Sacred Craft Shaping Demo at the Hurley US Open

There is nothing better than hanging out with 125,000 of your closest friends at the U.S. Open presented by Hurley. Major props goes out to Hurley for putting this whole thing together and bringing back all-stars like Slater, Fanning, Machado, and Irons. This event dwarfed past years in action, size, half-naked girls, entertainment value, skate/bike/shaping demos, and….half naked girls. Everyone was rallying behind local boy Brett Simpson in the final vs. Mick Fanning. The energy was positive and people were hooting and cheering at every wave whether it was Fanning or Simpo. When it was all over Simpson prevailed in his hometown to the tune of $100K in prize money.

That wasn’t the only action though. There were the usual raffles, and giveaways as well as retail buildings they erected with full on air conditioning. The stand out this year was the Sacred Craft Shaping Demo. Scott Bass and the boys set up a shaping booth inside an air conditioned tent for the shapers to do shaping demos on the sand right in the middle of all the craziness. Along with the help of U.S. Blanks and us (Foam E-Z) they were able to work through and explain the shaping process to onlookers. I was able to catch John Carper doing his thing and it was really to cool to not only see what he was doing but to also hear him explain his movements. It was very special since the inside of a shaper’s bay is a very private place. This is where secrets are kept and ideas are formed, therefore to be able to see a real pro going at it was a great treat for everyone. Carper really wowed the crowd when he broke out a chainsaw to cut out the outline. Other legendary shapers on hand for the demo were; Bill Stewart, Maurice Cole, Doc Lausch, Darren Handley, Pat Rawson, and local HB legend surfer/shaper Robert August. So as you can see this was quite a display of history, skill, and craftsmanship.

Not sure if I mentioned it but there were Half Naked Girls everywhere!! By the end of the event people were ready for more. The pros and spectators agreed that they can’t wait to see what will happen next year.

Reported by Grant Ramey
Pics by Jeff Holtby

Foam E-Z hits the Surfline US Open Party.

Wow!! You got to love summer in Huntington Beach, especially when the U.S. Open is in full swing. On Thursday July 23rd Surfline hosted their VIP party at their Huntington Beach offices overlooking the sprawling contest spread on the south side. Monster Energy drink and Corona were also their providing the beverages and the Monster Girls provided the hospitality and added to the scenery. The night started off with a good mellow vibe and escalated to a full on dance party courtesy of some rowdy pros in town and some awesome R&B from the early 90’s. Everyone had a great time mingling, checking out the luxurious Surfline office, and drinking…..a lot. All and all it was a great night out and a super fun crowd of surfers and surf fans from all over the world just letting loose.

Giant Squid in the House!

Reader Irena Guilmette sends us this picture of her husband John in the water today at Bolsa Chica State Beach Tower 18 with a Humboldt Squid found in the surf line. This squid was estimated to be about three feet in length and weighed about 15 to 20 pounds.

“My husband was surfing … when he noticed all the kids on the beach gathered around the squid. The squid was washing to shore, but still alive, my husband grabbed it to take to back to sea,” Irena writes.

These powerful and sometimes aggressive “jumbo” squid usually dwell in deep water (600-2,300 feet), but they’ve been making an appearance recently along the OC and San Diego County coasts. In a story on the phenomenon this week, the Orange County Register’s Pat Brennan noted that scientists who study the Humboldt squid say they appear periodically in large numbers off Southern California for reasons that still aren’t clear.

Beach Blogger Laylan Connelly reminds us that in 2005, about 1500 of these squid washed ashore on OC beaches in January of 2005.

Some attribute the Humboldts’ current near-shore activity to a recent earthquake, others say the squids’ appetite for grunion causes the creatures to be so close to shore. Whatever the cause, the big squid — with their barbed suckers, sharp beaks and aggressive ways — are back in the neighborhood.

SURFRIDER MOSAIC PROJECT!

Surfrider Foundation Teams With LEGOLAND California Resort for Celebrity Mosaic Project

LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA Resort and Surfrider foundation team up for celebrity mosaic project
Celebs Create Ocean-Themed LEGO® Mosaics to Raise Funds for Surfrider Foundation

CARLSBAD, Calif. (July 15, 2009) – SEA LIFE™ Aquarium turns one August 11th and LEGOLAND® California Resort is celebrating with the launch of the Celebrity Mosaic Project to benefit the Surfrider Foundation. Celebrities including Al Pacino, Brooke Shields, Heidi Klum, Jamie Lee Curtis, Peter Facinielli, Thomas Gibson, Tom DeLonge and Tony Hawk have built their own unique ocean-themed LEGO® mosaics that will be on display at LEGOLAND California Resort from August 11 to September 8, 2009 and as a listed auction on Charitybuzz.com with proceeds donated to the Surfrider Foundation.

