly began to distance himself from the company. The desk work and the constant management of the brand were taking away precious time he could have spent skating. After years of internal tensions and issues with part of the management, in 2003 Marc Johnson decided to leave Enjoi for good.

Marc Johnson leaves Enjoi and Rodney Mullen founds Almost

Marc Johnson’s departure represents one of the most delicate moments in the history of Enjoi Skateboards. The brand’s creator himself felt increasingly excluded from internal decisions and undervalued despite the enormous work he had done in previous years.

After some serious conflicts with filmer and co-founder Matt Eversole, Marc Johnson decided that the time had come to leave the brand. Shortly thereafter, Rodney Mullen also left the project for good to found Almost Skateboards in 2004.

Jerry Hsu, however, remained with Enjoi, despite being very close to Marc Johnson and having defended him on multiple occasions during internal company conflicts. Louie Barletta and Matt Eversole managed to convince him to stay on the team and continue building the brand’s future.

During those years, Enjoi was often criticized even outside the skate scene for certain graphics and slogans deemed too provocative or sexist by the media and major American corporations. But it was precisely this irreverent, unconventional style that helped make the brand even more recognizable and talked-about worldwide.

“Bag of Sucks”: the video that made Enjoi legendary

In 2006, Enjoi Skateboards released its first official full-length video: “Bag of Sucks.” For many skaters, this video remains one of the best skate videos of the 2000s.

The film was an immediate smash hit, winning the Best Video of the Year award at the 2007 Transworld Skateboarding Awards. Jerry Hsu, meanwhile, won the award for Best Video Part, cementing his status as one of the most creative and influential skaters of his generation.

“Bag of Sucks” perfectly captures the true spirit of Enjoi. Technical skateboarding, absurd spots, constant humor, and a lightheartedness that stood in stark contrast to the more serious skate videos of that era.

Jerry Hsu, Louie Barletta, and Caswell Berry transformed the video into a true manifesto of the creative and “fun” skateboarding that Enjoi wanted to represent. Matt Eversole’s editing and music selection make the video a joy to watch even today, nearly twenty years later.

Bag of Sucks wasn’t just a huge success for the brand, but a true shift in the atmosphere of modern skateboarding.

“Tweak the Beef” and the New Enjoi Generation

In 2012, Enjoi released another video that has become legendary: “Tweak the Beef.” Once again, Matt Eversole managed to craft an incredible full-length film that blends technical skateboarding, massive spots, and the brand’s signature absurd identity.

The new team is devastating. Riders like Zac Wallin, Ben Raemers, Cairo Foster, Caswell Berry, Nestor Judkins, Louie Barletta, and Jerry Hsu bring a style of skateboarding that is lightning-fast, creative, and far more modern than in previous years.

“Tweak the Beef” is extremely well-received by the global skate scene and definitively establishes Enjoi as one of the strongest and most original brands in the entire skate industry.

Shortly after, however, Jerry Hsu also decided to leave the company. Unlike Marc Johnson’s departure, the relationship ended in a much calmer and more respectful manner.

Panda Patrol and Enjoi Skateboards’ New Direction

In 2014, Louie Barletta took on an increasingly important role within the brand, marking the beginning of a new phase for Enjoi Skateboards. The team continued to evolve, and key riders such as Ben Raemers and Jack Fardell were promoted.

In 2017, the brand launched the “Panda Patrol” series in collaboration with Thrasher Magazine—a collection of videos filmed in various cities around the world, including Taiwan, Lisbon, Seoul, and many other international spots.

These trips perfectly showcase Enjoi’s modern identity: creative skateboarding, technical tricks, unique spots, and riders with strong personalities.

Even today, the team continues to be highly respected thanks to skaters like Samarria Brevard, Thaynan Costa, Zac Wallin, Nestor Judkins, Louie Barletta, Jackson Pilz, Deedz, and Caswell Berry.

The passing of Ben Raemers and the bond of the skate community

One of the saddest moments in the brand’s recent history was the tragic passing of Ben Raemers. The news deeply affected not only Enjoi Skateboards but the entire global skate community.

Ben was beloved by everyone for his incredible style, kind nature, and unique approach to skateboarding. The entire team immediately rallied around his family, and to this day, Enjoi continues to remember him as one of the most important figures to have been part of the brand.

His legacy remains incredibly strong in modern skate culture, and countless riders continue to regard him as one of the most influential figures of his generation.

Why Enjoi Skateboards Remains a Unique Brand Today

Enjoi Skateboards has managed to build something very rare in skateboarding: a brand capable of being technical, creative, fun, and stylish all at once without losing credibility in the real scene.

Enjoi’s panda has become one of the most recognizable symbols in global skateboarding precisely because behind the brand there has always been a strong, authentic identity made up of real riders, incredible videos, and a less contrived approach to skateboarding compared to many modern companies.

In the Pleasures Milano catalog, you’ll find a selection of Enjoi Skateboards curated by those who have been living and breathing skateboarding and street culture since 1999. Professional boards, apparel, and some of the most iconic models from one of the most beloved brands in the global skate scene.