Well ! ! ! Randy Rarick showed his TRUE colors!

Today I attended an event at the Surfing Heritage Foundation, honoring Fred Hemmings. It was hosted by Shawn Tomson, and Randy Rarick. The undercurrent of the event was as a fund raiser. Most, if not all, in attendance have made significant contributions to the SHF. Well, Randy showed us all what kind of guy he really is. Randy made a donation to the SHF, in the amount of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. The cheering, and the STANDING OVATION, indicated clearly the high regard with which he is held by so many in the surfing community. Yep, he showed his true colors. What are your colors? Anyone care to send a check to SHF for ten dollars, or twenty, or even one hundred? Any amount would help them carry on the mission of saving the history, and heritage, of the sport so many on Sway’s profess to love. If one thousand members, and lurkers, sent in ten dollars, collectivly we could match Randy. Think about it, then do it.

Thank you for giving this topic your attention, and consideration.

Aloha,

i would just like to take this moment to give a virtual high-five to Randy.

because that’s really awesome.

thank you.

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i would just like to take this moment to give a virtual high-five to Randy.

because that’s really awesome.

thank you.

and a high $5.00, or $50.

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Today I attended an event at the Surfing Heritage Foundation, honoring Fred Hemmings. It was hosted by Shawn Tomson, and Randy Rarick. The undercurrent of the event was as a fund raiser. Most, if not all, in attendance have made significant contributions to the SHF. Well, Randy showed us all what kind of guy he really is. Randy made a donation to the SHF, in the amount of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. The cheering, and the STANDING OVATION, indicated clearly the high regard with which he is held by so many in the surfing community. Yep, he showed his true colors. What are your colors? Anyone care to send a check to SHF for ten dollars, or twenty, or even one hundred? Any amount would help them carry on the mission of saving the history, and heritage, of the sport so many on Sway’s profess to love. If one thousand members, and lurkers, sent in ten dollars, collectivly we could match Randy. Think about it, then do it.

Thank you for giving this topic your attention, and consideration.

Aloha,

I respect Randy but I am usually against all institutions because they are political. This one is likely also political. However…when they finally get their shapers tree something close to correct…I will consider it. Mainly Because of some of the good folks I know that are involved in it.

Until then…it’s just another institution needing attention for a select few.

You asked an interesting question, and later deleted it. Also interesting. I don’t presume to speak for Randy, but having spent the evening listening to Mr. Hemmings, Mr. Tomson, and Mr. Rarick, express what surfing has meant to them, and how it impacted their lives. It is my belief that he, like many who are involved in preserving surfings’ heritage, is giving back to the sport/lifestyle that has given so much to all who partake of it. He has my respect for the person he is, and the respect of all who were in that room, when he made his generous gift to the Surfing Heritage Foundation.

We (all of surfing) need more people like him, at all levels of the sport.

I seriously doubt the SHF needs my $10 while I can think of a half dozen environmental organizations and world relief groups that do need the small support I can afford to give them on an ongoing basis. The SHF has some of the wealthiest, most financially successful surfers ever underwriting it (and I certainly don’t mean Shaun Tomson) The SHF has future bequeathments of funds and board collections that would make your head spin. Believe me, don’t fret over the future of the SHF. I suggest you put some thought toward the fact that the ocean is dying and the only connection your grandchildren will have with surfing will be through some dusty boards at the SHF.

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You asked an interesting question, and later deleted it. Also interesting. I don’t presume to speak for Randy, but having spent the evening listening to Mr. Hemmings, Mr. Tomson, and Mr. Rarick, express what surfing has meant to them, and how it impacted their lives. It is my belief that he, like many who are involved in preserving surfings’ heritage, is giving back to the sport/lifestyle that has given so much to all who partake of it. He has my respect for the person he is, and the respect of all who were in that room, when he made his generous gift to the Surfing Heritage Foundation.

We (all of surfing) need more people like him, at all levels of the sport.

I don’t remember the question. PM me. I am sure I had my reasons. I agree with the rest of your post other than needing to preserve anything by the use of an institution.

