DOWN THE LINE Surf Talk Radio

SURFING NEWS — SURFING NEWS — TOP 5 SURFING STORIES OF THE WEEK AND MUCH MORE SURFING NEWS — SURFING NEWS — TOP 5 SURFING STORIES OF THE WEEK DISCUSS
w/ Scott Bass (surfer) and Jeff Baldwin (surfer)

SURF REPORT: ADAM WRIGHT SOLSPOT.COM

SEGMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY SURFING HERITAGE VINTAGE SURF AUCTION PRESENTED BY QUIKSILVER WATERMAN COLLECTION TAKING PLACE MAY 11 AT THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS: GET TICKETS AND INFORMATION AT :

HTTP://THEVINTAGESURFAUCTION.COM

The Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection – May 11, 2013 at the Orange County Fairgrounds

The theme is “California Gold” and the Surfing Heritage (SH) is focusing on just that, boards and memorabilia with a California flair from the ’20s through the ’70s. We’ve already coalesced a solid selection of “Gold’ from various sellers and are actively searching for more. We’re anticipating between 50 prime vintage surfboards for the live auction and at least 40 items including surfboards for the silent auction.

Randy Rarick, a member of the Surfing Heritage Auction Advisory Committee, and a great friend of the Surfing Heritage, has lent his auction expertise to the Surfing Heritage and will also serve as the emcee of this gala.

Please put the Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection (May 11, 2013) on your radar!

NEXT WEEK SHOW: IZZY AND JOSHUAH PASKOWITZ WILL BE IN-STUDIO SO WE WILL TALK ALL THINGS PASKOWITZ!

TOP 5 STORIES
#1 KEN SKINDOG COLLINS TAKES ON THE DIRTY BEACHES OF SANTA CRUZ

started as his disgust to / at finding filth along the beaches of the Westside / West Cliff,
eventually led him to finding massive quantities of used hypodermic needles;
which led him to the creek which flows through Natural Bridges park,
which led him to thousands of pounds of filth, trash and homeless encampments;
which led him to city hall where he and other concerned citizens demanded change, demanded clean beaches, demanded the best for Santa Cruz, not worst.
Lowest common denominator, the drug addict, is being served; not the working, tax paying citizen. Not the Chamber of Commerce. Not the families.
I applaud his can-do approach
Just like he charges big waves, determined, not backing down he is charging this issue head on

RatBoy gets involved too! http://www.ksbw.com/news/central-california/santa-cruz/Surfer-Ratboy-speaks-out-on-Santa-Cruz-needle-controversy/-/5738976/18333670/-/up06xgz/-/index.html

#2 Is the ozone layer on the road to recovery?
Satellites show that the recent ozone hole over Antarctica is the smallest seen in the past decade. Long-term observations also reveal that Earth’s ozone has been strengthening following international agreements to protect this vital layer of the atmosphere.
According to the ozone sensor on Europe’s MetOp weather satellite, the hole over Antarctica in 2012 was the smallest in the last 10 years. The instrument continues the long-term monitoring of atmospheric ozone started by its predecessors on the ERS-2 and Envisat satellites.

#3 Surf Contest results:
Jamie Sterling wins Nelscott Reef contest in oregon in 20 -25 – 30 feet of surf. Stop #3 of the BWWT.

John John Florence owned the Volcom Pipe Pro in really good pipe ; smaller for the final day; Josh Kerr, Chris Ward also standouts.

Break Burleigh Pro 4 star WQS in OZ won by Owen Wright

Segment brought to you by :
100 Wave Challenge – taking place this year in Mission Beach San Diego.

#4 GMAC at Nazere rides 103.5 feet of wave breaks his own world record
a) How did the come up with 100 feet on the mark, are they sure it wasn’t 102 feet or 104 feet? Seems like a red flag, IRS always red flags rounded numbers and so am I. For the purpose of this show the wave was 103.5 feet.
b) Is he the most famous surfer in the world? Anderson Cooper ; all over European TV,
c) He has achieved the infamous 100 foot mark, now what. It was radical, but it didn’t leave more of an impression as his 90 or 100 foot wave at Nazare last year. A big wave is a big wave is a big wave.
d) Who are the most famous surfers in the world right now: Kelly, Gmac, Dorian, Dane Reynolds, Tom Curren? Greg Noll? Miki Dora??? Duke K? Gabriel Medina?

