You're the Best Around!

Today's surf session = The feel good 80's

Fist Pumpesque

My buddy Dale sent this my way saying it looked like a Fist Pump that Ryan Burch is ripping. Indeed it does, but I believe that to be one of those asymmetrical shapes that he is making. Nevertheless, beautiful board, beautiful wave.

The Perfect Surf Mobile

Recently I decided it was time for a second vehicle as my wife will be needing the car we share for grad school. So, I started digging through craigslist trying to uncover what kind of magic $3000 could afford. To my dismay, the answer to that question is, not much. The cars either have a ridiculous amount of miles on them, or in the words of the craiglist ad is a "GREAT car, just needs engine." The other issue that I was contending with is that cars just don't have the personality today that they used to. Sure, you can drive them for 300,000 miles, but they all look the same. Clearly this is not a matter of practicality, but when searching for your surf mobile, style plays a significant role. This begs the question, what makes the perfect surf mobile? I have compiled a list of the four necessary ingredients to consider when purchasing the perfect surf mobile. 1. it must get you to the beach with out breaking down, period. 2. it must be able to safely accommodate your board of choice (loggers you will need either a long empty vehicle or a roof rack). 3. it must have a heater that works (very important for cold water surfers). 4. it must exude the proper amount of personality. After considering these four issues, I finally came up with the perfect ride for a Michigan surfer and came in under budget.

The 1988 AMC Eagle

Ripcurl GoPro Awesomeness

surfing Pandora

On the scale of epic, surfing a chest to head high pumping swell on any of the islands surrounding Cloud Nine (Philippines) would rank in at Richter. I pulled waves at Cloud Nine, Jacking Horse (such a fitting name), Quiksilver, and Rock Island depicted above. There is really no way to describe what it is like to surf there, other than to say "Is this real?" While paddling out today at Pier Marquette in my 6/4 with 45 degree water slapping me in the face it seems so far away, but even more amazing. If you haven't thrown down and surfed some ridiculous destination at the risk of malaria, food poisoning, or banditos, I strongly recommend that 2012 is your year to go.

Mysteries of the Great Lakes

options

Who cares if it doesn't make sense, surfing is more about feel than logic anyhow, so switch it up just because you can.

FIST pumpola

Just wrapped this little guy up.  I have a traditional keel, quad, and thruster setup that I am going to try on this board.  5'10" x 22.5" x 2.75"  The V bottom should help me figure out right away which setup will work best.  Loose and skatey is the name of the game.

South Haven Sunset Session

waist to chest.  sunset goodness.  handful of surfers.  warm water.  doesn't get better.

Surf NYC is not unlike Surf MI (sometimes)

Keel Swaparoo

Switched out the fins on the Simmons to a more traditional style for this board.  They work pretty good, but I think I like the shorter keel better.  Fun little session at Ursula's, hardly anyone out.  Thanks to Tim Baerwald for shooting the photos.  Keep rocking out brother!

Pin Liney

Heading into home plate with this one.  Decided to go with resin pigmented pin lines.  Gloss coat, polish, and surf.

SISU cycles

I am not nearly as bummed out by flat spells anymore.  Custom Titanium frame thanks to Matt Palomaki at Sisu Cycles.  Also, spinning some wicked light A23's hand laced by the boys at Velocity.  Yes it rides as good as it looks.

kicking ass and taking names

Best rap cover ever, Lissie covering Kid Cudi.

Geriatric Beige

So, I get ready to glass this thing, tape it off, cut the glass, etc.  Then I realize, I am out of white pigment.  The next closest color I have is beige, which is either going to look like a million bucks, or a buck ninety nine.  I am thinking that white hardware, logos, and a white pinline will do the trick.  We'll see...

Getting Skunked in Style

This is the serenade that played as we rolled up to one foot slop. Thanks Blitzen Trapper, getting skunked never felt so good.

Sunshiney South Haven

Super fun session at South Haven today.  Only a hand full of guys and a really punchy inside section.  I believe that is Ryan catching a wave on his Dharma.  Where have these days been all summer?

FIST pump

This board has been a collaborative effort with a lot of different surfers, and the shape itself is kind of a mix up between a fish / groveler, Mini-Simmons and Lord Board.  To some it probably looks like a red headed step child, but I believe that it might be just what the doctor ordered.  The board is designed to make the most of lake waves, which move slow,  give you enough time for a few good pumps, and a solid turn before it fizzles out.  Also, I have recently learned that I seem to habitually pump my fist when I'm stoked.  Hence the name, Fist Pump.

The Hot Generation Trailer (1967)

The Life Aquatic with Team Sisu

400 miles north into Superior Country and three surfboards found their home.  I thought it appropriate to photograph them in the bay that they will all likely cut into their first wave.  The colors represent Cycling Team Sisu, which means "Guts" in Finnish.  Here's a link to Sisu Cycles: http://www.sisucycles.com/

Christmas in July

COMUNE // SPRING BREAK from COMUИE on Vimeo.

This is the most surf-like snowboarding I have ever seen.

House of Skate

etnies PAS House for Public Domaine La Gaite Lyrique from etnies on Vimeo.

I am waiting for the surfer's version of this.

MORE - MICHIGAN

Tim over at MORE - MICHIGAN was kind enough to do a little write up on Burly Surfboards, and post a little lake surf magic.  It's a pretty rad project that showcases the adventures to be had in our state.  Check it: http://more-michigan.com/

Sight Sound

SIGHT|SOUND from High Seas Films on Vimeo.

Team Colors

fin boxes in 7'6" funshape

shaped triple cedar stringer 9'4" log

laminated 9'4" log

close up on cut lap

Team Sisu

 This weekend foaming was flying, epoxy was being poured by the gallon, and fin boxes found their home.  It has been full on production, and production has never looked so good.

The Rule of Thirds

The Hog Log is finished and ready for delivery.  I picked out a smoke colored fin with a hint of brown to match the cedar stringers.  Classic as classic gets, for knee paddling, nose riding, and drop knee turning style.

The Risko Disco

A board so big you could foxtrot on it.  10'2" and getting ready for the gloss coat.

Quivers Love Color

Lime green, check.  Royal blue, check.  Next up, robin egg blue tint on a triple stringer longboard.

Losers

My brother turned me on to this song, an ode to not taking yourself too seriously.

Limey

concave for 7'6"

6'5" thruster

fin option #1 green

fin option #2 blue

fin option #3 smoke

Making some headway on a board order that is going north of the bridge.  It was super sunny when I shot these images so the light makes these boards look like neon.  It's actually lime green, which is the crazy thing about resin tints, they really illuminate in the sunlight and when they get wet.  I am very stoked with how the color laid out on this board!

making the drop

Intentio

Intentio - Trailer from Loïc Wirth on Vimeo.

El Gringo

Good things have been coming in three's lately, and Risko's triple stringer log is no exception.  Shaped and ready for glass. 

Pick Your Poison

Three different shapes.  Three different colors.   Three different fin set ups.  Third Coast Surf Shop.

Stay Glassy Lake Michigan

Getting close to wrapping up a few gems that are going to head south to the Third Coast Surf Shop's Grand Opening in St. Joseph.  Plenty of variety in shape and color.  Made for the Lakes, where the waves are rarely glassy, so the boards might as well be.