A question: I have no personal experience with any of the newer, mass-produced, molded boards, but Ive been told by a number of others that they feel/react different from a custom, more lightly glassed surfboard. Aside from their traditionally made boards being custom, many of these people have mentioned that they prefer the livelier, slightly more flexible, sensitive sensations of their conventionally made designs. But, more disturbingly, Ive heard that many of these boards are made overseas, by very cheap labor located in factory-village work camps and under health conditions which would be completely illegal in the U.S., much like some well-known American athletic shoe and clothing manufacturers have done. If this is true, its sad that so many stateside surfboard builders have bought into it... and I dont think any of the surfing mags will be telling their reader-consumers the whole truth anytime soon… far too much $$$$$$$ is being spent on advertising. Comments anyone?
I had a Surftech for awhile and then sold it. It rode just fine and was certainly durable but really wasn’t the board I was after. It didn’t seem any lighter than one of my glass boards. When you paddled it, the chop sort of resounded through the board. Sounded kind of like a boat. I think they’ll be an option for a lot of surfers. They are made overseas (in Thailand I think) but I think the picture painted by the rumors is a little unfair. It’s kind of like saying “hey I heard so-and-so pours his resin down the storm drain.” But I haven’t been there either so anything I say would just be speculation too. I guess I’m still naive enough to think that the guys who are staking their reputations on this have looked into it. If not, then it is a very sad day.>>> A question: I have no personal experience with any of the newer, > mass-produced, molded boards, but Ive been told by a number of others > that they feel/react different from a custom, more lightly glassed > surfboard. Aside from their traditionally made boards being custom, many > of these people have mentioned that they prefer the livelier, slightly > more flexible, sensitive sensations of their conventionally made designs.>>> But, more disturbingly, Ive heard that many of these boards are made > overseas, by very cheap labor located in factory-village work camps and > under health conditions which would be completely illegal in the U.S., > much like some well-known American athletic shoe and clothing > manufacturers have done.>>> If this is true, its sad that so many stateside surfboard builders have > bought into it... and I dont think any of the surfing mags will be > telling their reader-consumers the whole truth anytime soon… far too > much $$$$$$$ is being spent on advertising.>>> Comments anyone?
I had a Surftech for awhile and then sold it. It rode just fine and was > certainly durable but really wasn’t the board I was after. It didn’t seem > any lighter than one of my glass boards. When you paddled it, the chop > sort of resounded through the board. Sounded kind of like a boat. I think > they’ll be an option for a lot of surfers. They are made overseas (in > Thailand I think) but I think the picture painted by the rumors is a > little unfair. It’s kind of like saying “hey I heard so-and-so pours > his resin down the storm drain.” But I haven’t been there either so > anything I say would just be speculation too. I guess I’m still naive > enough to think that the guys who are staking their reputations on this > have looked into it. If not, then it is a very sad day. I worked for Yater for many years and this year he went over and was at the factory for a week and checked it out . Long story short the factory workers are treated very good and I saw pictures of the work areas, very clean. As far as the boards are concerned I like the 9’8’’ yater spoon and the 8’ 0’’ lauren yater , it takes a while to get used to the differance in materials but its worth it. I do not ride them all the time but a good add to any quiver.PS. Dale can you patch my 4th gear flyer?
Sorry about the way posted my response. kp
If surfboards go the same way that windsurfing boards have gone, most of the boards will be built overseas. Ex: The Cobra Factory - Thailand. Sadly some of the smaller builders have turned to overseas building to stay profitable and to get way from the chemicals. Some builders are already building standard Clark Foam boards built in Mexico. For me a local good custom is the way to go. http://www.viser.net/~anthwind/
Kirk, Thanks for all the info, if you learn of any more, please let us know. The “Cobra” factory in Thailand is the one that Ive heard the most about. Depending on the nature of your surfmats problem, I may be able to help you with fixing it; youll have to describe the situation... your 4th Gear Flyer would be many years old by now, right? I didnt think that Paul had made any more since the mid-1980`s. Dale
Thanks for all the info, if you learn of any more, please let us know. The > “Cobra” factory in Thailand is the one that I`ve heard the most > about. Interesting. I used to have a Cobra sailboard. It was amazingly light and fast for its day. Kevlar and carbon fiber. I think sailboards are perfectly suited for the epoxy manufacturing process. The only two glass sailboards I ever owned I made with my brother-in-law back in the early '80’s, before you could really find good shortboards. Things were cool then, I knew guys who sewed their own sails. As soon as things got trendy and the big makers really took over, I lost a lot of interest and don’t even sail any more. I shutter to think about walking into a surf shop and seeing only Surftechs or ASDs.