#5 OAKLEY PRO AT KERAMAS BALI ADDED TO THE WCT IN 2013 THIS YEAR.
a) Really good wave Trestles rip-ability, but with tubes.
b) WCT starts in March 2. Ends Dec 20. Ten events.

Surfing News – August 12, 2012: Tim Bessell- Master Shaper from La Jolla, California joins us in-studio.

Tim Bessell- Master Shaper from La Jolla, California joins us in-studio.

SEGMENT 1 SPONSOR —

THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURFBOARD SHOW

–
HONORING MARK RICHARDS IN THE ICONS OF FOAM SHAPING TRIBUTE PRESENTED BY US BLANKS

October 6 & 7, 2012
Del Mar Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall
Open to the Public
Food, Music, Fun
Exhibits, Shaping, Events, Art
$10; U12 FREE
Free sub to SURFER Magazine for each paid entrant
Surfboard Demo morning at 15th Street in Del Mar Sunday Oct 7

EVENTS AND EXHIBITS INCLUDE:

QNA SHAPING BAY
BEST OF SHOW
VINTAGE SWAP SHOWDOWN
CINEMA GROTTO SHORT FILMS FEST
SURFAID BOARD ART BENEFIT
ARTIZEN LIVE PERFORMANCE ART
ECO-SWIRL LAMINATING
GUN CLUB LOUNGE
MUSIC BY SURFERS FOR SURFERS
Autograph & Book Signings

Surf Report:

Emails, Tweets, Shout Outs:

“I disagree with the listener email last week from Jay (in Carlsbad), that basically called out the surfing and conditions at the US Open. They’ve had really bad days at PipeMasters, when they didn’t even run the contest at Pipe! Sometimes Mother Ocean does not provide, but more often than not she does. Plus, the final day’s action was red hot and very exciting.” - Lisa H. Fan of HB Pier and the US Open from Torrance. California.

SEGMENT 2: Segment Sponsor Quiksilver Waterman Collection is presenting next years’ Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection which takes place May 11, 2013 in the brand new state-of-the-art building at the OC Fairgrounds called The HANGAR. Quiksilver Waterman Collection and their brand ambassadors on twitter Mark Healey @healeysurf , Shayne McIntyre @ShayneMcIntyre, Jamie Mitchell, Peter Mel @peter_mel, Mel Pu’u: Robby Naish

Lacanau Summer from loyal listener Renz in Europe

Tim Bessell – re-knowned local La Jolla shaper Bessell surfboards

Tim it might be good to go back a bit, Jeff and I grew up in San Diego, so we know all about you...but many of our international listeners don't know your connection to San Diego so let's start there..

Where were you born, raised?

What did your parents do, what was family life like?

When did you become enamored with this thing called surfing?

Do you remember your first surfboard?

As a young surfer who were your influences?

Shaping bug? How did you get involved with shaping surfboards?

What were your early experiences with the planer and foam? Garage stuff?

Sunset Surfboards days...

Regarding early shaping life, who really went out of their way to show you the ropes, or give you tips?

Who did you see go through those doors at Ed Wright's Sunset Surfboards, they had a big influence?
Al Merrick, Ken Bradshaw, Willis Brothers, Ned McMahon, Bill Shrosbree,

In the early 80s you really had a stable of red hot local La Jolla kids including Peter King.

The Artist Series -- tell us how this concept came about?

How did the Clark foam closure in 2005 effect on your business?

I'm of the opinion that cheap entry level, price point boards are good for the local surfboard industry, do you agree with this?

Can a surfer walk into the Bessell shop, and... like going into a Mercedes dealer, choose from a either 300 series, a 500 series or a bells and whistles 700 series?

The Sustainable surfboard... when will an eps, linseed oil resin, bamboo weave be the only board available to surfers?

...it seems we've been hearing about it for years, a day when all boards will be environ-senstive, that they won't eventually find their way into the landfill. Or, if they do, they bio-grade.

Yet, the PU surfboard still dominates the market place. Is it the paying customers that are driving these market conditions or is it the surfboard manufacturers, the industry, that is too stubborn or lazy to change?

THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURFBOARD SHOW

–
HONORING MARK RICHARDS IN THE ICONS OF FOAM SHAPING TRIBUTE PRESENTED BY US BLANKS

TOP 5 Stories:
#1 Catch Baldy – demo morning at 15th Street

#2 Shark Week – Great White shark spotted by helicopter off of Carlsbad beach; Reunion Island – French allow for shark culling after a smattering of shark attacks;

#3 SIMA Watermans Weekend honored Sean Collins, Jean Michel Cousteau, and Shane Dorian last night at gala fundraiser that raised money for 20 environmental causes.

