#7 JUNE 2025 PLIES by Pliesmag

LETTER FROM LEVINE

When we dropped Issue #1 of Plies Magazine, I’ll be honest, it was all new to us. We were stepping into uncharted territory, trying something no one else in the fingerboarding world was doing consistently: a monthly magazine, in print and digital form, that could capture the culture, the creativity, and the core of what fingerboarding really is.

And now, here we are. Issue #7.

Time has flown. Each issue has been a sprint, a grind, a risk, and a success. Seven issues deep, and every one of them has brought new stories, new voices, and new energy to the scene. Whether you’ve been with us since Day 1 or just picked this up for the first time, I want to say thank you. You’re a part of something special.

This magazine was never just about pretty photos or polished interviews. Plies was built with a vision, to be the heart of fingerboarding media. A monthly reminder that fingerboarding is alive, creative, evolving, and community-driven. We’re here to document not just the tricks, but the people behind them. The spots. The vibes. The DIY. The legends. The new kids.

And now, we’re expanding that vision even further.

We launched FOTY, Fingerboarder of the Year, to celebrate the rider who’s not only killing it technically, but pushing the culture forward. We kicked off Finger Graffiti, a new feature spotlighting the art, design, and raw expression that make our scene more than just sport, it’s a lifestyle. Together, these projects build on the backbone of what Plies stands for: culture, coverage, and community.

We still have a long way to go, but we’ve also come so far. Seven issues in, and this is just the warm-up.

Thank you for riding with us.

— Levine @pliesmag | @usafbl

artist: Brandon Kehler

ﬁdgetydigitsfb403 size: 96X34 shape: silver/popsicle qt: 1 of 50

Lost Flipper, Found Purpose - The Eli Box Story

Hailing from the Deep South in Carriere, Mississippi, Eli Box is a dedicated father, filmmaker, and fingerboarder who has been immersed in the world of skateboarding and fingerboarding for over 14 years. His journey began in 2011, inspired by pioneers like Mike Schneider and FingerSkateSelective. Transitioning from YouTube to Instagram in 2016, Eli secured his first deck sponsorship with @ONFO_fb in February 2017. Since then, he has ridden for @Silkydecks and currently represents @GibbyDecks.

Eli’s commitment extends beyond the fingerboarding scene; he has been serving his country for nearly five years and recently embraced fatherhood with the birth of his son. His passion for fingerboarding remains unwavering, with current sponsorships including Gibby Decks, @Missing_Wax, and @Wolf_Knots. While he doesn’t yet have a pro model, Eli is diligently working toward that milestone.

Among his notable experiences, Eli cherishes meeting Brandon of ONFO Fingerboards during Rendezvous 26, where he connected with

fellow community members. Another highlight is filming the video “Beers for Warm-Up” with Justin Pounds (@ justin.pounds), where they explored street spots to fingerboard while skateboarding.

Currently, Eli is developing two fulllength street parks and aiming to compete in sanctioned events. He’s also collaborating with @too_fat_to_crust to organize an upcoming event in New Orleans, with details forthcoming.

Follow Eli:

Instagram: @lost_flipper | @tek.fb

TikTok: @lost_flipper

YouTube: lostflipper24

Joaquim Guigo-Méndez December Fingerboards

Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Joaquim GuigoMéndez is a Frenchborn artist, inventor, and fingerboarder. With a creative background in drawing, painting, and filmmaking, Joaquim blends his artistic roots with a growing passion for manufacturing and woodworking.

Joaquim began fingerboarding in 2007 and quickly gained recognition for his skills. By 2011, he had joined the Blackriver team and released multiple pro models with the brand. In recent years, his focus shifted toward craftsmanship, leading to the creation of his own brand, December Fingerboards. The idea for December was born when Joaquim took a break from traditional art and immersed himself in woodworking. Surrounded by tools, he became fascinated with the challenge of crafting a fingerboard entirely from scratch, including the mold. After nearly a year of research and obsessive prototyping, he launched the brand with a 30-minute video documenting the process. The decks were impressive from the start, and with time, they’ve only improved. Joaquim has even designed his own machines to perfect tricky production steps and continues to experiment with techniques like reusing scrap decks to press new veneers.

