Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from and how did fingerboarding come into your life?

I’m James and I was born in 1988 and raised in Athens, Ohio. Currently live in Florida. I got into fingerboarding in 1999 when tech decks first came out. I had some friends that got them and wanted one.

Is skateboarding part of your life at all, and how does it relate to fingerboarding for you?

Yes. I used to skate in real life from the age of 6 to 16 but had to stop at 16 due to brain surgery. I feel like skateboarding and fingerboarding kind of go hand in hand. To this day, I still watch the new video parts that come out. Skateboarding gives me inspiration for fingerboarding.

Who were some of your earliest inspirations in skating or fingerboarding, and how did they influence your style?

Elias Assmuth is my favorite fingerboarder and Andrew Reynolds is my favorite skateboarder. Elias showed me what style in fingerboarding is meant to look like and Andrew Reynolds is just a legend at this point. Other favorite skateboarder’s are Rodney Mullen, Jamie Thomas, Eric Koston, Ronnie Creager and Corey Sheppard. With fingerboarding, my top 3 are Elias Assmuth , Dan Jones (BeardFB) and SpenceFB.

What was your first setup like, and what companies or riders stood out to you at the time?

With skateboarding, my first setup was from Kmart. My first real setup was a Birdhouse Andrew Reynolds with Independent trucks and Spitfire wheels in 1998. In fingerboarding, after tech deck, it was a 4Corner complete. Anyone remember 4Corner?

What keeps you motivated and coming back to it?

The homies I’ve made along the way. You really do meet the best people in the fingerboard scene.

Tell us about your current setup and your favorite tricks to do.

Current setup is a 36mm Chems deck, 34mm Jindys, Kracken Wheels, Teak Tuning and Blackcat grip. My favorite trick is a front tail, front heel out.

How would you describe the fingerboarding community from your own experience?

The best when it comes from an introvert like myself. Best decision I made was join the community. I’ve had nothing but positive love from the community. Some of the best people I call friends are from the fingerboard scene.

How do you feel about the cost of fingerboarding products today?

It is a bit expensive but you get what you pay for. Just have fun everyone!!!

P.S. Feel free to add anything else you’d like to share.

Have fun and be kind to one another!!

Feel free to share any photos of your work or products that you’d like to include!