WHO’S BEHIND FIREBIRD LONGBOARDS? FIREBIRD LONGBOARDS was conceived, founded and is operated by MARKHAM MCGILL, a creative professional who decided to “un-brand” himself from the me-too mindset of the corporate world. In previous incarnations, he’s been a professional sailor and boat captain, stand-up comedian, and (in his toughest gig yet) devoted papa and husband.

Markham has always been drawn to the beauty of old wood, including the kind that ages single malt Scotch (but that’s another story). FIREBIRD LONGBOARDS is his way of rising again — this time in flip-flops, doing what he loves most — producing the greenest longboards available — each with a unique story.

WHAT MAKES THE BOARDS SO SPECIAL? The boards are produced in a tiny workshop on the last working waterfront in Key West. Markham uses 100% reclaimed and salvaged hardwoods salvaged from 100+-year-old structures around Key West to hand-craft unique, one-of-a-kind skateboards and set them free on the streets with a new life and purpose.

WHY? In Markham’s own words “Because, no matter where it comes from, salvaged wood is textured with history and waiting to serve again. Finding the woods we use is a treasure hunt, but we love cutting into a battered, dusty old beam to reveal the brilliance inside. Salt, weather, rust, fire and oil season antique woods over time, and hint at the characters who have stepped, lived and loved on them. Maybe a walnut or hickory floorboard was tapped by a plantation owner’s walking stick, burned by cigar ash, or spilled on by Papa Hemingway or Jimmy Buffett here in Key West. While each piece of wood contains history and stories, the best part for us is producing the most unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind longboards available anywhere in the universe.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND HIS BOARDS? FIREBIRD LONGBOARDS are available exclusively online at WWW.FIREBIRDLONGBOARDS.COM

SEE THEM Take a look at a short video shot on location in Key West at Firebird Longboards HQ.

Firebird Longboards - Key West Florida from Markham McGill on Vimeo.