Today, December Fingerboards boasts a loyal following and a tight-knit team of riders including Ivo Avila, Pipo Donnadio, Ian Mulet, Mauro Lopez, Anita Ceballos, Emi Lemos (Uruguay), Ben Allen (USA), and Ryan Giray (Philippines). While there are no official pro models yet, the team is stacked with talent.

Joaquim’s most unforgettable moment was being flown to the Blackriver Christmas Party in 2010 at age 17, right after joining the team. Another highlight: team rider Ian Mulet placing 4th at the Fast Fingers World Championship, an event Joaquim supported with both gear and good vibes.

Currently, Joaquim is also developing a new, affordable brand called Merci Fingerboarding for the Argentine scene.

Website: www.december.ar

Instagram: @december.fb

YouTube: FrenchMeFrenchYou Merci Instagram: @merci.fingerboarding

fingerboard tape

fingerboarder O.T.M.

SNAP, CRACKLE & POP: The

Worden Cuyler, known in the fingerboard scene as @ CerealCity_FB, hails from Battle Creek, Michigan, a place famously nicknamed “Cereal City” for being the former cereal manufacturing capital of the world. That hometown pride inspired his fingerboard handle and continues to shape his identity in the scene.

Worden is a true enthusiast with a wide range of hobbies, including sneaker collecting, disc golf, and gaming, but fingerboarding has become his creative cornerstone. When he’s not skating his setups, you’ll likely find him spending time with his wife and daughter.

Like many, Worden’s fingerboarding journey began with Tech Decks in childhood before fading away—until 2021, when he stumbled back into the scene during a moment of boredom. That spark quickly reignited into full-blown passion, and since then, he’s become a sponsored rider for two standout companies: Cosmic Inertia and Fattys Pre-Rolls. He’s proud to call both teams family.

His first sponsor, Cosmic Inertia, came about after meeting founder Geoff at USAFBL Detroit in 2021, an instant connection that turned into a lasting partnership. But the dream came full circle when he joined Fattys Pre-Rolls, a fingerboarding-meets-cannabis company he had followed since his early days back in the scene. After some encouragement from friends, he applied to the team and was chosen—fulfilling a personal goal and solidifying his place among fingerboarding’s rising talents.

Among his most unforgettable moments: competing and winning King of the Plies with Team Fattys. The camaraderie, effort, and sheer joy of hearing “you won” from Levine made it a defining memory, cementing their names in fingerboard history. The full experience lives on via Fattys’ KOTP video on YouTube.

With big projects and collaborations on the horizon from both sponsors, Worden is just getting started.

Follow CerealCity_FB: Instagram: @cerealcity_fb YouTube: CerealCity Fingerboards

Sergiy Hryshchyshen is a 40-yearold former skateboarder from Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. After years of skateboarding, health issues and the pandemic shifted his path. With experience running a skate shop, starting a skateboard brand, and building skateparks, Sergiy turned to fingerboarding as a new creative outlet.

Crafted in Conflict: The Vision of Workers FB

Though he jokes that he’s terrible that he’s terrible at fingerboarding and can’t land a trick, he considers this an advantage. Free from expectations, he creates obstacles with fresh perspective. What started with a log-carved fingerboard pool has grown into a full-fledged fingerboard brand: Workers FB.

Over the past three years, he’s expanded his line from two board sizes to five, introduced new concaves and shapes, and added colored veneer inlays and detailed welding techniques. He’s collaborated with designers, upgraded materials, and constantly improves his offerings.

Workers FB also supports a small team, including Russell, Neil, Harley, Andrew, and Sterling, the only rider with an official pro model (set to release this year). Sergiy finds joy in sharing new products with his team and seeing their excitement.

