Just like to comment on this post, please tell me if I’m wrong, but is’nt the surfboard one of the only pieces of functioning art, musical instruments aside. The designs of those surfboards come from SURFERS spending lots and lots of time in the water, in different conditions, then the bay, either doing it themselves or transmitting information to their shaper. I don’t think anyone is a bigot as such, it could be a large manufacturer out west that had nothing to do with surfing, or any country for that matter, the fact of the matter is when people ,who may or may not make you redundant, have nothing to do with surfing, people are entitled to get a bit narcy. Whether it be smoking a joint and listening to the Eagles in California or having a beer and listening to Ac/Dc in Australia, surfing and surfboards are different from the straight world. It remains to be seen if the market can handle x amount of factories pumping out x amount of boards. There is nothing like making surfboards and it still is mystic, albeit dirty and the guys who just do a few count, cause they are feeling it, I’ve handshaped over 20,000 boards and I certainly feel it, let the surfers choose, H.
maurice, you need to CHILL! anyone can post a for sale ad on sways… its not his fault that chinese board makers are putting up for sale ads on sways…
“…surfboards are just plastic, guys. Forget all your bullshit hippie ideas about magic carpets with souls…”
yep, but is not the surfboard itself, is the relationship between a REAL surfer and the boardbuilder/shaper
why you think that the expensive cars, like Aston Martin s or Lamborghinis, Mazzeratis have all that value?
I dont want some stupid business man deside what should I ride and when…
is not possible to knock on the door of a mega Chinese surfboard company and chat about to design a couple of boards…
also obvious that the guys are not surfers
its all only about money, not an interaction between 2 persons
this is far distant than the real boardbuilder-surfer
–if the guys are so good
why they dont share a bit of that superior knowledge right here?
may be cause they cannot…like the blogs; that are prohibited
—why not pictures?
–and I know what you mean when you talk about customers who fly all over surfing and Im still in my wshop making boards for themselves…
Actually, chuginbourbin’s post reminded me of the rationalizations from the old American plantation owners concerning their slaves. ‘There well fed and clothed, and look how happy they are.’ Or, the apologist for Cuba or the old USSR who will point out their fine medical system and literacy rates. Point is none of them are free people. I don’t claim to have the answers. Just making a point. My hope is the enlarging middle class in China will result in more freedom. Don’t know, though. Mike
Actually, chuginbourbin’s post reminded me of the rationalizations from the old American plantation owners concerning their slaves. ‘There well fed and clothed, and look how happy they are.’ Or, the apologist for Cuba or the old USSR who will point out their fine medical system and literacy rates. Point is none of them are free people. I don’t claim to have the answers. Just making a point. My hope is the enlarging middle class in China will result in more freedom. Don’t know, though. Mike
Yes…
Hey Harry got to agree.
To me the whole China issue comes down to this. For the last 50 odd years the modern surfboard has evolved in surfing communities. Surfers with skill to design and build boards and surfers with skill to ride and feel how those boards performed.
This has been the process that has brought us to today.
We all know it’s a modern world and now more than ever it’s about the bottom line not so much about the lines drawn. Everyone gets it… but…where were the China, Thailand etc manufacturers when all the hard yards developing the surfboard were being done and what has been their contribution to design.
I may be wrong but I think it’s that opportunistic perception that has most of the crew on Sway’s thinking of the Asian manufacturers as Johnny Come Lately’s here to get the cream.
And to chuginbourbon
All surfers and builders count no matter how big or small. To suggest otherwise is an elitist wank.
Cheers
Mooneemick
“Everyone gets it… but…where were the China, Thailand etc manufacturers when all the hard yards developing the surfboard were being done and what has been their contribution to design”
Cobra didn’t call Randy F, Randy F called cobra. Chuginbourbon is right on.
If you aren’t making a living at making boards and you are a barn yarder…I mean back yarded, please quit whining.
Like I said before, Cobra is buckingham palace compared to any US large or small production shop. I liked his point about comparable living standards also. You can make a better living spraying bugs and have more of a future in continued advancement than working for a US surfboard manufacturer.
Thank you chuginbourbon for your insight on China surfboard factories.
Ignore the cry babies and those who want to impose their views of what a freedom is or isn’t. They will bash America and China in the same posts sometimes. Jealous failures I guess.
you keep squaking
but without proof or pics its 
i dont know what you guys are talking about or what shops your talking about, but who are you trying to sell this bullshit about US workers being poor to? if you put your time and dedication in and know what your doing you can make pretty damn good money in this industry.
I donnot condone mass produced surfboards in any way. But this is another love china hate china love america hate america , eat whale don’t eat whale . For f@#k sake lay off this b2345hit. I will bet 99% of the people on this site won’t buy one . trolls post this shit to start an argument. You’ve never heard from this clown before and probably wont again. If noone answers these clowns they wont play. And to the poster ead the rules and check the archives your answers and questions are there, and tell me does the pussy taste better in china or just the cat.
