Fingerboard Park Essentials
Creating and using a fingerboard park takes your fingerboarding experience to a whole new level. A fingerboard park is a miniature skatepark designed for practicing tricks, creating combos, and improving your fingerboard skills. Whether you’re looking to build your own park or assemble one from pre-made pieces, this guide will help you understand the essential elements, how to use them, and how to build a park that fits your style.
What Is a Fingerboard Park?
A fingerboard park is a scaled-down version of a skatepark, complete with ramps, rails, stairs, and other obstacles. It allows fingerboarders to replicate real-life skateboarding tricks and experiment with creative lines. Fingerboard parks range from simple setups with a few obstacles to elaborate designs with multiple levels and unique features.
Why Have a Fingerboard Park?
- Skill Development: A park provides a variety of surfaces and obstacles to improve your fingerboard control and trick repertoire.
- Creative Expression: Designing and building your own park lets you personalize it to suit your style.
- Convenience: Having a dedicated space means you can practice anytime, anywhere.
- Fun and Challenge: A park adds excitement and complexity to your fingerboarding sessions.
Essential Features of a Fingerboard Park
To create a versatile and exciting fingerboard park, include these key elements:
1. Rails
Rails are a must-have for grinds and slides. They come in different shapes and sizes, such as straight rails, round rails, and flat bars.
Best Tricks: 50-50 grind, boardslide, noseslide.
Materials: Metal or plastic.
Pro Tip: Start with lower rails to build confidence before moving to taller ones.
2. Ramps
Ramps add flow to your park and are great for launching tricks. Some popular ramp types include quarter pipes, banks, and kickers.
Best Tricks: Ollies, kickflips, and air tricks.
Materials: Wood, plastic, or cardboard.
Pro Tip: Combine ramps with rails or ledges for more complex setups.
3. Stairs and Gaps
Stair sets and gaps challenge your ability to control your fingerboard mid-air. They’re ideal for learning big tricks like flips and shuvits.
Best Tricks: Stairs are perfect for ollies, varial flips, and manuals.
Materials: Wood or plastic.
Pro Tip: Add a rail alongside the stairs for grind combos.
4. Ledges
Ledges are flat edges that are slightly raised off the ground. They’re perfect for grinds, slides, and technical tricks.
Best Tricks: Crooked grind, feeble grind, and tailslide.
Materials: Wood, concrete, or plastic.
Pro Tip: Wax the ledge lightly to make sliding easier.
5. Flat Spaces
Flat areas are crucial for setting up tricks, practicing manuals, or linking lines between obstacles.
Best Tricks: Manuals, flatground ollies, and spins.
Materials: Smooth wood or plastic.
Pro Tip: Use flat spaces to rehearse new tricks before attempting them on obstacles.
6. Custom Obstacles
Adding unique obstacles like barrels, pyramids, or custom-built features can make your park stand out.
Best Tricks: Experiment and create your own lines!
Materials: Use everyday items like bottle caps, small boxes, or LEGO bricks.
Pro Tip: Incorporate items with different textures for variety.
Building Your Own Fingerboard Park
Creating a DIY fingerboard park is a fun and budget-friendly option. Here’s how to build one:
1. Plan Your Layout
- Sketch a rough design of your park on paper.
- Include features that fit your skill level and the tricks you want to practice.
- Ensure the layout has a good flow, allowing you to transition smoothly between obstacles.
2. Gather Materials
- Base: Use plywood, a wooden board, or a sturdy piece of cardboard.
- Obstacles: Build ramps and rails with wood, plastic, or recycled materials.
- Tools: You’ll need a saw, glue, sandpaper, and a ruler for precise cuts.
3. Build Obstacles
- Ramps: Use a piece of wood or cardboard, bend it into shape, and secure it with glue or nails.
- Rails: Attach metal rods or plastic pipes to a stable base.
- Stairs and Ledges: Stack wooden blocks and sand them down for smooth edges.
4. Paint and Decorate
- Add paint or stickers to personalize your park.
- Use tape to mark “skateable” areas for a polished look.
5. Test Your Park
- Practice using each obstacle and adjust as needed.
- Smooth out rough surfaces with sandpaper or add more stability to wobbly parts.
Pre-Made vs. DIY Parks
| Aspect | Pre-Made Parks | DIY Parks |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher, depending on brand and size. | Budget-friendly, using recycled or cheap materials. |
| Customization | Limited to pre-designed features. | Fully customizable to fit your style. |
| Skill Level | Ready to use, ideal for beginners. | Requires time and effort to build. |
| Durability | Professionally made with quality materials. | Depends on the materials used. |
Tips for Using Your Fingerboard Park
- Start Small: Focus on mastering one obstacle before adding others to your lines.
- Combine Tricks: Use flat spaces to link tricks between obstacles.
- Wax the Rails: This makes grinds and slides smoother and reduces friction.
- Record Your Lines: Film your runs to track your progress and share them with the fingerboard community.
Maintaining Your Fingerboard Park
- Clean Surfaces: Dust and debris can affect the smoothness of your tricks.
- Repair Damage: Use glue or replace parts if an obstacle breaks.
- Check Stability: Ensure obstacles are securely attached to the base to avoid movement during use.
Inspiring Fingerboard Park Ideas
- Street Style: Focus on rails, stairs, and ledges for a realistic street skating vibe.
- Mini Halfpipe: A simple halfpipe with rails on the side for technical tricks.
- DIY Creativity: Use household items like books, cups, or cardboard for unique obstacles.
Conclusion
A fingerboard park is the ultimate playground for practicing tricks, improving skills, and showcasing creativity. Whether you’re building your own park from scratch or investing in pre-made obstacles, having a dedicated space will enhance your fingerboarding experience. Start small, experiment with different setups, and most importantly, have fun creating and using your park.
Are you ready to design the park of your dreams? Grab your tools or obstacles and let the fingerboarding adventures begin!