I have been consistent about my opposition to institutions since I began posting. It’s a personal preference based on personal experience and echoes what many other artist also feel in their industries and art. Institutions will at some point pick who they want to be in them and leave out too many others or give faulty information. A perfect example is the Shapers family tree. Nothing against Kendall who I believe adds to swaylocks in a positive way.

Surfing doesn’t need it’s heritage preserved by a select few. It’s done just fine the old tribal way…word of mouth. Keeps it interesting. We don’t need more institutions we need to surf more.

I respect Randy for putting up money on something he believes in. I respect him for being a good surfer and one of the leaders of our industry.

I still feel the same as always about institutions. All of them.

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You asked an interesting question, and later deleted it. Also interesting. I don't presume to speak for Randy, but having spent the evening listening to Mr. Hemmings, Mr. Tomson, and Mr. Rarick, express what surfing has meant to them, and how it impacted their lives. It is my belief that he, like many who are involved in preserving surfings' heritage, is giving back to the sport/lifestyle that has given so much to all who partake of it. He has my respect for the person he is, and the respect of all who were in that room, when he made his generous gift to the Surfing Heritage Foundation.

We (all of surfing) need more people like him, at all levels of the sport.

The point I deleted dealt with the fact that Randy holds a yearly surfing heritage auction, which in 2007 grossed over a half million dollars, a fraction of which went directly to Randy as the organizer (commission/consignment sort of thing).

When Randy gives $10000 to the SHF, he does it because it is going to make him more than $10000. And sure, I think he also does it because he loves surfing heritage.

But a purely altruistic donation it was not.

And you are using that to justify your call to others to make donations, most of which WOULD be purely altruistic.

There is an element of sleight of hand there, a “Tom Sawyer whitewash my fence” sort of move.

I like surfing heritage, and I like the auction, and the fact that its market is growing, and there are a lot of older folks who think a historical surfboard is worth more than $10000. It ain’t my cup of tea, but more power to them. I would rather see a call for donations that WAS NOT preceded by a “look how cool it is for Randy to donate” call.

That is all.

respect Randy but I am usually against all institutions because they are political. This one is likely also political. However…when they finally get their shapers tree something close to correct.

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I’m sure that they will make corrections to the list. Your expert knowledge will help, for sure. It’s only a start. Help them out.

Aloha~

==ep

Solosurfer,

I share a certain ‘‘mistrust’’ of institutions, as you do. However, I have been impressed by their professional approach, and the mission statement of the SHF, as well as the individuals involved. I agree with you, when you say it’s not perfect. Very little in life is. I respect your position, and understand it. I’m choosing to have ‘‘some’’ involvement, and to make what contribution I can, toward something a little more perfect than it might otherwise be. Time will reveal the value of what is being undertaken by SHF.

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Yep, he showed his true colors. What are your colors?

Good question Mr thrailkill, cause I think your perception is seriously skewed if you think Mr Rarick donating 10 G’s to save old surfboards somehow makes him a model human being whilst other “lurkers” who “profess” to love surfing are somehow not as worthy. I’m working on a project right now to provide basic filtering technology to people in rural villages in East Africa who collect water from muddy holes laden with bilharzia and cholera. Their lives are improved immeasurably by people donating small amounts of money or expertise so they can have clean drinking water. Yes it’s surfing and yes we love it and our love sure can’t be defined by a donation to save old surfboards. Let’s get real : it’s surfing, probably one of the most self-indulgent acts a human can engage in and a blessing conferred purely by being born in the right place in the right country. If we have a responsibilty as surfers it’s to act as stewards of our coastline and ocean. I agree with Solo, the history is important but the tribal way of transmitting it works fine…it’s way more than surfboards anyway: it’s people, places, acts, context that give our beloved culture it’s richness. The fact that wall street stockbrokers are paying exorbitant prices for collectible surfboards is a fact I find nauseating and a symptom of bloated degeneracy : if you want to see a vital culture go to a third world island and watch the kids surfing on any scrap of floating material they can get their hands on. I’m sure you don’t mean it but your sanctimonious tone seems to indicate you are talking to a bunch of snotty nosed brats. We are adults here and don’t need to be hectored into donating money to an organisation which is neither cash-strapped or engaged in what some would consider particularly vital work. That being said , good on Randy for ponying up the dough…what about a small percentage from each auction sale being donated to the SHF ? Steve

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respect Randy but I am usually against all institutions because they are political. This one is likely also political. However…when they finally get their shapers tree something close to correct.

