A person attempting a skateboard trick creates distinct sounds. There’s the “KERRRRRR!” sound coming from the rolling wheels, then a “POP!” sound of the skateboard taking off. That is often followed by a “THUD!” and sudden “SCCRAAPPPPEEE!” Another “POP!” follows seconds later.
If successful, there’s the “THWACK!” of the wheels landing followed by screams of “YEAHHHH!” An unsuccessful trick involves assorted sounds that come with failing, often followed by “Are you OK?” then a “You got this!”
I heard the skateboard before I saw it as I exited Expo Square on a recent steamy Saturday afternoon. My ears tracked the sounds and then, to my left, I saw a skateboarder attempting a trick that involved the Golden Driller’s left boot. Every day I see something new. This was one of them.
Camera in hand, I rushed over to take photos of the skateboarder’s trick attempts. As soon as he lifted off the ground, the board spun and I saw the bottom of the deck depicted the Golden Driller. On a nearby bench, I spotted Paul Rainey of Rainey Dayz Skateboards. He too had a camera in his hand.
Rainey was photographing skateboarder Jordan Simpson, who was the first friend Rainey made after a 2007 move to Tulsa from Conway, Arkansas. Simpson tried to land the trick a couple more times before retreating to shade for a break while tourists took photos with the 76-foot-tall statue.
Originally Rainey Dayz was an indoor skatepark. After breaking his foot two years ago, Rainey wanted to stay involved in the sport, but he needed to make some changes.
“The decks were born because it was the cheaper option than a whole skatepark,” he said. He got to work and soon joined local manufacturers Plug Skateboards and Atrocious Skateboards in the custom deck game.
The Golden Driller is Rainey Dayz’s fifth skateboard design. Among the past were decks designed for local pros Lucas Gilbreath and Mikey Johnson featuring work from local artists Blair Batson and Shelby Colley. Rainey sells the boards on his Instagram and through word of mouth.
“I design most of the skateboards myself and they are pressed and printed out of Mexico and California,” Rainey said. “I chose the Driller graphic to pay homage to Tulsa. It’s for everybody that loves it here, not just the skaters.”
The tourists snapped their pics before clearing out. Simpson stood, wiped the sweat off his brow with his shirt, stepped on his board and started rolling into the sun back toward the Driller’s boot. He had a promo trick to land.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
