Rain is snow for the Sierra

It has been raining all day. All the culverts are full, a flash flood warning is in effect and I know its just dumping in Tahoe. Right now my shop floor is soaked, time to build a better floor. Its to wet to do any work with polyester resin and fiberglass, so tomorrow is another day. Sierra at Tahoe, has had over 200" of snow so far this season, I believe it will be a record breaker, and top 600". I could be wrong, and I could be right. It doesn't matter that much because once you reach a certain point, the reward is just another powder day.

Maverick's could happen, we have a meeting on the 27th of December to go over logistics, maybe it will happen this year. Can't wait to get back to the snow.

Its not the end of the world

December 21, 2012

Super-8

Its not the end of the world as we know it as far as I can tell.

Considering how much fun I had over the past couple of days playing in the snow, if this is a new beginning I am ready.

Tahoe has terrific snow, we got to ride at Sierra at Tahoe on Wednesday, we drove to Placerville on Tuesday afternoon and stayed a in the studio next to Old Oaky, the tree is over 350 years old and probably the largest valley oak in the state of California, "Querqus Lobata".

Wednesday morning a casual drive to the mountain and we found Sierra with awesome coverage. My daughter Jenny, decided that she wants to learn snowboarding, already an accomplished skier, she toughed out her first day snowboarding and wants to get good at it. Time to get her some new gear.



1850 Broadway

We left our friends at Sierra and headed into South Lake Tahoe for a visit at "Super-8" its a budget motel but the rooms are ok and the price is right. Thursday, it was time to ride the Heavenly gondola, the California side was mellow and the conditions were terrific, bluebird skies and no crowds. Traveling back to home is always the hard part but traffic moved right along and soon we found ourselves back where we started. Each time I visit the mountains, a part of me gets stuck there, so I figure if I go enough, pretty soon I will just have to stay.

Jeff, Anne and Jenny

Snurfari 2012-2013

I'm going to go and start it, as soon as I finish what I am currently doing. That sounds like something you should say at the start of something big.

I guess what I really mean is, don't worry so much about everything and look to the simple things, to reduce stress, eliminate anxiety and relax.

In the near term though I have five molds prepared for new layups. Serial #"s 75 thru 80. Get out and go snurf.

And I found out I will be building the television and webcast staging for the Mavericks Surf event. It will feel good to go back there again.  JG

its the new season of 2012- 2013

I guess it's time, I must have been working on other stuff, but it's time to get back to what is important. The new season leads me in with two followers, one of them is me an the other one is snowsurfing, inc. You know what, I don't care, the season is upon us and as of most recent reports the Sierra's have recieved upwards of 30 inches of snow as of 10/24/12. Snurfing conditions are at their best. I think a Snurfari is in order and the first order is to get to basecamp in Placerville, the move on to the California Snowparks. It is only a $25 per season pass for the snowparks and if you have a truck camper you can camp overnite, one of the best deals going for overnite camping. This year I intend to visit most of the parks and map out the best "snurfing' locations. I will be having fun and if you are lucky enough to follow this blog, you may get a chance to ride some of my boards. I have built 30 demos and intend to ride every one.

JG

Rip Tom sims

Dog days of summer

Here we are in the dog days of summer, its as hot in the USA as it has ever been, its winter in Antartica, and I am traveling to the east coast next weekend for 10 days. We read about how tough it is out there, no work, no jobs, foreclosures and how people are having a tough time. Can action sports make a difference, create opportunities where none existed before. If you consider how many people have jobs and careers as a result of innovation and innovators, what we do today will make a difference tomorrow. As I move into another round of production, I am always looking forward to ways I can build a better board, some of the ideas work and some don't. My work, more like Artwork, is ecclectic and unique but has a common thread in that the goal is to create something that people can have fun with. That said. Wheres the next job?

Surfing and Riding new boards

It's been a great week, we spent five days surfing at the San Onofre Beach Park in San Clemente, there were six of us in the group. We had so much fun, the only part I could do without is the 1000 miles of driving. We only suffered one breakdown of the truck, which turned out to be relatively minor, although at the time is seemed like the truck was destined for the scrap heap. We made it home.

