A couple of years ago when i was still working at T&C i was in the factory office and at opposing sides were the 2 managers at their computers.
Brandon who was the outspoken word in management and ex longboard pro spewed T&C’s favorite “People want what the pros ride !”
I quickly told Travis [who is still working there] to look up Cooperfish.
What they saw for the first time was a custom customer pridefull company consisting of entirely non pro boards. Everyone came to the computer in awe, the airbrusher loved the names and colors.
Brandon came over and imediately spewed " That Shit Sells!"
Gene set the bar for the glassing standard and at the moment I don’t think anyone around, including us, has reached it. When we first started we would take pictures of Gene’s boards and tape them to the wall in our one room glassing shed and see if we could reproduce his results. One of the best compliments we ever recieved was when a guy on the beach ask if the Austin I was carrying was a cooperfish.
I always liked Cooperfish boards.I considered them to be top of the line.I have watched Austin’s progress also.There is still a demand for high quality work.I never met you Gene but I wish you good luck in the future. RB
Gene – just for the record, you’ve got my vote for the best web-site in the industry. The design makes it both fun and informative to come back to. I haven’t been to it for a while, but just now cruised around and still enjoy seeing your friends and riders steadily keeping the faith. I can remember when Blackie help start the page years ago. Whatever the circumstances, I know you will keep making boards at some level. The one thing you have shown ALL of us is that you have integrity. Running a industrial operation is tough go in a busy world, and looking back at what you did in your Ventura shop will be hold the test of time. Please, do call, I’ll bring some lifters.