“We are excited to be celebrating SEA LIFE Aquarium’s first birthday and partnering with them for the Celebrity Mosaic Project,” says Matt McClain, Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “Their idea to use unique celebrity mosaics as a creative way to educate the public about our fragile ocean and marine environments is fantastic and aligns perfectly with our mission.”

“It is exciting to see so many of today’s most popular celebrities come together to support Surfrider Foundation,” said Peter Ronchetti, General Manager of LEGOLAND California Resort. “What a fun tribute to the Aquarium’s first birthday! I may even be tempted to bid on a few of the mosaics myself.”

The Surfrider Foundation is one of the world’s largest non-profit organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of our oceans, waves and beaches. Now in its 25th year, the Foundation continues to carry out initiatives for clean water, free and open access, and the preservation of coastlines through its global grassroots networks made up of all types of ocean lovers.

Mosaics vary in theme from a mermaid created by Heidi Klum to a fish on a skateboard by Tony Hawk, a smiling sting ray by Thomas Gibson and a kissy-faced blowfish by Jamie Lee Curtis. Most of the celebrities recruited their children to help in the design and creation of their mosaics.

The online auction begins August 11 when the Mosaics are unveiled during a ceremony in SEA LIFE Aquarium’s Southern California Touch Pool. In addition, SEA LIFE is hosting a special Surfrider Foundation Weekend August 14 to 16 featuring a Surfrider Foundation-inspired craft for kids; a Surfrider Foundation education booth and a ticket offer for Surfrider Foundation Members. For more information, visit www.sealifeus.com , www.surfrider.org or www.charitybuzz.com .

###

About LEGOLAND California Resort
LEGOLAND® California Resort is the premiere California destination for families with young children and is home to both LEGOLAND® California, a 128-acre family theme park and SEA LIFE™, a two-story 36,000 square-foot interactive Aquarium. Both attractions are owned by Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world. For more information visit www.LEGOLAND.com .

About Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Now in its 25th year, the Surfrider Foundation has grown from a small group of dedicated surfers in Malibu, California to a global movement made up of over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide. For more information visit us at www.surfrider.org .

About CharityBuzz
Dedicated to helping charities prosper.
There is nothing more important than the work non-profits undertake. At charitybuzz, we believe that cause marketing can be both effective and trend setting. Our innovative auctions reach millions on a global basis. Our growing community of bidders are driven to do well, affluent, well educated, well informed and brand loyal.

Legendary Hobie Shaper, Terry Martin Shapes it up on video!

TSJ | POV - "Terry Martin and the perfect 40-minute board" from The Surfer's Journal on Vimeo.

This is a great viewing of legendary Hobie shaper Terry Martin shaping up a traditional longboard. He starts with a US Blanks 9-3Y as his canvas and works his Skil 100 planer over the blank. Those old planers just eat up the foam like no other.

Having started shaping wood as a lad in '50s San Diego, on through to shaping sleek Phil Edwards Models, to the now - where he finds himself an in-demand builder of boards of all denominations for Hobie- Terry Martin is the consummate craftsman. In this short video, Terry shapes a perfect traditional noserider, talking us through his philosophy and technique as he works.

Enjoy the video, we hope it provides some insight to your shaping experience.

Brad

ISD article in the Orange County Register

International Surfing Day

See who showed up for the 5th annual event

By LAYLAN CONNELLY

OrangeCounty.com

Sylvia Bybee looked in her plastic bag, listing the discoveries found on the sand at Bolsa Chica State Beach.

A rusty nail. A pair of tweezers. Plastic straws and lids. Oh, and a crusty dead fish.

"I was like, what is that?" she said of the barely recognizable fish skeleton. "Just nasty stuff."

Bybee's bag was one of many filled up on Saturday, as surfers came in from the water to clean up the coast for International Surfing Day, which was started five years ago by San Clemente-based Surfing Magazine and the Surfrider Foundation.

Check out photos for the event here.

