If you’re new to fingerboarding, finding the right fingerboard is a must, but it’s actually much easier to do than you think. Fingerboards are tiny little skateboards that you operate with your fingers, and people can do some amazing things with them.
Whether you intend to participate in the sport as a way to relax or because you intend to someday go pro, you’ll need a high-quality fingerboard that can take a lot of abuse and keep on going. This is especially important when you’re just starting out; fortunately, once you find the right fingerboard, you’ll find just what you need every time.
When you’re shopping for the best fingerboards for beginners, you need a sturdy one because when you’re just starting out, it will take a lot of bumps and bruises. Fortunately, if you choose a brand that is reliable, it should last for a very long time. Below are some of the brands to consider when you’re just starting out as a fingerboarder.
ASI Shop Fingerboard 2.0
Available in seven different colors, this fingerboard provides you with deeper kicks thanks to the 32mm width, and it comes with one sheet of tape, which is good enough for beginners. ASI Shop is also a reputable brand, so you can count on learning with a very dependable fingerboard every time.
Complete with bearing wheels and lock nuts to make the wheels sturdier, this is an upgrade of the company’s basic fingerboards. It has a 32mm width, as well as a separate lock nut and screw to make sure that you get the sturdiness you have a right to expect. It is also available in three different colors.
Premium Shop Decks Fingerboard
This is the third edition of the Premium Shop Decks fingerboard collection and therefore, it provides you with kickers that are higher and a better concave. It is available in seven different designs and has somewhat of a boxy shape, which people tend to like. Made in a 34mm x 97mm size, you get ASI-Berlin graphics printed directly on the wood. This means that the graphics will last you much longer as compared to the graphics that you can peel off or that wear off over time.
P-Rep 34mm Stuff Graphic Wooden Fingerboard
We mention this fingerboard because of its unique size. Many fingerboards are 27mm to 30mm in width, but this one is 34mm instead. When it comes to other traits, this particular fingerboard is like most other fingerboards, but if you specifically want a wider deck, which many fingerboarding enthusiasts do, this is a smart fingerboard to choose.
P-Rep Fingerprint 30mm Graphic Complete Wooden Fingerboard
The wheels on this fingerboard have a low-mold, CNC-lathed design, making them very sturdy and reliable. There is a graphic on the deck of the fingerboard that makes it an eye-catcher, and because of the low mold, there is less concave, which is preferred by many fingerboarders today. P-Rep is one brand that you’ll come across again and again when you’re researching fingerboards, and the reason becomes obvious as soon as you start to use yours.
Having said this, the fingerboard is a little more expensive than many other brands, which can affect a brand-new fingerboarder’s decision on which one to purchase. The low mold has its advantages, but it is still a little different than what some fingerboarders are used to, especially if you’re a beginner. This is a 30mm graphic fingerboard that is perfect for beginners and more experienced users alike.
P-Rep Complete 30mm Wooden Fingerboard
This is a great fingerboard for beginners, but more experienced users can enjoy it as well. It comes with two sheets of pre-cut grip tape in case you need a replacement at a later date. The bearing wheels allow for a smooth ride, and the metal trucks allow for a lot of abuse without destroying the fingerboard. It has a wooden deck that allows for more pop, and when you compare it to other fingerboards on the market, this one is very reasonably priced.
On the other hand, the wheels sometimes become clogged and aren’t very smooth if you don’t clean them regularly. The wheels are also plastic and don’t have much grip on them, which means they will sometimes break. Nevertheless, the P-Rep Company is a reputable company; therefore, you can still count on enjoying this fingerboard for a very long time.
Tech Deck 32mm Fingerboard
If you’re looking for a fingerboard that is extremely popular with beginners, this is it! The fingerboard is available in 12 different colors and has features that all beginners will find handy. You can shred it just like it is or add some foam tape, shop wheels, and lock nuts to get an even better design. The company offers different packs to choose from, and the trucks are perfect if you decide to upgrade with a better deck later on. This fingerboard is definitely one that you can grow with.
Tech Deck Fingerboards
Tech Deck fingerboards are great for a very first board, although some people believe that if you start with these, you should upgrade to something else as soon as possible. While their popularity has waned in recent years, they are still very popular fingerboards that are widely accessible in numerous retail stores in any country. They look realistic and are well made, and when you’re operating their fingerboards, it’ll feel just the same as the real thing.
Unfortunately, there are some cons to buying this brand of fingerboard. First of all, it is not made out of wood like some of the higher-priced fingerboards but instead, they have a plastic deck, plastic bushings that don’t let the board turn in a natural direction, plastic trucks that sometimes break easily, and plastic wheels that are sometimes wobbly and which break easily. The “grip” tape included on the fingerboard is a little like sandpaper and isn’t as grippy as it should be.
Still, Tech Deck fingerboards tend to be very inexpensive and are perfectly fine to learn on, making them a good choice for beginners.
Tips for Beginning Fingerboarders
When you’re watching someone fingerboarding, it looks super-easy, but the truth is that it is harder than it looks. There are dozens of tricks that you’ll eventually learn if you stick with fingerboarding long enough, and some are more difficult than others. These tricks are the reason why it’s so important that you find the right fingerboard when you’re a beginner, but keep in mind that it takes a lot of practice to become a more skilled fingerboarder. Some of the easiest fingerboarding tricks include the following:
• Kick flip: this one involves flipping the board horizontally so it can do a full rotation before it lands on its wheels.
• Nollie (a nose ollie): perform this one by doing a reverse of an ollie.
• Ollie: this is a standing jump that is done with no ramps or obstacles.
• Shuvit/pop shuvit: this is a spin trick that you perform by popping, then scooping the tail before you spin, catch, and land.
• Wallie: this is an ollie that you perform on a short wall.
On the other hand, the most difficult fingerboarding tricks include these:
• 360 flip: this is a basic shuvit that is combined with a varial kickflip.
• Hard flip: this is a combination of a frontside pop shuvit and a kickflip. To do it well, you have to first master a kickflip, FS kickflip, and FS pop shuvit.
• Heel flip: this is similar to an ollie, but you push outwards slightly as you pop the tail with your middle finger.
• Impossible: pop the board with your middle finger, pull your index finger back, and place the middle finger underneath the board so it flips and the deck rotates around your finger.
Now that you know a few tricks that you’ll be practicing on your fingerboard, you’ll quickly realize why it’s so important that you find a good fingerboard to work with. Make sure that it’s sturdy and made by a reputable company. If you research fingerboards that are especially made for beginners, you’ll end up with a great fingerboard to use whether you want to use it to relax or to train to be a professional.
Conclusion
Fingerboards are a lot of fun, and if you’re a beginner, the first thing you’ll realize is that the tricks are a little more challenging than most people think. You can look the tricks up on YouTube, which is usually the easiest way to learn them, and the great thing about fingerboarding is that you don’t need a public park or a large yard to practice your skills. You can practice your fingerboarding skills in the comfort of your own home, which makes it very convenient.
If you stick with a good fingerboarding company and keep your budget in mind, it should be easy to find the best fingerboard. Don’t be hesitant to go a little cheap with the first one. You can always buy a more expensive fingerboard once you get some experience under your belt. After all, it’s best not to spend a ton of money until you’re sure you’re going to stick with it
