The Popes invented these boards over five years ago only to be ripped off by the manufacturer they showed the technology to. I spoke with their main offive in So. CAL yesterday and they have a new line of one and two piece Carbon fiber boards coming out that are half the price’ They should do well!!! www.bisect.com
Dont know the Popes or thier integrity, but I do know Johhny Omomhundro who owns Aviso, and can asure you he ripped nothing off. I started working at Omomhundro Co. in 1983, but the company bagan doing advanced composites back in the 50’s. We were primarily aerosapce/defense but eventually got into the marine industry and created the first Americas cup class carbo mast and boom. Johnny grew up with composites and between he and his father, Tom, have an incredible knowledge of composites. With due respect to the Popes, Johnny and his company and the years of experience and knowledge they posses are light years ahead of the Popes and 99% of the surfboard industry.
I am not questioning the integrity of your friends-All I know is that the Popes contracted with your people in Nevada and they were never involved in the Surf industry prior to working with the Popes-Apparently it is litigation at the moment and the courts will decide!!! The Popes have a new supplier that has the ethics that are lacking in the industry!!
with that stand i can now love my board and my girlfriend at the same time. As far as the debate, i will gladly add this company to my boycott list. Defense indestroy scumbags, with all the tax dollars/tax breaks these guys get, they should be giving these boards away.
If anyone here knows the Popes please tell them to get a better website. It has to be the worst surfboard website I have come across and I gotta believe it hurts their sales.
they were never involved in the Surf industry prior to working with the Popes
Bold statement coming from someone who obviously doesnt know them. A little history about Aviso/Johhny and Tom Omohundro…
Omomhundro Co. was located on 960 west 16th street in Costa Mesa, Ca. about 1/2 mile from the beach. You can see the river jetties from Toms old office window. The buliding is now occupied by Paul Frank. It was so close that we used to scream down superior on our 1/2 hour lunch break and surf for 20 min. Great fun!! In 1983 I designed a logo for Johnny. His dad was teaching him to shape at the time. So Johnny started shaping when he was maybe 10 or 12. Tom grew up in newport and was great friends with Harbour and Mike Marshall, and all the old newport crew. At Omohundro we were involved in all sorts of alternative markets (i.e. surfboards, snowboards, dory’s, sailboats/marine, golf, etc.) for our composite technologies/experience. Ive seen a cross section of the Aviso boards and it aint no different than what we were doing in the early 80’s. Granted much of it was classified at the time and VERY cutting edge. I cant imagine how the Popes could make such a claim, but as you say it will out come out in court…and we know that the courts are always fair and right. LOL!! Seriously though, to say Johhny wasnt involved in the industry prior to the Popes is crazy. He was fricken born at hoag hospital in Newport and lived in newport full time till he was in his late teens, sufing and shaping and very involved with the movers and shakers.