Sunday, January 27, 2013

What the latest

I managed to cut out 8 blanks yesterday and shape them as well. Today I added the grip deck to seven of them. I've been sending out boards faster than I can  build them, its still a trickle but I sense a growing demand and am working to make a plan to satisfy the "snurfing" world. Its a sport independent of snowboarding, skiing, sleds and all the rest of the stuff you find sliding on snow. Snurfing is a respectable, honorable, decent sport and it will give you a workout, like you need.
Here is the before prep to the grip deck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOhQNJtcEiQ

Here is a link I just posted about applying the  grip surface. These are the baby steps. alot more to come. JG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QJy9p24DRY

Friday, January 18, 2013

Friends

I look at the photo taken back in the day at Park City, Utah and realize that I am still good friends with some of these people. I correspond with Chris Karol, just talked to Steve Link, consulted with Terry Kidwell, read a message from Bud Fawcett, watched Bob Klein's career in sports, as for the rest of you, I know your out there and it will be a fun day when we get to catch up, preferably on the slopes. JG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yRHMzOPfR0&feature=player_detailpage

Friday, January 4, 2013

Its not the end of the world

Welcome to the new year of 2013.
I think its starting out ok, I managed to ship boards to Mammoth Lakes, Connecticut, Washington State and have been working on building more. The orders are slow, but then building boards is a slow process. I've worked out preliminary pricing, a G42 is $175, a G48 is $225, all the custom boards above the G48 start at $300 and go up from there. I've been checking out other brands of boards and it seems everyone is trying to drill the consumer for alot more money for their boards. Maybe, I should just price my boards really expensive, would that get more attention? I figure marketing is the key and that I am working on. If someone ordered 1000 boards tomorrow and wants them the day after, well its not going to happen like that. I figure since I am probably the one of the only shops in the country building boards they way I build them its a unique thing. More like a work of art than a functional snowsurfing tool. Regardless, I have reached the pivotal #100 boards mark and have gotten at least 70 boards out there. If you are one of the riders who have one, maybe if you hold onto it, when I'm dead it will be worth something. Unfortunately for you, I don't plan on being dead for along time, so in the meantime get out there and go "Snurfing". If Sherman Poppen could convince Brunswick to build him 500,000 snurfers back in the 1960's, maybe there is hope for my project. Time and perserverence will tell. And for the one other person who reads my blog, thanks Kevin. Your support over the years means alot to me. JG

Sunday, December 23, 2012

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.

Friday, December 21, 2012

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

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

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

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

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