When Chris Forgey watched his son, a competitive skateboarder, take on jumps, he thought it would be fun to have his son's skateboard light up as he did tricks.

Forgey, who by day works for a semi-conductor equipment company out of Arizona, started designing light-emitting diode, or LED-lit boards on his kitchen table at home before moving to his garage and eventually into a commercial location. His products became the foundation for Light Bohrd, a company he opened with his wife, Jennifer French.

Since its creation more than 2 1/2 years ago, Light Bohrd has grown from Forgey's hobby to an international business enterprise. The company works primarily with longboards, which are generally longer than traditional skateboards.

"We'll probably circle back around to skateboards at some point, but they're a lot smaller than the longboards, and so it was harder to fit all of our technology and everything in there," French said.

The company makes its own boards with specially imported Canadian maple wood, which gives its products increased durability. The boards are also crafted into different styles and shapes based on what they will be used for.

Light Bohrd's specialty product is its Urban Commuter longboard, which Forgey and French created for people who use boards to commute to and from work. Its shape, design and light system were created to promote rider safety.

"It keeps the rider safe at night and even in late afternoon," French said. "A lot of people are commuting on their boards ... instead of using cars. [The design] is important for the safety factor."

Forgey and French are also working on perfecting their line of snowboards, which have been in development for approximately two years.

"We're just validating the design and making sure it holds up to what we want it to," Forgey said. "There's a couple things that we have to fine-tune with the construction."

What makes the boards truly unique, however, is Light Bohrd's LED light systems that are installed in every product. Some longboards have motion-activated lights that flash on the bottom of the board, while the Urban Commuter has special headlights and taillights for visibility.

Riders can use a magnetic system to charge their boards and activate different light modes, which include strobe and high and low intensities.

The couple has taken their products to various races and events throughout the nation and has received positive feedback from riders, French said. The boards' popularity has also opened sales connections to Europe and South Africa. In the future, Forgey hopes to secure distribution opportunities in Australia, Japan and South America.

"We're just trying to get off the ground," Forgey said. "[We are] working on some interesting things, trying to hit that sales inflection point."

Forgey said he is also working with a group of investors in an effort to further expand the company.

Locally, French said she hopes Light Bohrd becomes a hub for anyone in the area who boards or is interested in learning how. Eventually she hopes to open the company's retail store for daily hours and help customers learn about the parts and procedures behind longboards.

"I feel like [longboarders] need somebody on this side of [Round Rock] to educate them on which type of board to use and what kind of wheels to use, and also, maybe just to teach them how to get on the board," French said.

Choosing the right longboard

Step 1: Consider where you will be riding your longboard. Different longboards are made for various types of conditions, and knowing what the board will be used for will help you pick the right one.

Step 2: Assess your ability. Are you looking to improve your riding and add tricks to your skill set, or are you using a longboard to commute to work? Understanding your needs will help you know if you need a specialty or standard board.

Step 3: Shop around. Look in magazines, stores and online to find boards you like. Read opinions and check forums for information on how each board functions and how it stacks up with your needs. Creating a list of the pros and cons for each board can be helpful in finding the right board.

Step 4: Before buying a board, take it for a test ride. Call local shops and ask about options for testing their boards. Make sure the board you buy is comfortable.

Source: Livestrong

3920 Gattis School Road, Ste. 101, Round Rock, 512-466-2104, www.lightbohrd.com