Specs from Powell:
- Stubbed nose/tail- Predictable pop, great for building consistency. Slight curve ideal for Pogos and Caspers
- Wide tail/nose- Comfortable footing and flicking, more tail to wear
- Symmetrical- ’Twin Tip’, board wears 2x’s slower. Skate either way, board may never feel ‘backwards’
- Egged rails- Chip evasion. Board will ‘roll’ instead of ’smash’ when hitting the ground
- Widest point- 8.7” at the middle, helps kick and catch lateral rotations
- 14.5 wheelbase- .25” longer than average for a more stable stance
- No straight line- Continual curve, helps avoid chipping from impact on flat surfaces
- Distance between truck and kick- .125” shorter for higher pop
- Foot placement width- 8.5” wide at trucks
- Primo sensitive curve- enhanced for Primo flips
- Length/shape- 32.3”, shape 301, K20 concave
- Artwork by Vernon Courtlandt Johnson
Intended use: Skateboarding
Review Date: October 2022 – May 2023
Review:
The Powell Peralta Andy Anderson Heron 2 Flight Skateboard Deck is distinctive because it is designed specifically for Andy Anderson’s unique style of skateboarding. The original Andy Anderson deck was very intriguing to me. It had a wild shape but was designed that way for specific reasons. There are numerous interviews where Anderson explained why the deck was shaped that way and it really comes down to functionality.
Version two of the Andy Anderson deck, appears more traditional but there was a lot of reasoning and thought that went into it. In one of his runs in the Olympics he was doing a varial heel melon, which caused him to do the next 15 seconds of his run backwards. So his new design is symmetrical so that his board is never backwards. The deck is wider than a traditional skateboard deck, which gives Andy more stability and control when he is doing tricks. It has a football shape to it. Anderson wanted it that way because it prevents chipping. The deck has a longer wheelbase than normal, where most decks have a 14.25, the Anderson has a 14.5″ but it’s pressed in the same mold. This causes the trucks to be slightly closer to the nose and tail and makes the deck pop faster on ollies. The deck also uses Powell’s Flight Deck technology, which we’ve reviewed in the past. Flight Decks are light, thin and strong, making them ideal for skateboarders who want a responsive but ultradurable board.
The graphics are similar to his first board but he put a few unique items in them. In the Flight Deck logo on the nose and tail there is a crane in the shape of an ampersand. It is an original way to represent Andy Anderson without spelling it out. The thought he puts into the designs of his deck is pretty incredible.
The Powell Andy Anderson deck skates incredibly well. Under your feet it feels very balanced when performing tricks. It also pops really well. For aging knees like mine this is a big advantage. I’ve ridden this deck in the street, bowls and ramps and it excels at them all. It’s an easy riding board and you can really feel the benefits of the extensive design process. I’ve skated this deck for several months now and it’s held up extremely well, as you’d expect from the Flight Deck construction.
Overall Impressions:
The Powell Peralta Andy Anderson Flight Deck is a high-quality skateboard deck that is designed for skateboarders who want a lightweight, responsive, and durable board that can handle all kinds of skateboarding. Andy Anderson put a lot of thought and testing into this board, you will reap the benefits of everything that went into this deck.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Retains pop
- Super Tough
- Concave is on point
- Balanced
- Great pop
Cons
- Initial price
| Construction: |  (5.0 / 5) |
| Performance: | (5.0 / 5) |
| Design: |  (4.5 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (4.8 / 5) |