======================================================

I’m sure that they will make corrections to the list. Your expert knowledge will help, for sure. It’s only a start. Help them out.

Aloha~

==ep

It’s certainly not that I am an expert. Yuk…what a title. I do know about my geographical area and a couple of other very famous shapers they got completely wrong. In fact…one is well enough known that they should have got it right. Another guy ended up on the thing that is not even a shaper. Wonder how much that promotion cost him?

It wouldn’t matter if anyone helped or not. They would leave off who they wanted and add who they wanted. Those things are always political.

http://www.surfingheritage.com/founding_partners.html

Looking on the founding members that are listed…I see most of the major clothing brands, many of the surfboard big names and most other big industry types are well represented. Enough for me to say…no thanks. I see plenty of other good folks involved and more power to them for their personal belief.

Also…old Johnny still has the right attitude when it comes to institutions

http://youtube.com/watch?v=j0GraZT3YaQ

Steve,

Thank you for your comments. You are correct, it’s just surfing. In the larger scheme of things, not very important.

But, IF surfing, and preserving historic boards, and the history, recited by many who lived it and made it, IS important to you, then my point was/is: ‘‘Step up, donate time, money, or knowledge, as a positive way of participating in assuring that IMPORTANT information, and artifacts, are not lost.’’ There is no sin in not being so inspired. My intent was to prod those who pay lip service to preserving surfings’ history into action. I’m baffled by the hostility of so many on this forum, toward people/surfers who have been financially successful. It’s a strong signal that it IS possible, if that’s what you desire. Just one of the consequences of the choices that are possible to make in life. Some people, adult or not, have chosen to behave like snot nosed brats. And I guess I WAS speaking to them. If that’s not you, then you shouldn’t be offended. I agree with you that it would be nice if the various surfboard auctions, as a matter of policy, would donate a portion of each sale to one of the many surfing museums out there. Seems like a natural. You may have just made an unintended contribution, with your suggestion.

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Steve,

I’m baffled by the hostility of so many on this forum, toward people/surfers who have been financially successful.

Well , I guess it’s what they tend to do with it and in surfing it seems the coolest thing you can do if you have truckloads of the folding is buy off some third world village , set up some exclusive domain for other wealthy people and keep everyone else out. The fact that money can buyout this kind of experience runs counter to every reason I surf and the reason I would want to protect the history anyway.

Looking at the disgustingly opulent and wasteful mansion that Gordon Merchant has just built at Angourie sends a very clear signal to the world that surfers, when given the chance, are more interested in feathering their own nest at everybody elses expense, than providing any leadership in environmental stewardship.

And yes, the fact I couldn’t surf Cloudbreak, when my mate and I camped out in tents in Fijian villages because rich Americans had bought off the reef rights only solidified those opinions. Driving past 8-10 foot Cloudbreak with no-one out and being told we would be bashed if we paddled out, struck me then as it does now as a travesty.

That’s why.

Of course, there are many people with money doing good things and i salute them wholeheartedly… Steve

We are talking about two different things. I’m speaking of ‘‘success’’, while you are speaking of abuse. Not always the same. Before he passed away, years ago, Billy Caster told me of a favorite point/surf spot, in Costa Rica, that was purchased by a drug dealer, fenced off and guarded, only for the use of the ‘‘chosen few.’’ Billy was not among them. That was in the mid 70’s. Been going on for a long time. NEW TOPIC: Any good surf in New Calidonia? Looks like there should be. I’ve not traveled much for surf. Hawaii, Baja, and Calif. coast. No plans, but curious. Seems to be in an ideal position.

