Skateboarding is one of those sports that always attracts attention because be a somewhat different sport. Some of its most notable characteristics are that It is urban, fun and relaxed. However, it also requires a lot of skill, discipline and patience. Although many do not know it, There is a particular way of practicing skateboarding: Fingerskate either Fingerboard.
You've probably seen a small board shaped like a skate hanging from keys or in different places such as in stores skate, surfing and even toy stores. But these small boards are far from being toys, in fact, they are used to do practically the same things as with a normal skateboard.
He Fingerskate, is the type of skateboarding that, as its name suggests, is done with the fingers. The fact that this activity has the fingers as the only element to move the board, whose measurements range between 90 and 100 mm long and between 30 and 34 mm long, makes many people wonder if it is really Fingerboard it's something serious.
A bit of history
When did it start? Who invented it? It's normal that, if you are interested in the world of skateboarding, and more specifically, in Fingerskate, questions like this resonate in your head.
The United States, specifically California, is the main setting for this story. In the 1970s, with torrential rains and a total lack of waves, surfers and skaters on this coast began to build mini skates out of cardboard boxes and wires as a way to pass the time and kill boredom.
However, it was not until 1998, in Europe, when this practice really achieved real popularity thanks to the German Martin Ehrenberger, which he would later found Black River, the first company dedicated to marketing this product, and which is currently the one with the highest turnover in the world.
A few years later
In Spain, the situation is evolving differently, as it took 10 years for the Fingerskate arrived in the country and stayed. From 2008 to 2012, the popularity of these small boards reached unexpected heights, and despite suffering a stagnation in 2016, this product rose again, gaining many followers.
If you live in Spain and are interested in this activity, you should know that there is only one store specializing in this product: FreeDay whose owner is Ramiro Aguirre, who after attending a Fingerskate exhibition in Munich and seeing the great reception it had, especially at the stand of Black River, decided to bring it to our country.
A particular world
The truth is that the Fingerskate It is a whole world in itself, and it is established with the objective that skateboarding with the fingers is similar to skateboarding with the legs, even though obviously very different sensations are experienced.
To begin with, the first thing you should keep in mind is that the mini board is made in exactly the same way as the skateboard, but on a 1:8 scale.
The materials used for their manufacture are of the highest quality, since the boards are made of several layers of wood. The axles are made of metal, the wheels have bearings that facilitate movement and instead of sandpaper, they have a neoprene foam, called tape, which is used to provide greater comfort to the fingers of the person handling the board.
When we say that this is not just for kids, we mean it, because despite the measurements we have already mentioned, you can do the same tricks and maneuvers with the Fingerboard as with a skateboard. In addition, it offers the possibility of buying mini boards of different brands, shapes and designs, just like in the skateboarding market.
Miniature parks
You can practice this sport anywhere, since its small size makes it possible for easy transport, however, if you are looking for something more specialized, you can go to the fingerparks, whose function is the same as that of the skateparks but in a size adapted to mini boards. In these parks you can find ramps, railings, bricks and an endless number of obstacles to do all the maneuvers you want.
Game of SKATE
The competitions that are usually carried out in the world of Fingerboard are 1 vs 1 or the so-called Game of SKATE Where the first one does some tricks and the second one must repeat them and if he doesn't succeed, he adds a letter of the word, until he forms the word and is defeated.
Some Fingerboard Tricks
While it is true that skateboarding is more difficult to ride than miniboarding, the truth is that the miniboard can also present difficulties, especially if you are not very experienced with it yet. For this reason, there are some tricks that you should perhaps practice if you are in the beginner phase, since they are simpler and the basis for many other more difficult ones that will come later.
These are some of the tricks we recommend to help you get started in this sport in the easiest and most fun way possible:
- Shuvit /Pop Shuvit: It is the simplest trick of all and the most recommended to learn, since it also helps you avoid obstacles.
- Ollie: This is another essential trick, and it consists of jumping the board and fingers in the air without ever losing contact. It is essential, because once you have mastered it, you will be able to grind and do slides.
- Clickflip: It is widely used by professionals in this world to make transitions from slides, and it is also the basis for 360 flips and Varial Kickflips, which are undoubtedly much more difficult to perform and require a more special mastery of the board.
The world of Fingerboarding or Fingerskating is more than just a hobby; it is undoubtedly a world full of surprises and hiding places that go beyond handling a small board with your fingers. It is considered a sport that, although it no longer has the same popularity as a few years ago, still maintains a very loyal audience, mostly children who want to have fun, but also adults who know how to get the most out of this particular activity. And you, do you dare to discover it?
Frequently Asked Questions about Fingerskate
What is Fingerskate?
The Fingerskate, Fingerboard or mini-board is a miniature skateboard that, instead of being controlled with the feet, is steered with the fingers to perform different tricks.
When and where was Fingerskate created?
In the 1970s, due to the poor weather conditions, surfers and skaters in California began creating small boards out of cardboard and wire to pass the time, but it was not until 1998 that this really gained a lot of popularity thanks to the German Martin Ehrenberger.
How much does a Fingerskate cost?
A Fingerskate or mini board can cost between 10 euros, in its economic range, and up to 150 euros, in the high range. There are very good boards, in the mid-range, which range from 27 to 50 euros.
What are the most frequently performed tricks on Fingerskate?
In Fingerskate you can practice various tricks just like in skateboardingHowever, if you are a beginner, it is best to start with simpler tricks. It is best that if you do not have much practice, you start with tricks like the Ollie, Shuvit/Pop Shuvit or the Kickflip.
