Kayak Style Paddleboard

Rod Million down in Melrose, Florida has turned out a really pretty paddleboard. The construction process seems bulletproof but the 20" template is a little thin for my taste. Very nice craftsmanship.

Camera Ball

I had a dream. A dream that one day I would be able to tie a bunch of cameras together to give a 360 degree view. Well my dream has become reality thanks to the large corporate cash train of Red Bull. The viewer control flash video is pretty kickass. By the way, I definitely had nothing to do with developing this technology because I am a completely broke as a joke paddleboard maker. Party On Garth. Party On Wayne.

Sunrise

Nature = God

I forget where I found these photo's, but Blake's paddleboards have always been an inspiration for me. The blog title is taken from an inscription Blake made at Malibu and in an undisclosed location in his native Badger State.

Knots, Scraps and a new 12'

Paddleboard#9: The goal is to build a stable and fast paddleboard that can be handled by a 98lb weakling, or my friend, Cyndie (sorry Cyndie:) Using one center rib, whindlass' at each end (knots) and superthin doorskin to sheath it, i think I may be on to something. I can lift this thing with one hand. I also found I could tape th scraps, from the deck, together and make the bottom. Very ECOnomical. More photos here.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday was looking good, somewhere else (CA). Today looks very different, here (FL). But the sun, she shine, and the water, she shine and the air, she crisp. OK, maybe I go build some boards.
Air:55/Water:65/Wind:N10

Golden Vespucci Awards for 2007

Yes, it is well into 2008, but we here at the American Paddleboard Company do not like to rush into things. After much deliberation and careful thought we have come up with the top three Golden Vespucci's for 2007:

Golden Vespucci Award for Use of Big Words: The Dental Ding Doc for the use of the term, FUNCTIONAL REDUNDANCY. The Doc concluded that thinking and dreaming were functionally redundant, much like teeth and the costal scute, so Doc has chosen to become a full time dreamer. Congrats. (note vespucci standard issue dream helmet).

Golden Vespucci Award for Knowing About Cool Stuff: DoppelGangster's Wife, Mary, for identifying this unknown piece of beach flotsam as the Costal Scute of an Atlantic Sea Turtle. I had this info verified by some clown named Andy at the Sawtooth Society.

and finally the Golden Vespucci for All-Around Surf Zombie Impersonation: Jack Bolton. Chilling.

Sunshine and Monsters

A sunny day at my beach, yeah, thats's right, my beach, beaches. And a super crazy care bear paipo from monsterboards.

Piss in Boots

Snotty Pissburger Afternoon poached via the world renowned SurfStation daily update.
In other news, I was not aware that in Cornwall UK,
you can walk into a food shak and ask
for the coveted Weaver Fish Bucket. By asking for said bucket you are also admitting to standing in a bootfull of piss. Hoorah for the Brits! Thanks to the Salt Rock Surf Company for this tasty nugget of knowledge

Slop and not Slop

The slop is building here on the western Atlantic, due to a stiff Southeast breeze. But on the other side of the pond, Portugal is mackin. (Photos poached via 10cam and MagicSeaweed).

Appropriate Genius

Spread the word, The Appropriate Genius, a film by my friend Rob Hill and about another acquaintance, Jock Brandis could save the world. Jock developed a lo-tech, location appropriate, peanut sheller to save the world.

He's won awards from MIT, Popular Mechanics and the approval of many starving people.

Spread the word. He will be featured Thursday night on CNN, during the Larry King Show, as one of CNN's "Heroes". Save the world, make a difference in someone else's life.

ps- Jock, you still have my safety harness.

SeaBright Skiff

The last minute of this video looks like the beginning of a longboard. I found this clip years ago and have never been able to track the entire film down. Seabright Skiff's ROCK!

Medical Question Box

The Medical Question Box is a musical podcast from the creators of The Heavy 30. This week's show runs 20 minutes and features the likes of Girl Loves Distortion (top), Parts and Labor (bottom), The Mooney Suzuki, British Sea Power and American Fantasy Camp. Enjoy the sonic explosions.

Medical Question Box MP3 (19MB)

SurfShotsOnline

Local lensman, ethesurfer, snaps photographs of young hellions plying their craft. I found this particular vision of a chunky one, quite pleasing.

Satellites

As the dog and I walked on the beach this evening our big satellite friend, the Moon, rose full over the Atlantic. Aircraft streaked across the sky and a smaller terrestrial satellite flapped it's wings along the coast. As the earth rolled away from that big ball of fire in the sky I started to think that me and Jack were pretty lucky to be walking on this satellite we call home.
Air:58 / Water:61 / Wind: NW5

We are what we eat (visually)

Inspiration reared it three headed hydra via a long night in a dark bar and reading the blogs during the ensuing hangout to dry. Efficient mental updating comes easily with the Google Reader. Sometimes the update is made without words, as in the case of top pictured, Jeff Harris. A photo a day from Jeff, unflinchingly honest for over five years. Honesty also rears it head on the Pushing Tide blog. (Blogger spellcheck does not consider blog, blogger or spellcheck correct words). And finally Running From Camera is a perverse and often baffling form of entertainment.

Spring Hath Sprung - Plant Trees

In the perverse and often baffling world of Redneck Agriculture there is a new and troubling growth of ecological responsibility. Participating as a loyal Sunshine Cracker, the author performed the miracle of the loaves, converting one 5' tall banana tree into five, 1' tall banana transplants. Using discarded paint buckets filled with dry paint, putrid storm water and lawn detritus (leaves, dog shit and sticks), the effort can only be categorized as using local and available resources.The twenty four hour growth rate has been phenomulous. Almost an entire inch in a single day. Bravo hearty and robust banana tree, bravo.
Air:71 / Water:61 / Wind:Windy

American Fantasy Camp

Fresh off the presses. American Fantasy Camp sounds like an old hardcore tape that has been dubbed and sent through the wringer. I have no idea what they're saying but it sure sounds totally kickass!
Uncle Rico

Self Titled

Possibilities

This may be the future of sustainable surfboard manufacturing. Booyah molded fibre, you are made with 100% recycled paper and pulp.

Pod Pod Pod

Must have been some good eats in the shorebreak. Glad someone was enjoying it.

Wicked Good

Wicked good HWS's from Nathaniel Grey in Australia. Super nice lines and detailing. Give'm a look.

Fish Comes Home

Surfing Superstar Paul Gerrety returns the Bishop Fish to the builder in an unceremonious ceremony. Paul likened the board to a medicine ball. His longboard never felt so sensitive than after riding the Bishop.

Paddle... Anyone?

Air:68 / Water:58 / Wind: N7