#4 US Open last week exciting stuff! Julian Wilson – only ten new guys can make the tour next year…

#5 Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, are calling for a low rise in small/short-period SE swell from Sunday, 12th, into next Tuesday, as small WSW swell joins in for waist-shoulder high waves, some plus sets. Similar size SSW swell shows mid week while the WSW drops out. Better, longer-period SW swell and possible WSW swell from current Tasman Sea storm scheduled to move in Thursday, 16th, and peak Friday with chest-head high surf and inconsistent overhead sets. Those waves fade over the following weekend. More onshore flow is expected for the south facing breaks into the start of next week, then SE tending ESE winds on tap for the second half of the week.

AIR TAHITI NUI VONZIPPER TRIALISTS (The winner plus highest placed Tahitian earn Billabong Pro, main event wildcards. If the winner is Tahitian, then 2nd place is awarded the wildcard)

INTERNATIONAL INVITEES – updated list
Jamie O’Brien (Sunset Beach, Oahu, HAW)
Anthony Walsh (Lennox Head, NSW, AUS)
Bruce Irons (Kauai, HAW)
Kamalei Alexander (Kauai, HAW)
Bruno Santos (BRA)
Aritz Aranburu (Zarautz, EUK)
Kalani Chapman (Oahu, HAW)
Manoa Drollet (Papara, Tahiti, PFY)
Ricardo Dos Santos (BRA)
Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW, AUS)
Wade Goodall (Sunshine Coast, Qld, AUS)
Ben Sanchez (Hossegor, FRA)
Matt Bromley (Capetown, ZAF)
Alvaro Malpatida (Lima, PER)
Shinpae Horiguchi (Wakayama, JPN)
Dylan Longbottom (Sth Coast, NSW, AUS)

PLUS 16 TAHITIAN LOCALS – (as determined by the local ‘trials for the trials’ event).
The Air Tahiti Nui Vonzipper Trials is made possible with the support of the Government of French Polynesia, Sports Minister, Institut of Sports, Sports Department, Tahiti Tourism, Air Tahiti Nui, Coca Cola, OPT, Mana, Hyundai, Hertz, Polynesie 1ère, La Depeche, NRJ, City Hall of Taiarapu ouest and the City Hall of Teahupo’o,

July 22, 2012 Down The Line Surf Talk Radio with Bassy n Baldy on XTRA SPORTS 1360AM in San Diego; on iTunes podcast (Google it).

Segment Sponsor Quiksilver Waterman Collection is presenting next years’ Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection which takes place May 11, 2013 in the brand new state-of-the-art building at the OC Fairgrounds called The HANGAR. Quiksilver Waterman Collection and their brand ambassadors on twitter Mark Healey @healeysurf , Shayne McIntyre @ShayneMcIntyre, Jamie Mitchell, Peter Mel @peter_mel, Mel Pu’u: Robby Naish;

We are back. We’ve been out for two weeks… eye surgery at least I am, Baldy is working in Utah this weekend.

EMAIL – TWEETS – SHOUTS OUTS:
#1 Yeah Guy! Lads love the show listen to it on pod cast from Sunshine Coast Australia. I have not been able to get the last 2 weeks pod casts from itunes. Is something going on with this or is it something wrong with my itunes. Please help I have DTLSTR withdrawals Jay Australia
#2 Brah….Where’s the podcast for the 15th ??? Ur killing me…But, seriously… great show(s)!! Look forward to every monday morning at work to see what happened on the show on sunday..
5 things i know..–Slater is ruling!!–He ruled it all at Cloudbreak. Unbelievable surfing..–He really should have surfed the BIG day.–Hard call to run vs no run.. they blew the call in hindsight.–Steph G will be next womens 10 times champ!!
Ha! and alo.. Rich in Hawaii

PADDLE FOR DAISY
Al’s eight-year-old granddaughter Daisy Love Merrick, after undergoing six surgeries and twenty-two rounds of chemotherapy, is currently battling cancer for the third time. As Daisy embarks on the next steps of her treatment, she will be facing several additional rounds of chemotherapy, in addition to a stem cell transplant with progressive treatments in both the United States and Israel. The estimated cost of Daisy’s treatment not covered by insurance is expected to total close to half a million dollars.

