Prior to the halt of the world amid an unprecedented pandemic, 2020 for tour manager and audio engineer Dan McKay was penciled in with nearly his full year scheduled to be on the road.
Much like the previous decade for the tavel-tested professional, McKay would be working with Five Finger Death Punch, another artist in a resume that includes the likes of Cypress Hill, Eagles of Death Metal, and The Distillers throughout his tenure.
As the events of the year unfolded and postponements turned to cancellations, it became evident that 2020 would be a year unlike any other. Live music was done for the foreseeable future, and for someone that works and earns on the road, the prospect of staying home for an extended amount of time meant needing to pivot professionally.
McKay assessed the situation and came to realization that he now had the time to pursue something that would not only allow him to delve into his passion, but also get his family involved. "I love making skateboards. I love my kids. I love pursuing seemingly impossible tasks and giving them meaning." says McKay.
He adds, "As a life-long entrepreneur and independent contractor, I've always dreamt of one day sharing a business formed out of passion with my children."
What resulted was the formation of Finless Skateboard Co. The project's roots date back to 2015 when McKay returned home to Montreal from a stretch of touring. McKay would bring home a California cruiser as a gift for his son Harley. Excited to ride, his son's thrill was short-lived as the skateboard was ultimately ran over by a car.
Looking to fix the situation, McKay and his son got to work, taking that timeless design and making their very own skateboard to replace the one that was destroyed. McKay's daughter Daisy Jo would also join the project, rounding out the family effort and forging the foundation of Finless before the trio ever knew what it would become.
The three would soon find themselves making more boards for friends and family that also wanted their own handmade Finless. The passion project had always been a means of achieving quality time together, but as 2020 forced people to reevaluate their entire lives, McKay saw the opportunity to pivot and finally pursue his dream of establishing a business with his kids.
In 2020, Finless Skateboard Co. became official.
Aside from the hand-crafted, quality composition of each board, the company also maintains a fervent commitment to being environmentally responsible, sourcing their timber from sustainable means and limiting their footprint by using water-based, non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials, with clear grip made of recycled crushed glass.
Finless Skateboard Co. is a testament to the ingenuity, passion, and craftsmanship of the McKays and one of the good stories of 2020 that merits more of the discussion when summarizing such a turbulent, transformative year.
To help launch the company, donations are currently being accepted via Kickstarter.