"We all use the beach, we all use the water," said Tony Soriano, treasurer for the Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Surfrider chapter. "We should take care of it."

The day started when a group of co-workers took a day off early from work to grab a surf session and brainstormed about how they could give back.

"It's a day to consciously think about the lifestyle we get to live. It's a day to celebrate the sport," said Surfing Magazine Editor-in-Chief Travis Ferre.

Surfers have a natural connection to the environment, spending hours on any given day sitting in the water and waiting for waves. Often, plastic bags or trash float right next to them in the ocean.

"Everyone has the same interest - clean beaches and clean water," said Brad Nadell, of surf supply shop Foam E-Z, which had a booth at the event in Huntington Beach. "I think people just want to get more involved these days."

Johnny Ray Flores, 7, pulled a large, rusted street maintenance stand as big as him from the sand. Johnny and his sister, Natalie, dug it up from the Santa Ana River.

It read "City of Los Angeles."

"That must have been washed up from the ocean," said their father, John. "I was very surprised."

The Flores family - all dressed in wetsuits - resumed their hunt for junk throughout the morning.

"Look at her, she's determined," John said of Natalie, who was pulling hard on a blanket buried deep and stuck in the sand.

"Be careful, there might be something in there!" he called out to her.

International Surfing Day had a slow start, with 18 organized cleanups the first year it was held. By 2006, there were 40, and this year more than 100 beach cleanups were held around the world from as far away as South Africa and Europe.

Here in Orange County, three major gathering sites were at Bolsa Chica and Huntington state beaches and Salt Creek in Dana Point.

More major surf brands are getting involved with International Surfing Day as they have become more environmentally conscious. This year Quiksilver sponsored the cleanup at Bolsa Chica, Vans gave away bags of goodies down at the Santa Ana River mouth, and many smaller surf shops set up booths.

"I think it's cool that in five short years we're seeing more companies that are being a part of it," said pro surfer Matt Beacham. "It's something I think needed to happen for a long time."

Although the surf was lackluster and many surfers who showed up didn't even bother getting into the water, it wasn't a wasted day.

"We're all here for the right reasons - to raise awareness for the ocean, waves and beaches," said Vipe Desai, creator of Project Blue, a company that focuses on eco-friendly surf wear.

Despite drizzly weather, cloudy skies and wind-chopped waves, thousands of surfers turned up to do their part and pay respect to Mother Nature.

"Unfortunately, the weather isn't greatest, but the turnout is great. We're not going to let the rain stop us," said Alexis Henry, spokeswoman for the Surfrider Foundation.

Look what I found on International Surfing Day!

This was the big catch for the day! Can you believe what this
gentleman and his son reeled in? It appears these street road blocks
drifted all the way south to the OC. We had a great turnout today
despite the crummy weather. Look for a more detailed update in the
next few days.

Enjoy your ISD!

Brad

International Surfing Day!

Ever needed a legitimate excuse to go surfing? Well, on June 20, 2009 you finally have it, International Surfing Day. Created by Surfing Magazine five years ago, this unofficial, official surfers' holiday gives us a chance to promote and celebrate the sport while bringing awareness to the state of our oceans and beaches. The goal is simple, take the day off or at least part of the day to go out and catch a wave or three and... while you're at it...help cleanup your favorite beach. In conjunction with the Surfrider Foundation, Surfing Magazine will be organizing a a handful of official beach cleanups. If there isn't an official beach cleanup in your neighborhood don't let it stop you from beautifying your own stretch of sand!

What are you doing tomorrow for International Surfing Day Saturday 2009? We'll be down in Huntington State Beach (North Side of River Jetties) from 8am to 1pm, along with a number of other surfing enthusiasts! Come down and join us there will be plenty of swag given away, refreshments, surf music, sun, and fun.

Some of the participants setting up tomorrow are: Foam E-Z, Future Fins, Harbour Surfboards, Van's Shoes, Katin Surf Shop, Greek Surfboards, Surfline, Monster Energy Drinks, Surfing Magazine, The Sierra Club, and many more. So as you can see it will be a great day to kick off the summer.

Hope to see you there!

Brad

UV Resin Now in Stock at Foam E-Z!

We're now stocking the UV Cure Resin Lam/Sanding in quarts and pints and will soon have it available in gallons. The keys to this resin is that it has an unlimited working time therefore making it easy to conserve resin. Basically you apply indoors and when you've worked out all the bubbles or what have you just walk the board outside. It will harden in a matter of minutes!

