In light of recent events, and all the idiocy going on lately, perhaps those new to Swaylocks should -reconnect with why we are all here sharing the same stoke.
In an earlier thread Dale Solomonson was kind enough to post an article on the Origin of Swalocks’s and the vision of Mike Paler, the man behind Swaylock’s, and as it turns out Swaylock himself…Mookie Blaylock was one of my favorite hoopsters. It should be MANDATORY reding for all new posters…so here is the link…go read!
I myself have always likened Swaylocks’s to the lineup at your favorite local break. There is a heirarchy with a pecking order and every personality under the sun that all converge to form a group that is unique as it is uniform in beliefs. Like any heirarchy respect must be shown to those above you, in this case at swaylocks, there are always poeple that are much more knowledgable than you and in seeking their sage wisdom one should do so with an air of humility.
Respect those that have walked paths that you have yet to, for they have already shown you the way.
IN FOUR ODD YEARS AT SWAYLOCK’S I NOW KNOW…
That Mike was named after an NBA player, very cool.
I still struggle with Ambrose’s prose but finally realized that the less you think about what he writes, the more you will understand…and he might be the person that I would most want to meet in person.
In closing,
Thank you Mike Paler, and thank you to all those that know more than me, it is many…too many to list, but I’m sure you know who you are.
I have been around here for a long time and it seems as things kinda go in cycles.Subjects get off the wall now and then.It will all work out in the end.Just the other day I wanted to ask how to get the “Coolwwsearch” crap out of my computer but it was off subject and does not belong on Swaylocks so I will not ask that question.He He. RB
I still struggle with Ambrose's prose but finally realized that the less you think about what he writes, the more you will understand....and he might be the person that I would most want to meet in person.
I read Ambrose’s posts out loud. More grokkable that way. Even if the guy I share an office with thinks I’m talking to myself. Its worth it
Quote:
In closing,
Thank you Mike Paler, and thank you to all those that know more than me, it is many…too many to list, but I’m sure you know who you are.
Drew
I agree completely.
I think people go through some standard cycles here, depending on how much knowledge we all bring before stepping in. It seems most folks read & search archives for a while, then start asking questions, then maybe start showing some work, then maybe start answering some questions, then finally get comfortable enough to be casual & try to be funny. I’m most often accused - in real life - of being serious & intense and stoic. Being funny for me is not easy and if I try, occasionally it comes out inappropriate. I apologize.
I think a lot of the friction here is when people shortcut the progression, like going directly to asking without searching first, or going directly to trying to be funny before anyone knows who we are or what we bring. I encourage everyone, most of all myself, to stick with the program, take the long-term view of our participation here, don’t jump the steps, and sit back & relax. Its really an amazing site when you take the time to take it all in.
“I’m most often accused - in real life - of being serious & intense and stoic…”
i get some of that too…but only from chatty jovial females…cant stand how they are always trying to project themselves on “average Joes”…I once told the wife “maybe you shoulda married a lesbian”…she finally shut up…
regarding any negativity…i find it amazing how easily people (like) fueling it…i just cant relate…I’ve become a chronic passifist…but sometimes i just want to kick some arse…not here of course…
I’m here because I’m addicted to surfing and I love surfboards. I’m here for knowledge. Board building and design theory. I’ve also discovered the pleasure of communicating with like minded people from not just my country,but all over the world. I’ve been blessed with shaking the hands and surfing with Paler, Jensen, Ambrose, Mellor,Proneman,Melville and many others that make this a special place. I have had the privilidge of passing some of the stoke on to others, literally all over the world, and been given way more stoke than I can repay. I’ve gone from a guy who could barely repair a ding to a guy that makes all his own equipment and have never been more stoked on surf’n. Thanks all. Mike
I completly agree Ben, I am very much a newbie here. I think I followed your cycle to a tee. I spent almost a year reading through the posts and archives, then I posted a few questions not even a year ago. I looked forward to everyone’s insite and kinda got a little giddy when that email showed up in my inbox. “swaylocks, _______ has responded to your post…” I’d quickly log on to read the wonderful advice that was being so graciously given. Then about a month ago I came into a spare 6’2C blank and decided it would make a great little speed egg. Again I posted my questions and went at it. No power tools simply some sand paper and a surfoam, It came out beautiful (well at least in my eyes, but there is some flaws) Last weekend I finaly got it out in the water and it rides beautifuly. Catches anything that comes it’s way, turns beautiful, and nose rides quite nice. The feeling of that first wave on that board was like the feeling of my first wave ever. That satisfaction is why I’m at Swaylocks. Now my cycle is continuing, I have taken a couple pictures of the board and will try and post them in the next couple days. I’m ordering more blanks, and hope that one day I will have some information that I can share with some one else.
And as far as ambrose’s prose I’ve always seemed to understand it, or maybe I didn’t and drew out of it what I wanted/needed. In fact that may be the intire point of his posts.
Osmosis, to absorb a wide array of information. Don’t always know what I will do with it, but I value it for its own sake. Plus, clearly, I enjoy participating with interesting people.
I am very much a newbie, but would like to throw in my 2 cents.
