SIMA brings in experts for board builders' boot camp

Transworld Business has an excellent review of SIMA's Boot Camp for board builders held recently in San Clemente.

The boot camp included intensive training in EPA compliance, accounting and marketing.

The caliber of the presenters at these boot camps is world-class. For example, the EPA compliance portion featured an expert in the environmental, health, and safety field with degrees public heath and epidemiology from Princeton, UCLA, and UCSD.

The other two sections focused on bookkeeping and marketing on a shoestring, as taught by “PT” Townend, founder of The ActiveEmpire.

Read the whole story here.

For Galveston surf shop owner, it's back to basics

James Fulbright, owner of Surf Specialties in Galveston, is returning the shop to its roots.

He's adding an expansion to the shop, which will be known as Strictly Hardcore Surf & Shape, where customers will be able to see inside the shaping bay as he does his work.

Fulbright told the Galveston County Daily News in a story that ran this morning:

“It goes back to that original concept of the surf shop,” “I want this to be a place where surfers learn, share and grow — a place where they can return to the roots of what surfing is all about when they’re out of the water."

“The first surf shop was a place where the surfboards were shaped out back and sold in the front of the building. There was a genuine interaction between the shaper and the shop visitor in terms of really understanding and explaining the art of surfboard-shaping. It was a place to not only purchase what you needed but also to learn and to grow as a surfer by learning from others in the community.”

He said, rather than being secretive about the shaping process, he wanted to create an environment that welcomes and opens the shaping process to anyone who’s interested, and that he’d eventually like to conduct clinics for aspiring shapers.

By the way, Fulbright is the guy who is featured surfing the wake of supertankers in Step Into Liquid.

Check out this YouTube clip to see what the folks in Galveston have to endure to get to their stoke...

Laguna Beach cleans up poo

Laguna beach is recovering today from a raw sewage leak that closed down a number of surf and skimming spots in Laguna Beach on Thursday and Friday, including Thalia Street and Brooks Street (right).

At about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, a clamp for an air release valve on the sewer main failed, resulting in 6,500 gallons of sewage spilling into the ocean at Agate Street.

The sewage spill was contained at about 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, but 10,000 additional gallons of poop flowed into storm drains leading to the ocean when a pump backed up.

Here's the City of Laguna Beach press release.

STD (Stoke Transmission Device) spreads across country

A customer of Austin Surfboards in Virginia beach broke his leg, but he still wanted to be part of the stoke of surfing. So he asked shaper Austin Saunders if he would design a board for him to send around the country for surfers to ride and then pass along--a "Stoke Transmission Device (STD)."

Austin thought it was a great idea and agreed to split the cost.

The idea was adapted from the movie Singlefin: Yellow, in which six superstar surfers were chosen to receive a yellow singlefin board.

In contrast, the purpose of the Stoke Transmission Device is described this way on the STD blog:

This story is similar to Single Fin Yellow, except this board will be shared among ordinary, everyday surfers at ordinary, everyday surf breaks. This is the story of that board, the Stoke Transmission Device.

The hope is that the board--and the stoke--will makes it all around the country as Austin Surfboards is also sending along a sharpie so those who ride it can sign the board bag.

A journal will also be inside the bag in the hope that people will take the time to log in an entry about their time spent with the Stoke Transmission Device. Austin will also be posting photos, videos, and other items to the blog, as well.

For those who are lucky enough to get the board passed to them, here are the rules.

Surfboard anti-theft chip has many hidden benefits

To combat surfboard theft, Peter Lascelles, owner of Beachbeat Surfboards in Cornwall, began adding the Surfboard Tracker device to his boards just over a year ago.

Since then, other labels, including Local Motion and Viking have begun adding the chips to their boards, and the tracker was a hot topic at the last meeting of the 400-member Shapers Society of Brazil.

Additional benefits for the retailer include brand authentication and inventory control.

Also, board retailers can also use data in the chips to reach their customers with tailored marketing information, rather than flood them with useless junk mail.

Because data about the board is contained on the tracker, the benefits to the board owner are astounding, as Global Surf News explains:

When a surfer registers his or her board he receives a personal message from the shaper giving the precise size and dimensions and everything else there is to know. This information can be transferred to other shapers to produce boards under license and keep tabs on what has been produced, fantastic for managing licensed shapers.

Shapers using SBT can reproduce surfboards just by advising the shaper of the SBT implant number and picking up the information from the system, great for travelling surfers who use the system to advise shapers what boards requires in advance of a competition or surf trip.

