As we approach the end of another year, it’s natural to reflect on the journey we’ve traveled—each event, experience, and memory, whether joyful or challenging, shaping who we are today. For our guest in today’s conversation, this year marks a particularly special milestone. He’s been part of a unique and supportive family for an incredible ten years. It’s a testament to the unexpected ways that fingerboarding can impact a life, bringing not only skill and creativity but also connection and purpose.

For this episode of Grind & Slide, we had the pleasure to invite James Peterson, also known as @indextheory to WeOuri to share the story of his fingerboarding journey and being a member of the @beast_pants family for ten years to this point.

In our conversation, James shares his decade-long story, reflecting on the challenges he’s overcome, the personal growth he’s experienced, and the thriving community that has shaped his journey. Tune in as we uncover what makes this milestone so special and how fingerboarding has enriched his life in unexpected and meaningful ways.

Without further ado, here is the story of James Peterson.

(NY) First of all, congratulations on ten years with BeastPants! How does it feel to reach this milestone with Chris? Did you ever imagine the partnership lasting this long?

(JP) Thank you so much! I can hardly believe it’s been a decade already. It feels amazing to know I’ve been part of such an influential company with an incredible team of riders from all around the world. BeastPants was my first real sponsor, so I didn’t know what to expect. But since Chris and I became friends right away, it felt more like a friendship than a sponsorship. For me, that’s what matters most—building relationships through this tiny skateboard. I don’t see an end in sight for my time with BeastPants, and I’m looking forward to the future and another great 10 years!

(NY) Can you tell us about how you first got into fingerboarding? Was there a particular moment, person, or experience that inspired you to start?

(JP) My fingerboard story is similar to most. I started skateboarding as a kid and got into collecting Tech Decks (which I still have almost all of from my childhood). I loved the different graphics and the customization—taking the boards apart and swapping trucks and wheels. I remember scraping the boards on curbs to give the graphics realistic wear, and that was around the time I learned you could actually do tricks with them. I found out you could heat the nose and tail to bend them up, creating a better shape for tricks. I added craft-store foam tape for grip and tried to make it more effective by poking holes with a pin and rubbing it with the ridges of a quarter to wear it in. The moment I discovered professional fingerboarding was while surfing YouTube. I came across the video Mike’s House on John Cowart’s page (now @Cowply.jpeg). It featured legends like Tim Hurley, Mike Schneider, Harold Schon, Ethan Ebling, Darkwood, and the Blackriver crew from Germany. I remember pausing the video to read the Blackriver sticker labels on the BRR park, then looking them up. The rest is history.

(NY) How did your journey with BeastPants begin? Can you share the story of how you first connected with them?

(JP) My journey with BeastPants began at an Emanant fingerboard event in SoCal, where I met Chris, Darian, and Trevor (the first two BeastPants riders). I started attending more Emanant events and hanging out with them, eventually becoming close friends. Connecting with them in person and on online forums like FBHQ and YouTube is what led to me joining the team. Chris recognized the bond that was forming and offered me a spot.

I’ll never forget Trevor letting me stay at his parents’ house whenever I came out from Vegas to events in SoCal. Those days before and after events were a blast, hanging out with legends like Chetty from @stackedusa, Mallory from Unique, and Vlad from @catfishbbq. Those early days were unforgettable—a time when I made lifelong friendships. I also met Invictus, one of my teammates on BeastPants and just an all-around ray of sunshine. I’m so thankful for the people I’ve met, the places fingerboarding has taken me, and the awesome teammates Chris chose for the BeastPants family.

(NY) Looking back, how have you grown or changed as a fingerboarder since joining BeastPants? Has the company’s vision or style influenced your fingerboarding philosophy in any specific ways?

(JP) Since joining BeastPants, I’ve grown to appreciate clean, simple tricks done with style rather than overly technical combos. A great example is Sam Aronie from @dum1technology. His ability to execute simple grinds and tricks with so much style makes it more enjoyable to watch than someone landing a nollie inward heel nosegrind nollie tre out. That philosophy applies to life beyond fingerboarding, but it’s definitely influenced how I film and edit. I aim to create videos that represent the brand’s clean and creative aesthetic—just like Chris’ incredible split plies and hand-drawn graphics.

