Good one Ben. I know many flag waving Americans working there producing goods. Some, actually making surfboards over there. Many of which look sexy cool like in the photo above, which look a lot better than some of the inferior boards made here.
Mainly though, it’s not all the same market. Like here in the States, there are vastly varying qualities. Some of my best friends make one off custom boards full time here in Santa Barbara, barely making a living. Some too, are making boards overseas as well, making very high quality products.
for years this wasn’t a problem…then all of a sudden they crept in to surfboard
manufacturing and everyone’s all butt hurt about it.
Funny how surfboards have to be like everything else these days. I’ve done just about every sport imaginable in my lifetime and have never found ANYTHING that satisfies me like surfing. Stoke is what I believe they call it. As a matter of fact the word was kind of developed for surfing no? I raced dirtbikes for years. Tons of fun. Bordering on stoke but not quite stoke. Didn’t get those goosebumps like when I get spat out of a tube that I didn’t think I’d make. Or the feeling I have when I crack a beer after a long day surfing with tired arms and adrenalin surging through my veins. Yes, surfing and surfboards are different from VCR’s and DVD’s and 5 gallon buckets of mayo from fatco. When I hear people comparing it to everything else it literally makes me sick to my stomach. Surfing is a special thing. Surfboards are special, as are the people that make them. They are not widgets, and the people that make them are not clones and robots. So everything else went to fricken china. So farkin’ what? Lame reason to validate the whole thing IMO…
Funny how surfboards have to be like everything else these days. I’ve done just about every sport imaginable in my lifetime and have never found ANYTHING that satisfies me like surfing. Stoke is what I believe they call it. As a matter of fact the word was kind of developed for surfing no? I raced dirtbikes for years. Tons of fun. Bordering on stoke but not quite stoke. Didn’t get those goosebumps like when I get spat out of a tube that I didn’t think I’d make. Or the feeling I have when I crack a beer after a long day surfing with tired arms and adrenalin surging through my veins. Yes, surfing and surfboards are different from VCR’s and DVD’s and 5 gallon buckets of mayo from fatco. When I hear people comparing it to everything else it literally makes me sick to my stomach. Surfing is a special thing. Surfboards are special, as are the people that make them. They are not widgets, and the people that make them are not clones and robots. So everything else went to fricken china. So farkin’ what? Lame reason to validate the whole thing IMO…
The vast majority of people who get that stoke that you are talking about don’t buy boards from China. It’s the hodads that are buying them.
So what’s the problem? Let the kooks have their Chinese boards. When they surf my local breaks they get stuffed anyway.
Half of the surf industry in the U.S. is a bunch of kooks and posers anyway. How are they different than the ones in China?
Good one Ben. I know many flag waving Americans working there producing goods. Some, actually making surfboards over there. Many of which look sexy cool like in the photo above, which look a lot better than some of the inferior boards made here.
Mainly though, it’s not all the same market. Like here in the States, there are vastly varying qualities. Some of my best friends make one off custom boards full time here in Santa Barbara, barely making a living. Some too, are making boards overseas as well, making very high quality products.
It’s not about making a moral judgment on someone for going there, but I think it’s valid to point out or have an opinion on what being there is and does. It’s not about flag waving…though the guys waving flags while showing the chinese what it took many a good American craftmans years to learn may want to consider why they waive them. It’s about protecting your own country’s economy. This stuff does not happen overnight. Those that are not feeling it now likely will in the future because of globalist policies.
Not only that…Why did surfers have a paddle out in the middle of a Dolphin killing in Japan and get all sorts of press and likely some new fangled save the dolphins fund to send surfers around the globe chasing the bad guys and surfing? Yet…some of those same folks or others supporting that movement or situation have a problem calling China’s government a bloody killer like it truly is. The list of what they do is miles long. Their government are polluters, they are killers, they are abusers of both animals and men and as a government seeking domination of the south pacific region. This is not speculation. It’s fairly well documented. Our leaders are traitors for giving them an edge without them having to earn it by governing in a civilized manner. All for the sake of big business greed. The quality of the product is good and to that I say…so what. That doesn’t change one thing about the government and the trade deficit.
To some…where their boards are made and how they are made makes a difference. Like lokbox said…boards hit close to home. Thats why the controversy.
Not only that…Why did surfers have a paddle out in the middle of a Dolphin killing in Japan and get all sorts of press and likely some new fangled save the dolphins fund to send surfers around the globe chasing the bad guys and surfing? Yet…some of those same folks or others supporting that movement or situation have a problem calling China’s government a bloody killer like it truly is. The list of what they do is miles long. Their government are polluters, they are killers, they are abusers of both animals and men and as a government seeking domination of the south pacific region. This is not speculation. It’s fairly well documented. Our leaders are traitors for giving them an edge without them having to earn it by governing in a civilized manner. All for the sake of big business greed. The quality of the product is good and to that I say…so what. That doesn’t change one thing about the government and the trade deficit.
It is not fair trade, yes anyone will go to the cheaper source any chance they get. The only reason over-seas manufacturing is so much cheaper than what we Americans can produce is this, they are not held by the same labor standards, safety standards and enviromental standards that we are being held to. It is NOT FAIR TRADE, PERIOD.
The common people of these third world countries are no different than any of us, they work to survive and are mis-treated by their government just the same as we are here in America.
Also another sign of how unfair the conditions are, China has 7 out of 10 of the world’s most polluted rivers because of their manufacturing standards. Any craftsman can make a good product regardless of origin, we must start looking beyond acceptable quality and a cheap price, we must hold the companies accountable for their methods of making their goods.
