Engblom helped to create the Zephyr Surf Team and the Zephyr Competition Team, aka Zephyr Skate Team aka Z-Boys. Engblom was never a remarkable skateboarder but was a big influence to the Zephyr team.

In the film Lords of Dogtown, Engblom is shown as the integral part that brings the team together, as Jeff Ho wanted nothing to do with the film. It ends showing Engblom still working in the shop under new management, when in reality Engblom moved to Hawaii.

Engblom sponsored the Z-boys (the Zephyr skate team) including Jay ('Jay Boy') Adams, Tony (TA) Alva and Stacey Peralta. Engblom was the reason that the boys started competitively. Engblom and the The Z-Boys frequented a locals only surf spot named "The Cove," which was located at Pacific Ocean Park, in Santa Monica, California, which later burned to the ground. Skip Engblom also played in Lords of Dogtown as the Seattle race starter.