All this adds less than one percent to the total price of the board.

Here is a recent BBC News report about the system.

San Diego company makes soy-based blanks

Homeblown Foam Systems of San Diego makes foam surfboard blanks that are 40 to 50 percent soy-based rather than polyurethane.

The eco-friendly materials add about 5 to 10 percent to the total coast of the board, the manufacturers say.

"We're the only company that makes foam this way," said Ned McMahon, whose company was featured Friday on NBC's Channel 7/39 in San Diego.

The company is working toward making a 100-percent bio-friendly board.

Watch the news report here.

Qantas may follow British Airways in limiting surfboards

Complaining of heavy lifting injuries, Qantas baggage handlers voted to follow the lead of British Airways and tighten luggage size and weight limits.

If enforced, the bans would limit size on domestic and international flights to 6'5" and 8'8" respectively, and limit weight to 44 lbs. on both.

Unlike Qantas, British Airways instituted a flat-out ban on surfboards last November, saying they were too cumbersome. Fortunately for the Brits, CrossCountry Trains launched a campaign to welcome surfers on trains going to Cornwall, a UK surfing mecca.

Too pooped to paddle?

Okay, winter's over, and you've still got an extra layer of insulation from the ham, turkey, and all the trimmings.

When you paddled out last session, were you so tired that you had to let a set of perfect waves go by before you could catch your breath?

If so, Surfitness has a circuit that you can do in 15 minutes a day that will get you back in shape. Check it out here.

(Photo courtesy of--and links to--Extreme Horizon Surf Shop.)

The wisdom of Zed

If your dream is starting a surfing business of any kind, you should read this post at Surf Nation about a caring, laid back, mystical, yet driven entrepreneur in Barbados named Zed Layson.

Surf Nation blogger Alex Wade has been inspired by Zed's example, and is kind enough to share that inspiration with the rest of us. Here's an excerpt:

Zed speaks with the quintessential Bajan lilt and gives the impression of being laid back, at ease with everyone and everything and wholly unhurried in everything he does. This is true, but there is more to the man. Behind his ready smile and charisma, Zed is tireless, energetic, perhaps even restless; perceptive, astute, always interested in people and the world.

Read the rest here.

Miami park exec holds surf camp for autistic kids

Julio Magrisso, Miami Beach parks department assistant director, had an idea to hold a surf camp for autistic children. He reached out to the autism center at the University of Miami and made it happen last week at South Pointe Park. Magrisso says he hopes to continue with the camp and make it a seasonal program.

Read about it in today's Miami Herald.

(Miami Herald photo.)

Learn more about surf camps for autistic kids at the Surfers Healing website.

Their video is here.

Charlie do surf!

SurferMag features a gallery of collectible boards that were recently sold on the auction site US Vintage Surf Auction. The 9'0" board that was used to film this unforgettable surfing scene in Apocalypse Now fetched $5,250. (You get a really good look at the board toward the end of the scene, at about 7:15.)



The biggest catch was a 12'11" Tom Blake Hawaiian Surfboard built in 1934. It was found in the basement of a home in its original crate. Winning bid: $32,669.

See SurferMag's gallery here.

Eaton Surfboards founder says adios, heads for Big Island

San Diego Union-Tribune surf writer Brad Melekian today chronicles the end of an era in the San Diego surf culture, as Mike Eaton, a fixture in the Southern California surfing scene and founder of Eaton Surfboards & Paddleboards, says "adios" and heads for the Big Island. Here's a taste of the story:

Mike Eaton, the seemingly timeless San Diego surfer and shaper, shut the doors on his La Salle Street surfboard production facility in Mission Bay for the last time. Come June 1, the 73-year-old icon, who reckons he's shaped well over 50,000 surfboards in his half-century as a board builder, will leave the Sunset Cliffs home where he's become a fixture over the past four decades and take up residence on the big island of Hawaii.

Read the rest here.

(Eaton photo)

* * *

Incidentally, as I was looking for the Eaton logo, I came across Stanley's Surfboard Logo Library at surfcrazy.com, which has nearly every surf logo arranged by alphabet. Very fun place to poke around, as is the rest of surfcrazy.com.

The Surfboard Warehouse uses Netflix model to market fins

The Surfboard Warehouse in Tampa, Fla., has introduced a program called Finatic, in which they use the Netflix movie rental model to allow surfers to rent up to three fins at a time.