Check out this short video for an example of a board being lammed with UV Cure Resin:



There are a few tricks so don't treat it exactly like the traditional MEKP catalyzed resin. Use a small amount of MEKP catalyst when applying your logo to the board. "Flash it" when hotcoating, this means to walk it out side for a minute then bring it back for the wax to rise, then bring it back outside to fully harden. This resin can be used directly from the can since UV resin hardens when exposed to sunlight therefore it doesn't need to be mixed. If no UV source is available MEKP Catalyst must be used to cure the resin. There more tips and full directions on the back of each can.

This stuff is the best for ding repair, you just can't beat the speed in which you can do a repair correctly.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

Brad

The Summer Newsletter is here with a 10% Off Coupon!

I found this little editorial by Hagan Kelley in a 2004 Surfing Magazine. It seems to sum it up pretty well for most people.

"I'VE NEVER SHAPED A SURFBOARD.
I did nearly learn to glass once--well, actually do ding repair-but only 'cause I was dead broke one winter, trying to live on the North Shore. Didn't take a week beign jerked behind that power sander before I quit. Not to mention The Walk-Oh brother, The Walk--dim-eyed and dusty each day to my lunchbreak under the big tree where I'd stare at Rocky Rights before being locked back inside for the afternoon. Boardmaking was not the job for me. The blue water told me so.


But that's still no excuse . Not for me. Not for anyone. Because whether or or not you make plowing foam your nine to five, we all have the same duty to shape at least one board in our lives.

It wouldn't take much at all. Probably just a hand saw, hand planer, Surform, and screen...a sanding block, a tape measure, plus a template or two. Slap a few fins on the counter with some resin and cloth. Put in a few priceless and patient hours and she'd be your baby. One you'd never be ashamed of, even in it's raw form, because it would be a part of you. It already is. A piece of blank expression hidden inside and itching to break out. Just like those pretty things we do on waves, the things we can see byt will never exist--until we finally stand up and make them."

Well hopefully that inspired you or at least gave you insight to why others build boards. Check out our summer newsletter "Shape In the Box, to Shape Out of the Box". Look for the 10% off Coupon at the end.

http://www.foamez.com/newsletters/2009-MAY-20.html

A Guided Tour Through Foam E-Z's Shop!

We put this video together to try to give everyone a better idea of what our shop looks and feels like. In addition, we wanted to put some faces with the voices and emails for the Guys at the shop (Grant and RadRob). Foam E-Z is housed in a 1200sq foot retail shop/warehouse here in North Orange County, Southern California.

Aloha Glassing is a large professional glass shop just adjacent to our shop that can meet all your glassing needs, if that's what you desire. There are a number of professional shapers (Minchinton, Bettis, Stamps, and more) making surfboards in our business complex and they are always more than courteous to give advice or answer some shaping questions. Ding Repair is another service available at our location.

So as you can see we are full service providing all the tools, materials, knowledge, and a professional shaping room to build your own board (B.Y.O.B.) all under one roof. For more information on the EZ Shaping Box view the video in the blog. If you decide that you only want to shape your own board (S.Y.O.B.) and want it professionally glassed we can provide that service for you right next door.

If you haven't been to our shop and are in the area please stop by and check us out. For all of you that haven't visited Foam E-Z, we hope the video tour gives you a good picture of our committment to providing the best in board building supplies that are available.

Look forward to seeing you soon-

Brad

Resin Research CE Surfboard Epoxy now in stock at Foam E-Z!

We have just added the Resin Research CE Surfboard Epoxy to our line. If you haven't heard of the CE Epoxy it is a new alternative to the RR 2000! The CE has a noticeable optical brightner (blueish color) similar to polyester resin and also has a UV inhibitor to help keep boards from yellowing. This Epoxy system was developed by Greg Loehr and has many benefits; is extremely easy to use, it dries harder than Polyester, it can be used on Polyurethane blanks, and is odorless.

Just like the RR 2000 you must mix at a 2 to 1 (epoxy to hardener) ratio, and mix thoroughly. The Resin Research 2100 Hardener is also used with the RR CE. The CE Epoxy comes in two sizes: quarts, gallons. Save money by buying Single Board Kits and Three Gallon Kits both come with enough Additive F.

Check it out. Let us know if you have any questions or feedback.