He’s sponsored events in the U.S. and Canada and is planning more, including collaborations with Ukrainian and American artists and brands. Future plans include launching fingerboard wheels and returning to his roots by crafting parks from whole logs.

Despite the instability caused by the war in Ukraine, Sergiy continues to build, focusing on craftsmanship, creativity, and connection through fingerboarding.

Follow Workers FB

Distributor: Unity Ride Shop

Etsy: TwoNeighborsWorkShop

Instagram: @workers_fb

Johnathan Peña, known online as TCGENE, is a dedicated fingerboarder and collector based in San Antonio, Texas. While he’s deeply immersed in the world of fingerboarding, Johnathan also enjoys playing Magic: The Gathering, World of Warcraft, and Fortnite. A homebody by nature, he doesn’t travel often, but when he does attend fingerboard events, he makes it a priority to document every detail to share with the community.

His fingerboarding journey began in 2009 but slowed down around 2012. Nearly a decade later, while browsing for Magic cards in December 2021, he stumbled across a Teak complete on Amazon. One kickflip later, he was hooked all over again. Skateboarding was off the table due to the risk of injury, but fingerboarding brought that same thrill in a more accessible way.

QUEST LOG: SHRED, COLLECT, REPEAT..

Creator O.T.M.

The name “TCGENE” was originally intended for a Magic: The Gathering channel, TCG” for trading card game and “Eugene” being his middle name. “TC” also doubles as “The Collector,” a title that fits perfectly considering his passion for collecting. His girlfriend encouraged him to share their first Blackriver haul on YouTube, and it resonated with viewers. Since then, Johnathan has become known for his impressive fingerboard collection, featuring collabs, limited releases, 1/1s, old split plies, and rare Beast Pants decks.

Currently, Johnathan rides for SAYVUR by FAYMUS Decks, with three pro models under his belt: ELYXR - Lightning, ELYXR - Midnight, and ELYXR OVERLOAD. Being featured in the first-ever FAYMUS fingerboard video remains one of his proudest moments. He continues to grow the San Antonio fingerboard scene and aims to bring more event coverage to those who can’t attend. Through his YouTube channel TCGENE and Instagram @tcgene89, Johnathan remains a passionate voice in the fingerboard community, sharing knowledge, nostalgia, and a whole lot of decks.

BUILT TO SHRED: THE ABC PARKS STORY

Creativity has always been at the center of everything ADRIAN HERRERA does—whether it’s building, making music, skating, or just messing around with friends. After more than 20 years of fingerboarding, that original spark hasn’t faded. When he’s not deep in a build or filming a session, he’s at home with his girlfriend and their animals, enjoying the slower moments.

Park O.T.M.

had the classic raised lip on the grip. Always keeping a setup nearby, he later discovered brands like Flatface, Berlinwood, and Yellowood, upgrading his gear with a little help from his mom. Around 2020, he began filming seriously and connecting with the wider scene, and hasn’t slowed down since.

Without money for boards and ramps growing up, he started building obstacles by hand. A wooden letter

He first picked up fingerboarding back in middle school, when Tech Decks still

“A” from a church display sparked his second park, and that shape would

eventually inspire ABC Parks.

A move from Miami to Michigan reignited his passion. There, he built his first official obstacle and was later commissioned to recreate the Chicago SLS park for Reign FB. Since then, it’s been nonstop builds, experiments, and big projects.

The ABC Park stands as his most intricate build to date, layered, detailed, and meant to be ridden. New collabs, obstacle concepts, and ABC Deck drops are in the works. Customs are open, and bigger things are coming.

web: abcparks.com insta: abcparks.fb

Spot O.T.M.

