Greg, a 37-year-old craftsman from Edmonton, Alberta, has been immersed in fingerboarding and skate culture since the mid-90s. His journey began in 1995 when he crafted his first fingerboard from laminated cardboard, school glue, and LEGO wheels. This DIY creation marked the start of his deep connection to the art.

In 1996, everything changed when a Scholastic Book Fair introduced him to Tech Decks. Choosing one over a book, Greg embraced fingerboarding with growing enthusiasm. Throughout school, he expanded his creativity, building ramps, welding rails, and crafting skate obstacles, while also excelling in full-sized skateboarding, even constructing ramps in shop class.

After high school, Greg’s focus shifted to skateboarding and his career in the trades, leaving fingerboarding behind for years. However, in 2022, a spark reignited his passion when his mom discovered a collection of his old fingerboard gear. Delving back into the scene, Greg stumbled upon a video featuring Mike Schneider of FlatFace Fingerboards. Inspired by Mike’s dedication and creativity, Greg began crafting miniature skate spots from found materials, rekindling his love for the craft.

Eager to share his creations, Greg launched @barnyardfingerboards on Instagram, connecting with a community of enthusiasts. Encouraged by their support, he founded Barnyard Fingerboards—a name inspired by Mike Vallely’s iconic “Barnyard” pro model and Greg’s farm upbringing. The brand emphasizes unique, imaginative skate obstacles and backdrops, standing out for its creative flair and homage to fingerboarding’s DIY spirit.

“I never thought a Scholastic Book Fair would change my life, but trading a book for a Tech Deck in 1996 set me on a path of creativity and connection that I’m still exploring today.”

One of Greg’s most transformative fingerboarding experiences came from Joey, aka @backsidesmithgrinds, a Redemption pro. Joey challenged Greg to transition from the old-school three-finger technique to the now-standard two-finger style. This shift not only refined Greg’s skills but also deepened his appreciation for fingerboarding as an art form closely tied to real skateboarding.

In park-making, Greg’s crowning achievement was creating a “leap of faith with a twist” for Justin
(@sk8dirty). This large-scale project involved intricate bends and a custom rail, pushing Greg’s creativity to the limit. The finished park was showcased at events and became a testament to Greg’s craftsmanship. Inspired by its success, he built a park for himself, fully realizing his artistic vision.

Today, Barnyard Fingerboards is more than a brand; it’s a thriving creative venture. Greg is working on a full-length team video featuring friends like Jarid, Remmy, Binx, and Hayden, aiming to motivate them to push their skills. He’s also perfecting a slick-bottom UFMC-embossed board, striving to release a unique product that fills a gap in the market.

Follow Greg’s journey on Instagram
@barnyardfingerboards and Facebook at Barnyard Fingerboards.