Still, if Al Merrick(or whoever, just one brand that sell alot of boards off the rack and brags about using prehapes) took their KKL maschine overseas(or mexico, peru, whereever), teach them how to use it, finnish the blank, glass, finnish the board, use state of the art materials(presumably made at the same location for less then, well, less…) and had Americans oversee the production, why not? They’d look the same, be the same quality, ride the same, cost less. Why not? Only to keep some jobs or ‘save the soul of surfing’? If that’s it, it’s just not worth a damn thing. Move over, your in the way of progress. regards, Håvard
…Havard, I am only stated subjective fact,I could really care less who does what,and I’m sure they care even less about my opinions or statements(chi-com/big capitialist companies).I’m not in anyone’s way, and not many people(in there right mind)get in my way,(at least for very long). …Basically,If someone is paying 200 dollars for chi-com ronjon or a costco job…You’re being ripped off!..They should be looked at as very disposable…and not to pay more than $50.00 usa for it,(and that’s giving it some $).Once they start falling apart,that’s it… …That’s one of the reasons I started building my own boards 30 years ago, to be more self sufficient,and of course, “the love” to build things,not just surfboards…as far as marketing my boards surf or skate,that’s always been someone else’s idea(like now on www.skaterbuilt.com),I am happy where I’m at in life,and feel that anyone that can motivate me into building them anything is extremely luckly,because I don’t build much for others,especially people I don’t know personally…I have a "RESESSION FREE"job/career and can walk away anytime I need/what to. …This in no way is a jab at anyone,Just the facts,and only the facts.Herb
The link below is to the transcript of John Stossel’s report: Is America Number One … Don’t let the name turn you off. It was made for American viewing. Interesting reading indeed. “If you look at what makes a country successful, the first question has to be, do its people have the basic necessities of life? Things like food, shelter, a chance to take care of your family. The sad truth is that most people on this planet, most, still live short, brutal lives… in miserable poverty.” Being jealous of what your neighbor has, even (or especially) on behalf of another neighbor, is the natural cause of squalor. A recent American study asked respondents whether a large proportion of Americans were poverty stricken. Almost half of respondents answered “Yes”. The next question asked whether the respondent was poverty stricken. Less than one percent answered “Yes”. …Showing that, in established free markets the socialist lie, if believed, is capable of creating its own truth. You’re right, the only official travelers from internal China which I’ve had meaningful conversations with obviously had enough wealth to travel to the United States. Of course, they are party members, probably like your Chinese friend. I’ve known some Hong Kong refugees who escaped before the brutal repression. Of internal Chinese commoners, I know them only forensically. The bodies of dead Chinese trying to reach the United States periodically wash up on our shores. Like refugees from other third world countries, Chinese are dieing to be elevated to America’s poverty level. You need to figure out what keeps the downtrodden people which we all care about from suffering. Having your government support and protect them is not the answer. Doing so causes more suffering. China is proof of that fact. America’s record percent-of-income personal charity is proof that freedom doesn’t mean being mean. When greedy Americans exploit people for money they have two choices, 1)spend it on products which other Americans produce and sell, or 2)invest it in ventures which produce wealth for other Americans. Yes, America has a social safety net, but we believe it isn’t a function of government to confiscate one person’s money and give it to another person. That’s brutality.
That was the best non-surf link I`ve read in a long time… many thanks Noodle! Dale
Being jealous of what your neighbor has, even (or especially) on behalf of >another neighbor, is the natural cause of squalor. A recent American study >asked respondents whether a large proportion of Americans were poverty >stricken. Almost half of respondents answered “Yes”. The next question asked >whether the respondent was poverty stricken. Less than one percent >answered “Yes”. …Showing that, in established free markets the socialist >lie, if believed, is capable of creating its own truth. Or maybe it just proves that media creates it’s own truth? If the study showed why the respondents believed what they did, that would be interesting. And even then, you know the saying, lies, damn lies and statistics. You can tune a study to get the results you want. The Chinese I’ve talked to have not been rich travelers, most have been students on exchange programs or traveling funded be they’re universities, some were actually imigrants in the US. And yes, they were in the US because of ‘better opertunities’ as they put it. Still, you got to respect the fact that China has quadroupled it’s production since '78 and have a 10% annual industrial increase. It’s also the second largest economy in the world. If freedom and money are as closely related as you claim, more power to them. I think you would find my socialism very much the same as your capitalism except for a few things. Higher taxes, free healthcare, free education spring to mind, but I’m willing to pay my taxes for those benefits and the security it provides. I guess you do the same, only you call it insurance and saving. From talking to a few Texans, I’ve learned that the laws and regulations are pretty close to being the same for the most part in our countries, much more so then you would think. We call it corruption though if politicians receive money for their campaign from the industry. Still, this is all off topic. I know we could have a long and heated debate if we met in real life over a few beers. But let’s spare the rest of the swaylockians or rant for now. regards, Håvard
I can see the consern about loosing jobs and all, but from the surfers perspective cheaper boards would be better allowing a larger quiver of boards as long as your buying off the shelf anyway. This is ofcourse as long as quality is acceptable. What worries me with regards to the small/mid scale shaper being pushed out of buissness is whatever happens to R&D and innovations. Granted, the big corp. may do their share, but the more heads pondering and shaping, the more likely new innvention will see the light of day. But then again maybe surfboards have already found their form and we don’t need all that much R&D anymore. regards, Håvard
John Stossel’s report - ABC News = Disney Corporation
For the American who happens to be Chinese, step off that horse thats to high for the rest of us and just answer two question: Do you surf? What board/boards do you ride? Slim
I`m Scandinavian. Ja!
