Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Still Suave and Debonair After All These Years

Still Suave and Debonair After All These Years
So Long Suppers
I want to see the Supplies on Guppies organize a paddle from Manhattan Beach to Molokai, then on to China where they can buy the sandals that we all are accustomed to wearing at a reasonable price some new boards and paddles, Chinese food and whatever. The other day at the spot formerly known as Dog Patch, Now Zombieland,There was this guy on a 8'guppie, totally tearing up the small mushy surf in a amazing display shredding, slashing, shralping, it was unfortunately quite grotesque. the problem with most sups is that they have never surfed or surfed well. It brings new meaning to the term ' stiff legged Kook '. Add to this the fact the volume of a 'guppie' is not backed up with enough weight ( inertia ) to make'em go without a paddle. Then to top it off, if the kook string breaks what to do with the paddle , stow it! The first thing that happens upon embarking on the suppy trail is a big board & paddle= greed.The wave count instead of the wave. Shortly thereafter the delusion that they are the last apostles of rugged individualism. Suppin A Sup yours, Sup off, and so long Suppers. Every time I went out I had to be in the Charlton Heston mode to survive. I don't hate Sups, i don't know that they don't like me because of the way I look at them. I feel sorry for them. Some day I'll be the old guy with the orange helmet going the wrong way. I've got to go out and buy some orange spray paint, Sincerely, Frederick Heesy A.K.A. Shah , A.K.A. .CAPT TOOTGUNDY, A.K.A., FREDDIE LEGEND, A.K.A. FREEWHEELIN' FREDDIE, A.K.A. KID ROMANCE (himself)

Still Suave and Debonair after all these years ~Kid Romance

Monday, June 27, 2011

Proportion and Flow, Everything in Moderation.

Proportion and Flow, Everything in Moderation.
Including Moderation
Epoxy pop outs are extremely toxic polluters, one reason they are made in third world countries. Shaped epoxy, hand fiber glassed is a different story. So is epoxy glassed polyurethane boards. Long, Short, SUP, go hand made Keep this art alive.Our friends in the industry make us look good & feel good. In spite of one industries typhoon opinion, there are some young shapers who have talent and patience to shape because they have the want to do it in them. One such fellow is Wes Holderman nice traditional/ modern single fins. Mostly one learns by himself by doing it. Always you pick up bits & pieces from shapers, Riding your own shapes of course, and sometimes riding boards that don't float well because they got too thin while being perfected. A good way to begin is to get a board that you really like. Make a template off of it, get help buying the proper blank, Have that board with you when you shape. Have it in the room. Here is a tip from Glen Kennedy on that" you have to go after the shape", a tip from Greg Liddle " they don't have to be perfect to work". Mike Diffenderfer

Proportion and flow, everything in moderation. ~Kid Romance

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Glassing racks are empty, Go custom

Oliver Pup Gundy
Oliver Pup Gundy
One thing that I am finding out is that at my age it is better to ride them than make 'em. Soon I shall depart for foreign shores, Back to France, Spain. Morocco, and further.Honkin on to new frontiers as it were.The last adventure I was toasted on three Continents, I was really a wreck, My current approach will be one of proportion and flow, everything in moderation" as Mike Diffenderfer said of surfboard shapes,I add maybe.I'm still looking for the unridden spot, easy to paddle out,no fish bigger than me, no wet suit, a lovely San bar on smooth round stones with a covering eel grass, Crap this is beginning to sound like work.I just want to shape a few good boards, the very best I can. The Handmade surfboard is very personal and important part of our lives, they ride better than pop-outs, It's your life. You deserve good equipment, and the guys that make 'em deserve to be busy doing what they love,the crap they breath glassing,sanding.It's hard dirty , toxic even with proper equipment.These guys don't even get to surf that much because they are making your boards.

Glassing racks are empty, Go custom ~ Kid Romance