This is where you come in. On September 1, 2012, beginning at 9 am, groups around the country will meet to hold a paddle-a-thon, at which group photos will be taken and sent to the Merrick family and someone will say a prayer for Daisy before the group paddles a preset distance.

The group behind the Paddle For Daisy initiative, Christian Surfers (CS), will be building a simple and transferable template for the Paddle-a-thon fundraising event, with 100 percent of the donations going directly to the Merrick family. Donations will be received by the Christian Surfers either via check or via online donations.
Donate. Get out and paddle at the event. Show your love and support for Daisy and the Merrick family.

SEGMENT 2: THIS SEGMENT SPONSORED BY ME, the creator of Sacred Craft brings you a new consumer surfboard show: THE BOARDROOM SURFBOARD SHOW : HONORING 4 X WORLD CHAMP AND ICON OF FOAM MARK RICHARDS OCT 6 & 7 DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS LIVE SHAPING, LIVE LAMINATING, BOARD GIVEAWAYS, SURFBOARD DEMO, AUTOGRAPHS SIGNINGS, TOP SURFBOARD MANUFACTURERS, WETSUITS, LEASHES, BOARDBOAGS GREAT DEALS

BOYS TO MEN Mentoring Program w/ Joe Sigurdson
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men” – Fredrick Douglass

Good morning Joe, tell us about Boys to Men,
Who What When Where Why How
100 Wave Challenge
Are these kids that are already in gangs?
Is there anything more important to a society than Father/Mother family home life?

SEGMENT 3 SPONSORS THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURFBOARD SHOW HONORING 4X ASP WORLD CHAMP MARK RICHARDS OCTOBER 6 & 7 DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS LIVE SHAPING, LIVE LAMINATING, BOARD GIVEAWAYS, SURFBOARD DEMO, AUTOGRAPHS SIGNINGS, TOP SURFBOARD MANUFACTURERS, WETSUITS, LEASHES, BOARDBAGS GREAT DEALS

JARED KOETT BILL WILSON
You have seen the waste that is current surfboard packing; packing for travel ; tell us about your experience with the old style packing materials.

You’ve decided to change the way surfers pack their boards for trips; the way the surfboard manufacturers pack their boards for wholesale shipping.

What was the process like of getting to an eco -friendly packing material : what was this road to discovery?

Where are we at?

What is it going to take to get the surfboard industry to make this simple and smart step towards multi-use enviro-friendly packaging/packing materials and away from single use plastics?

TOP 5 Storeis:
# 1) Molokai to Oahu World Championships dedicates Race to George Ramos
Keep George In Your Heart as You Cross the Ka’iwi Channel

As many of you are getting ready for your race in Molokai next week there will be one paddler missing at the start but he will be close to our hearts – George Ramos. George is the soul of this event, having paddled solo in all 15 years of the race. Always ready for the challenge and always ready to share a smile, a story and laugh.

George was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has another challenge ahead of him this year. Although he won’t be paddling physically in the channel he will be paddling with many as we dedicate this race, the 16th annual Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships, to George.

George has been unable to work over the last few months and as you know Cancer is not cheap. We have set up a 32::32 donation site for those interested in helping offset some of his medical bills. More importantly we ask that you keep George in your hearts as you cross the ka’iwi channel.

#3 ELL’s 11-12 team began play in the Subdivision III (State) tournament with a 7-3 win over San Bernardino Champion Highland Little League. ELL to face Aliso Viejo LL at Aliso Viejo on Sun, July 22, 11:30 a.m.

#4 WESTERN Australia’s reputation as the world’s deadliest place for shark attacks is hurting tourism and the federal government should consider lifting the ban on fishing of great whites, the state government says. The 4m killer, dubbed Brutus by surfers near Wedge Island, 180km north of Perth, mauled surfer Ben Linden two weeks ago as he surfed with a mate about 9am.
“Five fatalities in Western Australia (in 10 months) is unprecedented and cause for great alarm,” Mr Moore said.
“It won’t be helping our tourism industry and those people who want to come here to enjoy an ocean experience will be turned away because of this situation.”

June 03, 2012 — Down The Line Surf Talk Radio with Bassy n Baldy on XTRA SPORTS 1360AM in San Diego; on iTunes podcast (Google it).

Listen to the show RIGHT NOW!!

Down The Line tweeter campaign!! Send this Tweet to the Volcom Fiji Pro folks: “World’s Best in HUGE Cloudbreak! Say NO to RESTAURANTS! #volcomfijipro”

Let me know you want to see the world’s best in HUGE Cloudbreak this Thursday and Friday.

