History of Fingerboarding (EN)

The origins of fingerboarding trace back to the broader evolution of skateboarding itself, emerging as a creative, hands-on offshoot that allowed enthusiasts to mimic full-scale skating in miniature form. While skateboarding as a sport began in the 1950s—when surfers in California attached roller skate wheels to wooden planks to "surf" sidewalks during flat-wave periods—fingerboarding didn't appear until slightly later. The earliest forms surfaced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when skateboard culture was exploding but many riders sought ways to practice or play with the concept indoors or during downtime.
In those days, fingerboards were almost entirely DIY creations. Skateboarders repurposed everyday items: miniature skateboard keychains (popular novelty items sold in skate shops) had their chains removed so the tiny decks could be "ridden" with fingers. Others got craftier, building boards from cardboard, plexiglass scraps, popsicle sticks, or thin wood, then attaching axles and wheels salvaged from toy cars, Hot Wheels, or even model train parts. These rudimentary setups weren't precision-engineered—they were experimental toys that let people ollie, grind, and flip on tabletops, books, or homemade ramps. The appeal was obvious: fingerboarding replicated real skateboarding tricks on a small scale, helping skaters visualize lines, practice technique, or simply have fun when actual skating wasn't possible.
The hobby remained underground and niche through the 1970s and into the early 1980s, mostly shared among core skateboarders. A pivotal moment came in the mid-1980s when pro skater Lance Mountain (a legend from the Bones Brigade era with Powell-Peralta) helped bring fingerboarding into wider view. In 1985, Mountain featured a homemade fingerboard in the iconic Powell-Peralta video Future Primitive, famously riding one in a double-bin sink setup to demonstrate mini-ramp tricks. Around the same time, he published a how-to article in TransWorld SKATEboarding magazine explaining how to build your own fingerboard. This exposure inspired more skaters to experiment, though it was still seen as a quirky side activity rather than a standalone pursuit.
The real explosion in fingerboarding's popularity arrived in the late 1990s with the launch of Tech Deck by the company Pangea. Tech Deck revolutionized the scene by mass-producing affordable, rideable fingerboards with functional concave decks, real trucks, wheels, and licensed graphics from major skateboard brands (like Blind, Element, Girl, and Powell-Peralta). Suddenly, what had been a homemade novelty became accessible worldwide. Tech Decks sold in toy stores and skate shops, complete with mini ramps and obstacles, turning fingerboarding into a mainstream hobby—especially among younger fans who couldn't yet skate full-size boards or wanted to practice indoors. Competitions, videos, and a dedicated subculture emerged, with pros like professional fingerboarders developing advanced flatground and ramp tricks.
Today, fingerboarding is a global niche sport with high-end handmade decks, custom parts, online communities, contests, and even professional-level riders. It has evolved far beyond its toy-like beginnings into a legitimate expression of creativity and skill, often paralleling (and sometimes influencing) real skateboarding trends.
Saigon Skateboards: Bringing Artisan Fingerboarding to Vietnam
In the modern era, fingerboarding thrives in diverse scenes around the world—including unexpected places like Vietnam, where Saigon Skateboards stands out as a passionate, local contributor. Based in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), this artisan brand specializes in handmade skateboards and fingerboards, crafting unique, performance-oriented pieces that blend custom aesthetics with genuine functionality.
Saigon Skateboards emerged from a simple frustration: the difficulty of finding high-quality fingerboards that truly felt right in Vietnam. Rather than settling for imports, the creators began producing their own—hand-sanded, shaped, and finished in Saigon workshops. Their fingerboards feature premium materials like multi-ply maple (sometimes with exotic inlays like ebony or ash), precise concave for pop and control, and options in sizes like 32mm, 34mm, or custom widths. Many decks are laser-engraved, hand-painted with vibrant or thematic designs (from Vietnamese-inspired art to abstract splatters, aliens, or relic-style finishes), and offered as blanks, completes with single-axle trucks, or full setups including ABEC-7 bearings.
What sets Saigon Skateboards apart is the emphasis on individuality and craftsmanship—each board is described as unique, not just a mass-produced graphic slapped on a deck. They cater to both local riders in Vietnam's growing skate and fingerboard community and international enthusiasts, selling through their website, Shopee, and social channels like Instagram and Facebook. Products range from affordable complete sets (often around 300,000–400,000 VND) to limited-edition or heavily customized pieces, including glow-in-the-dark plastics or epoxy-coated relics for durability and style.
In a country where skateboarding culture is still developing—thanks to urban spots, skateparks, and shops in Ho Chi Minh City—Saigon Skateboards helps nurture the fingerboarding side of the scene. They connect with local riders, share build processes, and foster a sense of community through posts about testing, shredding, and even New Year wishes to the global fingerboard family. In doing so, they represent how fingerboarding's DIY roots continue to inspire makers worldwide, turning a small-scale passion into something personal and culturally relevant—even halfway across the globe from its California origins.
From humble keychain experiments in the 1960s to today's artisan workshops in Saigon, fingerboarding proves that creativity in skating knows no size limits. Whether you're flicking a Tech Deck classic or ripping a custom Saigon deck, the spirit remains the same: pure, finger-powered fun.