As with Netflix, you can keep the fins indefinitely, as long as you pay the $40 monthly fee. Here's a description of the program from the site:

Pick the top three fin sets that you’d like to test – don’t worry, you can change your top three at any time! After picking your top three, you’ll receive a set within just a few days. Keep the fins AS LONG AS YOU WANT. SURF on them WHEREVER you want.

When you’re done testing the fins simply send them in back in the prepaid envelope provided. Once we receive the fins back, we will ship out your next set of fins! ALL SHIPPING IS COVERED BY THE MONTHLY FEE

Soutce: Hacking Netflix

K5 Boardshops: 3rd nomination for SIMA Image Award

Today marks the end of voting for the Surf Industry Manufacturing Assn.'s SIMA Image Awards. There are five nominees in each of 15 categories, including Breakthrough Retailer of the Year.

K5 Boardshops in San Diego County is a nominee in the breakthrough retail category. Other stores nominated are BC Surf & Sport of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Quiet Flight, Universal City Walk in Orlando, Fla.; Revolution, Camarillo, Calif.; and Surfside Sports in Costa Mesa, Calif.

In addition to surf equipment, the store also sells skate and snowboarding equipment, and too many lines of action sports clothing and gear to name. I asked K5 owner Jurgen Schulz why he believes his store was nominated.

"I believe our biggest assets are working hard, not being afraid to change, and actually living the lifestyle," Schulz answered in an email.

Founded in 1987, K5 has two 10,000-square foot stores--the original in Encinitas, five kilometers from the ocean (hence the name K5), one in Poway, and a new 8500 square-foot store in Oceanside. K5.com, the hugely successful online store, has also recently been moved to a separate facility in Oceanside.

This is the third time in the last five years K5 has been an SIMA Image Award nominee, an honor Schulz says the chain earned "simply providing great customer service, developing great relationships with our vendors, and being involved on a grassroots level with our community."

To be nominated, a retailer must have 15 or fewer brick and mortar U.S. stores, and have experienced growth in 2007 in terms of sales and increased store recognition and appeal.

Check out other SIMA Image Award categories, criteria, and nominating/voting process here.

Nominees for all categories are here.

Winners will be announced in the live ceremony at Surf Summit on May 11 in Cabo.

BREAKING NEWS: Federal judge allows one more week to settle Hatteras lawsuit

The Associated Press reports that a federal judge has given environmentalists and national park officials another week to settle a lawsuit over off-road vehicles on the Outer Banks.

Airshow creator brought onboard to re-launch JC Hawaii brand

JC Hawaii surfboards are on the way back, with Newport Beach surfer-editor-entrepreneur Skip Snead now onboard as veep for sales and marketing.

Snead, former editor of Surfing Magazine, was recruited by owner and shaping legend John Carper to re-launch the brand with a new advertising campaign, new team riders, a new website, and dealer incentives.

"The new boards I'm seeing from JC are some of the most beautiful surfboards I have ever seen," says Snead. "And the team riders, from Shane Dorian to Sean Moody to Josh Hoyer are stoked as well."

Having recently run a licensing business with Mattel and Disney Consumer Products, Snead says he once again got the itch to get back into the surf industry.

His most notable contribution to surfing was when he and fellow surfer Shawn Barney Barron invented the on- or above-the-lip "airshow" surfing contest. He was also consulting producer for a Fox action sports series.

Huge East Coast surf expo targets consumers

Set for July 12-13 at the Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center, this expo is not for surf industry hotshots...it's the auto and boat show of the surf world!

The Boards & Waves website announces:

TWO BIG DAYS to touch, feel, and inspect the latest surfboards, fins, blanks, and accessories from the surf industry's top shapers & manufacturers.

With today's diversity and complexity of boards, foam, and fins, you, the consumer, need more information before you buy a new surfboard.

The Boards & Waves Expo will allow you the unique opportunity to talk face-to-face with surfing's top shapers, fin designers, foam manufacturers, local surf retailers, pro and amateur surfers, and more in a fun, friendly, and informative environment.

In addition to an exhibit room full of state-of-the-art surfing products and services (check out the most current list of exhibitors), there will be consumer-oriented events like shaping demos, painting and artwork demos, and question and answer sessions with shapers. And there will be surfboard giveaways.

The coolest part of all this...admission is FIVE BUCKS!

Surfrider Foundation OBX Chapter urges balance in Hatteras dispute

Supporting preservation while realizing that an offroad vehicle ban could be detrimental to the economy of the Hatteras National Seashore area, the Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation says it believes that "a balance between access and preservation can be achieved."