From Elkhart to Everywhere: A Fingerboarder’s Journey

Chris Commons hails from Elkhart, Indiana, a small town just south of the Michigan border. While it may be modest in size, Elkhart holds everything Chris values: family, creativity, and community. An artist in every sense of the word, Chris sees the world as his canvas. Whether through photography, skateboarding, or crafting from found objects, his passion lies in transforming the ordinary into something meaningful.

Chris is a family man with Chris is a two children, a fiancée, and a trio

of pets: a black cat named Kodak, a Boston terrier named Maggie, and a mischief-making French bulldog named DeBo. His creative drive is deeply personal, yet it radiates into everything he touches.

At the heart of his artistry is fingerboarding a lifelong passion that began when he first picked up a skateboard as a kid. That one pivotal

moment shaped the trajectory of his life. From building mini skateparks on a ping pong table with his brothers to competing on national stages, fingerboarding has always been a constant in Chris’s journey. He still owns his very first Tech Deck from fifth grade.

Today, Chris is not only a collector with thousands of Tech Decks, but also a customizer. He paints trucks (often with nail polish), pairs them with matching wheels, and displays them around his fingerboard park to create a visually immersive experience. His dedication to the craft is evident in every detail.

Chris has competed in four Chris fingerboarding competitions and took first place in all of them. His most recent win was at a USAFBLsanctioned event. He’s also a

seasoned park builder, having designed setups since childhood. One of his most recent projects was a collaborative build with his fiancée, which he’s excited to showcase at the next USAFBL event.

To Chris, fingerboarding is more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle and a form of art. He calls it “the best board game ever created,” and he’s grateful to be part of a community that shares the same love for this unique culture.

As he gears up for the next event, Chris As wishes the best to his fellow competitors and encourages everyone to “keep pushing to the end.”

Follow Chris Commons: Instagram: @ccommons Fingerboard customs: @Commonscustomsfb TikTok: @Chairmanoftheboards34

Sawdust in the Pit: The Dual Life of Dave Ware

Dave Ware is a hands-on creative based in Wilmington, North Carolina, with a lifelong passion for building, music, and making something out of nothing. His fingerboarding journey dates back to the early ’90s, when he and his friends crafted cardboard ramps and DIY setups inspired by the skate spots they saw in magazines. Like many, Dave drifted away from fingerboarding over time, but the spark returned years later during the pandemic, when he started fooling around with Tech Decks alongside his daughters. That playful moment led him to build a small wooden ramp, which reignited a deep creative drive. What began as a casual project quickly turned into a full-blown obsession. Discovering the thriving global fingerboard scene online, Dave dove back in—designing and building ramps, parks, and custom features. His distinctive builds eventually caught the attention of the USAFBL, and he now contributes by helping design and construct parks for the league. His work continues to reflect his love for hands-on creativity and his dedication to the scene.

Music has also been a major part of Dave’s life. In 2007, he joined Wilmington Music has also been a major punk band Monkey Knife Fight, a raw and gritty group that had already made a name for itself. Over the years, they’ve shared stages with icons like Guttermouth, DRI, Agent Orange, Bad Brains, and The Murder Junkies. One of the most unforgettable shows was opening for GWAR at the now-closed Ziggy’s, complete chaos in the pit, with fans walking out soaked in red food coloring. While the band plays less frequently now, Monkey Knife Fight is still active, balancing music with life, families, and work.

Dave’s favorite fingerboard memory is attending the first USAFBL event in Chicago, a grueling 18-hour drive that paid off with an unforgettable experience. He competed in the vert contest (and got wrecked), but the real reward was the energy and community.

Today, Dave also supports the scene through Radio FB Shop, a local online and warehouse fingerboard store he runs with his friend Alex in Wilmington. Through design, music, and building, Dave stays deeply connected to the culture that continues to inspire him.

monkeyknifefight.bandcamp.com Instagram: @warehouseramps | @radio.fbs

Band O.T.M.

Dream. Design. Fingerboard.

