And your answers please !
Love your shed. glad im not the only one with several unshaped blanks sitting around.
Cause books take money, and passion, all our passion goes into our boards and we all have no money.
Just my thoughts.
Cast it down in flames if you must.
I keep threatening about writing a book about my 30+ years in the surfboard industry.
You know, the names will be changed to protect the innocent.
Nah, that would be boring.
I’ve got an entire chapter ot two on what I saw, heard, and did @ Brewer.
Maybe someday.
…because people only really enjoy porn.
It is pretty simple. The Major surf publications would never do an artical on a growing movment of Amature Board Builders. The back lash from "The Industry "would “kill it, before it grows.”
Hahahahahahahahaha
Swaylocks had it’s heyday a few years back but now is basically irrelevant in the grand scheme of all things surfboard.
Seriously, what would they write?
And who would care to read it?
I’ve self published books, so that’s not an issue but I kinda agree with chrisp. Swaylocks’ heyday has passed. The only people to immediately purchase the book would mostly be swaylocks members. And yes, what would they write about, shaping or the shapers or both? Then there would be a giant thread about what was missing in the book. I’ve always thought an extensive documentary about the members would work better but the logistics of that are immense, and there would probably be those that don’t want to participate. However, if anybody wants to give it a go and do the self publishing route, let me know if you have any questions.
To me, the story of Sway’s is the bloom of self-shapers. With the closing of Clark Foam and the availability of materials to everyone, you no longer have to be in the “in” crowd to get blanks or glass and resin. Sway’s has proliferated this with information. It is now a wide open world and people are riding what they like. Not what is promoted by pros. That spread and sharing of knowledge is important and is worth mentioning. See it as you like but, it is a type of revolution none the less. Much can be said about that. Look what Mr. Paler has started. Rather extraordinary. Art’s brings up an interesting point. “The Industry would kill it” has been the dirty secret for ever. R-Fing each other and putting competitors out of business. This site has helped greatly in putting it into the user’s hands. No more putting up with entitled company reps playing the small time thug to shop owners. Eff you. I’ll make my own.
swaylocks is very relevant, and viewed by far more people than the postings would indicate. IMO those quick to dismiss it’s relevance usually have an agenda. If you think its irrelevant, then why come here, and why put it down? There are plenty of websites and forums irrelevant to me, I dont talk about them, tho, because they are irrelevant, haha. Swaylocks has useful information from some of the industry’s finest, and some of the finest “backyard” surfboard craftsmen and creative surfboard building minds in the world.
One thing that cracks me up is when I see negative comments about swaylocks written on other forums by guys who love to say what a lame site it is, but yet they seem to know everything going on here, lol. Almost as funny as the guys who post on here what a lame site it is, ok, then what does that say about them?
Swaylocks is already a book , a referance book , written by some of the greatest experts in their field , its also a library book that any one can access at any time . Why would any one write a book about a book .
$$$$
The history, impact, back stories and tangents could be fascinating, the site has seen high drama (even to the point of death threats, according to some), politics and posturing, petty bickering, creative tinkering, ethics debating, problem solving, information sharing, ego inflating, online bullying, personality clashing, courage and cowardice, generosity and kindness, and some of the coolest raddest baddest most awesome surfboards ever built.
You should do it. Write it! Might be your ticket to fifteen minutes.
I do wonder about the role Sways had on surfing. I suspect a direct connection between this site, the role of the internet and the growth and acceptance of “alternative” and “retro” surf craft. This place was my go-to source of information and thought on non-thruster design for sure- can’t think of any other site that was, or is, as focused on that.
Also book-wise, found the whole Shapaholic period fascinating. Seriously. What does an internet community do when a guy like that wants to be involved? That was a test. Not sure if we passed.
Look at that beautiful water! Once purposely chose to ritualistically “baptise” a new board there instead of polluted OB.