Being basically as cynical and superstitous as just about anyone can get without practicing voodoo, I’ve not bought into the Surftech craze, yet, although all those around me have at least one in their quiver. I figured “…looks good, don’t cost as much, lasts a long time…” is about as certain a formula for disaster as anything, and I’ve been sitting here for years, resting assured that some feature…some heinous design flaw…some cancer-causing, evironmentally destructive, long term, “will make your kids stupid”…thing…would eventually show up in every one, and “vindicate my patience and wisdom for the world to witness”.
But, I’m afraid if you find one that is the shape of your favorite board, to date, I can see no practical reason for not getting one.
My biggest problem with them, though, is that I kinda prefer having to “take care” of my boards, and I kinda like being able to request features in my shapes that compliment my strong points, and help me to account for my weaknesses. I like being able to discuss my experiences with different shapers, the nuances you get in their work, and I like being able to get my boards painted or decorated with my own ideas. Even though most of my surf crew all ride “tighty whiteys”, I kinda feel like a white board is such a missed opportunity.
Fixing dings is part of “it”, and sitting down on the beach with your board snapped in half, trying to maintain some semblance of personal dignity is, too. There’s just something unquantifiably sinister, to me, about something you don’t have to take care of.
In truth, the features I ask for may not do really anything much, but just the fact that it’s got softer rails further back than normal, or a lil’ bit wider nose, just makes me feel better. I have seen a board, identical shape, in both the Surftech and the hand shaped, and the hand shaped ones just, to me, look better. One looks like art, the other looks like a plastic Saint Christopher medal or something. I almost hate to be so stereotypical as to say “…they have no soul…”, 'cause, goodness knows, we’ve beat the shit outa that horse, but how else do you accurately describe it to another surfer, huh? “It just doesn’t feel right to me”, to a surfer, is the pinnacle of accuracy; there’s just no need to argue past that point, really.
Plus, when I order a shape, and it comes in, it’s like Christmas to me, when I was a kid. I get more excited about a new board being “in” than anything else, short of sex, however, I will freely admit that I’ve never stood up and walked out of a meeting for even a quickie.
But, shi-it…a new board? I’ve gotten The Call From The Shop, and fast-walked out of work meetings, left the office, drove like a mad man across town in traffic flashing my lights, and gone directly to the beach to surf, all because I was so excited about getting a board that I feel I had at least some personal input into.
I’m so nervous about doing right, I won’t even drive the speed limit, but when a new baord comes in, I’ve lied about being sick, about getting sick, I’ve had maybe 42 aunts, uncles, cousins die, lied about neighbors called about smoke at my house, lied about my sick kid (my kid should be dead right now, she’s been sick so much), and I’ve done it every time lookin’ the boss dead in the eye, both of us knowing what is really going on, shaking like a bird dog in the back of the pick up truck, …and never flinching.
Gawd …I challenge anyone to tell me honestly anything that can make you feel that same way.
I’m sure the Surftech folks are really nice people, and I’m sure they take as much pride in their work as anyone, but I just can’t seem to feel “right” about the boards, and goodness knows, I credit all that to being “my” problem; ask anyone who knows me. I’m more superstitous about surfing than baseball players are about shaving.
