VINTAGE MINI PLANK

Just spotted this amazing wooden surfboard at Astoria's Green Room gallery. It's 3'11" tall and circa 1950. You can buy it HERE for $550...

Early Alaia Shredders: Oregon, 1915

The wooden plank's making a comeback, but we should all take a moment to honor those hardcore pioneers of the Oregon surf scene who appreciated the natural trim of a pine slat almost 100 years ago. Alaias weren't so spendy back then. All you had to do was stop by the local coffin maker's and buy a lid for a few bucks. Then you could customize it with a few pseudo-Native American words (blow up photo) and even add a little lip to the nose if you had issues with pearling. And as you can see, these guys were way ahead of Patagonia in understanding the importance of wool in their choice of short-john material.

What are you all standing around for? It's low tide and Gas Chambers is pumping!

Dad's Pad

My dad was thumbing through this Leroy Grannis photography book on my coffee table when he came across the picture above: A 1967 shot of his fraternity house on the strand in Hermosa Beach. Though he was living there at the time, he can't identify the dude out front. I've never been much for frats, I think I might be more inclined to pledge in the '60s at LMU, considering the fringe benefits above.

The Second Coming

The timing couldn't be better. Around the New Year I rented Stylemasters from Netflix and all my friends who came to town for the holidays (surfers and land-lovers alike) were addicted to it after a few late night screenings. Phrases like "Just you and your bros, getting tubed," and "Perfect V-land," were being thrown around with abandon at inappropriate times - like shortly before OS was escorted out of Sassy's in a headlock...

Now, on the eve before the very same crew of revelers from NY and LA land in the Pacific Northwest again, I find out that Stylemasters 2 is available on DVD. Shoots, brah, I need to pick up a copy...

Style Council - Shout to the Top

Logo a Go Go

I just discovered a cool website that has a library of old surfboard logos. You could kill hours here examining classic old laminates, finding your friends' names, or making a collage of every kind of stick you've ever owned. Check it out at Stanley's Surf Gear.

The Kinks - Holiday in Waikiki