Segment Sponsor Quiksilver Waterman Collection is presenting next years’ Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection which takes place May 11, 2013 in the brand new state-of-the-art building at the OC Fairgrounds called The HANGAR. Quiksilver Waterman Collection and their brand ambassadors on twitter Mark Healey @healeysurf , Shayne McIntyre @ShayneMcIntyre, Jamie Mitchell, Peter Mel @peter_mel, Mel Pu’u: Robby Naish;

Surf Forecast SOLSPOT.com – Adam Wright – There is a hefty West swell forming underneath Japan that looks to hit Hawaii June 12th. A Pipeline swell.

EMAIL: Hi Bassy and Baldy!

First off, I would like to say that I am a huge fan of the show! I download the podcasts weekly and listen to them over here in Scotland imagining the sunshine while we have snow! You guys really need to stop moaning about the water being cold in San Diego, it’s May and we still have snow on the hills.

My name is Allyn Harper and I am the film maker behind “Through The Whisky Barrel”. I am so stoked that my film was selected to be showcased at the San Diego Film Festival this weekend. It really is a huge honour to represent Scotland over in one of my favourite places in the world!

I am gutted that I could not be over there fro the SD Surf Film fest weekend to meet you all and hang out. I am planning a trip over later in the summer and hope to meet everyone involved then!

It would be great to hear from you both, as your show always gets me stoked when I listen to it every Monday morning. Yeah Guy!

Also, if you can give me an address, I’d like to send you out a couple of copies of the film.

I was happy to get the hood off this weekend for the first time this year, as we are now basking in 46F water. You guys would be more than welcome over here anytime, as long as you can cope with the chilly weather and uncrowded waves.

Cheers,

Allyn Harper

mail@throughthewhiskybarrel.com
www.throughthewhiskybarrel.com
——————————————————-

Contact us @surfboardexpo @jeffbaldy surftalksandiego@Gmail.com call the show 858.570.1360

SHOW NOTES:

Segment 2: Brought to you by THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURF BOARD SHOW Oct 6 & 7 2012 DM fairgrounds honoring 4X World Champion MR Top 5 Stories

1) Volcom Fiji Pro started yesterday, Round 1 in solid 6-8′ Cloudbreak; really if you were there, the boat dirvers would be calling it 4-6′ ; easily 10′ faces out there. Big moment was Mitch Coleborn snatching victory from Kelly Slater in the final moments of their round one heat.

Fantasy Surfer Fans, let me tell you… when it is this big or bigger, it is all about experience. Time in the water at Cloudbreak, very difficult wave to figure it out, until you’ve figured it out. Veterans will do good, unless it gets smaller and moves to Restaurants. Event then, you need to know the wave.
Kolohe, Gabe Medina, Miguel Pupo, Julian Wilson, young guns on tour were firing blanks today. Except John John FLorence, who went over the falls, and then dominated late.

John John Florence (HAW), 19, who took out his inaugural ASP WCT victory in Brazil last month, recovered from a recent bout of flu in Fiji to take a come-from-behind victory over fellow rookie Miguel Pupo (BRA), 20, and veteran Kieren Perrow (AUS), 35.

“My confidence is there, but I’ve been sick the last few days,” Florence said. “I had a session the other day, so the confidence is there and it’s kind of not. I went over the falls on that one and it was a good warm up to get kind of shaken up a bit.”

Friday the 8th (potential to see very long period forerunners as early as Thursday late afternoon and evening), from a storm that will move through the Southern Ocean and toward New Zealand over the next few days. If the storm behaves as currently forecast surf will easily be triple overhead+++ and larger at Cloudbreak.

VOLCOM FIJI PRO ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Isei Tokovu (FIJ)
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)
Heat 7: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 9: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 10: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 11: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 12: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

2) The Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile presented by MINI will reach the end of its original 60-day contest window on May 31–but with large swells still consistently forming in the region, event organizers have extended the waiting period to June 15. The Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile, the first stop on the Big Wave World Tour, is one of the world’s most anticipated big wave events..

* Hoping they get some surf, this tour needs a full season.

