Radiant Rides From Damaged Decks

[George] As an artist, I like to make functional art.

I just kinda like the idea

of keeping skateboards skateboards.

My idea was, keep 'em out of the landfill

and keep 'em under your feet.

(cheery indie music)

Well, this thing is absolutely beautiful,

and I love the idea that you're taking old skateboards

and you're making them into new skateboards.

But what I would really love to find out

is how you actually make these.

[George] Well, it first starts right here.

You collect all these broken boards,

and you're gonna peel the griptape off.

And you're gonna grind all these beautiful graphics off.

That's the part where I actually end up taking pictures,

'cause, even, like, the way a skateboard is used

is like art to me, I think that's beautiful.

Yeah, anyway, I peel the boards, I grind them,

I get them ready to be glued and then cut

over here in my cutting room is where I do all my cutting.

[Mike] How many boards can you make

out of one of these stacks?

[George] It all depends on width, but...

Good numbers, like 12 to 14 boards.

(saw buzzes)

[Mike] Once you get the plank cut,

then what's the next step?

I grab one of my many templates right here.

I'll just match it right up.

Once I trace the shape, I just take a quick jigsaw cut,

and then I get it right to the line

on this sander right here.

(sander grinds)

So once the boards are cut out to their shape,

we glass 'em.

I use recycled crushed glass for the top.

So I basically just sprinkle on the crushed glass,

broadcast it along the surface,

and it gives you enough grip to ride.

[Mike] You've got this inventive spirit.

You're empowered with tools and workshop,

you've figured out ways

to build new skateboards out of old skateboards,

and I think that there's something that's really,

that DIY energy that skateboarding fostered.

Because we had to figure out

how to make our own way through it.

Do you still see that?

I do see it, and I live it.

All my good friends,

even though there are skateparks around,

we still build our own spots.

Like, anytime you come upon some unused land,

and you have some extra money

and you wanna throw some concrete around...

It's done.

It's being done as we speak.

[Mike] Around here,

what's the closest skatepark you've built?

(Laughs) Oh, my backyard.

(punk rock music)

(barks)

I think that, as skateboarders, we have the ability

to use our creativity, to do something with our waste,

rather than just kind of toss it aside.

Making this brand-new doesn't—that's not the point to me.

You can make this brand-new.

You could actually make a board just like this

with concave—look like this brand-new.

But that's not what I do.

Every time I look at these, I think

each one of these boards has,

well, apparently it's 22 individual stories.

There's 22 decks in here, ridden by someone

and having experience, having fun, laughing, playing...

This is a really beautiful project.

[George] Thank you. In a lot of ways.

Skateboarders love their skateboards, you know?

You can go through, like, four skateboards a month—

you loved all those boards, and here's the proof.

[Mike] Yeah.

[George] This is the story right here.