Fingerboarding has recently returned as a popular hobby around McAuliffe Middle School. It involves many students playing around with little skateboards. Most students find an open spot to do a quick trick during passing period before walking to their next class. 

Tech decks are miniature skateboard toys. You can use two or three fingers to move and do tricks, and when you flick your middle finger it causes the board to pop up. They are made out of hard plastic, wheels, and metal trucks. Additionally, there are many different designs and brands for fingerboards. Brands like Tech Deck, Pizza, P-Rep, and Zebra are some of the more famous fingerboard brands. They also come in all different sizes.

The Tech Deck brand was originally developed by two California toy makers named Tom Davidson and Peter Asher. Asher’s twelve-year-old son inspired him to make tiny skateboards out of wood and die-cast metal. As time progressed, they became more popular and started to get more advanced. Griptape was even added to them. This is a sandpaper that is placed on top of skateboards to provide better traction to the board. Many other people make thicker boards that are better for tricks. 

Although students love them, these toys make loud noises and they disturb classes. According to Mrs. Edwards, “I have no issue with students playing with these items on their own time. I do think they are distracting in a classroom setting, so I would not recommend playing with them in school.” Kids play in class and get their boards taken away by teachers often. These objects make a loud racket and are a disturbance according to many people. However, several kids enjoy the entertainment that these toys provide. Kedric Delaney says, “I can do an ollie, pop shove, kickflip, and impossible.” 

Many students love playing with these small toys and always bring them to school, causing Tech Decks to become a well-known toy around McAuliffe Middle School. Although some people may be annoyed by these mini skateboards, they can be a blast for kids.