Get you facts correct. Anacapas are not made in China.
when cars first starting comming from over seas.large amounts of americans still bought american.mostly for the good of the country.it gave the u.s.a companies time to catch up.
the diffrence now is alot of people have lost that god bless america feeling.
so go ahead and ride you pool toys.
if no one stands up for the made in usa lable,possibly one day my great grandchild will be working in a sweatshop in chinamerica.
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Our best hope is to educate the surfing public, make chinese boards “uncool”.
Good post Stev. However…the cool factor is where the problem lies in the first place and why surfers are buying chinese surfboards. When “cool” is a factor at all…you have problems right from the start. In reality there is very little difference that can be noticed in most surfboards by most surfers…chine or not. The quality I have seen out of China and Thailand is not bad…but good. I have written my share about this issue from an ideological standpoint…but it’s not going away. It’s going to get worse. Read…“The earth is flat”
One thing is within the surf business…most anyone can get boards produced in china…so…the market is even. If the choice is not eating, getting a normal job or having stuff made in China…most are going to choose China. For retailers the choice is even easier…no more waits during the season and they have a comodity to sell with a decent markup.
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A lot of good points coming out of this discussion. Its important to remember that tariffs are an everyday part of international trade – there are tariffs on nearly all products imported and exported from the US. What’s more, It is illegal under US law for you to sell US made surfboards for less that AVC cost with the intent to eliminate your competition. True, many products we use today are made in China, and other industries have raised the issue regarding “dumping” in US markets – many have taken the same actions we are discussing. Its not about eliminating China from the market, but stopping the practice of dumping product in US markets below the cost to make it. Remember the ads you have seen on swaylocks – China made boards with Aussie blanks, US Resin and materials for $160 – FCS installed for additional $15. The math does not work.
Well…I know some things about China and also most kiteboarding brands produce in china.
I can assure you that the boards are not sold under production price.
Aussie-blanks, US Resin and material + FCS (which are made in China!! get the clue?) are not more than 100$
A blank is nothing more than an isolation foam you can buy at any buildingstore…they cost 10€ and only 5€ in production. The resin is cheap Poly…thats 5€/l
glass for a board about 20€, FCS from China…maybe 20€ that makes the whole board about 60€…ad the work…50cent/h is good pay.
Now…if they can sue kites together they can easily shape a board…
Where did you come up with that prices?
And who told you that Chinese people aren`t surfers?
So what is the difference between US Boards and Chinese Boards?
BTW…beeing European I don`t care for US jobs…
Try saving some warmoney…700Billion $ get real…how many chinese boards are that 
Not trying to offend anybody…but I cant read all this and keep quiet.
Another thing…how do they ride…I am thinking of ordering one. Do they do custom shapes when I sent them plans? Can they shape XPS for me?
Has somebody ordered one already?
Where did I come up with these prices? One of the Chinese producers hocking their wears on Swaylocks. As for the rest of your post, pretty psychotic.
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Where did I come up with these prices? One of the Chinese producers hocking their wears on Swaylocks. As for the rest of your post, pretty psychotic.
The production cost? No.
It is much lower.
You sayed that the would cost more than 160$ in production or did I read wrong?
I have seen the add, they are sold for 140$ yes?
some good points were brought up that aren’t just useful in business, but also personally.
First of Drive & Determination, use of various tools, intelligence, strategy to exploit your strengths, cover your weaknesses, and concentrate better than your competition can:
Can do attitude. Takeoff on a wave and commit to your takeoff
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You can see how old technologies get phased out. We now have ALL THE TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY we need. We can still make money, hell I see OPPORTUNITY in the future. I think the industry as a whole needs to change gears. What we are doing now and what has been going on for the last twenty years isn’t going to cut it anymore. So how are we going to beat China??? Sorry, but I say screw that mentality…be a smarter business man. That doesn’t mean be irresponsible or ruthless. If you have to be thug that means you’re just not smart enough to do it the right way. There are surfers all over the world, and I’m sure there are plenty who live in less developed nations that would help an American business man run a factory(business) so they can both can make good livings and go surfing.
