Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. For those of you who have kids you know how lucky you are. Enjoy the day!

This photo is great. It shows the fearlessness a parent has. It was taken by my Dad, Robert M. Lewis, a photographer who grew up in San Diego and has a passion for documenting the beauty in our region. He has his own blog over at thesandiegophotoproject.blogspot.com. I recommend you check it out. It has some truly beautiful images of San Diego.

My entire life my Dad has been an inspiration to me. Drawing with me as a little guy and then helping me with writing assignments and art projects in college. He got me my first real camera and has been coaching me ever since.

He is also my copy editor for this site. You wouldn't know he is even involved but every post that goes out, he diligently edits out all my misspellings and points me in the right direction with sentence structure. I owe a great deal of thanks to him for that.

Here is to you Dad for all you have done for me in my life. Whether it was art, writing, girls, you name it you've been there for me.  I appreciate all the help and support with the things I've gotten passionate about in my life. It means the world to me.

Much Love, Ed

Bonzer Love'n - I Got It Bad

Had the fortune of stopping by Surfy Surfy today and decided to try out their board demo program. JP had been telling me he has REAL boards that he lets people demo. The same boards you see on his site. I've been a fish love'n man for sometime but there is something about the Bonzer that intrigues me so I gave it a go. 

JP suggested the 5'10" Bumble Bee three fin Bonzer. He said it would float me similar to my fish. He was right. It had all the volume I like and it was an easy transition form my board.

I took her out and was seriously blown away. It was wide and full like my fish but it has the ability to do these bottom turns and whitewash rebounds that I just don't do on my fish. It also had a gas peddle. It was really fast.

I even had those moments when you feel like Tom Curren doing a bottom turn. I haven't done a proper bottom turn, well ever, but it felt like I did. Of course I didn't look like him I just had my mouth open and that look in my eye like I suddenly knew what I was doing. I love those moments. You feel like super star. 

I am seriously sold. I'd like to properly test it for a couple more sessions but I could honestly see myself buying one of these. It felt like a great all around board.

My hat goes off to the Cambell Bro's for making a great board. Thanks to JP for the demo it opened my eyes to something new. Next time I want to try out Eli's Twin Pin!

Peace.

1975 Skip Frye 5'8" Fish

My friend Rick Scott is a long time knee boarder. He has been at it since the 70's. He and his brother collectively own an amazing collection of boards. We featured them here a while back. All fish and many vintage from when they were kids.

This beauty has been kept up in his brothers garage in Oregon for last couple of decades. Rick took it on to have it refurbished by Joe Roper.

The board is amazing with the penciled in logo and signature and the disappearing stringer. It's a beauty. We are hoping to get to ride her! Enjoy.

Gun Metal Grape Hand Plane

My buddy Scott Anderson gets serious dad points. He ran into us at Fiesta Del Sol with his son and started checking out the hand planes. I hadn't seen his son since he was a little guy so I asked what all surf dads ask... "are you surfing yet?" His response was that he was into BMX. My guess is that like most kids he doesn't want to be TOO much like the old man. Understandable for sure.

Well, turns out that he is into body surfing. So for the next three days straight Scott gets an ear full of how cool the hand planes are.  Now Scott being a big kid at heart couldn't resist. He grew up body surfing with McDonald's trays with the boys on Oahu. So he called us up and had us save one for  his son's birthday that week.

Now my hat comes off to you Scott because you are a genius. Not only did you hook him up with a great gift, you figured out the gateway board for him to be riding a fish one day. Supper smart. He'll be riding that bike still for sure, but now it will be to get him to the beach. I love it. Enjoy.

More Fins - Bereket 6 and Alia 4

 I love the kids art! Keep it coming.

Mexy Blanket Hand Plane

Kipp's latest glass job, the Mexican Blanket. You have no idea how many times we glass these things and say out load that we wish we had a full size board like this. This is no exception. This one's up for grabs. Barrel love'n, van drive'n, hippies please inquire.  She needs a good home with lots of time in the water. Contact us

$1 Fin From Tahiti by Philippe Lallut

"Hi, this is my first fin project, i am a surfer artist, graphic designer from Tahiti, i love California!!!i Aorana- Philippe "   


I love getting emails like this. The fin art project is a favorite of mine. You can't imagine how stoked I get when someone sends a fin in. I really get excited about bring people together and witnessing the creativity. When you get a chance checkout  the gallery of all that have been sent in.  It's fun to look through. There are some great ones. Enjoy.