The statement on the home page of the OBX Chapter's web site reads:

The Outer Banks Chapter implores all parties involved in this issue to find a balance between access, protection and preservation. We recommend managing access of these areas through a combination of permitting, limiting the number of vehicles, and closures when necessary to protect the migratory species that use this area seasonally. The Outer Banks Chapter of Surfrider Foundation supports protection and preservation, and in this unique situation does support the reasonable use of ORVs to allow public access to this area.

New motorcycle surf rack lands an article in the Daily Breeze

Last June, Captain Red, aka David Saber of Redondo Beach, broke his leg when he rolled his Harley. Necessity is the mother of invention, so he invented a rack to carry his crutches on his bike.

After he realized the rack could also be used to carry surfboards, he began marketing the device as the Surfer Peg.

Saber managed to get some decent publicity for his invention yesterday in the Daily Breeze.

Surfers courted by British high-speed trains after being shunned by British Airways

BBC reports that high-speed train routes to the UK surfing mecca of Newquay are welcoming passengers who bring their surfboards along.

CrossCountry Trains will run two nine-coach trains between Manchester and Newquay and two seven-coach trains from Newcastle.

The Saturday services, from May to September, are aimed at bringing holidaymakers to the county.

The trains will have large luggage carriages to accommodate surfboards, but bicycles will not be carried.

Smart move, since British Airways banned surfboards last November.

(BBC photo)

'Very large' Internet company making plans to webcast pro surfing, radio hosts say

Word in the industry is that “a very large Internet company” is making plans to webcast the World Championship Tour, and is going to “shake things up a lot.” The arrangement was discussed on Sunday morning by Scott Bass and Marty Thomas, co-hosts of radio talk show Down the Line, which airs Sunday mornings on XTRA Sports 1360-AM in San Diego.

Early rumors included AOL as a possibility, but the two radio hosts left listeners guessing as to which company might be gearing up to do the webcasts. The discussion starts at 5:35 into the broadcast. Listen here.

Shark tale or fish story: you decide

The nonprofit Shark Research Committee logged a couple of recent shark incidents in Huntington Beach--including one believed to be an adult Great White, and another in San Onofre.

One at the stretch of the Huntington Cliffs know as Dog Beach was reported on March 7 as follows:

At about 8:00 AM, I caught my best wave of the session, and even and...I wanted one more. I paddled back out and was sitting in the lineup alone... I was waiting for a set for about 5 minutes when I felt a jolt down on the tail of my board, immediately followed by violent bubble cascade, which sunk the board down about another 8 inches. I didn’t really get what was going on as quickly as I should have, but as soon as it begun it had ended and I was apparently alone again. A wave popped up, I paddled into it but pearled because of the water in the nose of my board, I quickly got back on and paddled into the whitewater of the next wave and boogie boarded it to the beach where I emptied the board through the apparent bite mark. The diameter of the bite (see photo) suggests an adult White Shark in excess of 15 feet in length.

Not so, say HB lifeguards. The OC Register quotes lifeguard Steve Reuder as saying, “We’re watching the water everyday. We’re not seeing anything like that.” Reuder surmises the sighting is a hoax to scare away non-locals.

Did I hear someone say deadly saltwater snakes?"

OBX Visitors Bureau launches campaign to keep beaches open

OBX Visitors Bureau CEO and Managing Director Carolyn McCormick tells Surf Biz News that 650 people showed up in Hatteras Island for a presentation on the lawsuit by environmentalists to close much of the Outer Banks to vehicles, which is scheduled for hearing on April 4. See earlier post. Ms. McCormick spoke briefly about the importance of Hatteras and Ocracoke Island to all, and will also be speaking at another gathering scheduled for April 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills.

Surf Biz News asked Ms. McCormick about a recent ad campaign launched by the visitors bureau in support of free access to Outer Banks beaches.



SBN: Why did you produce the spot?

CM: The spot was designed to build awareness in Northeastern North Carolina and in the Outer Banks about the importance of our beaches. We have always believed and encouraged a balance between the environment and the people. We know jobs and the environment are not mutually exclusive, and strongly feel that free, open and reasonable access to our beaches and sounds is what makes this dynamic chain of islands so magical, and enjoyable for every man, women and child.

SBN: Other than the TV commercial, what is the Visitor's Bureau doing to build support

CM: The ad is a spinoff the internet and print campaign, and is a local message designed to reinforce how the economy and the environment need each other. And the heritage of the good people who live here and bring vacation dreams to millions of people each year is important too. Our current tourism campaign is "Welcome to my Outer Banks." It uses real people that live here doing what they do: fishing, cooking, painting, birding, telling the history and just talking.