I know change doesn’t come easy and it’s not going to be easy to compete with globalization. I think you have to accept the “earth is flat” reality of the 21st century. I don’t believe you should comprimise your self or your ethics to make a buck. I think there’s still opportunity in this growing industry…it’s just going to be a little harder to find.
Change what we can, and a + attitude to what changes we cannot affect . . . find out the reason why you do things to give perspective . . . know yourself . . . give some charity, for giving is one of the timeless virtues.
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If you do what you do and are really good at it
but more importantly do it for the love of it like any true craftsman
then you’ll survive no matter what economic cycle we happen to be in cause nothing else matters
If you define yourself by what those around you do
then you’ll tend to gripe alot about what the others are doing versus what seeing you could be doing instead…
surfers really need to get over themselves
Like you said
outside of how you prove to your self every day of why you should be here on this planet in the first place
no one residing outside of your personal sense of importance in the long run really cares that you do…
think about that one
and find a way to do something good in the world today
those with the gumption and heart to survive will
those that don’t won’t.
In the end everyone will end up in life where they choose to put themselves that’s all
It’s up to you to decide whether that’s a good thing or bad thing.
I can only offer this . . . is
rest
remember that there are workings far greater than you, your fellowman / woman, this is why the weak are honored when the Creator rested. So take time to step back, relax, regain strength . . .
Remember to put your trust in something that is eternal, lifegiving, and set up the whole playing field in the first place. The . . . Hand of God in the glove of human events
I’m not worried anymore (well not as much).
For those interested. China is not stopping before any industry.
Kites have always been manufactured in Chine (all but a few brands produce in China).
Here are the prices for Kitesurfings newest toys…the Chinabow is here.
bow kite
8m $250.00
12m $270.00
14m $280.00
16m $300.00
Bar with lines 90€
http://www.wfkite.net/index2.htm
Pictures of the new Kite here.
http://www.autozubehoer-tuning.de/p1020235-9m-tekky-14m-naish.jpg
http://www.autozubehoer-tuning.de/p1020236-small.jpg
guess what ? ,boards from china brake too! and i repair boards, so the way i see it, there are more boards for me to fix…so if you can’t complete with the china prices, then learn how to fix them …my business has pick up big time in the past two years …yes i do have fun on the way to the bank… peace, ET
Reality is that China puts a 25% duty on everything that comes from the US. They then turn around and give exporting Chinese manufacturers a 40% subsity on manufacturing and shipping. This is our governments fault. If you make product for a living, your US representatives and senators along with the last two executive administrations have F%#KED YOU!! Our government fathers still have to come to grips that it not 1945. Warfare in the 21st century is economic and we’re the worlds bitch.
Right on greg, everyone going nuts … ET
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Reality is that China puts a 25% duty on everything that comes from the US. They then turn around and give exporting Chinese manufacturers a 40% subsity on manufacturing and shipping. This is our governments fault. If you make product for a living, your US representatives and senators along with the last two executive administrations have F%#KED YOU!! Our government fathers still have to come to grips that it not 1945. Warfare in the 21st century is economic and we’re the worlds bitch.
Yup. So true.
It’s pretty sad when the head of the Board of Directors of the Surf Industries Manufaturers Asso. (SIMA) is over there now training the Chinese to build surfboards.
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It’s pretty sad when the head of the Board of Directors of the Surf Industries Manufaturers Asso. (SIMA) is over there now training the Chinese to build surfboards.
It’s equally sad when board builders use fin boxes made in Asia when you can buy better ones for less or the same money made right here in America. The future of the industry is headed to asia and mostly already there. Shapers in the end will become marketing managers instead of product builders. Does it really matter?
If your worried about the fin boxes then your really going to freak out when you find out most of the chemicals for PU foam and the preblown beads for EPS comes from S. Korea and China.
I think the U.S. Govt needs to rethink the free trade agreement with austraila cuz I hear they are sending thousands of some new fangled over priced and overhyped surfboards from there. Those over priced things now are going to take more food off the plates of the U.S. shapers/ builders. For 1 overpriced austrailian model it would buy 1.5-2 U.S. locally chaped boards. We ned to think like the Chinese and tax them or start looking for lawns to mow.