Surfboard making is a different market for sure, but the Chinese pop-outs are effecting that market and the environment one way or another.
BTW, new to the forum here, nice to be part of the group.
[ Yet....some of those same folks or others supporting that movement or situation have a problem calling China's government a bloody killer like it truly is. The list of what they do is miles long. Their government are polluters, they are killers, they are abusers of both animals and men and as a government seeking domination of the south pacific region. This is not speculation. It's fairly well documented.
You could say the same about our government, and many do.
To some…where their boards are made and how they are made makes a difference. Like lokbox said…boards hit close to home. Thats why the controversy.
Solo –Again, I hear you. It makes me wonder what “surfers” really think of their own Government. It’s big, broad question. What I’m interested in is what’s wrong, or undeserving of an individual who is working full time on his own well designed surfboards, and going there on his own and making his own contacts, putting up his own capital, to make boards that you can’t make here for what the market will bare? Does he not deserve to pursue an alternative in which he might ride out the dead economy here, something that just might broaden his work to regions outside his local territory? This is a far cry from the middleman / garage / container sleps that turn a profit on items they know nothing about.
Again, do you think the garage builders, or the small factory guys get involved in our own Governments affairs? I mean, how many loads of cluster bombs did we resupply Israel with to fight in the last battle in Lebanon? How many people are in prison w/o representation, or how much money has been extorted in Iraq? Money that filters down to the insurgents. The comparisons can go on and on for both sides.
I think as many times as this subject comes up, we’ll still have arguments to discuss. I have always loved the quality of craftsman who has evolved over time. I just don’t see it as much anymore these days. I do see it though. I also see our own Government giving us the shaft.
“The common people of these third world countries are no different than any of us, they work to survive and are mis-treated by their government just the same as we are here in America.”
Except for the fact that in the United States, the common folk have things like automobiles, air conditioning, electricity, running water, phones, etc…
To some…where their boards are made and how they are made makes a difference. Like lokbox said…boards hit close to home. Thats why the controversy.
Solo –Again, I hear you. It makes me wonder what “surfers” really think of their own Government. It’s big, broad question. What I’m interested in is what’s wrong, or undeserving of an individual who is working full time on his own well designed surfboards, and going there on his own and making his own contacts, putting up his own capital, to make boards that you can’t make here for what the market will bare? Does he not deserve to pursue an alternative in which he might ride out the dead economy here, something that just might broaden his work to regions outside his local territory? This is a far cry from the middleman / garage / container sleps that turn a profit on items they know nothing about.
Again, do you think the garage builders, or the small factory guys get involved in our own Governments affairs? I mean, how many loads of cluster bombs did we resupply Israel with to fight in the last battle in Lebanon? How many people are in prison w/o representation, or how much money has been extorted in Iraq? Money that filters down to the insurgents. The comparisons can go on and on for both sides.
I think as many times as this subject comes up, we’ll still have arguments to discuss. I have always loved the quality of craftsman who has evolved over time. I just don’t see it as much anymore these days. I do see it though. I also see our own Government giving us the shaft.
aloha~
Great points eastpac…I have tried not to condem those doing business there. The problem is…those that have that capability to go there get their advantage off the backs of the victims of some of those nasty governments. Unfortunately…your point is still valid as it’s our governments who have set the landscape and folks have to do what they can to survive or go under. Some boardbuilders have figured it out…others have to go to China. Is one more wrong than the other? It’s definitely not my place to call. I just lament the situtation as it stands.
I even think the middle men and garage guys have a right to be in it also as long as they are honest about what it is they are selling…but…thats rarely true with many.
It’s too bad the beginners and kuks no longer have a system where they are told the truth when they start, sold proper equipment, give proper instruction ivated as customers for their entire life of surfing rather than the quik buck. I think we can blame mass production of surfboards, hype ( My favorite I know) downright lies and retailers who have bought into the latest greatest mentality of the herd.
[ Yet…some of those same folks or others supporting that movement or situation have a problem calling China’s government a bloody killer like it truly is. The list of what they do is miles long. Their government are polluters, they are killers, they are abusers of both animals and men and as a government seeking domination of the south pacific region. This is not speculation. It’s fairly well documented.
You could say the same about our government, and many do.
I am very critical of my own government for causing the deaths of innocents for money or interest. However…I will take anything my government has done in it’s entire history and stack it up against what China’s government has done in the last 75 years. It’s not even close.
Not to mention…I can’t think of a time China’s government sent billions in aid to numerous naturual disasters or etc. I am critical of my government for going against what we as Americans are " supposed " to stand for. I am critical of the Chinese government for perfecting an art of enslavement and killing over centuries. Especially the last century. All while talking the west into giving them most favored nation status with cheap labor. The bottom line with China regardless of any amount of rationalization is this: They are communist, they as a government are not the friend of freedom or the west, they are polluters, and they want to dominate their region with force. Our government has allowed them a trade deficit because of greed and nothing more. That I might add is a typical American big business quality.
It is frustrating to no end I admit.
There are few innocent governments…but some have a really bad history of abuse and slaughter. I use the word government to emphasize that it’s not a racial thing, but a despotic, buracratic and communist thing. The best government is a very small one. IMO. None would be nice in a perfect world.
Well if you can’t join them, beat them as they say. I still can’t help wondering how long this China thing can last for. Companies hear they can increase profits by reducing labour costs by… moving to China! Only problem is every other company has heard and is doing the same thing. All of a sudden there is an oversupply of goods and the bottom drops out of the market. People who are in it for the long term stick with it. People who were in it for a quick buck, well… All of a sudden the quick rich scheme evaporates and the market makes it way back. And then probably repeats. Just like history.