Interesting. I used to have a Cobra sailboard. It was amazingly light and > fast for its day. Kevlar and carbon fiber. I think sailboards are > perfectly suited for the epoxy manufacturing process. The only two glass > sailboards I ever owned I made with my brother-in-law back in the early > '80’s, before you could really find good shortboards. Things were cool > then, I knew guys who sewed their own sails. As soon as things got trendy > and the big makers really took over, I lost a lot of interest and don’t > even sail any more. I shutter to think about walking into a surf shop and > seeing only Surftechs or ASDs. Thanks, Ross… it seems that in a perfect world there would be room for the custom, conventional surfboard and also mass-produced clones of the same shaper
s best work. Also nice, would be if the clones had the option of being produced retaining the same "feel" as the one-off customs and "reasonable" prices... by the way, doesnt mass-production usually mean lower prices?
The Cobra Factory - Thailand. Sadly > some of the smaller builders have turned to overseas building to stay > profitable and to get way from the chemicals. For me a local good > custom is the way to go. Dale, Thank you for bringing up this issue. I understand your point regarding foreign labor, some of the situations are not good. I hope and believe that this industry never goes down the road of manipulation of those less fortunate. And from an earlier post, it sounds like these board makers are trying to take care of their workers (while still keeping their costs down, of course). However, while I have the opportunity, let me dispel at least one portion of the rumors about foreign labor: First, I must admit that, as part of my occupation, I deal with sports-related advertisers every day, BUT I work for a NON-profit organization, and I really have no particular interest in profit from their advertisements. Anyway, I interview professional sports figures regularly, and I have questioned one regarding this specific issue, since they are sponsored by one company rumored to abuse cheap labor opportunities–Reebok. This pro soccer player went to Pakistan to see first hand the working conditions. She said, “It seems to be about doing the right thing, not about how much they sell” and “They ship all materials to FACTORIES to be stitched, so people aren’t doing the work out of their homes…this is what prevents [illegal] labor.” She said more, but I won’t take up extra space with that. So, contrary to popular opinion, there are some establishments that take great care to protect cheap workers. Sure, anyone can argue that this person is paid to say things like that…but I know her record, and she is certainly NOT one to sell out. She has constantly contributed to the well-being of others, including serving as the president of the Women’s Sports Foundation (another non-profit org.) Just realize that there are more restrictions on operations like this than we think. So this is just a note to everyone to research things for yourself. It’s no good for everyone to hastily jump on the “conspiracy theory bandwagon.” And once again, I must add that I’m really not trying to “protect” any corporation, etc. This is just a call for everyone to examine the true actions/motives of others before attacking. Sorry I can’t comment on the performance of these molded boards. But I thought I might be able to give another perspective on the bigger thread. If I rambled too much, forgive me…deeb…
The Cobra Factory - Thailand. Sadly>>> Dale,>>> Thank you for bringing up this issue. I understand your point regarding > foreign labor, some of the situations are not good. I hope and believe > that this industry never goes down the road of manipulation of those less > fortunate. And from an earlier post, it sounds like these board makers are > trying to take care of their workers (while still keeping their costs > down, of course). However, while I have the opportunity, let me dispel at > least one portion of the rumors about foreign labor: First, I must admit > that, as part of my occupation, I deal with sports-related advertisers > every day, BUT I work for a NON-profit organization, and I really have no > particular interest in profit from their advertisements.>>> Anyway, I interview professional sports figures regularly, and I have > questioned one regarding this specific issue, since they are sponsored by > one company rumored to abuse cheap labor opportunities–Reebok. This pro > soccer player went to Pakistan to see first hand the working conditions. > She said, “It seems to be about doing the right thing, not about how > much they sell” and “They ship all materials to FACTORIES to be > stitched, so people aren’t doing the work out of their homes…this is > what prevents [illegal] labor.” She said more, but I won’t take up > extra space with that.