Welcome back to the 6Skates Fingerboard Podcast 🎙️

In this episode, we’re running a full AMA (Ask Me Anything) using real questions submitted by the fingerboard community. This one goes deep — covering the business side, creative side, and personal side of running a fingerboard shop and brand.

No scripts, no filters — just honest answers and real experience.

Questions & topics covered include:

• What’s the process for getting your brand carried in a shop?

• How important is a logo, and should you have a mission before starting?

• Can a brand grow without social media content?

• How many products should a new brand launch with? Is one product enough?

• Should you do it solo or build a team?

• What’s the biggest hurdle to fingerboarding industry growth?

• How much does networking matter (locally and internationally)?

• Favorite and least favorite parts of owning a fingerboard shop

• Why we stopped making full-size boards

• Why 29mm decks matter (and demand trends)

• Tips for starting a content channel before selling products

• Where creative inspiration comes from when designing deck graphics

• Stress, burnout, and how to manage it while running a business

This episode is especially useful if you’re:

• Thinking about starting a fingerboard brand

• Running a shop or planning to

• Creating content in the fingerboard space

• Curious about where the scene is headed

📍 Hosted by 6Skates — Canada’s dedicated fingerboard shop 1936 Danforth ave in Toronto

🛹 Built by the community, for the community

In this episode, we sit down with UAG Fingerboards straight from Japan 🇯🇵 to talk about their roots, the scene in Nagoya, and what makes UAG one of the most creative brands in fingerboarding today.

We also dive into our collab event happening later that day, featuring the Blitz tournament format — originally brought to fingerboarding by the legends at Grain Theory and Sweets Kendamas. ⚡️

Expect stories, laughs, and insights from both sides of the world as we talk community, design, and the shared passion that connects fingerboarders everywhere.

Follow UAG:

🇯🇵 @uag_f.b

👤 @uag.yusuke

🔥 @crunky.fb

🛒 Webshop: uagfb.com

📍Presented by 6Skates, Canada’s only dedicated fingerboard shop.

🛒 Shop online: 6Skates.com

🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

In this episode of the 6Skates Fingerboard Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Timo TKY Kranz, founder of ASI Berlin Fingerboard Shop, all the way from Germany!

Timo was our special guest at the Toronto Rendezvous, and I wanted to hear all about his experience. He shared his first thoughts when we invited him, including how he overcame an injury in his lower back through stretching and yoga to make the trip. Once here, he told me how “amazing” Toronto felt, how welcomed he was, and how our scene reminded him of a “really big family.” He even compared the vibe at our 6Skates shop to his own shop in Berlin — both built around community.

We dove into his fingerboard journey: how it’s a huge part of his life, picking up Tech Decks in ’99, moving to Berlin, realizing the need for a dedicated shop, and helping shape things with stake shops like Titus, which carried the first Berlin Woods. Timo reflected on winning the 2009 Fast Fingers World Championship, the crazy high-speed drive to the contest, and how that title opened doors like being invited to Hong Kong and gave credibility to ASI Berlin.

Some of what we cover in this episode:

• The evolution of ASI Berlin — from a fingerboard team to a physical shop now celebrating its 15th anniversary.

• Starting a shop —working with Black River, and Timo’s strong belief in supporting small, local brands to keepthe scene alive.
• The creation of ASI Bricks — from concept to concrete ramps, plus a few funny design mishaps.
• Berlin’s scene — events like Battle at the Harrics and Timo’s advice for future organizers: “you just need to do it.”
• Fingerboardingstyle — why he focuses on realism that mimics skating.
• Toronto vs. Berlin — how Toronto felt more “sesh culture” and less competitive.
• Highlights from Rendezvous — the energy, 15 vendors, and the new “Blitz Tournament” format that Timo said he’s definitely taking back to Germany.
• Outdoor fingerboarding — his surprise at how many spots Toronto has and his wish to see more public fingerboarding here.
• Turning passion into a profession — Timo’s advice: follow your dreams but also learn the business side.
• The future of fingerboarding — why he feels a new generation of skaters sees it differently and with more acceptance.
• 
  

Timo also opened up about life outside fingerboarding, shared favorite memories, and told the story of trying to swim in Toronto’s “cold as fuck” lake.

This was such a fun and inspiring conversation, I think you’ll enjoy hearing it as much as we enjoyed having it.

Check out Timo TKY Kranz and ASI Berlin at:
ASI-Berlin.com

Support 6Skates at:
6skates.com

In this episode of the Suckerrclub Fingerboard Podcast, we sit down with Mark from Suckerrclub Fingerboards — a new local brand turning heads with their larger hand-shaped decks and clean split ply designs.We dive into: 🛠️ How Suckerrclub got started and why they decided to start selling decks🪵 The process behind crafting hand-shaped fingerboards🧩 The art of split ply and how each design comes together🛒 How you can get your hands on a Sucker deck🌍 Marks first-ever trip to Fingerboard Con 2024 and what he's 'looking forward to most.Whether you're a collector, a rider, or just love hearing how fingerboard brands come to life, this episode’s got something for you.Follow Suckerrclub on Instagram: @suckerrclubSuckerrclub decks are available at https://www.6skates.com/collections/s... and by dm @suckerrclub on instagramThanks for tuning in — let’s get into it!

In this episode of the 6Skates Fingerboard Podcast, we sit down with João Rodrigues, the founder of Trukloops, to dive deep into the world of tuning and handcrafted fingerboard decks! 🇵🇹🔥

João shares the origin story of Trukloops, how his Portuguese heritage influences the brand, and what makes his decks stand out in the scene. From deck shapes and molds to wood selection and craftsmanship, we break down everything that goes into creating a high-quality fingerboard deck.

Topics Covered:

✅ How Trukloops started & the transition from o-rings to decks

✅ The influence of Portuguese culture in the brand

✅ Deck shapes, molds & materials– what makes Trukloops unique

✅ The pressing process & quality control** behind each deck

✅ Future plans for new shapes, collabs & customization

💬 Drop a comment below – what’s your favorite deck shape? Have you tried a Trukloops deck?

📌 Check out Trukloops:

🔗 https://www.trukloops.com

  / trukloops  

  / names2hard4youfb  

📌 Check out 6Skates:

🔗 https://www.6skates.com

6Skates Fingerboard Podcast – Intro Episode

Welcome to the 6Skates Fingerboard Podcast, where we dive into the brands and makers behind the products we carry in our shop. This podcast is for fingerboarders who want to go beyond tricks and setups to learn about the people, craftsmanship, and innovation shaping the scene.

What This Podcast is About

We’re taking you behind the scenes of the brands we stock at 6Skates, talking with deck makers, obstacle builders, wheel manufacturers, and other creators who make high-quality fingerboard gear. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into the products you ride, this is the podcast for you.

What to expect:

• The stories behind fingerboard brands—how they started and what makes them unique

• The process of making top-tier decks, trucks, wheels, and obstacles

• The challenges and successes of running a fingerboard company

About 6Skates

6Skates is Canada’s only dedicated fingerboard shop, located in Toronto. We don’t just sell gear—we support the makers and brands who push the fingerboarding scene forward.

Visit us in person or check us out online:

6Skates.com