SBN: Is there an agency handling, or are you doing this in house?

CM: We do all our creative and buys except for internet advertising in house. I wrote, directed and produced the ad, which features local people and visitors, and original music by Yessian Music.

SBN: Where and when is the ad scheduled to run?

CM: The spot was produced in one day and began running in Dare County On March 25 and will run through April 6. We have added Raleigh, Elizabeth City and Edenton, Currituck and Camden County, mostly Northeastern North Carolina starting April 1 through April 5.

SBN: How much is the campaign costing?

The production was $1,150, and the TV buy was $22,000.

Malibu surf shop owner, stuntman, pyro expert, model, champion sailor...now councilman?

Read the L.A. Times syndicated story about the quintessential under-achiever, Zuma Jay Surf Shop owner Jefferson "Jay" Wagner.

At 54, Wagner has been a hobo, Hollywood stuntman, pyrotechnician, weapons expert, Marlboro man, champion sailor, model for Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic, reserve sheriff's deputy, lover of several supermodels and actresses, surf instructor to Britney Spears, author of a book on surf wax [on Pablo's Book club list!!], owner of six acres of shaded canyon land just off Pacific Coast Highway and a man whose life story hasbeen optioned by Universal Studios. Now he is running for City Council in Malibu -- because he is angry.

For a fun show, click on "The Man" link in Zuma Jay's web site. Also, Surfer's Village has an interview with Wagner and some good pix of Jay, like this one of him rinsing off after fighting the Malibu fires.

(Photos: Top: L.A. Times. Bottom: Bill Parr.)

Save Trestles - East Coast version

Surfers, fishermen, and off-roaders are among those who will gather at 6:30 tonight at Fessenden Center in Buxton, NC to discuss the threat to vehicle access on Outer Banks beaches.

Last Fall, the National Audubon Society, the Defenders of Wildlife and the Southern Environmental Law Center filed suit in Federal District Court to limit or ban access to many areas of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Irene Nolan, editor of the Island Free Press explains:

[The] lawsuit challenges the National Park Service’s interim plan to protect threatened and vulnerable species of shorebirds that nest on the seashore. The groups contend that the plan does not go far enough to protect the birds, which include the threatened piping plovers, as well as black skimmers, American oystercatchers, and gull-billed and common terns.

The request for the preliminary injunction, filed Feb. 20, asks that [U.S. District Judge Terrence] Boyle replace the interim plan with more restrictive measures until after the lawsuit is settled. Specifically, the plaintiffs are asking Boyle to stop ORV use year-round at the most environmentally sensitive areas of the seashore – Bodie Island spit, Cape Point and part of the South Beach, Hatteras Inlet, and the north and south points of Ocracoke. These are also the areas that are most popular for recreation, especially fishing.

If you've ever surfed the Outer Banks, you know that the beauty of it is being able to cruise for miles until you find the perfect break--which would be impossible on foot.

Because the Outer Banks is subject to such heavy storm activity, including hurricanes and Nor'easters, the sand bars are continually shifting. The break you enjoyed last fall may have turned to crap this spring, and there is a new sand bar a mile or two up the beach that's pumpin'.

A U.S. District Court hearing is set for April 4.

Latest on Dane Williams death

Shop-Eat-Surf has the latest on the investigation of the death of Huntington Beach surfer and Hurley marketing intern Dane Williams. Read the post here.

(Hurley photo.)

Archy documentary to premiere April 10

The world premiere for Archy, a documentary film about 80s/90s surf legend Matt "Archy" Archbold, is scheduled for Thursday, April 10 at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, CA.


A national tour of the film, hosted by Director Bill Ballard, set to follow starting in Hermosa Beach on April 18, and the film will be available in both domestic and international surf shops in mid-June.

Here's the tour schedule:

WORLD PREMIERE
April 10 Newport Beach, CA Lido Theater

WEST COAST TOUR
April 18 - Hermosa Beach, CA - Hermosa Beach Theater
April 22 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Fremont Theater
April 24 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theater
April 29 - San Francisco, CA - Balboa Theater
May 1 - Santa Cruz, CA - Rio Theater
May 7 - Santa Monica, CA - Santa Monica 4-Plex
May 8 - Laguna Beach, CA - South Coast Cinema
May 14 - San Diego, CA - MCASD
May 15 & 16 - Encinitas, CA - La Paloma

EAST COAST TOUR

To be announced.

Check out the web site and the My Space page.

