For the Groms

This weekend a buddy of mine Greg asked me to help out with his foundation called The Arc Project.  It's a surf camp/ministry for kids, and man they were stoked!  I am not sure who was more amped, the groms catching their first wave, or the surfers who were pushing them in.  It was all smiles, and pure stoke.

Squashing Rumors

First and foremost I would like to give a shout out to Andrew Maguire.  He stopped by my shop some months ago and did some photography which is excellent work.  You can check out his stuff at: http://www.andrew-maguire.com/#  The brother is also taking a fancy to surfing, so double props!  I also wanted to comment on a rumor that has been flying around that I have quit shaping surfboards.  This is in fact not true.  I am taking a break for the fall season as my surfing contributes to my shaping and vice versa.  So, I hope to see you all in the water soon, board building is here to stay, I just need a breather.

dancing in the moonlight

Dawn patrol is my favorite session of the day.  You get up when it is still dark, check the buoy and weather data, and with your best judgment head to the break you think will work.  This was kind of a guess, the buoy was up, but from what I could tell the swell wasn't filling in.  We headed out anyhow, and under a full moon caught some super clean peelers.  The bottom photo is Mitch on pretty little slider.  Seven of us shared waves for a couple hours and then it was gone.

Misery Found

Alona Bay, Ontario

Aaron

Jordan

Justin

the lineup

Marty trunking it in Superior!

Mica Bay, Ontario

I got the phone call late Sunday from Jordan.  I had noticed that the color charts for Superior were going richter Monday and Tuesday, but thought little about making the drive.  A five minute conversation changed all that, and 24 hours later I was standing in front of Alona Bay.  The first thing I thought was, "Am I on the Northwest coast?"  Rock faces greeted heavy surf and it was magic hour.  The water temperature was about 68 degrees, which is unheard of for Lake Superior.  We surfed until our arms fell off, stoked all the way.  The wave was heavy and bumpy, and so clear!  Thanks to Heather for shooting photos, Upper Canada cheers to you and the boys!

Alona Bound

I have been busy wrapping up a few boards so I can hang up my tools for the fall swells.  This is a 6'5" thruster 20.5" wide and about 2.5" thick.  I was so happy with my 6'7" thruster template that I pulled in all the dims to give me something more ocean specific.  It looks like the ocean isn't the only place I will be surfing this board.  Alona Bay has a pretty epic forecast that I don't think I can miss.  I can think of no better way to cut the teeth on this board than in a Lake Superior swell.

High Gear

Working hard to finish April's board up and get it in the water.  Triple six ounce bottom and triple six ounce deck make this one durable board with nice amount of weight.  The lamination is finished and as soon as it cures hotcoat, hardware, and gloss coat to come.