A Look Inside the Subculture of Professional Fingerboarding

Much like repetitively spinning a pen around your finger, fingerboarding is often regarded as the preserve of idle-minded schoolkids in classrooms and cafeterias the nation over. It’s no surprise therefore, that unbeknownst to the rest of us, there is a thriving subculture of fingerboarders who gather once a year in Dracut, Massachusetts to show off their newfound tricks and bond with kindred spirits.

The de factor leader of this tight-knit community is one Mike Schneider, a 23-year-old who owns fingerboard brand Flatface Fingerboards and has in many ways cultivated the hobby from a solitary fascination into a career and passion. Enjoy the video above as Schneider recounts his journey in creating a subculture, as well as the pressure of attending professional fingerboarding tournaments.