More on Playboy bunny boards

Although the OC Register story about Wallin Surfboards' line of Playboy bunny boards got hoots from OC surfers, Wallin may be tapping into a growing international market for surfboards as a branding tool rather than a piece of athletic equipment.

This trend is especially hot in Japan, according to the blog galleriejapan:

As a branding tool Japanese phone, electronics, car & clothing companies will offer these branded boards as competition prizes and showroom displays...Surfing in Japan is a minor sport, but the surf culture is strong, a surfboard would not be something an average consumer would go out and purchase, but certainly something they would like to win and display at home.

Poverty no barrier for team of South African groms

I found this story about a team of determined groms from a South African township more than a little inspiring.

THEY may ride battered old surfboards and have little contest savvy, but this has not stopped a talented group of young Port St. Johns surfers from making waves at the South African Grommit Games in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.

With hardly enough money to fix surfboard dings – let alone buy the latest surf fashions or travel hundreds of kilometres around the coast to compete – five of the youngsters from the Surf Clinic got through to the semi-finals after surfing just a handful of contests.

Read more here.

NSSA Champ Doheny Joins the Vans Lineup

Vans announced the signing of 15-year-0ld NSSA champ Andrew Doheny. Here is the press release:

Andrew Doheny Joins the Vans Lineup

March 24, 2008

PRESS RELEASE--Vans is excited to announce the signing of local surf phenom Andrew Doheny to the Vans Surf team. Though only 15 years-old, Doheny has been a dominant force in the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) for years, with 84 NSSA wins and 16 titles already under his belt, including the 2007 NSSA Open Juniors Champ title. Over a short period of time Doheny also snagged six Western Championships and four national runner-up titles, quickly establishing him as one of the sport's most talented amateurs.

Born and raised in Newport Beach , CA , Doheny has been surfing since the age of 5, honing his skills at Newport 's popular 54th Street , where he still surfs every day. Though Doheny just recently officially jumped on board, his relationship with Vans and other local Vans Surf team riders goes back a few years

"We're proud to have Andrew officially join us," said Vans Surf Marketing Manager Scott Sisamis. "He's an amazing surfer and we already felt like he was part of the team."

"I'm stoked to be a part of the Vans family and a hippie like all the other Vans guys," said Doheny.

With a busy 2008 schedule that includes the Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack's Surfboards, March 26-30 at the Huntington Beach Pier, and Team USA competitions, Doheny is certainly one to watch and this kid is just getting warmed up.

Andrews's sponsors, in addition to Vans, include Volcom, HSS, Creatures, Freestyle and Sexwax.

Vans supports and promotes surfing through a full line of surf footwear and apparel, events such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing(TM) and through sponsorship of many of the world's top surfers such as Joel Tudor, Timmy Reyes, Karina Petroni and Nathan Fletcher.

(NSSA photo.)

Blank icon Harold Walker joins Ice-9 Foam Works

Harold Walker, who some thought was in a position to be "Grubby" Clark's successor in the blank industry after Clark Foam closed its doors in 2005, will now help an Orange County foam company improve on foams that he formulated at his famous shop for over nearly half a century.

Recently Walker shut down Walker Foam in Wilmington, CA and headed down the 22 Freeway to join up with foam innovator Ice-9 Foam Works in the City of Orange, where he aims to help the company develop new products for the high-performance surfboard market.

Walker says Ice-9 has contracted with him to supply and consult on production of the Walker Foam blank formulas, including Walker's oiginal formula, new formula, colored foam formula, and the high density foam formula.

“I have great respect for Walker’s contributions to surfing,” said Ice-9 founder Jon Stillman. "The way I see it, by marrying Harold's incredible experience and knowledge with our updated processing and engineering, we can create the ultimate shaper’s foam."

Ice-9 says it plans to implement chemical industry best practices and engineering controls to ensure that the production of the more hazardous formula, known as TDI foam, poses no threat to shapers, surfers, or its employees. Environmental concerns were a factor in the demise of Clark Foam.

OC surfers shred Playboy bunny boards

The OC surf crowd doesn't seem to have a warm and fuzzy feeling about Playboy bunny boards being manufactured by Wallin Surfboards.

In an earlier post, I noted an OC Register story about Wallin cutting a deal to market the first-ever line of Playboy boards.

But folks in the OC lineup are treating the deal like they would a milky-skinned kook in cutoffs paddling out on the North side of Huntington Pier on a Bic epoxy board.

"What an absolute joke," writes Alex. "Nobody who actually surfs would be caught dead riding these monstrosities."

"Zero cred," add surfnspy.