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If your worried about the fin boxes then your really going to freak out when you find out most of the chemicals for PU foam and the preblown beads for EPS comes from S. Korea and China.
I think the U.S. Govt needs to rethink the free trade agreement with austraila cuz I hear they are sending thousands of some new fangled over priced and overhyped surfboards from there. Those over priced things now are going to take more food off the plates of the U.S. shapers/ builders. For 1 overpriced austrailian model it would buy 1.5-2 U.S. locally chaped boards. We ned to think like the Chinese and tax them or start looking for lawns to mow.
As usual…you miss my point. The same shapers who give certain manufacturers are hard time about dealing with popouts are themselves passing on local fin box systems to buy asian produced fin box systems. In a sense I am agreeing with your first sentence. Now back to the rest of your post. There is no way to truly take a stand on the asian import thing exept in idiology. Customers set the tone of the market. Mostly customers in mass want lower prices. Some still want what they think in their minds is better craftsmanship or something they can get all nostalgic about…but even that will change with time.
Now to your australian comment. Last time I checked there are ok wages and living conditions in Australia and the government does not back things like sex slavery or communism. Hey but thats only on the ideological side of things. Reality is we are all part of thing in some way shape or form. Some of the same people who look at china as the enemy were saying the same things about backyard shapers a few years ago. Hence my “does it matter” comment. Some customers are tired of not being cool enough to buy boards from so and so and opt for already made non expensive asian made products because they simply want to go surfing and not worry about the latest greatest. Others choose to make their own and some others choose to believe that some asian made stuff are the best newest and most improved surfboards and products in the world. Me…I enjoy reading the hype about most of junk in our industry. It makes for fun stuff to write about. I don’t buy a new surfboard every six months or year either.
I personally don’t think our government needs to give incentives to China and Asia the way they do. If they can produce a good product on their own in a fair market let them. So far they produce cheap labor as their main comodity.
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I think the U.S. Govt needs to rethink the free trade agreement with austraila cuz I hear they are sending thousands of some new fangled over priced and overhyped surfboards from there. Those over priced things now are going to take more food off the plates of the U.S. shapers/ builders. For 1 overpriced austrailian model it would buy 1.5-2 U.S. locally chaped boards. We ned to think like the Chinese and tax them or start looking for lawns to mow.
Are you taking about Firewire?
This was on the surfermag forum recently…
MAINSTREAM MEDIA REPORT - QUEENSLAND BUSINESS REVIEW
High-tech Queensland surfboards take on USA market
Tuesday 27 February 2007
A Gold Coast company behind a new breed of high-tech surfboards is about to make its biggest splash yet in the world’s most lucrative surfing market - the USA.
Firewire Surfboards at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast has secured its largest export order to date - 1400 boards worth more than $700,000.
“Firewire’s smart manufacturing processes have helped it almost quadruple its manufacturing capacity in less than six months, now producing 300 boards a week,” says Premier Peter Beattie.
“That figure is expected to rise to 400 very soon.”
Firewire has received a $30,000 Queensland Industry Development Scheme grant to develop its manufacturing strengths.
Beattie says Firewire’s success is also about innovation, with its boards made from a fibre composite material that means they are more environmentally friendly, flexible, durable and lighter than traditional fibreglass boards.
“By using specially-developed robotic technology, Firewire boards are also manufactured more cost effectively and in less than half the time of the old traditional boards,” he said.
“At full capacity, Firewire could be producing some 20,000 surfboards for the hungry world market in the next year.”
Since opening its Gold Coast headquarters in September 2006, Firewire has increased its staff from 12 to more than 40.
Firewire board members and shareholders include former Billabong Chief Executive Matthew Perrin, ex-Billabong General Manager Dougall Walker, golfers Adam Scott and Ian Baker-Finch, and Gold Coast surfboard builder Nev Hyman.
