Welcome to another week of Comacan Questions, this week we’d like you to think back to being a young skateboarder, or just think about when you first started possibly. For many skateboarders, it was before they could drive and commonly, they would try to find a comfortable way to carry their board to the park. Any number of combinations have been used, tying the board to the handlebars, shoving it between your back and backpack but our guest today has created a mostly universal fitting bracket to solve the age-old question, how can you carry your board on a bike? For all that and more we are pleased to have Tyrell Barnett, owner of Skate Diamond talking to us this week.
What was the inspiration behind creating the Skate Diamond?
Well, a couple of things inspired the idea. The first, is probably where I grew up. There wasn’t much for good roads or sidewalks, so we’d go skate at the tennis courts. But because the roads were so bad, we either walked or biked. Then, some 20 years later, I finally got tired of having my board wedged in between my back and a backpack and started thinking of a better way to bike with a board.
How did you come up with this design?
I had been thinking of a way to make some sort of Skateboard holster for a while but couldn’t quite picture it or make it practical. One night, I had a dream and woke up at about 4 in the morning. I got up, bent up an old towel rack into a very ugly diamond shape, and fitted it to my bike. It was horribly crude and very sharp in places, but the premise was there, and it held a skateboard!
Do you offer other products?
Right now, I offer Skate Diamond Skate Racks, Super fast Skate Diamond Wax, and I’ll be adding some clothing and other goodies like Beverage coasters and water bottles to my site very soon (probably by the time this goes public).
Do you make custom Skate Diamonds?
I have, but it’s not too common. After years of tweaking, Skate Diamond is as close to truly universal as it can be! It fits on basically all full-sized bikes!
How can people contact you?
Instagram! @theskatediamond, my website SkateDiamond.com, or my email theskatediamond@gmail.com!
What is your dream with Skate diamond?
To get more people out skating! It’s my hope that this little rack can allow more people access to Skateboarding! One day I’d like to have my own skate shop/board/clothing company as well!
How would you feel about working with other Canadian companies?
I’m always down to work with Canadian brands! Shop Local!!
What does skateboarding mean to you?
So much. More than I can put into words. I owe it everything.
Anyone you’d like to thank?
Everyone who has every supported me! Everyone who has told their friends, and their shops! Mostly, I’d like to thank skateboarding! And you guys, for the interview 😉