Boys get on board with new business

With ambition and a passion for riding long boards, juniors Jake Laird, Tyler Wilkinson and Adam Simmons decided to start their own longboard company.

It all began 3 years ago in Colorado with a pair of water skis. With the help of his engineering step father, Dalton Dawkins, Laird made a long board out of his old water skis. This even sparked his building interest. He shared that interest with his friends, Wilkinson and Simmons, after moving to Oregon.

One day, while out riding, Wilkinson and Laird decided to stash their long boards among freshly cut logs while they climbed on a logging train. Later, when picking their boards up from the logs, they noticed the sticky material coating their boards. They decided to develop a company named Sappy Boards. The entire company’s concept was developed based on that name

“We stumbled upon the greatest idea ever,” Laird said.

The guys began making their first boards in the Glencoe woodshop, using YouTube videos and teacher Mike O’Connor’s advice. The boys came to the woodshop four separate days after school. Altogether the process took eight hours.

To begin making a long board, they first stack many sheets of thin plywood and apply wood adhesive to each layer. After placing the stacked sheets in a homemade mold to curve the board overnight, then they have the basic shape of the board. Then the excess is trimmed, and they finish the wood. Local artists and graphic designers from around the school provide art for the boards, like senior Dominique Hollman. They hope to welcome new art and designs from other students as well.

Once the wheels are applied all that is left to do is ride.

“[Riding] is like the fuel of freedom,” Wilkinson explained. According to Simmons, riding a long board is all about the speed.

“I first rode a skateboard, but I wanted to go faster.” Simmons said.

Their latest endeavor is manufacturing a board that will make creating videos with their GoPro camera easier while riding. These custom boards will come with decks equipped for filming with more interesting angles.

“We offer fully customizable boards, like whatever you want,” Laird said.

They would like to market their company as a local-minded, do-it-yourself, Oregon business. Anyone who is interested can contact the company through their Facebook page, Sappy Boards Inc., their twitter @sappy_boards, or their instagram, @sappy_boards or their website, www.sappyboards.com.

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