Sponsorship Motivation Revisited

I get asked every day if I could help someone get a sponsorship, or even if I can sponsor people. I feel that too many people emphasize the 'need' to get sponsorships. There are a few reasons why people want to get sponsored.

- Get free stuff
- Respect

Both of these reasons I feel are the wrong reason to get sponsored.
I've learned a couple of things about sponsorship over my fingerboarding career. It's very nice be sponsored, but if that's your sole reason of fingerboarding than you should quit.

There have been times where I felt discouraged about sponsorships. At times I had no one sponsoring me, and I was really focused on trying to get one. I was so focused on trying to get a sponsorship that I lost sight of why I fingerboarded in the first place.

Why do I fingerboard?

I fingerboard because I love it. It's as simple as that. Each fingerboard event that I have attended has provided me with a different outlook. This past Rendezvous has provided me with a fresh perspective on fingerboarding. I am amazed to see how a finger skateboard can bring so many people together. I met so many people and made a bunch of friendships that I feel will last forever ^_^ If this is not the true reason to fingerboard, then I don't know what is!

Sponsorship

Recently, multiple people have been expressing their frustration on the forums and to me in person about their stuggles to get a good sponsor. It's frustrating, discouraging and, at times, disheartening. Quite frankly, getting a sponsorship is easier said than done.

I completely understand the frustration and difficulty of getting a sponsorship. I have been fingerboarding since 1999, and I did not get my first real sponsor until Vegas sponsored in 2003. Once Vegas died, I remained sponsorless until last year, when Arctic and Flatface decided to sponsor me. I was very fortunate because both Arctic and Flatface posted on FFI that they needed a new rider for their teams and, when I realized that this was a very rare opportunity to be connected with two of the most professional individuals in fingerboarding (Martin and Mike), I took it. Recently, I was contacted by Shane Young from Make Believe Marble about riding for them, and of course I said yes. I am very thankful to all those sponsors who believed in me and supported me, and I will strive to do my best and support them.

Sponsorship is mutual. One side has faith that the other will do their best to succeed. One problem I see with many companies that have died off is that the riders and/or the owner of the company did not conduct themselves in a professional manner, and did not understand the concept of mutual success. I am happy to say that there are many professionally behaved owners that are running the companies, and it's the backbone of our scene at the moment.

The turnover of people in fingerboarding is both its lowest point and its highest point. People leave fingerboarding because they grow out of it, lose interest, don't have the time, etc. and this opens up opportunities for the new person to come and take their place. When these opportunities come, do your best! Even if you don't get on the team of your dreams, if you stick with it eventually you will get a solid sponsor.

I'm sure everyone here dreams of being sponsored by great companies such as Arctic, Berlinwood, BRR, Flatface, Homewood, MBM, Primo, etc. Keep reaching for those dreams by doing your best. Invest in some of the obstacles and gear the owners create. Buy a decent camera. But most importantly, make sure that you still love fingerboarding. Don't let yourself get so consumed out of getting free stuff. It's always more rewarding to do something you love rather than getting a little piece of wood.

Chris Daniels