Due to the recent events surrounding the closure of Clark Foam as well as numerous weeks of ridiculous rumors, we here at Channel Islands Surfboards have found it necessary to make a formal statement.
Below you will find what CI considers to be ABSOLUTE facts regarding our business.
1. We are doing everything in our power to build all custom boards ordered before 12/6 with our existing foam inventory. This is our top priority. The factory will remain open.
2. Channel Islands Surfboards had no prior knowledge of the closing of Clark foam and does not have any “secret” blanks.
3. Channel Islands Surfboards is still privately held by Al Merrick. There has been no acquisition by Burton, Quiksliver, K2, Billibong, Haliburton, or the like.
4. Channel Islands Surfboards remains in the same building as it has since 1971 on the Santa Barbara waterfront where 99% of polyester surfboard production passes through.
5. Aside from tuflite technology, Channel Islands Surfboards does not manufacture boards in China or Thailand for import to the USA.
The Merricks and all of us here at CI thank you for your thoughts, concern, and support.
I dont claim to know it all, but i see 2 things in this post that may require a little more clarification
5. Aside from tuflite technology, Channel Islands Surfboards does not manufacture boards in China or Thailand for import to the USA.
So we Do Produce Polyester boards in Thailand or china, we just dont bring them to the US
4. Channel Islands Surfboards remains in the same building as it has since 1971 on the Santa Barbara waterfront where 99% of polyester surfboard production passes through.
I Think this is a bit ambitious of a number, because Arent there several CI shaping rooms at KKL? The boards come off the machine finished in the rooms and go straight off to moonlight and the other San Diego glassers? Then ship direct from them. And isnt this same process done off the machine in Florida too?
I dont think the term “FORMAL STATEMENT” pertains to anything posted on an internet message board
While I respect Channel Island surfboards and have the utmost respect for Al Merrick, I believe the shut down of Clark foam is more than what the small, independent shapers could have asked for.
Although their boards are highly regarded, Channel Island (and Rusty) boards are mass produced. I believe that if I’m going to spend my hard-earned money on a board, I want to be able to decide on the shape and style of the board were the decision was made only through surfing many waves. Only the Channel Island sponsored surfers have this luxury. The rest of us have to order off the menu.
Not only that, but all these mass produced boards do for the small shop is puts the craftsmanship out the window and ownership can be held by just about anyone. The last time I was in New Orleans on Bourbon St. I noticed that every t-shirt shop was owned by Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (thank you, come again). Do we want our surf shops run by someone who doesn’t have a clue only because inventory is so readily available? I want to go into a shop knowing that the owner and his staff have individually put their hands and effort into crafting what they sell or, at least, had first hand knowledge of the craftsman who produced a board. Had Clark not shut down we might have been buying mass produced boards at WalMart.