Actually, I just want to say how much I appreciate swaylocks and all the kind-hearted individuals who generously share what they have painstakingly learned with shaping kooks like me. It’s taken me ten years to shape ten boards. Until I stumbled across swaylocks about 2 years ago, I got the vibe that surfboard building was some secret black art. Now I know otherwise, and to the entire crew I can only say thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thanks Aqua…you confirmed the desired effect…humor!
“change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change”
Aqua, im definitely not intense or stoic…regularly quite the opposite…i prefer “thinking man”
Taylor, you married? Btw, if you re-read my post, I’m not saying anything negative about lesbians, only being neg about the wife of 16 years…I live and let live.
Ok Sways has given me a lot so I’ll give some back…the ULTIMATE marriage self-help book
I started posting at swaylocks because I was interested in surfboard design, so I would have a bit of an idea when I ordered my next board. Now I’m looking forward to making one…If I could only find the time.
seriously though i had sahped a few boards by myself with the help of a shaper but i wasnt progressing very far and no way near as fast as i thought i could be.
i dont even really remember how i found swaylocks but it was definetly one of the best things that has happened for my shaping. i continusly think to myslef just how lucky i am to have a group of guys that are willing to answer my questions. no matter how little importance it may have.
we are all so very fornuate to have this site and i for one would rather give up beer then to ever lose acess to swaylocks.
maybes thats a lie but i really do appreciate all you guys.
i laughed out loud to this post. i havent ventured out to too many posts yet. hahaha. im still laughing . im brand new to the site . and i dont shape so i feel out of place, however i am learning,about the site , that is. im learning tons of stuff about surfing and boards. and im into it. so i think it justifies my time spent. im helping some people on the site with the tsunami relief raffle and get together on kauai. i have to tell you that first, ambrose was the one who told me to get on to the site. and im so glad… and also that i surf with him on rare occasions but always kinda funny occasions and that i try to bring people to him for surf lessons as well. to watch tourists from minnesota (how do you spell that?) interact with this man makes you want to hold your breath because your waiting for the uncomfortable moment to be over kinda situation and its so comedic! hahaha. now, not every one that he meets is that confused, like i said… mainly the canadians and midwesterners. im usually confused in his presence. but thats what so fun! hobcawannie…p.s. are you coming to tsunami relief, kauai 2005? cause you should. its a good cause and good surf.
excuse me but I saw the fire from down the beach aways,
and its gettin dark and cold…
I stayed out late and well i brought some wood I picked up walkin down here
this one looks like an old nose of a board.
Say is that a yater I had a Yater acoupla years ago
any you guys live arround here, I live up on the ridge at the back of the canyon…I fix an occasional ding ,and make a coupla boards I ride late in the afternoon cause the daytime guys are a little bugged out,you know itchy and figity and no where near the smoothe I wanna be and when I surf with someone I end up unintentionally mimicing em…watched H aut whistling while he was going one time and then I noticed I was whistlin’ too…the last thing I wanna do is to get jerkey after trying to get smoothe for so long…
saw dora in person one time and he was a little twitchy,I like im better in stills…hey that shirt says Swaylocks! you POST? hey this beach fire just turned kinda t-v- blue hey wait a minute this aint a camp fire this is a monitor…Mellor paler how’d you do that hi doc , an paul,an herb Y peeping thomas y senores y senoritas…whadda place ,teaching me to type and got me to leave this island twice to smell sage and pine and start camp fires and meet rooster and kirk and write a song and krap in a state park outhouse…and ride down the coast with andy an see john in santa cruz…I tthink i’m here because of some twist o’ fate that will lead me to someplace I’m meant to be…ambrose…kickin’ the dust at my feet
I remember the first time I visited this site. It was like someone made a site just for me. I was so stoked. It was a little less high tech…really grass roots. Then Mike added the photo section, hallelujah!!! You could now show how good or bad your first or last effort was. It all seems like a blur now, how long ago was that…'99 I think. But I have said this many times before and I will keep saying it…MAHALO MIKE PALER.
Gotcha fine, ambrose…let me put a pot of coffee on the coals here and mebbe sketch out something in the sand with this here semiconductor studded stick.
mebbe you fellas might have a few ideas about it, mebbe i might too. bounce those ideas around for a bit , i might just understand 'em better after that and between us we might improve on the original ideas too.
oh, and that fella over there, by the edge of the firelight there, asked a question… mebbe i dunno the whole answer, but what a good reason to find out more. always was curious about stuff.
pretty good fire. kinda warm and ya know, it puts out a fair light…
I am a bit of a newbie and also a bit of a lurker. I am here because:
There are very few other places (live or virtual) where you can gather knowledge from legends, backyarders and everyone else. How else could someone from Mass. learn from the likes of Carl Olsen, Cleanlines and Jim Phillips just to name a few.
I wanted to learn more about the mechanics of our passion.
As far a message boards go, this one is top notch in terms of quality. This is really quite a fantastic virtual community without most of the baggage and useless contributions found at other virtual communities.
Many thanks to those involved in keeping the spirit alive and the community strong.
