Back to Design Portfolio

Product Design · Experimentation · Prototyping

Deck in the Rain

A waterproof skateboard concept exploring how product design can respond to wet-weather conditions through material protection, water drainage, experimentation and physical prototyping.

Deck in the Rain skateboard displayed in a wet skatepark

The Brief & Early Concept

The project began with the question of how design could respond to wet weather interrupting outdoor activity. The concept focused on adapting a skateboard for wet conditions while preserving the familiarity and usability of a conventional board.

Early development explored waterproof materials, grip treatment, edge protection, drainage and how water could be directed away from the riding surface.

Annotated early concept sketch for a wet-weather skateboard

Drainage Pattern Development

Different groove arrangements were explored to understand how surface geometry could guide water away from the centre of the deck. Straight, curved, segmented and directional patterns were considered before developing a chevron-style layout that directed water towards the outer edges.

Sketches comparing straight, curved, segmented and directional drainage patterns
Front and back sketch of the selected chevron drainage layout
Eight physical foam samples testing alternative drainage-channel patterns

Prototyping & Experimentation

Low-fidelity groove samples were produced to compare different channel geometries physically. Testing the patterns as real cut forms helped assess how clearly each direction could guide water and informed the final chevron-based drainage pattern.

Making & Waterproofing

Chevron drainage geometry being marked onto the skateboard deck

01 — Marking Out

Transferring the selected groove geometry onto the deck.

Drainage channels being formed in the skateboard deck

02 — Groove Development

Forming the drainage channels along the board surface.

Protective waterproof coating being applied to the grooved deck

03 — Waterproofing

Applying protective treatment to improve resistance to wet conditions.

Skateboard wheel and truck being assembled onto the finished deck

04 — Assembly

Reassembling and resolving the board as a functional skateboard.

Final Design & Features

Clean isolated view of the completed Deck in the Rain skateboard
  1. 01

    Chevron Drainage Grooves

    Directional channels guide rainwater towards the outer edges of the deck.

  2. 02

    Clear Waterproof Grip

    Maintains surface grip while allowing the deck finish and groove pattern to remain visible.

  3. 03

    Liquid-Rubber Protection

    Protective coating applied to the board surfaces to improve resistance to water exposure.

  4. 04

    Rubber Outer Edge

    An external protective edge helps limit direct water contact with the deck perimeter.

A rider standing on the completed wet-weather skateboard

Final Outcome

The final concept combines drainage geometry, waterproof surface protection and perimeter shielding within a familiar skateboard format. The finished prototype demonstrates how relatively simple changes to material treatment and surface geometry can help adapt an outdoor product for wet-weather conditions.