During that time I got a great message from my friend Louis Lafornier, he as a new board and it is getting great reviews. I rode this board and it is exactly what I need riding forward.  I would not have another board, this one will allow me to ride until I am am 110. 

http://www.angrysnowboarder.com/2013-best-new-board-technology/

July is almost halfway done, August, September and it will be snowing in October. I want to be ready but there is much to do. I am still in mold making, looks like limited production for the upcoming season. Being one of the only made in the USA snurfboard shops, I am proud of what I am doing. As I've mentioned in earlier posts, get your order in today and I will put you on the list of boards to be built. $300 plus shipping.
JG

Mold making

Artic Berdimurat Snurfing Stowe, Vermont. 1977

Well here we are almost to the middle of July 2012 and I have been spending my extra time building the next generation of molds for my boards. Unstead of using concrete, I have moved over to fibreglass and gel coats to create a lighter weight, stronger mold. Its alot of work sanding, waxing and making things pretty much perfect. I have two molds I am focused on, mainly my new kids model board. The final product should weight about 2 pounds and be super strong and expecially fun for kids old enough to walk. If they can't ride standing they can ride sitting. If all goes as planned, I will hold a series of demo tour events as part of the "Snowsurfing Tour of America (SSTA). Hope we can make it to a hill near you, we plan to arrive at each demo with 30 boards for all to enjoy.

Arrgh.
I hate it when I go to post something, try and add the new photo and then get an error and loose the message and the photo at the same time. Since there aren't any followers on this blog it doesn't really matter what I do. All I know is that the boards are getting better, we are shifting our focus to kids boards, the new 42" american standard will give your kids a great platform to learn how to shred without all the hastle of modern snowboarding equipment, face it, I love the Highback, It was my claim to fame in snowboarding, but "Snurfing is the essence of surfing on snow" and until you've tried it you can't really claim snowboarding.

JG 06/2/12

There is no doubt in my mind that the sport of "Snurfing" will become a sensation for young and old alike, it is just to much fun. As the days of summer are upon us I have continued moving my project along, by building new molds, creating new designs and getting boards out there to friends and family. I've been told that until I have a distribution network set up, my little factory just won't grow. I believe this to be true, and up to this point my work has been focused on the design, prototypes, demo boards, seeding boards to friends and family and developing a system for having new boards made. I feel successful and happy with my progress. I believe that the 2012-2013 season will help me deliver the marketing materials that I need to make this project kick into gear. I plan to launch a demo tour, four different designs and make a movie. That said, I had better get to work. We will see how things turn out and maybe this year someone will discover my blog. JG

I was reading an article this morning about how facebook is creating a huge new side industry, the likes of Ebay, Amazon, priceline. With 900,000,000 members that a pretty huge market. Apparently, there are a number of new startups in the Silicon Valley taking advantage of what we weren't even thinking about. So the moral here is if you want to buy a Grellboard, you might as well order it online from Snurfari. Buy a Grellboard for next season. Limited quantities of original Grell laminated boards by JG himself. I really like building boards that don't need highbacks since I designed the original highback in the first place. Snurfing will revolutionize regional and urban snowsurfing. Resorts interested in "Snurfing" should contact us about the Grellboard demo tour 2012-13. Three models, 3.0 Grom, 4.5 Us, 5.0,  custom order.  Roxy is guarding our boards awaiting the right home.

Latest adventures, if you were following this blog, you would know that we just helped to produce the American Pro Surfing Series (APSS) in Huntington Beach, the next event is scheduled for September 20-26th, more to come on that later. In the meantime, Mike Troppman has been sending photos from all the powder he was snurfing this week in Colorado, how great is it to be the only one getting fresh tracks because you have the adventurous sense of a Snowsurfer. Order your board now. Jeff

't want

JG

Sometimes you have to mix things up. Last week I had a chance to help out a good friend and launched the American Pro Surfing Series, they have put together a great program and are giving American pro surfers new opportunities to compete and get exposure. If you have a moment go visit their website it is really impressive at www.americanprosurfingseries.com

So I get to play in surf and snurf. It doesn't matter to me, I love both sports and really enjoy seeing a good project come together. I am looking forward to the next event in September and again in October then we are back into winter and that looks good to. There is a good chance that I will go back to the snow and be helping to put together a new winter snowboarding project and will include a snurfing element into the mix. We have reached board #78 and I expect to reach #100 soon.We have a new kids model board that I would have loved to have had as a kid. My theory is to build the things I love and then to share them with a new generation. If kids can have as much fun as I did Snurfing, they will cherish these boards.

Until next time. Surf, snurf, shred, ride or do whatever you love. JG

It has to be a pattern of sorts, I load up the truck on Tuesday, drive to Placerville, work on the house until its late cleaning and whatever I can get my hands on. Spend the next day fixing the roof where the Old Oak dropped a limb and somehow managed to put it all back together. I got to go visit my friends at the building department and find that they are just a grumpy as ever, its sad that public servants have to be so happy making homeowners unhappy. Anyway that is a work in progress. I decided a while back that I have to make time for myself on these work trips so I did, I got to go snowboarding at Sierra at Tahoe while the snow was still cold and groomed, it lasted until around 1 pm then got really sticky. The temperatures high and the snow is saturated with meltwater. I had an appointment in South Lake Tahoe, but decide that it would be a good idea to go Snurfing at the Echo Summit Snow Park, its mello and there are a variety of short pitches to make turns. I never regret taking time to snurf, the exercise, the time to get out into the mountains and take a couple of photos.

