Step Into the Cult: The World of Fingerboarding

12/1/24, 6:00 PM

Fingerboarding isn’t just a hobby anymore; it’s a raw, global movement pulling in anyone willing to get their hands on a deck and grind.

Fingerboarding isn’t just a hobby anymore; it’s a raw, global movement pulling in anyone willing to get their hands on a deck and grind. What started as a sidekick to skateboarding now thrives as its own underground subculture, a small-scale rebellion that’s gathered a fierce following from all corners of the globe.

The roots of fingerboarding run deep, back to the late ’70s and early ‘80s, where skaters like Lance Mountain and Tony Hawk messed around with tiny boards. Lance, the California legend, wasn’t just about full-sized decks—he was also experimenting with small setups, blazing the trail for what would explode into the fingerboarding scene we know today. Mountain’s iconic moves didn’t just make waves in skateboarding; they laid down the groundwork for Tech Decks and fingerboarding’s evolution. From tearing up vert ramps in classics like Powell Peralta Presents: FUTURE PRIMITIVE and BAN THIS, Mountain’s mark on skate culture spilled over into the realm of mini skate setups, setting the stage for fingerboarding to take on a life of its own.

Now, the covid years……. We’re going to do an entire story on this timeline, but for now, we’ll just say if Lance was the “daddy” of fingerboarding,... then COVID was most absolutely fingerboardings midlife crisis.


Fingerboarding has become more than just tricks and flips; it’s an art form and a lifestyle, intertwined with skate culture, music, and DIY creativity. By the late ’80s and early ’90s, mass-produced fingerboards took over, transforming the hobby into a full-fledged sport. Today, pro fingerboarders aren’t just messing around—they’re competing, throwing down insane tricks at events like Black River’s Fast Fingers and USAFBL’s major competitions, taking fingerboarding into the limelight and giving it the street cred it deserves.

Now, fingerboarding is a global phenomenon, and we’re talking over 10 million worldwide. The sheer numbers speak for themselves. 60% the die-hard hobbyists, grinding away just for the love of it. 21% are the pros and serious competitors, taking it to the next level. 19% the collectors and customizers, pouring their soul into rare designs and slick mods. And the global breakdowns? 35% are repping the Americas, from the U.S. to Brazil. 27% are in Europe, with powerhouses like the UK and Germany. 21% Asia-Pacific, where Japan and Australia bring their unique style. 17% come from mythical regions of the world were we can only assume they still have dragons and cool @#$% like that. Regardless, underground scenes and new communities are popping up worldwide.

Fingerboarding’s journey from obscure toy to worldwide cult is proof of its staying power. It’s a global rebellion, an outlet for unfiltered creativity that crosses borders and unites generations. What began as a curious side game is now a full-on culture, binding together a tight-knit community under the banner of tiny skateboards and big passion.