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