I was doing pickup at my local mexican resturant and ran into a few of my neighbors and friends. One thing led to another and we were talking about snowboarding. I mentioned some of the things that I have done for the sport and they were completely unaware. A few of their friends were with them and with the mention of Highback, Pro snowboarding, etc..... they became really interested.  Which brings me back to my cover photo, eight snowboarders who made a difference. Maybe I can find a writer that would be willing to take on the challenge of getting to the bottom of each of the snowboarders in the photo.

Photos are great because they give you a perspective of the people around you. I understand that these young men were Sophmores in high school when this photo was taken. They are Seniors now and graduate in June. I hope that I was able to make an impression on their lives with my boards. Should be fun to see how it all works out. 2012 has been a great late season. Can't wait to get back out for my next snurfing session.

We just had a great couple of days in the Sierra's. The snow was terrific and their conditions are excellent. March and April have been good snow months and we are happy for all the snow and water. If you have a chance to go ride at Sierra at Tahoe, they do an awesome job, have great terrain and this has been a tough season with a wacky winter.

As you follow this blog you will get to know more and more about the "Secretive 'Shredman' ". All of the illustrations are copyright by Jay Grell. Until next time have fun and we will keep building boards, if you are interested in a handmade grellboard, we have three models, kids 40, adults 52, and custom 58 all sizing in american standard inches.
JG

We realize that you need more "Shredman" so here we go.

"OK GENTS...I KEW WE'D COME TO THIS SOONER OR LATER SO...

ONE OF YOU DO THE HONORS AND PULL THE CORD AND STAND BACK!

TO BE CONTINUED..."

Another in the series of original "Shredman" illustrations. Copyright by Jay Grell, these drawings were done in 1988 with some illustrations as early as 1976,

In life we find friends that become dear to us and inspire us to do great things, I was lucky enought to meet Steve Klassen while running the Professional Snowboarding Tour of America (PSTA). Steve competed at all of the stops and ended up winning the overall tour championships. Now he spends his extra time with his son Kaden who is going to become a world class snowboarder. What I like most about Steve is that he is genuine and truly loves the sport and cares for the people he meets and is one of my life friends.

From time to time

From time to time we find ourselves in incredible places with extraordinary vista's. The Sierra's are like that, one day is so different from the next and you have to enjoy all the moods of the mountain. If you live there the experience is muted by all the stuff you have to do to make a living and take care of your family, its easy to loose that. If you don't live there, you miss it all the time and  want to return as soon as you can, that's a challenge to. What it means is savor the time you get to spend in those incredible places and really take time to spend with your family. Those mountains will be there with or without snow and with or without you.

 I did go snurfing that weekend and it was good, my new kids boards are a success.

Wonderful snowstorm

Incredible snowstorm for the Sierras over the weekend of March 17th. By monday the new snow was really light and it was a beautiful day to be on the mountain.

Tahoe, March 18, 2012

Taking time to go snurfing with friends is always a great reward. The new kids board are a success.

If you surf, you should have a snowsurfboard, Snowsurfing, Inc. is building handmade boards that compliment your quiver. If you are interested in a board or a custom made stick. Just let us know by posting a comment on the blog. JG

A good day in the Sierra's is much like a good day at the beach. The got over 4 feet of new snow and it was one of the best days ever and the best day of this season. We are really excited for the launch of the American Pro Surfing Series (APSS). I am sure it will be as good as the day I just had riding powder at Sierra Tahoe. More to come on this.
JG

Back in 1983-84 I came up with what I called the Hy-Bak, it was the first design that would later become the infamous "Highback", I'm not sure how many millions of them have been made by now but I do know that this is where it started. JG