>>> So, contrary to popular opinion, there are some establishments that take > great care to protect cheap workers. Sure, anyone can argue that this > person is paid to say things like that…but I know her record, and she is > certainly NOT one to sell out. She has constantly contributed to the > well-being of others, including serving as the president of the Women’s > Sports Foundation (another non-profit org.)>>> Just realize that there are more restrictions on operations like this than > we think. So this is just a note to everyone to research things for > yourself. It’s no good for everyone to hastily jump on the > “conspiracy theory bandwagon.” And once again, I must add that > I’m really not trying to “protect” any corporation, etc. This is > just a call for everyone to examine the true actions/motives of others > before attacking.>>> Sorry I can’t comment on the performance of these molded boards. But I > thought I might be able to give another perspective on the bigger thread. > If I rambled too much, forgive me…deeb… Hi, Deeb, Hey, no apologies, man! Your response on the positive side was exactly what I had hoped would come to light for all of us to read and consider, and not just the bad stuff… It sure does me good to learn that at least some of these internationally based companies are looking out for the best interests of the many people who work for them. Many thanks for sharing a slice of your knowledge and personal experience! Dale
Dale, Glad I could help. FYI, if you’re interested, here’s the link to the story I wrote on the aforementioned soccer player. Go down to the seventh question if you want to see for yourself just a bit more of what she said regarding the issue of illegal labor. I actually conducted a seperate interview about the issue, but I had to merge that with another interview, and thus cut most out of what she said because of space, and could only use the basics. Take care… Hope you don’t mind, Sway… http://soccer.org/SoccerNow/summer01/julie/JuliePg.html
Pop-outs are an attempt to homogenize our fragile subculture. People who ride pop-outs are also addicted to television, beer, “fast” food and Blockbuster video stores. Any and all shoulder hoppers riding pop-outs will be asked to leave the lineup. The pop-out manufacter is preying on the influx of nouveau yuppie type surfers searching for the “EXTREME” lifestyle promised to them by carbonated drink ads. I trust that this problem will be dealt with properly. Remember when Boogie Boarders tried to convince us that flopping around on their tummies, kicking thier little flippers, was more valid than surfing? Who’s laughing now?
Pop-outs are an attempt to homogenize our fragile subculture. People who > ride pop-outs are also addicted to television, beer, “fast” food > and Blockbuster video stores. Any and all shoulder hoppers riding pop-outs > will be asked to leave the lineup. The pop-out manufacter is preying on > the influx of nouveau yuppie type surfers searching for the > “EXTREME” lifestyle promised to them by carbonated drink ads. I > trust that this problem will be dealt with properly. Remember when Boogie > Boarders tried to convince us that flopping around on their tummies, > kicking thier little flippers, was more valid than surfing? Who’s laughing > now? Here
s the deal... Robert Louis Stevenson once said that travel was the best cure for bigotry. Last time I checked, the vibrant and alluring, historic soul of waveriding was still a precious gem, secure within a setting that many fail to comprehend, yet intuitively envy: diversity of function and unity of purpose. Sorry to break the news, but the sea is a teacher who reveals her deepest secrets only to watermen. So, youre more than welcome to step up and try to take my fins anytime, and you can smash the television… but my BEER??? Australia`s the bomb, man.
1)There harder to find someone to fix it,and it costs more. >2)If you break it in half,just pull the boxes and junk the rest,because it will not rebond with any real tinsel strength. >3)DONOT OVERHEAT IT OR LEAVE IT IN THE CAR OR THE SUN ON A HOT DAY!!!..it will leave you with a airbag for a surfboard(major delams)rendering your board worthless. >4)Get a reflective board bag…this helps deflect heat,and sunlight…all in all they are good starter boards because of there dynamics ,float,paddle,wave catching,but they are not indestructible,and could pose a real nightmare or a real dream.Herb.