"WACK," says JoJo. "I call it Barney board."

Bar decor maybe?

(OC Register photo.)

Hurley delivers biggest quarter ever

The action sports industry blog Shop-Eat-Surf reports that Hurley delivered its biggest quarter ever with revenues up 33%. Nike execs announced the news during the company's 3rd Quarter Earnings Report conference call.

"They are really getting the product and merchandising right and that is connecting with our core consumer and with the broader action sports market," Mark Parker, Nike President and CEO, said during Wednesday's conference call.

Besides Hurley, based in Costa Mesa, CA, Nike brands Cole Haan and Converse also grew double-digits.

Read more here.

Surf Diva founders recognized as 'Most Authentic Entrepreneurs'

Surf Diva founders Izzy and Coco Tihanyi received the "Most Authentic Entrepreneur Award" from Action Sports Innovators (ASI).

The award was presented at ASI’s first networking event for action sports entrepreneurs, which took place at the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum in Balboa Park.

Founded in 1996, Surf Diva has introduced thousands of women from all over the world to the sport and spirit of surfing. The company also markets a line of apparel.

Reef Sandals’ co-founder Fernando Aguerre, a good friend of the twin sisters who is also Coco's ex-boss, presented the award.

Action Sports Innovators (ASI), founded by Marco Thompson, is an exclusive community of CEOs, founders, and presidents of emerging action sports companies, focused solely on developing and sharing strategies for growth and success.

ASI brings such key executives together with a goal to strengthen networks, and provide speakers and presentations on topics of interests to the group.

Longboard champ signs with Oxbow

The OC Register sports section featured San Clemente longboard champion Colin McPhillips, who recently signed with Oxbow, a major European surfwear and accessories company.

McPhillips had been a free agent for a year, since Op disbanded the team he'd surfed with for 12 years. He also surfs for three San Clemente companies – Stewart Surfboards, Rainbow Sandals and Soleo Organics.

Read more here.

(Orange County Register Photo)

Florida shops still feeling pain of Clark Foam shutdown

An article in today's Palm Beach Tribune highlights the trials and tribulations of surf shops in the local area.

Since Clark Foam in Mission Viejo, CA closed its doors, there has been a glut of cheaper foam boards. Meanwhile, sales are stagnant for epoxy boards.

"A lot of the intermediate surfers are going with the cheaper boards," local shaper Matt Kechele said. "That's a market that all of us have depended on as part of our staple."

Featured in the article are Spectrum Surfshop in Indianatlantic, Resin Research of Indian Harbour Beach, and Quiet Flight Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.

On the brigher side, board rentals have increased.

Read more here.

(Palm Beach Tribune photo)

Florida surf fest aims for family-oriented crowd

Seems times have changed for the crowd gathering in Cocoa Beach for the 44th Annual Easter Surfing Festival today through Sunday.

A story in the Orlando Sentinel notes how the event, which had its origins as a four-day rager for baked hippie surfers, has transformed into a family-friendly bash that has something for everyone.

It's now recognized as one of the largest, oldest and most diverse surfing events on the East Coast.

Read more here.

"Shark Shield" gets endorsement of Great White

Shark Shield, the Australian shark deterrent device manufacturer, couldn't have gotten a better publicity shot than this one in Mirror.co.uk.

This incident happened while scientists were testing the anti-shark device off the coast of Australia. The Shark Shield model for surfers retails for under US$1,000 and attaches to the tail of the surfboard.

Unfortunately, the Australian reported, another Great White thought the gizmo made a good snack:

...during a test of the device, activated on a float carrying bait when the 3.6m female shark approached. Rather than being deterred by the device, the shark, under the gaze of the Natal Sharks Board, bit into it.

Furthermore, makers of the device say it's only guaranteed to work "when it's stationary, not when it's surfing in the wave or paddling,"--which may give you a little comfort, I suppose, when you're inbetween sets and you have time to sit there and think about sharks.

Here's a promotional vid from Sea Change Technology, the manufacturer.

European bargain airline wipes out using surfers to promote flights to beach

Surfing is often used as eye candy in tourism ad campaigns for places like California, Hawaii, or Australia. But the surfing image may have backfired in a recent PR campaign to promote cheap flights from Ediburgh, Scotland to the beach town of Newquay in the British county of Cornwall.

Even though Fistral Beach in Cornwall is where British surfing began, the recent campaign by bargain airline Flybe that used local surfers as pitchmen and -women didn't seem to resonate with Scots.

"Eh? Whit the hell pish (piss) is this?" comments one reader of the Edinburgh Evening News. "WHO CARES."