3) explore.org LAUNCHES REEL LIFE with MIKE PRICKETT: A Web Video Series & Community Blog Documenting the Incredible Work & Uncertain Road for Acclaimed Underwater Cinematographer Partially Paralyzed in Diving Accident
On March 14, 2012, while filming underwater on location off the coast of an atoll in French Polynesia, Mike saw a diver below him in distress. Acting instinctively, Mike helped the diver make an emergency ascent but in the process was partially paralyzed from a severe case of the bends. While the man he saved was ultimately able to walk away from the incident, Mike was told he may never walk again. His doctors say it will take six months to find out how well he will recover.
explore.org, the philanthropic media organization and multi-media arm of the Annenberg Foundation, has launched a special web video series, photo gallery and community web site today that chronicles the extraordinary life, work, and current struggle with paraplegia of world renowned ocean cinematographer, Mike Prickett (Hawaii).

* The other get walked away from the accident.

Segment 3: Brought to you by THE BOARDROOM INTERNATIONAL SURF BOARD SHOW Oct 6 & 7 2012 DM fairgrounds honoring 4X World Champion MR

4) Kelly Slater joins Go Pro- Slater will be joining Mark Healey, Alana Blanchard, Sunny Garcia, Jamie Sterling, Kelia Moniz, Harley Ingleby, Monyca Byrne Wickey, Hughes Oyarzabel, Anthony Walsh, Kalani Chapman and Chuck Patterson on the GoPro team.

5) Catching up with Executive Director of a new surfboard show, THE BOARDROOM

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 31 May, 2012 : – - Scott Bass has a hefty resume in the surf world and is most well known as being the instrument behind the Sacred Craft surfboard show. As the owners of Sacred Craft decided not to run the show this year, Scott’s been hit with a lot of questions about future surfboard shows. In the following interview he answers a lot of those questions…

Rob Farrow: So, first off, tell us what happened to Sacred Craft ®*, why did you change the name to THE BOARDROOM?
Well. Frankly I can’t talk too much about Sacred Craft ® because it is not my property. I do not own it. It is not really my place to discuss it. The Nielsen Corporation, the company that produced the ASR shows in San Diego, owns Sacred Craft ®. But, understanding that you and everybody in the industry looks to me for the answer to that question, I can tell you that I was told by the Nielsen Corporation that Sacred Craft ® won’t happen in 2012. Let me be clear that I did not change the name. I can’t change the name of something I do not own. The Boardroom International Surfboard Show is in fact an entirely new surfboard show and is in no way affiliated with Sacred Craft ®.

RF: How is THE BOARDROOM new, what makes it different?
As a lover of surfboards I can tell you that surfboards are at the core of the THE BOARDROOM show, as they should be. I was reading a back-issue Surfer’s Journal entry written by Tom Morey, a fabulous read, and what came across more than anything was that Morey understood and understands, without any sub-cultural dogma, that riding waves no matter what the vehicle, puts smiles on people faces: hand-planes, mats, McDonalds trays, five fins, four fins, no fins, wave-skates, carbon, poly, eps, – whatever. I believe as a sub-culture surfers are finally understanding what Morey has known for decades. We are finally explorers on the wave face, rather than captives. As far as what we use to ride the waves with, I really believe that we as surfers are at a liberating place on our evolutionary surfing timeline. Technology and groovy-ness are becoming comfortable with each other.

RF: That’s rather abstract, what do you mean by that exactly?
I was watching video of Bruce Irons and Todd Morcom getting towed into some meaty Mexican beach break, Colima or Oaxaca, and they were was riding boards that were 4’10”. Doing step-offs, it was incredible. Check out the Volcom Annhilator series videos. Mind-blowing. Sometimes as surfers we are so close to it, we live it, and sometimes we are too close. We can’t see the trees because of the forest. We fail to recognize how radically and how quickly technology is changing things for us. And then to juxtapose, yesterday I was surfing some meager windswell with some 20-something hipster surfers from Newport Beach. They had the whole hipster vibe going, and these guys put a real emphasis on style. They were riding mid-length 6’10” single fins, that they had hand-shaped themselves. They put such emphasis on their bottom turns. There was so much style and body posturing and arching. They were performance artists. And so of course were Bruce and Morcom. Two different perspectives that in the past might not have been able to co-exist, from a marketing perspective, or even in the same physical space. But now it is okay. You can have iced tea for breakfast. And that is really what THE BOARDROOM is all about. It is about Tom Morey’s simple understanding – you and a wave. Go ride it. We don’t care how. Just ride it man.

