November 17, 2009 - BambooSk8: Bamboo Skateboards

The people at BambooSk8 know that you have to do more than walk the walk to be taken seriously in the green business world.  In 2007 when talks began to create boards using 100% bamboo the entrepreneurial Gregson family and Ron Stebenne, a family friend, knew the idea would be met with some criticism.

Despite initial scepticism the group remained optimistic and began production of both 86% hybrid skateboards as well as 100% bamboo models.  The hybrids proved unable to match the strength and consistency of 100% bamboo and by June 2008 they had pulled the plug on hybrid production and committed to being truly green with their 3-ply, 100% bamboo models, on which they based their first large-scale production. 

After making their industry debut at the 2008 Action Sports Retail (ASR) tradeshow in San Diego they were met with some confusion after making the mistake of going by the parent companies name of BambooBuddy.  Though they received applause for their environmental initiatives they still needed someone with the industry know-how to take their product to the streets.  It was suggested they talk to Geoff Koboldt who had left Dark Horse Distribution as V.P. of Strategic Operations and was looking for a new executive role, "In 2008, I received a call from my friend Ron, one of the partners in the business, asking me what I thought about bamboo as a resource to be used in skateboarding.  At the time I was working for Dark Horse Distribution with skateboard brands Dogtown, Grind King and Termite. Since I was looking for something I could help build from the ground up, the timing was impeccable."  After a series of meetings, Geoff signed on as the President of BamooSk8 and took an equity ownership with the three other partners.  He also became Chief Operations Officer of their parent company BambooBuddy.

After weathering the challenge for over two years the people at BambooSk8 are beginning to see the results they had hoped for; "Nobody said this paradigm shift would be easy but we're really starting to see a conscious shift among skaters, especially among the younger generation of skaters."  For those more reluctant to stray from the status quo (i.e. maple decks) Geoff KoBoldt hopes that educating people on the responsible decision to switch to sustainable products will be the catalyst they need; "A maple tree takes 40-60 years to mature and once cut down is gone forever.  Meanwhile, bamboo, a grass, can mature in 2-3 years. Once a bamboo chute is chopped, 4 to 5 grow in its place.  Our entire value chain revolves around being as sustainable as possible."

The philosophy of BambooSk8 has its foundation in applying the real world sustainable living practices of its owners to their product.  They continue to support renewable practices and focus on utilizing resources in such a way that will allow future generations to benefit, rather than suffer from the decisions we are making now.

Jennifer Maclellan is the Senior Writer for the Green Guide Network. You can contact her at jennifer@greenguidenetwork.com.

Interview conducted by Danielli Marfori, Creative Intern for the Green Guide Network.

If you would like to learn more about BambooSk8 please visit their website at:

www.bamboosk8.com