(NY) What are some of the standout memories you have with Chris and BeastPants? Are there any special projects, trips, or collaborations that left a lasting impact?

(JP) Some standout memories with Chris and BeastPants include the early days and the amazing BeastPants events. These gatherings had a strong sense of community and creativity. I remember helping Chris with the Smoking Cat park before one event—it was awesome seeing all the collaboration within the local scene. The events were well-organized, with vegan jackfruit tacos (so good!), beautifully set-up parks, and even a space outside for footboarding.

One of the most memorable events was a collaboration with Mike Schneider and the FlatFace team called Face of the Beast. Mike rarely collaborates, so it was a testament to Chris’ vision. Another special moment was when Chris created pro models for the team. For my graphic, I sent Chris a drawing of siamese twin alien eyeball creatures, which he digitized. Seeing my design come to life was surreal!

A more recent memory was reconnecting with Chris at the Sorry for Fingerboarding nine-year anniversary event. It was nostalgic and brought back memories of the SoCal fingerboard scene’s heyday. Huge shoutout to Nash from Sorry for everything you’ve done for the community!

(NY) What were some of the biggest challenges you faced throughout your fingerboarding career? Were there any specific milestones or achievements that kept you motivated to keep progressing?

(JP) One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in fingerboarding came around age 18. I wasn’t active in the community and felt uninspired. Life—college, friends, and growing up—took priority, and I fell into a “fingerboard slump” until I was about 22. During that time, the community shifted from YouTube to Instagram, so I had to reconnect with people and adjust to the new platform.

More recently, I’ve struggled with balancing fingerboarding and life. At times, I’ve spent too much time on Instagram and felt like it was taking focus away from important things like my career, relationships, and friends. Life is all about balance, and I’m working on maintaining it every day.

(NY) Sponsorships can be unpredictable. What do you think has been the key to your lasting partnership with BeastPants? Any advice for younger fingerboarders on building long-term relationships with sponsors?

(JP) Today’s fingerboard scene is massive, with so many new brands since the pandemic. Sponsorships are more common, but I believe lasting partnerships are built on genuine relationships with the brand owner and teammates. It’s not just about status or free products—it’s about supporting your friends and their brands. My advice to younger fingerboarders: Support the brands you love, whether you’re sponsored or not. Build friendships, and sponsorships will come naturally.

(NY) With ten years behind you, what are you looking forward to in the next phase of your journey with Beast Pants? Are there any specific goals or projects you’re excited about?

(JP) With ten years under my belt, I’m excited to see what’s next for BeastPants. Chris recently revived his signature split plies, and I can’t wait for the special edition of my first pro model, featuring a pink leopard print background with an alternate colorway. Keep an eye out for the release soon!

(NY) How has fingerboarding influenced your personal growth over the years? Are there lessons you’ve learned through fingerboarding that you apply to other areas of your life?

(JP) Fingerboarding has influenced my personal growth in so many ways. It inspired my creativity and taught me perseverance, as my dad pointed out. He’s always supported my hobby, helping me build ramps and come up with new ideas. My mom was just as supportive, driving me to events in other states and even emailing Mike Schneider’s mom to arrange a meeting! Their encouragement means everything to me.

(NY) What keeps you motivated to keep pushing yourself in fingerboarding after all these years? Is it the thrill of learning new tricks, the community, or something else?

(JP) What keeps me motivated is the limitless creativity of fingerboarding. From ramps to decks to filming videos, there’s always something new to create. I’ve recently started a side project—@dexterity.equipment—to channel my ideas and learn how to make decks myself. I’m still riding for BeastPants, but this is a personal endeavor to explore my creativity. The growing community and endless possibilities for the future keep me inspired. If you’re passionate about something, go for it—build your own scene, make your own products, and be part of this amazing community.