Thanks

The Guys at Foam E-Z

Video Footage of RadRob's board getting Glassed

After a couple of weeks of reorganization we all got together to finish RadRob's Quantum Quad that was shaped in the EZ Shaping Box by Tim Stamps . This time Tim invited us down to the Stamps Factory to do the glassing. Tim did the Future Fins installation, glassjob, and sanding while Brad from Foam E-Z did the Hot Coating. We wanted to crank the board out quick so we decided to use UV Resin to get this thing done. The UV Resin worked amazing and we got the board ready to sand within 2-1/2 hours!!! It was so cool, after each step of resin work we'd just walk outside and let it kick for 10-15 minutes and we were ready for the next step. The board came out amazing and light since the resin kicks so fast there isn't much time for the resin to soak in. Here's our YouTube version of the glassing and sanding experience from that afternoon.

Rob was stoked to get his new board and has been getting RAD on it ever since! Thanks again to Tim, RadRob and Kiri Kien from Perry's Pizza in Huntington Beach.

We Glassed RadRob's board!

We finally got our acts together and glassed the Quantum Quad Fish that was shaped in the EZ Shaping Box. The glassjob took place at Tim Stamps factory and we used UV catalyzed resin to do the board complete in 2-1/2 hours! It was a treat working with the UV resin but we almost ran out of sunlight. Here's what RadRob posted regarding the board:

"Recently Foam E-Z has been working on a project filming the shaping and glassing of a surfboard with Tim Stamps of Stamps Surfboards. The idea was to give everyone the unique opportunity to see a board shaped and glassed by a pro. The filming has gone great and we have already released the shaping video on YouTube, with the glassing video soon to come. There is another awesome result to all this; I got a radical new custom board from Stamps.The board is a 5'-8" x 20 3/4" x 2 1/4" Quantum- Quad Fish. I wanted to give a big thank you to Stamps, and everyone involved in the filming of the video. Stay tuned for the glassing video. "

We hope to have the glassing portion of the video out within a day or so. Stay tuned!

Thanks to Tim Stamps of www.SurfboardsbyStamps.com

NEW EZ CALIPER FOR 2009!!!!

We just received our order of the updated version of the EZ Caliper. It has been updated and improved for 2009! It is direct reading, resulting in one handed operation affording the shaper the opportunity to get a measurement instantly. Measure 0 to 7", the scales are computer generated to insure accuracy.

The EZ Caliper 09 is manufactured of high quality Baltic Birch plywood for lightweight, stability, and durability. The great thing is the new calipers didn't go up in price as a matter a fact they're 10% off while supplies last ($74.95).

Come by and check them out or call us with any questions.

Publish Post

Look forward to seeing you soon.

SHAPING BOX RENTAL PRICES

Here's the rates for renting "The BOX":

$30.00/board up to 3 hours *
$6.00 each additional 30 minutes *
$55.00 for entire day 11am-5pm (6 hours) *

*Starter Tool Kit included (David Top Plane, Spokeshave, 10.5" Surform, 5.5" Surform, Fred Tool, Hand Saw, HD Foam Shaping Block, C-Caliper, Tape Measure, Goggles)

Bring Your Own Tools or rent our Tool Kits! Rent the tools before you buy!

Available hours: Monday thru Friday 11am-5pm


Buy or Bring:
Dust Mask
Sand Screen
Sand Paper



Call 714.896.8233 or email Support@FoamEZ.com for for additional information or details.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

THE E-Z SHAPING BOX “Shape in the Box to think out of the box!”

We’re happy to announce that Foam E-Z is now offering a shaping facility to rent.

About two months ago, we purchased a 20ft high cube container with a shaping bay built inside of it. We completely refurbished the shape room with new electrical, paint, and added a Clark Foam Vacuum System that sits outside the bay. The room is equipped with 8ft fluorescent lights, shelves, vacuum system, fan ventilation, and professional style E-Z Shaping Racks (fixed to the floor). The room dimensions are 15'-5" long x 7’ wide x 8’ high. The Foam E-Z Shaping Box is a fully functional and professional shaping bay located directly behind Foam E-Z. It is completely insulated and ventilated helping it remain comfortable during your shaping experience.

We wanted to give the E-Z Shaping Box a good once over, so we invited Tim Stamps of www.SurfboardsbyStamps.com to give it a test drive. His goal was to hand shape RadRob, Foam E-Z star employee, a new 5-8 Quantum Quad Fish. “It’s the classic Twin Keel revved up a bit. I added more nose rocker, pulled the nose in, thinned out the rails, and of course added a Quad fin set up. Slight concave through the center with subtle double concaves running through the fins. This all adds up to a super fast, very positive board.”