Geeks.com Handplane

We did this one for our friends over at Geeks.com. For those of you who aren't familiar with them, they are a great business providing inexpensive computer parts to us computer geeks.

The great thing about their business, is not only that they provide fantastic pricing, but they are one of the first tech businesses that I have heard of who recycles and refurbishes computer parts and resells them.

You see a large part of their business is taking all those unwanted, excess computers and keeping them from the dump by refurbishing these computers and related parts and getting them back to store room quality. They will then resell the equipment to get it back into the tech food chain.

When I first got to see the company some 6 years ago, as a recycling nut, I was completely impressed by their business model. In an age of throwaway products they are the number one reseller of recycled tech products and on the first line of defense between the land fill and the proper reuse of computer parts.

They had us make this hand plane for them as they get what we are trying to do. They are supporters. They get that in every industry there is waste and the end to a life of a product. They also know that there are real ways to renew the life of the old products and clean up and reuse what's left over.

Thanks to the crew at Geeks.com for all the work they do to make the tech industry a cleaner place and for supporting us in our efforts to do what we can in the industry we love.

Do you want a super fun, recycled foam and neoprene hand plane? Contact us to order a custom one or to be put on our list when we send out what's available. Enjoy.

Micaiah Hardison

24"x48" November Swell. Oil on Canvas

15"x30" Hitting the Reef. Oil on Canvas

My friend Micaiah has been busy working on more paintings of our local seascapes. I'd hang the top one on my wall is a second. It just feels like home. Enjoy.

Enjoy Handplanes @ Surfy Surfy!

Yesterday was a big deal for Kipp and me. My friend JP at Surfy Surfy gave us the thumbs up and is now carrying our beloved handplanes. 

On a personal level it was a huge compliment to have a second generation glasser be impressed enough to carry them. JP doesn't carry crap, and every single product in his shop he believes in. So you can see why we are so stoked.

On another level it goes to show that mission to do something positive environmentally in the surf industry is actually working! People are loving them and we are now not only saving foam from broken boards and manufacturing waste, we are now recycling old wetsuits as well to make our handles. More on that later...

This project has been an education as well as just plain fun. We are really excited to see how far we can take this and to see what sort of difference we can make in an industry that we love so much.

Stay tuned to see what happens next. We can't wait to find out ourselves!

What I'm Watching - Little Black Wheels - Review

I've been taking my time with Little Black Wheels. I think that is what makes surf films so special. It isn't like the latest NetFlix movie you consumed in two hours and spit out never to watch again.  In an age of consumable media, the GOOD surf film is a rare exception to the rule. Instead of watching them once and moving on with your life, you take them in like a fine wine, sipping on them and savoring every flavor and feeling you get from it.

The good surf film is and always has been the way we get to re-experience as surfers what we do, how we look at the world and how we feel about what we are choosing to do with our lives. It's a way to reflect on the beauty and the stoke of what makes us get up in the morning.

Little Black Wheels to me is one of those surf films that is special. It gets better and better with time. It is one of those films that makes you feel great about choosing to spend your life in and around the water. It makes you connect with the special souls that bare themselves in the film and makes you get lost for a few moments of your day to feel completely stoked, inspired and ready to go find a right hander to do some turns on. 

The down and dirty of the film is that it is shot with style and a pure artistic eye. The surfing is great. Tons of soul and lots of barrels. Mick is like a painter with his images. Showing the value of detail in the world and the beauty of perspective. He combines it all with his knack to letting his cast tell their stores, surf their hearts out  and bare their souls for us to be inspired by what  they do is this world. 

The music in the film is down right great. I wish I had a sound track of this film.  I can't stop singing Beau Young's Horse Song. (You have to see it to get it.) Where can I get that CD?!

All and all its a must see. With soul surfing from Johnny Abbeg, Beau Young, Rasta, Kristian Spencer (Beard!), Jimmy McMillan  and a bunch of guys I've never even heard of but made me watch every turn and barrel with an open mouth and sparkle in my eye. It's also narrated in part by Mick's daughter Ruby who steels the show.

