Skateboard Deck, used by Frank Brauch

This small black and yellow deck belonged to Tim’s dad Frank who is said to have been Tim’s inspiration in his pursuit of his skateboarding career. Tim Brauch (1974-1999) began this career in the late 1980s. He rode for the Sessions team early in his career and picked up sponsors Vans, Independent and New Deal. In 1992 Santa Monica Airlines (SMA) gave Tim his first pro model and shortly after Tim established the Este line of shoes and clothing with his friend and fellow skater Salman Agah. Using the “Es” from Salman and the “Te” from Timto form “Este”, they were among the first pro skaters to branch out into the shoe and clothing market. At this point Tim left Vans for Etnies footwear and in the mid 1990s switched to Santa Cruz skateboards. In 1998 Tim won the Vans Triple Crown Street Competition although Tim’s career was cut short when he passed away suddenly of cardiac arrest at the age of 25. His family holds the Tim Brauch Memorial Contest each year to celebrate Tim’s love of skateboarding. They have also established the Tim Brauch Memorial Fund which promotes skateboarding as “a safe, healthy and fun activity.”

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