Flossin'

Flossy Ross holdin' it down at the 'Bu riding my current hull...photos by the ever gracious

 Big Steve.

Gold Leafer

10' d.Bowls for a very lucky Sean M. up in the PacNW!

1" balsa stringer flanked with 1/8" cedar and a little bit of gold leaf in the mix for good luck

...so perdy :)

Adventures In Textile

Cloth inlays are hazardous to your mental health when cutting, and again when applying pinlines.  I prescribe a 'sit back and check out the final product' approach works well to counteract the situation, though.

Somewhat of a v2.0 of the velosim, a bit more foiled and loosened up slightly; fin position is changed as well as fin template...thought i'd share this one :)  

Renovations

Thought i'd throw out a premature announcement about the new website version coming in the next two weeks-ish!

gonna be some bard model updates, some minor layout changes, a MAJOR gallery renovation and most exciting of all for me is the new online store...As many of you guys have found out, I hardly ever have stock boards for sale because i don't like having much overhead as i'm as ever, a smalltime builder; BUT, i decided to use up some of my storage space in the shop for some new boards that i can have for those interested parties who would rather not wait for a new sled!

It'll be full of good stuff, new boards, used ones, oddities, clothes and dates with Herbie.  

Here is a quick preview of a few of the boards that will be up for sale when I get everything sorted out here shortly:

 

Take Me Home

Hip hop may not be for everyone, but the words in this one [to me] are something to live by and have brought me through a lot of difficult times...thought it was time to share this one even though its a little 'different' than some might expect:

Whoa Nelly

Currently at shelter surf shop; a velo inspired/templated 6' hull...the template is straight off an early 60's balsa greenough spoon (most likely a camera board) and stretched.

Unnecessary Observations

(hull, rough shape)

I'm relatively out of the loop of the surf industry, so I don't know eeeeeverything, but I do learn after time and I'm learning now just how many people are machine shaping all of their boards...I'm blown away! I thought the majority of 'alternative boards' were hand shaped and I do realize that with more volume the machine comes in very handy if you don't have a helper (just think in the 60's and so on...there was way more than one shaper at a big name board house).

(same hull, finished)

I'm not speaking out against machine shaping, I'm just expressing my surprise at just how many well known 'alternative' guys rely on the machine and talk about how they craft things; machines are great tools but I'd be hard pressed to call it crafting anything.

Its a crazy world we live in!

and ps- I shaped my first full balsa board today (9'6 d.bowls), and RESPECT to the guys who built those day in and out back in the day as the 'standard'.

Japan Photos 1

Jp Surfmobile

If you receive a poor fortune at a temple, you can tie it to a rack; as the wind blows through them it washes the bad fortune away.

Fiberglass.

A Freeway Self Portrait

11hrs

I'm flying back to home-country today, Japan has been absolutely amazing!

Photos will be coming soon, in true RL style I forgot the USB cord for my camera back at home...a full photo essay will be coming shortly!

If you emailed me before I left and i asked you to contact me when I get back, now's 'tha time!

-R  

Big/Small

Yahagi and the guys put up a small album of photos from the Fish Fry the other day, give 'em a look see!

Japan Fish Fry '10

My brother, his friend Kevin and I are going from their town, Tochigi, into Tokyo today so they can show me whats up in the city...so far I've learned that Japan kicks ass, and they have BY FAR the sweetest surf vehicles of anywhere.  they're everywhere, and I want to take one home!