Made in the Valley: Oak Belly Longboards
A Clovis company using wine barrels to make a new ride.
CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- The cutting of wood and the whirring of machines fill the inside of Mark Bailey's garage in Clovis, as the father creates custom long boards made from wine barrels.
"Each board is so unique. They all have different characteristics. Not one board is the same.I think people really appreciate that and appreciate the craftsmanship that we put into it," said Mark Bailey, Oak Belly Longboards.
Last winter, Bailey decided to create one after someone dared him to as a joke. "I had a wine barrel in the garage so I tore it apart and started making my first concept board."
Bailey says it took a couple tries, but he was able to make the perfect skateboard with the upcycled materials.
He says wine enthusiasts have also been on board. "It's kind of funny the reaction that I get is a lot of people are surprised. There's not to many people that do it."
His kids have even joined in the business, learning every process and helping put on trucks and wheels.
"I've always loved riding long boards, so making them is that much cooler," said Trevor Bailey.
Each board weighs about 12 pounds, which is much more than a regular five pound skateboard. "It's solid oak and its heavy. That weight on a cruiser board really helps keeps momentum going."
The longboards start at $200 and go up. Oak Belly sells its products online and have shipped them to as far away as Chicago and even Australia.
"It's fun, I really enjoy it and I think they do too. They get into it... It's always nice to be able to create a family run business and keep it local,"
said Mark Bailey.
A common bond that keeps on rolling.
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