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We are talking about two different things. I'm speaking of ''success'', while you are speaking of abuse. Not always the same. Before he passed away, years ago, Billy Caster told me of a favorite point/surf spot, in Costa Rica, that was purchased by a drug dealer, fenced off and guarded, only for the use of the ''chosen few.'' Billy was not among them. That was in the mid 70's. Been going on for a long time. NEW TOPIC: Any good surf in New Calidonia? Looks like there should be. I've not traveled much for surf. Hawaii, Baja, and Calif. coast. No plans, but curious. Seems to be in an ideal position.

LOL! Drive off a cliff?

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I’m baffled by the hostility of so many on this forum, toward people/surfers who have been financially successful.

Bill,

This is not directed towards you on my end. I respect that you have your view. As for the sucessful in surfing. I like to see folks have sucess by creating something or providing some service. In surfing the vast majority that have made it sell lies for a living like politicians so I have mostly disgust for them. I have at times been part of it myself and just as much disgust in my time spent selling the B.S.

When I look at some of the names on the SHF and remember how I have seen people treated by them and how I have been treated myself, I pretty much think anything that includes Quik, Surftech, Billi or any of the rest of that crap is tainted. They have added nothing to our sport but more kuks in the lineup flying the flag they have been told represents surfing.

Again…I have no issue with name brand even. Not when the brand actually does what is says…It’s when I am told how important that brand is to surfing or it’s heritage I began wanting to puke. Most of the folks that are truly important to our sport will remain known only at the local level free from the lies the magazines sell and free from institutions who have to add a famous rich guy once in awhile to keep the real money coming in.

so…sucess does not bug me one bit. I even must admire Bob Mcknight’s sucess in providing a consistent product. I just wish he would keep it in malls where it belongs. Volcom may be the worst of the lot. “youth against establisment” yet they are owned by the " establishment" ha ha. When your selling lies…the truth becomes the enemy. If an institution tells one lie then the entire thing is based on lies so what good is it?

Also Lennox: Good one. Couldn’t agree more about hogging up the islands for a few too cool for schools.

I’ve been to the SHF and one thing that struck me was how uncommercial it is. Not that it’s a low cost effort, but that it’s about trying to be a real museum. Every other “surf museum” I’ve been in was more like one big gift shop with a few boards and pictures mixed in. I don’t know anything about the bottom line of their financial statements but it does seem like they’re trying to preserve surf history in a legitimate, professional way. They have rare items from surf history on display and in their archives. I like that those items are in the hands of someone who is really trying to preserve them. Beats putting them in a room full of t-shirts and trinkets or stuck in the garage of someguy holding on to it while the conditions are ruining it. They seem to take preservation seriously which is good.

Preserving history - good.

Bloated rich guys exlpoiting and puffing up their egos - bad.

Not letting relics get distroyed - good.

Out of balance priorities on who to help with your money - bad.

You guys are doing a good job of hashing out where the lines are drawn. Continue.

http://www.surfingheritage.com/founding_partners.html

Looking on the founding members that are listed…I see most of the major clothing brands, many of the surfboard big names and most other big industry types are well represented. Enough for me to say…no thanks. I see plenty of other good folks involved and more power to them for their personal belief.

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Sorry, I don’t see how Randy’s contribution is political or institutionalized. I do understand your point on the surfer’s tree. They had some of the shapers up here wrong also. They have made some correction to it, but a few are way off. My point was to try to work with it, now I understand better why you won’t. I say too bad, it’s been a privilege to see, and be amongst those collected boards. In my life, the part that has revolved around surfing and the greater understanding of the time scale and progression / regression aspects, it has helped complete the circle. I found out in my own way, how to decipher through the cooperate / non- prophet pros and cons.

The sex pistols guys had a lot of good points that are hard to deny, and obvious oversights affected his perspective. It got me to look at this differently. Still, It’s surfboards, and Metz took the time and direction he did out of love for surfing. At least that’s my belief. If others help pay, great.

It’s too bad that you won’t see these boards all together, it’s worth the time and effort.

