The High Five skateboards is the brainchild of longtime skateboarding artist Todd Bratrud. Bratrud has created iconic graphics for everyone from Consolidated to Flip over the years. His distinct style and attention to detail have made for memorable images that stand out in a sea of series graphics and logo-heavy imagery.

Courtesy of The High Five skateboardsSome of the artful decks offered by The High Five skateboard company.

WHAT IT IS:
When Bratrud broke out on his own to start a board brand, he partnered up with Resource Distribution to do things right. Bratrud started the company in April of 2010 with three amateur riders helping promote: Steve Fauser, Brian Heck and Preston Harper. Since then, the team has grown with the addition of Bratrud's long-time friend Steve Nesser in the pro spot as well as Randy Ploesser and Britain's Horsey as additional ams. Good team, good graphics, good boards, good times.

Courtesy of The High Five skateboardsOne of Steve Nesser's pro model boards for The High Five.

WHY IT RULES:
Though the hilarious graphic and advertisement direction of The High Five is all about good times and not taking skating so seriously, when it comes to their wood, The High Five isn't messing around. Their boards are pressed by Excel Woodshop in China and use a traditional 7-ply Canadian hard rock maple construction. The boards are pressed with epoxy resin in single cavity molds insuring that every board is pressed exactly the same. The result is a stiff and durable skateboard from a cool brand worth supporting.

For High Five rider Randy Ploesser, the boards are something he's proud to roll on. It's refreshing to ride boards with graphics I'm not ashamed of," says Ploesser. "And I like having the luxury of working with someone as talented as Todd when contributing my own ideas to the brand. The High Five has brought back a creative spark that I'd been missing in my sponsors for a long time and I'm very grateful for that."

WHERE TO FIND IT:
The High Five can be found at discerning skateshops around the country. If your shop doesn't have them yet, tell them to shape up. You can also find The High Five's boards at online retailers including The Skatepark of Tampa and Cowtown.