RF: What are you riding these days?
I’ve been having a blast on some longer single fins that I turned into 2+1’s, widow-makers. They are really similar to the type of single-fins I learned on in the late 70s: single-wing, round pins, slight beak nose, wide-point forward. But they have modern rockers and bottoms, I’ve added the side-bites which I found really helps, especially through full rail-to-rail transitions within the roundhouse cutback. I’m also into Carl’s (Ekstrom) Asyms, and I’m due for the next adventure with Carl. He’s going to do one with the long rail on my heel side. I have so many fun boards right now it’s stupid. I’ve been on the search for the perfect round board. I’ve also been really into the hand plane thing. I can spend 20 minutes swimming with a hand plane and get such a great workout. They waves can be crap, which they often are, but all I need is a 1’-foot wave, an open shoulder. I’ve been doing a little bit of standup too. Long distance runs, which for me is 2 miles (ha). I will say that I’ve taken to that role of aging-shortboard-martyr-dude. You know that crusty older dude that stubbornly sits and sits and sits, up to his armpits in water, for a meager little wave on his 5’ 10” short board while longboarders and SUPS are doing laps around him. That’s me. Sometimes I laugh at myself, “How did I become that guy?” Usually that’s about the time I realize it’s time to swim with the hand plane.

RF: A mainstay of your shows is the tribute to a legendary shaper, I see you have Mark Richards involved this year.
Yes. I am super excited about MR being honored at THE BOARDROOM. I’m calling it the Icons of Foam Tribute. US Blanks is the presenting sponsor and it will follow a similar format to other shape-off competitions. As you know, MR is a 4X World Champion on the ASP World Tour. He is a super person, a wonderful ambassador, a surfing and shaping legend. MR has selected some contemporaries as well as some newer guys to shape. The list is solid: Reno, Rawson, Ricky Carroll (2X winner), Wayne Rich (2X winner and defending champ), John Pyzel (John John’s shaper) and young gun, 15-year-old Taz from the Canary Islands. The MR twin fin is a classic. What MR did on those boards was absolutely masterful. Look, if you get me started on MR I could go on for days. I think the one thing that really sticks out for me, is that he is one of only two world champions to shape his own equipment while on a world title campaign. The other being PT (Peter Townend). Today that’s is simply unheard of.

RF: What about Slater?
Kelly Slater might be in that mix as well. I’m simply not sure how far Kelly translates his designs from the computer to the shaping bay. I certainly do not want to shortchange Kelly. And if he has actually finish–shaped and signed a board that he rode during a world-title campaign, than I want to give him that due as well. Regardless, Slater deserves a lot of credit for opening up the minds of the every day surfer. Kelly is in a powerful position and when he rides something new people sit up and take notice. Just look at Sean Mattison’s Nubster fin. Kelly is an advocate of surfboard design and the surfboard industry. On the webcasts he is often talking about board design, not just his own, but his fellow competitors. It is great for the surfboard industry. In many ways Kelly personifies what Tom Morey was discussing in that article. Kelly is that hardcore surfer who is taking all the tools, the computer, the technologies, the new fins systems, the new foams – all of it, and he’s experimenting. It is not a one-size-fits-all world, and Slater, just as a consequence of his own curious nature and his position as ad-hoc spokesman for surfing, helps push that way of thinking.

RF: What underground shaper is fits that mold, a guy who is experimenting with new technologies and all the tools that are out there?
Well, I shouldn’t really name names because, well really there are too many to name here. You know, we’re going to have a ‘Best of Show’ area within THE BOARDROOM and the viewing public can put in their vote on this very subject. There are five different categories: concept board, longboard, shortboard, sustainable, and wood. The winners of each category will be put into the finals and the viewing public will decide the ‘Best of Show’ from the five category winners. We are asking each exhibitor to enter a board but you don’t have to be an exhibitor to enter a board. It’ll be a great viewing area with state-of-the-art boards. There will be drool buckets… and towels.

RF: I saw on a recent press release that you are including something called ‘Cinema Grotto,’ what exactly is that and does it include Playboy Bunnies?
Ah. No, no playboy bunnies. We’re going to view short films in the Cinema Grotto. The short film genre has been an effective story telling device for, pardon the pun, a long time. It’s also much more challenging for the filmmaker. There are some incredible short films out there. The San Diego Surf Film Festival inspired me to ask some of these filmmakers to show off their films at THE BOARDROOM. Of course we are hoping to show Markus Davids new documentary on the legendary shapers called, fittingly, BoardRoom – Legends of Shaping.

