Keeping Malaysia's Fingerboard Scene Rolling: Inside FIBO Malaysia with Kamarrul Akmal

Kamarrul Akmal, better known in the Malaysian fingerboarding scene as SupersusFB, feels building a community is just as important as landing tricks. As one of the administrators behind FIBO Malaysia, he spends much of his time connecting fingerboarders across the country, whether through WhatsApp discussions or social media updates on Instagram and TikTok.

His responsibilities go beyond simply posting content. He coordinates community activities, keeps members informed about upcoming events, and helps ensure that the Malaysian fingerboard scene stays active and connected.

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Today, FIBO Malaysia has become one of the country's most recognizable fingerboard communities. But according to Kamarul, its beginnings were surprisingly humble.

"It actually started with a group of female fingerboarders," he explains. "They created a WhatsApp group and named it FIBO Malaysia."

What began as a small circle of enthusiasts gradually attracted more riders from across Malaysia. Around five years later, Kamarul stepped in as an administrator, helping guide the growing community while expanding its presence on social media.

The motivation behind FIBO Malaysia wasn't simply to create another online group. It was born from a desire to keep the local scene alive. "Fingerboarding in Malaysia tends to go in waves," Kamarul says. "Every few years the scene rises, then slows down again."

Rather than letting those cycles repeat, the community focused on creating a place where active riders could stay connected, exchange ideas, learn new tricks, and continue inspiring one another. That sense of consistency, he believes, has played an important role in keeping the Malaysian scene moving forward. And today, the difference is becoming increasingly visible.

Kamarul feels that Malaysian fingerboarding is experiencing one of its strongest periods in years, bringing back the same energy many riders remember from the early 2010s.

"We're seeing more events, more tournaments, and even online competitions now," he says. "It's definitely much better than it was just two years ago."

What truly distinguishes Malaysia's fingerboard community, however, isn't only its growth, it's the people behind it.

Malaysia's multicultural society naturally shapes the scene, with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and many other communities coming together through a shared passion for fingerboarding. Just as importantly, family involvement has become a defining characteristic. Parents regularly film their children's runs, cheer from the sidelines, and support them during competitions, creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming for newcomers and veterans alike.

That same spirit is reflected in the activities organized by FIBO Malaysia. While physical gatherings remain important, the community has also embraced online competitions to reach members across the country. Living far from Kuala Lumpur, Kamarul himself often participates remotely by submitting video entries.

Every month, FIBO Malaysia hosts its Video of the Month competition across Instagram and TikTok, giving riders a platform to showcase their creativity regardless of where they live. The initiative has helped strengthen connections between members while keeping the community engaged throughout the year.

Growing Malaysian fingerboarding is about making sure the scene continues to evolve, one rider and one video at a time.

While FIBO Malaysia continues to strengthen its presence at home, the community has also begun building connections beyond the country's borders. Over the years, it has collaborated with international fingerboard brands, including Maple Wheels and Winger Fingerboards, whose support has helped bring larger projects to life.

One of those collaborations came through the Trick of the Year 2024 event, demonstrating that even a relatively small community can attract attention from the global fingerboarding scene. Despite that progress, Kamarul believes there are still significant challenges to overcome.

Most major competitions are concentrated in Kuala Lumpur, making it difficult for riders from other states to participate. The limited number of local brands outside the capital also means fewer sponsors and fewer opportunities to organize regional events. For newcomers, affordability presents another hurdle, as quality beginner setups can be difficult to find at accessible prices. "Accessibility and affordability are still our biggest challenges," he says.

Looking ahead, Kamarul hopes FIBO Malaysia can continue expanding its monthly online competitions while encouraging more physical events throughout the country. His vision is simple but ambitious: more tournaments, stronger support from local brands, and a fingerboard scene that reaches far beyond Kuala Lumpur.

Among the many experiences he's had with FIBO Malaysia, one memory stands above the rest. Being invited onto a television podcast to talk about fingerboarding gave him the opportunity to introduce both the hobby and the community to a much wider audience. But what left the deepest impression wasn't the media exposure itself, it was seeing younger riders begin their own journeys.

Watching children and newcomers earn sponsorships, improve their skills, and receive encouragement from their families reminded him why community matters. Seeing parents invest in better equipment and celebrate their children's progress was, in his words, one of the most rewarding experiences of all.

Fingerboarding has always been about far more than mastering tricks for him. Over nearly 14 years in the hobby, he's learned that communities thrive because of the people willing to support one another.

Whether someone buys a local product or simply shows up to encourage others, every contribution helps strengthen the scene. That collective support creates more events, more opportunities, and more reasons for the next generation to stay involved. His advice for anyone interested in fingerboarding is refreshingly simple.

Start with an affordable setup, whether it's a Tech Deck or another entry-level fingerboard, and simply enjoy the process. With tutorials available in Malay on TikTok and Instagram, along with the FIBO Malaysia WhatsApp community, beginners have plenty of places to learn, ask questions, and improve alongside other riders.

As the conversation comes to an end, Kamarul leaves one final message for fingerboarders around the world.

For him, joining a community is one of the best decisions anyone can make. Beyond helping riders discover new products or improve their skills, communities create friendships that keep local scenes alive. He also expressed his gratitude to FLIKMAG for giving Malaysian fingerboarders a platform to share their story with readers across the globe. "Our community may be small," he says, "but we're passionate, and we're grateful to have the opportunity to tell our story." (FLIKMAGAZINE)