Deep in the heart of this Savage land

High Sierra Mammoth and June Mountain

Once and a while you just have to do it, it was a thursday evening, I was hankering for some time on the snow. The Snowboard Grand Prix was going to Mammoth and I heard the weather was bad for the event and was delayed. I contacted the Technical Delegate and aske if he needed help, without hesitation I was buying a plan ticket to Mammoth. Upon arrival was brought directly to the mountain, checked in and got my credentials including the lift pass I need to access the event. Upon finding and meeting the TD, we decided that there was little for me to do, as an official I inspected the venues, checked for safety, watched the training, qualifying and final runs. The event was pretty much seamless, Friday was the longest day and the race committee did a great job. It was really fun to visit my old stomping grounds and ride with Steve Klassen, one of the best friends you could ever have. He took me to runs on Mammoth that were a real challenge and breathtaking. What a great time at Mammoth. The trip didn't end there, we decided to go Snurfing at June Mountain, we loaded up 8 boards, rode up to the main lodge and set up at a table with all our boards.  The weather was incredible,  we checked the temperature at 2 pm and it was 55 degrees in the shade. the snow was a mixed variety, following a storm 3 days earlier. We set off to the lift and thought history would be made again as the lift attendant said "those boards aren't allowed here" Ching.....
Snurfing is legitimately the sport the resorts will treat like the did to snowboards, the attendant called his supervisor and we were on our way, the main requirement is that the boards have a leash and we had already taken care of that. Up and away, lift serviced snurfing. The truth is if you have the determination, the boards performed beyond our expectations, traversing, fall line carving, trees, catwalks, and the thrill of your life on a board with no bindings. Order your board from Wave Rave Snowboard Shop in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Have a great time. JG

Jenny Grell Snurfing two trees at Sonora Pass, June 2011.

Before long we will be into the true stories of Shredman. more to come in his exciting advetures.

Now we never said that Shredman was innocent, quite the contrary. He call's it like it is and adds a bit of color to his description of the world he lives in.

Its 70 degrees here in Corralitos and this high pressure system that has been dominating the west coast is strengthening again. We have offshore winds and the sky is so clear you can see a hundred miles. Certainly the weather isn't anything to complain about, but then we have had do little rain and the Sierra snowpack is as thin as its ever been for this time of year. Roll back to 1978, Doug Olson and I packed up our bags and moved to Aspen, Colorado. This photo of Doug was taken in October 1978, snurfing in Mountain Boy Gulch. That was an epic season, it just started snowing and didn't stop, it was truly one of the best snow years.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/422668_378093982219086_100000554629059_1416501_545449197_n.jpg

Don't get me wrong, I love snowboarding, the access, the speed and control, unfortunately that is getting to be an expensive ride. If you live at a resort and have easy access to the slopes, cherish that and never give it up. If you don't live at a resort, you do whatever you can to have your time on the slopes and that is the challlenge and with $5 gas its going to get expensive to hit the slopes. So in the meantime we look for alternatives to the snowsporting life and Snurfing has always been a backup plan for me. All you need is a few inches of snow and a yard with a hill and of course your board. We made these tracks in front of the Strawberry lodge the day before heading up to the mountain..

We just got back last nite from Tahoe, two days at Sierra and one day Snurfing at Echo Summit. 710 miles of driving round trip. 14 high school seniors, 4 parents and only 3 stitches. The snow was terrific at Sierra at Tahoe, looking forward to our next trip. Hoping eventually we get some of the snow that the northwest and rockies are seeing, its still fun. get out there.

"We could do a surfin" bit"

Not to mention we are doing all these things, life is good.

We figured we would start with the media. Get the old stuff out there. Slowly introduce Shredman to the masses. Anything is possible.

Is this how it all begins?

My brother Jay is an incredible illustrator. Back in the 1980's he developed an illustrated series called "Shredman". There are many great drawings and we plan to launch a line of t-shirts showcasing his work. If you see one out there buy it.

Members of the board; "Pioneers of Shred"

It was monday, January 22 and Kevin Delaney and I are on our way to the Airport in San Francisco. We have a destination, Aspen, Colorado where we were invited to participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Historical Society. We arrived in Aspen to an awaiting limo which in turn brought us to our hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain. They were having a party for us and we had a great time. Monday ended up being a rather long day, catching up with friends, enjoying the town. tuesday morning and I awake at 5:30 am, it has snowed overnite and there appears to be 3-4 inches of new snow. I break out my boards and head to the bottom of Ajax, I snurf in the dark until the sun rises and continue on until things start to get busy. I have an interview at the top of the mountain at 8am and have to ride the gondola to the top. I change equipment and now have my snowboard. Mike Troppman and Melinda Armani are the first to join me for a snurf, I think they are hooked. The day progresses and we soon have our group together, Kevin, myself, Larry Madden, Susan, Chris Tribble, Chris Klug, Kevin Decarlo, and its up and await to snowboard on Aspen Mountain. It was a great powder, with the new fresh on top of previous storms. Fully satisfied, we end our day and prepare for the evenings event at the Wheeler opera house, Pioneers of Shred. Moderated by Chris Klug and Travis McClain. We toured our history of snowboarding in the Roaring Fork Valley. It will go down as a historic event. Thank to the aspen historical society for being our host.

JG