– Hi Martin! My name is Tomi Lempinen and I’m from Turku, Finland. I have a webshop with my older brother called DOH FB SHOP (http://dohfbshop.com)and as the name says we mainly sell fingerboard products. I am so lucky to have such good contacts to Blackriver-Ramps, Harrier, Mitt and Flatface Fingerboards so we can provide Finnish fingerboarders with the best possible equipment. My typical day is sitting at home in front of the computer sending e-mails, writing a blog (http://fb4fun.blogspot.com), filming and editing videos and taking photos which is my latest passion and of course taking care of other company related issues. I also compose music, write lyrics and play drums in a punkband called Tku Trashin. I couldn’t work / take orders from anyone who doesn’t care about / know about fingerboarding so our own company is a good solution.

How do you get in touch with fingerboarding?

– I was quite depressed couple years ago and a friend of mine dropped by and showed me some fingerboard videos and the “Opus 0” by Alexis Milant changed my life. It was so smooth and realistic. So crazy, like magic. I couldn’t even imagine that you could do tricks like that with a fingerboard so after that I went to another friend’s house and he gave me a Blind Tech Deck. I started practicing ollies, flips and such and after few months I found Blackriver Webshop and ordered a Berlinwood Camo Green, Box 6 and a polebank and after that I got my first sponsor. I made fingerboard videos day after day and started to write a blog first in English but because of you I decided to try it in Finnish (thank you by the way, haha)and there has been a lot of active readers. I went to Sweden couple times in 2010 and met Andy (first BRR Teamrider) at Malmö Ultra Bowl 2 and got along with him just great and he gave me a treasure I will cherish the rest of my life. Then I got invited to Germany by Thomas Hansen and I went there twice this summer. And not long ago I got invited to BATH3 and my first FB-movie FB 4 FUN is in the reviews of Fingerboarder Magazine #2 so things are pretty insane right now. Fingerboarding almost literally saved my life so I will dedicate my life to the fingerboard scene and support those who deserve it. Paying It Forward!

Whats your current setup?

– My current setup is 32mm split ply Berlinwood that Timo Lieben made me on my last trip to BRR City. I use regular BRT 2.0 trucks with black baseplates and the other hanger is True Blue and the other is Super Silver, but there’s a little story behind it: I accidently stepped on the board but luckily only one hanger got damaged. That shows the quality of Berlinwood decks, haha. I use Timo Kranz bushings and Winkler Wheels TLC Blues at the moment. Other setup I use a lot is FlatFace G12 Extra Wide with BRT 2.0 and FlatFace BR Edition wheels. But I’m still searching for that “perfect” setup but I think I’ve found my board already. I also have to try different setups in order to make reviews for the Finnish Fingerboarding For Fun blog and to test out the products that we sell. Flaked 4 ply 31mm, LowPro Family Shape and Berlinwood “flatshapes” are also very good decks. I just love Berlinwood decks and now that I’ve seen them do them and their quality control is very strict (you can take my word on that, haha) so my opinion has only strengthened along the way.

What is your favorite trick?

– Hmm… I think there are a lot of favorite tricks but nollie FS late shove-it is probably my “signature” trick. 360 flip (tré flip) is cool but there’s so many ways / styles to do it and I’m still trying to find mine. But It changes all the time cause you will always find something new in every trick you do if you just pay attention to the way you do it. I like the fact that you can never learn it all but of course you can and you should try because nothing is impossible!

Do you have any favorite rider or a video that influenced you?

– I already mentioned the Opus 0 video so let’s focus on my favorite riders and sessions. Of course Alexis Milant is one of my favorite riders but a good fingerboarder is more than just a skilled fingerboarder since he / she has to have personality / character in my opinion. So with that said I would name my favorite rider as Thomas Hansen! I remember when I saw his entry to the “Hit The Line” contest and I was psyched. So original style and tricks. It is still one of my ultimate favorite videos as well as the part he and Martin did for the FB 4 FUN movie, it is insane! (Check it out on blacktheriver channel!) And Thomas is such a great character, full of wisdom and he’s generous, kind and reliable guy. Someone once said that I have a similar style and I think that has been one of the best comments I have received in YouTube.

Which fingerboard experience you liked the most(contest/jam/session)?

– I have had a lot of exciting fingerboard experiences but I must say that the day after Fast Fingers 13 at the Wunseidel with Thomas, Timo L, Mike, Jay, Chris Deso, Mitko and many others. The sun was shining and everyone shredded the incredible stone-park and the stone-ramp with a smile on their faces. That was a wonderful day. Props to Wunseidel-Flo! I miss those days so much and the friends I made on my trips to Germany.

And finally do you want to thank someone?