You are right. The most successful shapers (as in richest) have a full line of pop outs to supply to the masses. The most successful shapers(as in time in water) also have the pop out thing going. The most successful shapers (as in time for new R and D) are also the ones with pop out or foreign made products. The most successful shapers (as in contentment in life) could be just about anyone.
Last time I checked surftecs aren’t inexpensive and anyone can compete with them on price. The half-bakes who don’t play by the business rules in Hawaii cranking out $350 to $450 shortboards and longboards from Wailua are the problem in my opinion.
Give me a trainable employee who has no interest in surfing any day over a unreliable surfer who wants to learn your skills then haul arse and open up his barnyard operation and under cut you.
Of course you can make money in this industry. Cobra has been turning a profit for over 20 years.
Clide Betty very good friend of China!!
He number one Shape Commrade.
You are right. The most successful shapers (as in richest) have a full line of pop outs to supply to the masses. The most successful shapers(as in time in water) also have the pop out thing going. The most successful shapers (as in time for new R and D) are also the ones with pop out or foreign made products. The most successful shapers (as in contentment in life) could be just about anyone.
Last time I checked surftecs aren’t inexpensive and anyone can compete with them on price. The half-bakes who don’t play by the business rules in Hawaii cranking out $350 to $450 shortboards and longboards from Wailua are the problem in my opinion.
Give me a trainable employee who has no interest in surfing any day over a unreliable surfer who wants to learn your skills then haul arse and open up his barnyard operation and under cut you.
Of course you can make money in this industry. Cobra has been turning a profit for over 20 years.
Just couldn’t stay away like you promised could you?
You are right. The most successful shapers (as in richest) have a full line of pop outs to supply to the masses. The most successful shapers(as in time in water) also have the pop out thing going. The most successful shapers (as in time for new R and D) are also the ones with pop out or foreign made products. The most successful shapers (as in contentment in life) could be just about anyone.
Last time I checked surftecs aren’t inexpensive and anyone can compete with them on price. The half-bakes who don’t play by the business rules in Hawaii cranking out $350 to $450 shortboards and longboards from Wailua are the problem in my opinion.
Give me a trainable employee who has no interest in surfing any day over a unreliable surfer who wants to learn your skills then haul arse and open up his barnyard operation and under cut you.
Of course you can make money in this industry. Cobra has been turning a profit for over 20 years.
If you weren’t a troll…I could dialog with you pretty well. I hate to agree with you…but this post is mostly true…especially the highlighted part.
Surfer help is much of whats wrong with the surf industry. It’s why folks wake up one day and wonder what happened to my lifestyle. Nothing…lifestyle has nothing to do with production. You either work effectively or you get knocked off by someone who needs the money and is willing to take the time to do the job right.
is that all?
Mass produced surfboards, there is no comparision to a custom board.When I go to a shop look at, touch and feel the two different boards, there is no rush from looking at mass produced boards like there is a custom. With a custom you can see who shaped it and when, with the prices almost the same I dont see why anyone would buy a mass produced board.
Still see lots of flat spots through the shrink wrap at costco. Why no rocketfish?
what a brillant response - must have taken all kinds of contemplation to come up with just the right words. try emotionally engaging yourself into the possible outcomes of the choices that all of us make. follow them down the road - some pan out some dont - some come true some do not - but just try it sometime - no wait dont… lets just chill out man and we will just watch the world go round together. ok your right - i am sorry - i am sorry everybody i wrote this post - i take it all back - what was i thinking talking out loud - i will just chill out from now on and be a good open minded little boy.
i am not opposed to much in life - and i am not even that much opposed to this. the sky is not falling! but do realize the choices we make small and large do have an effect (or is it ‘affect’ i dont know - sorry if i messed that up) and we do have an influence on everything - even if ever so subtly - when you think how many boards are being made away from here ESPECIALLY when they had close to nothing to do with the originating of the sport as well as the fact that the entire surfing industry was built on the backs of surfboards and the craftsman that dedicated their lives to it. every surf clothing company and magazine in our sport only exist because of THE SURFBOARD - that is our essense - now people exploit another countries economy (china) to exploit our market and here i am saying just THINK ABOUT IT - maybe help preserve it. Why help it, support it, and ADVERTISE IT. - these guys might have a passion but i seriously doubt it is the same as ours. i bet it does not have to do with the soul and essense of our surfing life and our choice to build boards and be surfers - i bet it has to do more with the $$$$. well fuck that!
i have thought about it and i am going to do what i can to help preserve it - thats all i am saying - that s what my post is really about.
If I was giving advice to a good friend I would tell them to find a job outside of the surfboard industry. You simply can not compete with Asian factories. You can’t afford the equipment and materials required the kinds boards that will soon become the industries standards. Now that some companies are actually making profit, and aren’t spending all their time chasing their tails trying to keep up with day to day production, they are spending time and money on R&D. They want to make better surfboards (what this board is all about, right?) One of the most important business aspects of this is to originate technology that is superior, but can not be easily or cheaply reproduced.