Tim brought a few of his “special” tools and used some of ours in his attempt to make the room feel like home. He plugged his Skil 100 into our vacuum system and started mowing into a 6-2A US Blank (new red foam). After 2 hours of shaping and a 20 minute pizza break (thanks to Kiri at Perry’s Pizza) RadRob’s board was finished. Check out the video for the full experience.

Stamps says: “It was the next best thing to home! I give it a 5 out of 5 shakas.”

The shaping box is now available for anyone to rent. So if you’re sick of shaping in your garage, using your trash cans as racks, or if you’ve wanted to start shaping but don’t have a place to do it, we now have the answer for you. The “Box” is for rent by the board or by the day (Monday thru Friday 11-5pm) and comes complete with all the tools necessary to Shape Your Own Board (S.Y.O.B.). ***Additional tools available for rent. This is your chance to test out the tools before you buy them. Call 714.896.8233 or email Support@FoamEZ.com for more information. “Shape in the Box to think out of the box!”

Here's the rates for renting "The BOX":

$30.00/board up to 3 hours *

$6.00 each additional 30 minutes *

$55.00 for entire day 11am-5pm (6 hours) *

*Starter Tool Kit included (David Top Plane, Spokeshave, 10.5" Surform, 5.5" Surform, Fred Tool, Hand Saw, HD Foam Shaping Block, C-Caliper, Tape Measure, Goggles)

Bring Your Own Tools or rent our Tool Kits! Rent the tools before you buy!

Available hours: Monday thru Friday 11am-5pm

Buy or Bring:
Dust Mask
Sand Screen
Sand Paper

PaddleSurf.net Interview with Foam E-Z

We were totally stoked when the guys at PaddleSurf.net called us for an interview. Check it out below then go to their site to see what they're all about.

Are you harboring a secret shaper? Do you look at your board and just know you could do it better? Is there a radical, flying inverted vee-bottom, cross channel, static wing, stand up board that just needs the right hands to make it a reality?

What you need to do is get out there and make yourself your own board. And if you want to do it right- all you need to do is give the crew at Foam E-Z a call. We were able to corral Brad Nadell the ringleader at Foam E-Z for a little Q and A session. Here's what we got:

Paddlesurf.net: Hey Brad, introduce yourself to the folks out in cyberspace.

Brad Nadell: Hi, I'm Brad Nadell, owner/president of Foam E-Z the ORIGINAL One-Stop Surfboard Supply Shop!

P.net: I know you as part of the notorious HB/Seal crew- tell us about your surfing background.

B.N: I’ve been surfing on and off for more than thirty years (ouch). I grew up in Seal Beach, spending most of my early surfing years there.

P.net: Tell me about Foam E-Z, how did it come to be, what's the back story?

B.N: I started with a partner, Steve Adler, who owned the thriving glass shop The Surfboard Factory. Foam E-Z really happened out of necessity. Everyone in the HB (Huntington Beach) area needed foam and they needed to be able to get it quickly. Basically, they wanted to be able to drive up and buy blanks. Steve had both the space and the customers. He just needed someone to run the biz- that turned out to be me.

P.net: So was there a point when you got inspired to expand the business?

B.N: I wish I could say in 1993 I had one but I didn’t. At the time I was racing Mtn Bikes pretty seriously and the work schedule we set up fit perfectly with my race schedule. I was stoked. The early days were quite different than they are now though. Back then we sold foam primarily to professional board builders and had almost no tools for sale. As time went on we added tools, other materials, videos and books; the rest is history!

P.net: I assume you stock some products that are hard to get- specialized tools that you've got to hunt around for...

B.N: Probably the biggest logistical nightmare at Foam E-Z is trying to procure niche items- tools used only for shaping surfboards. A lot of our items are custom built for us so we have many different vendors that we have to coordinate with...

P.Net: So give me an example of something really cool that you guys stock that you basically can't get anywhere else...

B.N: Hmm… I think it’s gotta be the CF03Planer. That thing was specifically designed to build surfboards. There’s really no other place to get it.

P.net: So you started by selling foam only to professional shapers- things have changed now haven't they?