You can get it direct from Mick here 

I watched it so much I started taking stills for fun. Here's a few... 

There is always someone new in a film who sneaks up on me, shakes me up and makes me want to know more about them. In this film Kristian Spencer a.k.a. Beard was one of those guys who caught my attention. Beard is a barrel machine and a bad ass in my book. 

Johnny Abbeg and Sea Surfboards where two elements that make this film inspiring to me. Sea Surfboards is a resin tint love'n mans dream and Johnny is flawless in his soul surfing. Two segments that you won't want to miss.

Beau Young is and will always be a huge draw for me in Mick's films. His segment is great and learning about his profession as a children's song writer and singer was cool. The guy is talented for sure. How do I get that horse song?!

Dave Macaulay and his family was inspiring in that the whole lot of them surf. Dave was in the top 3 in the world in 1993 and he still rips. 

Jimmy McMillan was an inspiration. I won't spoil it but it's pretty remarkable he can even do this turn. 

Rasta is always one of my favorites. Seriously, what can you say, the guys just kills it with pure style on anything.

The movie is filled with details and perspectives that make the hard core photographer wish they were there to pull the trigger. It's filled with beauty from start to finish.

Ruby steals the show. 

5 months on the road with your pregnant wife, dog and little girl. Pretty amazing adventure.

These Things Are Art

Bob King sent me this photo of the handplane we made for him displayed proudly on his mantel next to his fine art collection. He keeps it there when it isn't in the water. I couldn't be more proud of this image. Rodney did a fantastic job of painting it up and it deserves to be there. These aren't toys honey... they're art! Love it. Enjoy!

Encinitas Environmental Day

Encinitas Environmental Day was a huge success. Everyone who put it on deserves a big round of applause.  I was at Fieste Del Sol the day before and I have to admit the vibe at EED was one of one big family. I was proud to be there. It just felt good to be with all my fellow compost love'n, organic garden'n, beach cleaning compadres. Our friends Anne & Kirk Fagergren, Jan Rogers, Rodney McCoubrey, Liz Novak and Corey Messer all get my respect for supporting the event and donating so much time to making it happen.  

Too much went on that day for me to recap so I put up a few photos of the places I spent the most time. 

The thing I had the most fun at was the recycled art project where our local Environmental Artist Rodney McCoubrey along with Beach Cleanup Guru Jan Rogers put on a creative workshop for event goers of all ages.  They, along with many supporters, organized this art project that took non-recyclable plasic objects like bottle tops and straws and had kids and adults alike put them together into amazing works of art in the form of garden creatures. It will be on display at the Encinitas Library soon.

I also couldn't come to EED without spending a lot of time with my daughter at the San Diego Zoo booth with Dr. Zoo Little, a fun and lovable animal lover who has a thing for scaring the life out of you with his hissing cockroach the size of a small mouse. He and his crew were really good with the kids and always fun to hang out with. 

The rest of the event was filled with music, poetry and lots booth hopping. I got to meet up with Tyler from Patagonia and even showed him our handplanes! He is down to try one out soon as he is a fellow Leucadia body wamper. 

Special thanks to all that attended and to the city for keeping this alive and well as a tribute to all that Bob Nanninga did for this city. We miss you Bob. We could feel you there.

(If you were there send me photos and we'll add them to the slide show. Photos added 6/8 by Rodney McCoubrey, PLEASE NOTE: If a photo of your or your family was added and you would like it taken off please contact us. Thank you.)

Jason Werbelow

My buddy Jason hurt his knee and surfing was aggravating it to the point that he now has to get surgery. 

To his surprise he found that bodysurfing didn't effect the knee as it was the twisting motion of the knee that was causing the issue. 

Jason dodged a serious bullet as it was looking like a few months minimum out the of the water. Now instead of his being land locked he has become one of my inspirations of how to have a blast while bodysurfing. He is getting really good and enjoying every moment.  

Thanks for sending in the shots Jason, it's been really rewarding to see you getting so good and having so much fun with your handplane and GoPro!

Keep it up!

We have been getting a lot of inquires about where to get your own. Feel free to contact us  if you want one of these little recycled foam and glass wonders. We're making them as fast as we can and have been so stoked to see them go to good barrel love'n owners! If you have one send us shots of you as well, please, as we love seeing the fun people are having. Enjoy.