The @6oh5oh Story

Originally from Perth, Australia, Mark Andrew relocated to the United States 17 years ago and now calls Orange County California home. Deeply rooted in the skateboarding scene and culture, Mark has always enjoyed being part of creative communities. In recent years, that passion has evolved into a pursuit of designing something new and different within the fingerboarding world. His brand, 6oh5oh, takes its name from his Perth postcode (6050) with Australians typically pronouncing zero as “oh.”

Mark’s fingerboarding journey began, like many others, with Tech Decks during childhood, alongside a lifelong commitment to skateboarding. However, his more serious involvement in the fingerboard (FB) scene started just about a year ago. The turning point came two years back when he bought his first 3D printer. What began as printing monster truck ramps for his son gradually evolved into what is now 6oh5oh.

Rather than simply adding another obstacle brand to the mix, Mark set out to offer something distinctive. He’s particularly proud of designs like the Penny Kicker, a unique, affordable, and portable ramp that showcases his fresh approach to obstacle creation. One of his biggest innovations to date is the 6oh5oh Park, a modular system incorporating LED lighting, glow-inthe-dark features, and customizable signage. Mark envisions building on this platform with interchangeable obstacles and exclusive collaborations with others in the fingerboarding

community. A lthough still new to the scene, Mark’s most memorable experience so far was attending his first meetup at the Slushcult Endof-Month Park Session. The warm welcome he received from the community left a lasting impression and inspired him to become a more active participant in the scene.

Another recent highlight includes a giveaway collaboration with Ryse Fingerboards and Tristan (@pager. one), where Tristan creatively transformed the MiniVX housing into an obstacle, an example of the out-of-the-box thinking that motivates Mark to keep pushing boundaries.

The flexibility of 3D printing allows Mark to quickly apply feedback and test new concepts. His goal for 6oh5oh is to continually explore what’s possible, refining existing products, introducing new ones, and staying closely connected to the community. For those interested in the journey, he regularly shares updates on Instagram.

Follow 6oh5oh: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube – @6oh5oh Website – www.6oh5oh.com

Go To THESE

Date NAME / EVENT

06-01 Game of S.K.A.T.E Tournament Chicago, IL

LOCATION

06-06 King of Prague Prague, Czech Republic

06-07 Mitten Finger Mayhem Muskegon, MI

06-07 King of Prague Prague, Czech Republic

06-08 Game of S.K.A.T.E Tournament Chicago, IL

06-08 Chuco Fingerz El Paso, TX

06-13 Store Launch Weekend Park City, UT

06-14 Store Launch Weekend Layton, UT

06-15 Game of S.K.A.T.E Tournament Chicago, IL

06-21 Inked Hands Napanee, Ontario, Canada

06-21 Maplecrest FB Sesh Maplewood, NJ

06-22 Game of S.K.A.T.E Tournament Chicago, IL

06-28 BFC X Caramel Summer Event Ortuella, Spain

06-29 Fingerboard Event 14 Mesa, AZ

07-05 Grind the Keg Event London, Ontario, Canada

07-26 Bckyrd Bash Norwalk, OH

07-26 Scatzle Fingers Nürtingen, Germany

07-26 The Derby Fingerboard Rodeo Derby, England

07-26 Fingers On Fire 3 Strathmore, Alberta, Canada

07-26 Shredder Mania 3 Santa Ana, CA

08-09 Fingerboard Con Barcelona, Spain

08-09 Grind Time 6 White Lake, MI

08-09 618 Finger Skate Edwardsville, IL

08-10 Fingerboarding Con Barcelona, Spain

08-15 USAFBL Regional - West Event Portland, OR

08-16 USAFBL Regional - West Event Portland, OR

Want your event on this list?

