About Graham Buksa

Longboarding Innovation and Manufacturing

Graham Buksa founded Rayne Longboards in 2004 in North Vancouver, Canada, pioneering the use of bamboo cores in longboards after initially using maple, which enhanced performance for downhill racing.[5][7][15] As owner and lead designer, he focused on building high-quality downhill skateboards, stating 'I simply wanted to build things.'[7] Rayne became Canada's premiere longboard manufacturer, with Buksa shaping leading designs and the brand's history.[15][16]

Downhill Longboarding Community and Racing

Buksa is an active participant in the global longboarding scene, listed as a rider for Rayne and featured in events like KnK Longboard Camp in Slovenia, Danger Bay 2018, and Maryhill races.[8][10][12][14] Interviews and blogs highlight his involvement, from Push Culture News Desk to racing with peers like Max Capps.[3][10] He collaborated with shops like Daddies Board Shop and LCI/Ironlace for unbreakable partnerships in production.[11][12]

Entrepreneurship and Building Ventures

A University of Alberta engineering alumnus (BSc(Eng) '04), Buksa received the Alumni Horizon Award and embodies a maker ethos, missing the diverse interactions of student life.[6][7] He extended this to Ironlace longboards via partnerships providing meaningful employment.[2][11] Currently at Backflow Club, with topics in AI/ML, design, and entrepreneurship, reflecting his pivot to tech ventures.[user bio]

Agtech and AI-Driven Automation

As Head of Marketing at Verdi (with CEO Verdi Arthur Chen), Buksa promotes AI for vineyard farming on autopilot, including automated irrigation to update aging farm infrastructure.[1][18][19] Verdi's $6.5M raise underscores efforts to convince farmers of automation benefits, blending his design innovation with AI/ML applications.[18][19]