<img src="http://www.surfingheritage.com/images/1.jpg" alt="" class="bb-image" />[/url]  

1950, Matt Kivlin, Hollow Redwood, 9’7"

Matt Kivlin built this hollow redwood board at Malibu while he was highly regarded as a shaper and designer. This was during the formative period of the Malibu “Chip” and the exchange of ideas between the visiting Malibu crew (primarily Zane, Quigg, and Kivlin) and the Waikiki “Hot Curl” riders (primarily Rabbit Kekai and his brothers, a clan of Beach Boys that made up the Empty Lot crew, and the big wave riding group of Downing, Froiseth, and Brown). This board is very unique because it represents the never-ending effort at making boards lighter. [/url]

Circa early 1950s, Bob Simmons, Balsa Twin Fin Spoon, 10’8”

Early twin fin with a concave bottom and a scarfed-on spruce nose (an additional piece was added to the length so that more kick could be shaped into the nose of the board). “These were so difficult to build that very few were made and those mostly for himself, which he would later sell or give only to people he liked or deemed worthy.”. [/url]

Early ‘50s, Velzy and Jacobs, Solid Balsawood, 9’1”

Made in Venice Beach and most likely shaped by Hap Jacobs, this type of surfboard, “put surfboards, thus surfing, within the reach of the average kid on the beach. Velzy started the whole mass surfing phenomena thing in California.” – Joe Quigg.

[/url]

1951, Hobie, 11’6" Solid Balsa Lifeguard Board

One of the very first boards by Hobie. Rare example of only 6 solid balsa boards made by Hobie for the Laguna Beach Life Guards in 1951. Hobie made about 100 Boards without numbers in his Dad’s garage. Then, starting at #100, he used an ink stamp numbering system. This board is #116, or the 116th board Hobie ever made. It sold for $100.

[/url]

1952, Bob Sheppard, 8’10" Hotdog Shape

Bob Sheppard was an early Hawaiian shaper and big wave rider who made this board for Bud Lewton on the beach at Sunset. Sheppard was known for his user-friendly contours, not too radical, therefore easier to handle yet still speedy enough get the job done in the critical surf of Hawaii. Not many all-balsa boards were made in Hawaii, as balsa wood came from Ecuador and was very hard to get in the islands. [/url] 1954, Hobie, 12’

Hobie Alter made this board in 1954 for his friend Warren Miller, who later became well known as a ski movie producer. It is solid balsa and the 377th board Hobie ever made. [/url]

Circa 1956-57, Joe Quigg, Malibu Chip Balsawood board, 10’

Chambered balsa, hollow construction, with a redwood diamond shaped nose block added by the owner. Tail section was later modified with slight vee-bottom and a modern mahogany fin. Decals on both the deck and bottom were also added a few years later. [/url]

Circa 1958, Greg Noll Balsa, 8’5"

Solid balsa made by Greg in his Hermosa Beach shop, after he had recently moved the operation from his parents’ garage. Noll was to become an aggressive presence in the surfboard scene, eventually making his own surf movies to promote his boards, and his own foam when that came of age, and running an independent business with his distinct flavor in a market suddenly crowded with indistinguishable boards. This early Noll is very clean, with Greg’s movie camera logo and a multi-laminated fin. [/url] 1958, Velzy, 9’6"

Dale Velzy is one of our sport’s most profound and long lived surfboard and surf culture innovators and personalities. He is the instigator of the world’s first surf shop (located under the Manhattan Beach Pier in 1951). Dale made this board in 1958 for himself. It was somewhat of an experimental design, with its sharp rail configuration. Later the maneuverable wider-aft balsa “pig” shape was evolved from this early effort. The alternating redwood and balsa stringers create a distinctive appearance. [/url]

1958, Velzy, 10’ Balsa

Dale Velzy, a giant in the industry, had made thousands of surfboards under his last name. However, in the early 1960’s he lost the use of his name in a bad business deal and was forced to make a few boards using the letter “V” for his last name in the logo. This solid balsa board was made for his cousin. He later was able to get his name back and uses it today. [/url]

1959, Pat Curren, Balsa Elephant Gun

Hawaiian elephant gun, designed to ride 20 ft+ North Shore waves. Legendary shaper, Pat Curren, only made about a dozen of these because balsa was scarce and building the boards was difficult and time-consuming.