This is a small rectangular section of an in-ground pool recessed into the top of the pool wall. This recess forms a small bench or platform. It is refered to a "swimout" in the commercial pool industry.
The "swimout" became the "deathbox" as skaters (i.e. the z-boys) began to ride the vertical walls of pools in much the same way as the face of a wave can be surfed. This recess offered the skater a excellent opportunity to leave the surface of the pool altogether, catch some air, and then drop back into the bowl of the pool. If re-entry was not done correctly, things could go horribly wrong, and thus the name "deathbox".
The "swimout" became the "deathbox" as skaters (i.e. the z-boys) began to ride the vertical walls of pools in much the same way as the face of a wave can be surfed. This recess offered the skater a excellent opportunity to leave the surface of the pool altogether, catch some air, and then drop back into the bowl of the pool. If re-entry was not done correctly, things could go horribly wrong, and thus the name "deathbox".
by jay-dubb December 24, 2008

Dude, you've been sitting at your deathbox for, like, 17 hours now. Do something with your life, ffs!
by mathmo5000 October 20, 2006

Dude, you've been sitting at your deathbox for, like, 17 hours now. Do something with your life, ffs!
by mathmo5000 November 07, 2008

by immorak December 15, 2003