B.N: We definitely cater to the “home-builder” and first time hobbyist more now. We sell less foam but more of the peripheral stuff. The death of Clark foam affected us a little... about a difference of TEN THOUSAND blanks per year! I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to that number but we’ve reshaped our business plan to adapt with the ever changing situation in the surf industry.

P.Net: So let's get back to your customers. How would you describe your "standard customer"?

B.N: We sell to all ages, 12 to 75; pros to beginners; carpenters to chemists; so as you can see we don’t have a standard customer! There are guys that came to us way back in 1995 who were just learning to build boards. Some are still doing it, a few make them professionally. Here's a good one, in 1996 we were approached by a maximum security federal prison to buy product so their prisoners could make boards. I still to this day don’t understand how they let some of the tools we sent past the bars. More on this story in the future…

P.net: Have you ever sold supplies to an amateur shaper who later went big time?

B.N: Yeah, we’ve had a few guys go “big time”. It’s hard to define “big time” nowadays since it seems the only guys that are really “big time” are Merrick, Rusty, and Lost. But we have a number of guys decide to build boards for a living and I think that’s “big time”.

P.net: Any pro surfers come in for supplies?

B.N: Yeah, we get that all the time. Even pro surfers want to build their own boards now and then.

P.net: So what about us- the dark-side guys, the janitors, the sweepers. Do you sell stuff for stand up paddlers?

B.N: The only thing different about a stand up board is its shear size. We have specific stand up blanks, extra wide cloth, and all the other tools and supplies you need to make your own stand up board. The shaping tools you'll need are standard inventory at our shop.

P.net: So if I was interested in jumping in and shaping up my own board, what would be a good starting point?

B.N: Come down or call to get solid information. If you're just starting, ask a lot of questions from someone who knows what they're talking about- that's us. There is a ton of information on the web but not all of it is good. You can sift through it and you’ll probably come out with a decent understanding of the process.

P.net: What's the most common mistake you see backyard builders make the first time they decide to make a board?

B.N: Sometimes people jump right in and get all the “pro” tools. Really, you don’t need them unless you are going to stay with the hobby- and build lots of boards.

P.net: How about this one: A big concern with stand up paddlers is how to repair molded, Surftech style, boards when they get dings- do you have anything that specifically addresses that problem?

B.N: That’s tough since we try not to promote boards made overseas. We support boards made over here. So we don’t stock products to repair molded boards. Probably a bad business move- but we have to make a stand somewhere?!

P.net: Fair enough- when are we going to get you on a stand up board?

B.N: That’s a tough one. Actually I’ve been on one a few times but I can’t see myself owning one for a while. I have to make some room to house it. Luckily I know a few people who can loan me their prototypes!

P.Net: Alright Brad, thanks a bunch for your time. Why don't you give us your contact information- you never know, there might be some future SUP kingpins out there.

B.N: No problem- we've got everything you need to build it your own way. You can find us on the web at www.FoamEZ.com the physical location of our shop is 6455 Industry Way Westminster, Ca. 92683. Thanks a lot. Also, I want to mention the boys at the shop: Grant, Rob, and Mark are “The Guys” that make Foam E-Z do it’s thing- thanks guys!

P.net: Right on Brad- talk more soon!

Sheldrake's Cardboard Surfboard Cores!

Pretty cool stuff that Mike Sheldrake's up to. He's created a computer program that designs the surfboard cores out of cardboard. The CNC machine cuts the cardboard and it's all numbered and put together like a jigsaw puzzle. The trick now is to glass the board so the cloth doesn't droop between the hexagonal holes. Resin Research Epoxy has been used in the prototyping of these boards. We're stoked Mike purchases his resin and supplies from Foam E-Z. It's cool to be involved in such cutting edge technology. Check out his site for more cool information http://www.sheldrake.net/cardboards/ .

Cool Surfboard Shaping Video with Tim Stamps

Tim Stamps grew up in Seal Beach and learned his skills under the legendary Rich Harbour of Harbour Surfboards. Tim worked almost every job at Harbour until he finally became Rich's right hand man. After years of shaping at Harbour, Stamps moved on to work on his own label. Designing and customizing is Tim's specialty, shaping all types of surfboards is his niche. Since he is a one man operation, working out of Westminster (down the street from Foam E-Z), Tim is able to have the utmost of quality control. Tim has shaped boards for some of the best surfers in the world. Check out his website for more information www.surfboardsbystamps.com