What else do you have planned for THE BOARDROOM?
Oh man, lots of stuff. Tons of live shaping and an inside the shaping bay QnA design discussion with the worlds best board builders including Rusty Preisendorfer, Matt Biolos, Chris Christenson, Matt Calvani, Daniel Tomson and many others. A morning board & gear demo at 15th St., a longboard skatezone, live performance surf art benefitting long time Hobie shaper Terry Martin (RIP) & the Sport of Kings Foundation, the Surfing Heritage Foundation Gun Club lounge, live music, a vintage surf swap & appraisals, free surfboards. It’d be best to check out the website for all the info and the happs.

One last thing, when and where?
October 6 & 7 Del Mar Fairgrounds; doors open at 10am.

* Sacred Craft® is registered trademark, owned by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Furthermore, Scott Bass, Scott Bass, Inc. and The Boardroom are not endorsed, sponsored, or affiliated with Sacred Craft® or Nielsen Business Media.

www.theboardroomshow.com

J Bay looks simple enough: a perfect point break. To get from Point A to Point B and make it look good, well, only the most polished get the job done correctly. JBay doesn’t just uncover weaknesses; it shines a bright light on them. Those flicky little fin-check top turns make some pro surfers look like WSA district 6 participants (or USA Team members). The most hideous of surfing styles are disrobed and some pro surfers stand naked and shriveled for the entire world to see. Spectators forced to turn away in disgust.

J Bay requires full-rail, turn-to-turn connections, which demands strong legs, which in turn generally results in an outstanding surfing style. Think about the good ones: Terry Fitzgerald, Shaun Tomson, Tom Curren, Occy, Irons, Slater, Fanning, Parko and Taylor Knox. All of them smooth as a baby’s bum and as strong as a middleweight.

Taylor Knox has one of the best styles on tour. It’s no secret or big reveal. I use the kid factor when assessing a surfers style. Would I want my kid to surf like that? When I watch Taylor Knox I say to myself, “hell yes!”

The greatest thing about good style is that you’ll more or less have it forever. When you get old; you are going to lose your ability to do aerials. I never had that ability so I see this as a plus. Sorry to break it to you, but you won’t be punting airs when you are 50 years old. You will however be holding your arms and hands and body posture basically the same way you are now. Style doesn’t leave you. It’s like the IRS, it stays with you for the long haul. Look at Skip Frye or PT or Rabbit or Pottz or Gerlach. They all have the same distinctive style they had in their prime.

Who has the worst style on TOUR? Which pro surfer makes you cringe? Watch the JBay event and it’ll become very clear. I won’t call out any names because that’s not cool. Bad style on the ASP tour used to be easy to call out. The ASP top 32 have risen. Bad style in 2011, in my opinion, not so easy to spot. When the surfers are too technical, and the dance isn’t apparent, when they don’t look like they are having, dare I say it,… fun, their styles suffer.

Curren danced. Slater dances. Fanning dances. Others are trying to score points. Not good. Bad style. Certain names pop into my head: Durbidge, Ross, Davidson: not the greatest style. They don’t have panache. They don’t dance. They can score points though. They are sporting. All opinion of course. Internet is full of it. Shit and opinion.

Taylor Knox surfs like a Sidewinder: smooth, powerful, deadly. Body positioned for a buried rail strike. Aesthetically perfect. When J Bay is six feet, deadly to competitors. A few years back, in perfect J Bay, Knox crafted a symphonic 19.70 out of possible 20 points. It was beautiful. Knox’s wave dance earned him single wave scores of 9.9 and 9.8 out of possible 10. I think he threw away a 9.0!

J Bay really brings out the best and worst in styles. Watch some of these heats on the Billabong Pro website and you’ll see the best and worst of it. This event could be Taylor Knox’s swan song event at J Bay. Hearing rumblings that T Knox will retire and become Padres pitcher Heath Bell’s personal trainer.

Terry Fitzgerald clip with Jay Adams crossover transitions. Great J Bay at the end, and insight from provocateur Derek Hynd.

ED NOTE: I wrote most of this fours years ago when I worked as an Editor for SURFER magazine. I spit out articles on a weekly basis at SURFER for 10 years. In many cases spit was more palatable. Nevertheless, for some reason SURFER magazine doesn’t put my name, or any writers name for that matter, on archived articles. I’ll be posting up some old stuff soon. Hard to SEARCH when they don’t give you credit for your work. Is that too much to ask? Rant over.

billabong, surfing styles, jbay,jay bay, j bay, jeffries, jeffreys, taylor knox, kelly slater, billabong, derek hynd, terry fitzgerald, asp, asp tour,