Another reader was just as harsh.

"Personally, the prospect of encountering or even seeing 'right-on' pillocks (morons) on planks would put me off going anywhere near Cornwall."

(Edinburgh Evening News photo.)

Endless (rat) Summer

Bunsen, Harry, Curly and Chopsticks may be the stars of the next surf classic. But unlike Bruce Brown and Bruce Irons, these guys are rats. No, not low-lifes...they're literally rats.



After burning up You Tube with a clip of the rippin' rodents (2 million hits and counting), their trainer and owner, Shane Willmott of Queensland, Australia, is planning a documentary.

It took only a few training sessions to train the rats to ride, according to an article in Britain's metro.co.uk. Shane said he has also started a sideline selling framed photos of the mice with copies of their surfboards to fans for £80 each. He is also planning to launch a Radical Rodents website.

Stand up paddle company picks new COO

C4 Waterman, innovator of stand up paddle surfing equipment and accessories world-wide, today announced that Bob Rief has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer.

Rief has served as President of Nike Golf, Vice President of Callaway Golf, CEO of Reef, and, most recently, CEO of Sanuk. Rief will operate from C4 Waterman's new Mainland USA headquarters in Cardiff by the Sea, CA.

"It is the waterman element of C4 that first attracted me to the brand," said Rief. "The opportunity to join with reputed watermen and businessmen like Brian Keaulana, Todd Bradley and Mike Fox in a business that is dedicated to the development of innovative waterman's tools is very appealing."

C4 Waterman was launched in January, 2007, and has played an integral part in the revival and perpetuation of the sport of stand up paddle--or "beachboy"--surfing. The sport originated in Hawaii in the 1940s through the creativity of Waikiki's famed Beachboys, who combined their two passions of surfing and canoe-paddling.

C4 Waterman was founded by partners Brian Keaulana, Todd Bradley, and Mike Fox, all out of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Wallin snags deal for new line of Playboy surfboards

A "passion for the Playboy brand" earned Wallin Surfboards the right to market the first-ever line of Playboy surfboards.

It also got Wallin president John Levandoski a great piece in the Money section of the OC Register. The boards will sell from between $600 and $2,000, and will be on the market in the next couple of weeks.

Read more here.

Styxtrader.com launches classified ad site for board sports

Styxtrader.com, of Port Hueneme, CA, announced the launch of a new web site they hope will become the search engine of choice in the world of extreme sports. They are a classified ad site for surf, skate and snow sports where users can advertise new or used equipment such as surfboards, kite boards, skateboards, art, clothing, or whatever.

Customers can get online and fill out a form, upload pictures of the items they're selling, and have people all over the world looking in no time. The site was specifically designed for companies, shop owners, manufacturers, artists, photographers, surfers, skaters, and snowboarders. Shops can have their products seen by the public, and will also be able to redirect traffic from Styxtrader.com to their own sites.

"We are dedicated to keeping our site pure and visually beautiful to inspire use of the site," a Styxtrader press release said. The site was "specifically designed to be in the spirit of the surfing and sport community."

Styxtrader.com does not warehouse any products. For a flat fee, the user can list the product, and the buyer deals directly with the advertiser with no middle man. Banner ads in different sizes are also available for those who want greater exposure of their product or business. Now, instead of having to sell used surfboards by displaying them in the shop, owners can reach the surfer down the street or on the other side of the world. Items can be categorized by region, by the type of merchandise or service, or by sport.

For more information, visit the site, or call John Doeppl at (805) 201-0611.

Greenlight Surfboard Supply markets kits for ProBox-compatible hand-made bamboo fins

Greenlight Surfboard Supply of Philadelphia has teamed up with ProBox Fin Systems of Torrance, CA to offer kits that allow surfers to make their own bamboo fins that will fit into a ProBox Fin box.

With a kit and some basic hand tools, surfers have the option of creating a quiver of various fin designs to maximize the performance of a single surfboard.

The kit includes bamboo fin panels and comprehensive instruction on how to create any fin style. Bamboo fins are strong, light, and easily shaped with standard tools found in most household toolboxes.

You should be able to get at least six fins of any style from the bamboo panel supplied in the kit.

Wooden board shop markets board building classes

Definitely not the same ol' same ol'. Grain Surfboards is now offering wooden surfboard building classes right in their shop in York, Maine. Students can learn alongside the same builders that make custom wooden surfboards from locally grown white cedar. At the end of the week-long class, students walk away with their own hand-built, wooden surfboard.