Swell Stuff Surfboard Swap

Our friend Lisa from Swell Stuff is having a surfboard swap next weekend. Come check it out. Sell it, swap it, show of your quiver! See you there.

We'll be at Fiesta Del Sol Saturday - With Fin Tees and Hand Planes

Kipp and I will be at Fiesta Del Sola tomorrow June 5th. Look for us there and checkout the hand planes we've been making and the TLP Fin Tees we made. 

Hope to see you there.

Get info at there website 

Love'n My Vipers

Our good friend Bobby Beathard is a world champion bodysurfer. He is in his 70's and yet he is one of the best in the world. In fact you'll see him this year again at the world championship body surfing contest at Oceanside this summer. Poised and ready to take yet another win.

Bobby is always stoked to be in the water and talk to you about whatever is turning your glide on. For all the years I've known him I was never much of a bodysurfer. So when I started this project with the hand planes he took me aside and gave me some pointers. The first thing he told me was to go get some Vipers. So I did.

It's been a month now with the new fins and I couldn't be more stoked. They are more ridged then my last set of fins and have a great set up with neoprene on the inside top of the fin that keeps my feet from getting messed up. All and all a great setup and I'm catching more waves with my new found power.

If you are starting to bodysurf yourself then I pass on the same advice.

If you need a set I got mine at Falcon's body Board shop right here in Leucadia. Good to support your local shops. Justin is a great guy and he'll hook you up with all sorts of advise. www.falconsbodyboardshop.com/

If you buy some from him give us your box and we'll give you a wax buddy. We are reusing them to ship hand planes in!


Thank you Bobby for being such a great friend and influence all these years. We really appreciate it!

Encinitas Environmental Day Sunday June 6th

www.eeday.org 

See everyone there. Lots of cool things happening.

Great work to Jamie and Tak for the poster!!!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Here's some red, white and blue resin tent goodness to get you in the holiday spirit. These little beauties' are fresh from Kipp's garage shaping and glassing factory.  Apparently Kipp was feeling a bit patriotic when he glassed these. These two are from the new collaboration between he and I. I shape, he glasses and we both have more fun than we can stand. All while helping out the planet!

For those of you who have been following our handplane shenanigans, we have saved 7 boards form the landfill so far.  From that we have made or will make a few dozen new handplanes that will reenter the world to bring fun and stoke to their new owners. 

We have also discovered a whole new category of "Manufacturing Waste" that comes when a blank is broken or damaged while machine shaping. Next week we will meet with one of the largest machine companies and see what we can do to help save their manufacturing waste from the land fills.  

This project has opened our eyes to new possibilities, partnerships and plain old fun. If you know of any manufacturing waste that goes on in the surf industry or have broken boards that you would like to donate please contact us. We'd love to hear from you. Enjoy.

Little Black Wheels Has Arrived

I was so stoked to get my copy of Little Black Wheels by Mick Waters in the mail. I have been waiting over a year to see this film. It's his follow up to his classic Believe.

I got mine direct from Mick and he not only signed it but he was so cool as to have Beau Young, Rasta and Johnny Abbeg all sign it as well! So stoked. My copy is 120 out of 1000 limited edition signed sets. You can get one from Mick's site at www.littlehouseproductions.com.au.

I'll spend the next week with it to view it a dozen times or so and write up a review.  Of course I already watched it twice and it is an amazing film. More to come later.

Devon Holloway

Here's our new friend Devon. She is a surfer, world traveler and soon to be hand planer. She is gearing up for a surf/boat trip to the Channel Islands with her fiancée and will be filming the adventure via a GoPro. She has promised to share when she gets back.

Check out her site www.themermaidchronicle.com it has a ton of shots from her travels and a really cool video she made about our neighborhood.

Enjoy.

Ryan Shatto

This is a great shot by Justin Outten of local surfer and businessman Ryan Shatto. Ryan is a second generation Leuciada business owner and runs the 35 year old Shatto and Sons Tee Shirt Shop. Ryan is a great guy and helped us out when we did our TLP tees. Check out his shop (Next to Mozy's and La Especial Norte) and if you are a local and need tees made for your business give Ryan a shout. He'll hook you up.

www.shattoandsons.com