This isn’t about race, it’s about non-surfers getting involved where they don’t belong. Surfboards should be made by surfers for surfers.
So sorry Slim , that’s me on the scavanged plywood without any fins . Also sorry for not getting my information from the TV. I’ll hitch up the old horse and get back to work. I did not realize you all are in the same box.
I ride a Pearson Arrow longboard and a Vernor 7’10" hybrid, both are local brands. I’ve never actually encountered a Costco surfboard made in China, and I’ve looked. So, I don’t know what all the fuss is about here anyway. Hey, but I’m open to try new things. If there is a Chinese board for $200 that is fairly well made, what the hell… As for surfers making surfboards, how do you know they don’t surf in China? I heard there are some great breaks on the east coast of Hong Kong. South Taiwan has some too. Who said only surfers can make surfboards? By your logic, only soldiers can make tanks, only pilots can build airplanes, and only race car drivers can build race cars. But, to all you posters who like to throw the term “chinaman” around in your rants, I do take offense. That is a dated derogatory term that was common in the 19th and early 20th century to negatively describe people of asian descent. For me and many others, it’s as if you referred to a black person as “nigger”. Hey, can we end this thread? It’s getting tired.
I to am sorry for my feeble attempt at redirecting your anger back to this design forum. One of my first pelagic thrills was a “board” made of ply an el paipo style no fins. The introduction of fiberglass and foam in the 50’s brought about my next real el paipo board. Boogieboards,kneeboards,matts,skimboards(some made of plywood),and…surfboards, as the kids say “its all good”. Boxes are fer fins TV is a vast wasteland I, back in the “day”, did not go to an all white prom. All this may be for not when one does not realize that pharmacological indulgence can be counter productive. What board/boards do you surf? Peace and Love Slim
So, I’ll trade you my board quiver for your pharmacological of choice. 9’10" Single 9’3" single 9’1" thruster 9’0" single / tri a couple of 8"6"'s 8’2" semi these I ride mostly. all are from very talented builders but due to the nature of this thread i’d prefer to be anonymous
I prefer to stay away from political and racial posts. Surfing posts, new tech, resins, fins, etc. are what I enjoy reading. Since this is kind of a mix, I’ll toss in my 2 cents. I have no objection to the costco boards. After they “fall apart” in a short period of time, maybe the buyer will decide to buy a “better built” board. Maybe not. If they are inferior, they won’t last long around the beach breaks here. I’m sure that the buyers, parents, working surfers, etc., will tire of buying a new board every 6 months. That’s where all of the custom board builders will step up. My opinion of the overseas boards falls under the 90/10 rule. The builders are targeting the 90% of the buyers/surfers out there. Those buyers/surfers don’t have a connection within the surfing industry. They are “price” shoppers, all about the money spent/saved (not label conscious). They are NOT targeting the 10% of buyers/surfers who have a hook up. i.e., team riders, bros with a manufacturer, getting a “discount” at a shop. After all, why buy a rack board when you can get a custom for about the same price. I haven’t had a “rack” board since my early teens. I learned the value of a relationship with my shaper. Since I surf half assed at best, I really need a shaper to listen to my sob story to try to improve. Fortunately, Brendan from HDX in HB is listening to me. I can actually sort of surf right now…
Chinaman is NOT the equivalent of “nigger”. It may be the equivalent of “black” instead of “African American”. But pointing fingers at people for use of current in-vogue personal references has always been one of the few self-inflation tools socialists have to make themselves needed. Thanks for pointing out the error in Stossel’s report. … oh wait… nobody did. Okay, you’re more important than me. You wouldn’t watch TV for information (except when Brokaw slams a conservative), you can impress minorities that they somehow need socialists for language protection, and you like drugs. Whose a “punk”, punk?
I`m Scandinavian. Ja! With a name like that you got to be. regards, Håvard
“Please allow me to introduce myself.I’m Man of wealth and fame”…uh… never mind, I forgot the rest of the lyrics. R.B.
hey, I have ridden Bruce Jones’s Boards since 1971. I borrowed them a few years before that from more fortunate friends. Kid in the neighborhood got Kosco Board for 3 bills last year. He is in 5th grade. His Dad and him love it. I made garage rockets when I was in 10th till 12th. If given the oppurtunity I would have saved the money and bought a bruce Jones. 1971 w/top and bottom colors/ $175.00 otd custom cream puff cherry. Now I 5o and Boards for kids to ride and 3 new ones for me to ride (different surf) wife don’t understand cause she did’t grow up like us! hang heels TC at Huntington Library San Marino