Ranked number four in the world, Australian surfer Taj Burrows rides Firewire surfboards in the international surfing circuit, and current world number one surfer American Kelly Slater is also a Firewire fan.
the link:http://www.qbr.com.au/index.cfm?storyid=30412&cp=displaystory
You miss my point. I was tring to be funny but I seem to be the only one laughing. You are worried about a minute part of the material cost to make a board being from china and you don’t even realize most to the material is somehow from china or asia. If fact where does all the other stuff you use to make the board come from. Probably asia!!! Just so it’s in the hands of an over paid American or non asian when making the product, then it’s ok?
It’s sad that Americans can’t get the gov’t handouts like the Austrailans for marketing their stuff??? It promotes business to Aus and it the funds are used for marketing. Gosh, just think if USA produced probox had that deal!!! Even with that crap is crap and if the better fin box is made in asia then I want the best. Ignore my surfrider foundation and I love John Kerry bumper sticker on my car and board, I want what the pro’s have. The better cars used to be made in europe and think idiologically the German nationals live a terrrible life compared to my fellow Americans. It wouldn’t stop me from buying the best car I can afford from europe.
So your whole arguement is idiological in nature. Your down with asia sentiment( for not being like America) makes me only think that I am glad you sell bikinis and surfboards and not make policy in free market societies.
Firewire??? what’s that?
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Firewire??? what’s that?
Firewire is the greatest or smallest threat to the Tech Imperials. It is a nation that is seperated by sea and swell centered across two continents.
Five years after Ground Zero, Firewire nation was born, the latest entry into a war that has started since roughly 50 BGZ (before ground zero) when a young lady changed the quest and hunt for waves.
The most numerious and prolific nations, were the consolidated pop out nations, lead by the great Imperial STech, catergorized by automobile paint jobs. Bolstered by its leader, the M. Randy French (Misour), they currently have extended victories but at a great cost, as noted by the general people’s indifference to them. They had gained the advantage by production line creating mass units at volume low cost, and due to the bickering between the People’s Pupes (Pu / Pe) armies and the Republic of EPS / Epoxy air force, both of which utilize hand built units and human trained personnel. The Pupes and E/E have the most diverse and varied units, if consolidated, they could have turned the tide against the mass produced army of the Consolidates. At the moment, they hold the general populace holds them in their hearts and minds.
Now Firewire, with advanced Mecha ( Mecha, also known as meka, mechs or giant robots, are walking robotic vehicles controlled by a pilot. Mecha are generally, though not necessarily, bipedal ) with robotic technology / manufacturing, energy weapons and internet / gps may change the battlefield. With deep resources and refined technology, transformers (more than meets the eye) and kawaii anime girls with guns, many feel the war will turn in their favor. With connections they can access the Matrix and WWW at once, but many remember, they are only human.
The most eclectic and powerful group, wood rebels, whose traditions date backl to many millennia, and whos craftsman are highly trained, are the smallest group. They are as badass as Chuck Norris and can pull such things as he can like winning connect four in only 3 moves, and do things he can’t like make Diff guns out of agave and balsa or make great battleships that go really fast or deck o card thick fins, and glossy hollow units that Lord Boots had tried to take over. Like Chuck, they wait . …
from wiki
FireWire is Apple Inc.'s proprietary name for the IEEE 1394 interface (and also in the UK a colloquial industrial term for ‘LHDC’ (linear heat detecting cable) used in high integrity fire detection systems). It is also known as i.Link (Sony’s name) or IEEE 1394 (although the 1394 standard also defines a backplane interface). It is a personal computer (and digital audio/digital video) serial bus interface standard, offering high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data services. FireWire has replaced Parallel SCSI in many applications due to lower implementation costs and a simplified, more adaptable cabling system. IEEE 1394 has been adopted as the High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA) standard connection interface for A/V component communication and control[citation needed]. FireWire is also available in wireless, Fiber optic and coaxial versions using the isochronous protocols.
Almost all modern digital camcorders have included this connection since 1995. Many computers intended for home or professional audio/video use have built-in FireWire ports including all Apple, Dell (except the Inspiron 1501 and Latitude 131L) and Sony laptop computers currently produced. FireWire was used with initial models of Apple’s iPod, but later models eliminated FireWire support in favor of USB due to space constraints and for wider compatibility.