ListenTo THESE

Season 3 Episode 108 | @Jakepfb

We welcome a very special guest, Jake Simms a.k.a @jakepfb! We dive into his rise as a digital fingerboarding legend and how his Trick of the Day series sparked massive growth. We talk about his collaborations with Fingerboard Christopher and Slushcult, and how his Black River pro deck graphic came to life. We also explore his sponsorships, travel adventures, and the upcoming Listen to Win challenge for an autographed Jake x Black River deck. This one’s packed with inspiration and insider stories. If you enjoy the show, please like, follow, and share!

Release Date: Apr 16, 2025

Season 3 Episode 109 | Fingerboarder of the Year

We’re gearing up for the biggest fingerboarding weekend of the year! Levine and Brian dive into the dual madness of Rendezvous 37 and Fingerboard Con 3, discuss the rise of multiple fingerboarding podcasts, and break the news on two exciting new Plies Magazine features, Finger Graffiti and Fingerboarder of the Year! We also explore a massive brand merger, talk King of the Plies progress, preview upcoming sanctioned events, and spill plans for global magazine expansion into multiple languages. Plus, Plies Magazine drops its biggest issue yet and a sick collab with @FidgetyDigitsfb403! Let’s just say, we’re going worldwide.

Release Date: Apr 23, 2025

Season 3 Episode 110 | Rendezvous vs. Fingerboard Con

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we dive into the biggest weekend in fingerboarding, FlatFace Rendezvous and Fingerboard Con! We break down the key differences between the two events, share our favorite moments from the weekend, and talk about what each event brought to the table. We also give some exciting updates on King of the Plies, some epic challenges have already been completed, and we can’t wait to see the final submissions roll in. Oh, and did we mention Plies Magazine Issue #6 officially live? If you enjoy the show, please like, follow, and share!

Release Date: Apr 30, 2025

Season 3 Episode 111 | Terrifying Tariffs

This week’s episode of the USAFBL Fingerboard Podcast might just be the most important one we’ve ever recorded, no cap. We’re talking tariffs. Yep, that “boring” word that’s about to shake the entire fingerboard world. We break down how global politics, rising import taxes, and supply chain chaos could jack up prices, cut off materials, and flip the DIY fingerboard scene upside down. Deckmakers, wheel builders, truck suppliers, no one’s safe!

Release Date: May 7, 2025

The 3CCH1 Interview

Josh, founder of San Diego-based brand 3CCH1, joins The Bigspin to talk about his skateboarding background, love for fingerboarding and handboarding, and the inspiration behind his bold, sometimes edgy graphics. He also reflects on his brief influencer era and how family life has reshaped his approach to running the brand. Catch the episode May 16 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Release Date: May 16, 2025

A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Creative Impact

Every scene has its legends, and every year, someone steps up and leaves a mark that’s impossible to ignore. Whether it’s in the clips that break the algorithm, the edits that set new standards, or the quiet, consistent work that keeps the culture alive, we see you.

That’s why we created Fingerboarder of the Year (FOTY). Inspired by Thrasher’s Skater of the Year but reimagined through the lens of fingerboarding, FOTY isn’t just about being the

most technical. It’s about leading the culture, elevating others, and pushing the boundaries of what fingerboarding means today.

The Mission - FOTY celebrates the most impactful, active, and influential fingerboarder of the year. Think: part MVP, part Cultural Icon, part Community Leader. This isn’t about a single trick or one contest win, it’s about consistency, presence, and cultural influence over the course of a full year.

From January 1 to November 21, we’re watching. Edits, contest footage, magazine features, podcast interviews, local leadership, it all counts.

Timeline

• Jan 1 – Nov 21: Year-Round Watchlist

• Nov 22 – 28: Nomination Period

• Nov 29: Finalist Reveal

• Dec 1 – 5: Public + Industry Voting

• Jan 1: Winner Announced in the January Issue

In 2026, we launch the FOTY Hall of Fame immortalizing legends year by year.

FOTY is more than a title, it’s a legacy. It’s a reminder that this culture is built by the ones who show up, create relentlessly, inspire unapologetically, and make fingerboarding feel alive.

This is your time. Who’s your FOTY?