SURFER Magazine Surf News, Fantasy Surfer, Photos, Video and Forecasting

I'm constantly amazed at the flak that Surftech boards get from many surfers, and up until a few days ago I thought it was all misplaced. I'm sure many of you have had the realization that I had a few days ago a long time ago, but hey, maybe I'm a little slow.

I really don't think that the animosity towards popouts has anything to do with the fact that they're not custom, nor the fact that they're made by asians overseas. Some people attribute the widespread hatred towards popouts to one of these things, but I think that the real reason that most of us are anti-surftech goes a little deeper than that.

It couldn't (justifiably) be due to the fact that popouts aren't custom boards. Sure, they're mass-produced, and not built for a specific surfer. But neither are any of the other boards on surf shop racks. If you want to base your animosity towards popouts on this foundation, you must also direct it towards stock boards from your local shaper.

It also has nothing to do with asians making them. There are many asian shapers who make great custom boards overseas, and don't receive the "dissing" that surftech gets. If your hostility towards popouts is based on the fact that they're made overseas, then you should also be directing your "dissing" towards Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, and Thai shapers.

I think that the disapproval most of us voice over the proliferation of popouts in the lineup is a result of the fact that they threaten many of the things we love about surfing. Surfing is more than just getting waves. It's the excitement of getting a custom board. It's the smell of polyester resin when you're fixing a ding. It's checking out your local shaper's new design. Need I go on? You all know that the reasons you love surfing go beyond the actual act of riding a wave.

Popouts strike at the heart of many of the things that we love about surfing. Boardbuilding is no longer a hands-on experience. It's done by non-surfers in a factory setting, instead of by someone who's passionate about surfing. Popouts rob surfers of many of the simple pleasures of surfing.

It's like taking the smell of freshly cut grass and hot dogs out of a baseball stadium would be to the baseball fan. Sure, you still get to watch a good baseball game, but it's not the same.

I could also compare it to telling a fisherman that he's only going to be able to go on guided fishing expeditions from now on, and only on specified lakes. Sure he still gets to fish, but it's just not the same.

Now, thankfully us surfers can "opt-out". Popouts are by no means the rule. But, they do have their place. I've had the same Santa Cruz surftech board for nearly two years, and I've only had to do two small repairs. It's the first board that I have been able to keep in good condition for more than one year. It's just so tough...you can't beat it in terms of durability. I am glad that I own it.

BUT...I still really enjoy browsing this Design Forum, and I intend to buy a custom board sometime in the next few months. I enjoy going into surf shops and looking over their stock shapes. Popouts will NEVER be able to replace the enjoyment I get from these things. Surftech does have its place, though.

Don't panic too much about surfboards going the way of the popout. There's just too much demand, and love, for the custom board. Custom shapers set the curve; they're the ones that are out trying new shapes, not Surftech.

And in some ways, Surftech has really pushed the custom shaper to do better. Many of us are no longer satisfied with the dismal durability record that pu/pe boards currently have. I think that epoxy pvc sandwich boards have really put some pressure on the custom shaper to advance in the materials he's using. We probably owe some thanks (not too much ) to Surftech for making the custom boards we love last longer than a few months.

The reason people hate pop outs is because the intent of pop-outs is to make surfboards readily available to more people. Surf is a limited resource. By making the equipment easier to get and more ding resistant pop outs and surf oriented marketing entice more entry level people into already over crowded line ups.
If you take a really self critical look at the reason we act this way, it is selfishness. We've "paid our dues" and become proficient in a very fun activity. Those newbie Kooks are just a pain in the ass we have to deal with. Leashes, wetsuits, fun boards, softboards and pop outs are all inventions that have enticed more people into enjoying our beloved sport. And, we're resentful of them. I think we all need to be more tolerant and be grateful for the ability to enjoy

I think another reason was the pure bullshiet in their marketing. Claiming green compared to a poly when a lot of the materials used in their manufacturing can't even be used here in the US. Just one of many that irritated the non cattle that don't bite on the full page prodding...

With all due respect, I don't think that Surftech made surfing any more accessible. A shortage of surfboards has never kept people from surfing. If Surftech never existed, those who have purchased their boards would just have purchased a board from another company.

And if anyone want to blame someone for over-promoting surfing, blame CI, Quiksliver, Hurley, Billabong, and any other mainstream surf company. They're the ones that has made surfing "cool", not Surftech. Not like I'm in Surftech's jock or anything, but I just don't think they're the ones to blame for the exponential increase in surfers in the water.

Blame "Point Break" and "Blue Crush".

Oh, and the Nissan Xterra commercial.

Pop-outs and all that "surfer" clothing promotes multi-million dollar corporations... They are in it for the money, and the money alone. Support those who aren't just in it for the quick buck, but for the love of what they do. Surfing isn't about multi-million dollar corporations, and everytime someone buys another shitty quicksilver t-shirt or volcom hat or whatever piece of junk, OR one of these mass produced surftech's... that's one more dollar taken away from local shapers and people that have dedicated their whole lives to surfing.

If you're really pissed about the influx of surfers, take a look at yourself. What are you wearing today? Don't wear the clothes, don't support the commercialisation of something you love. I've been surfing for most of my life, I don't think anyone would know if they didn't see the boards and wetsuits. Don't even buy the surfing magazines, save that money for wax, locally shaped boards, and surf trips.

Or just consume and consume consume... and wonder later why every damn kook in the world is bobbing around on the inside of your break.

Would you nail a stepford wife? Even if you knew she's a robot, would you still hit it? Yes? Fine go ahead, ride a surftech...

Surfboard sales are very seasonal and regional. Margins on them are very tight. Retailers in areas outside of Southern California have a hard time keeping a consistent source of boards to cover their peak sales periods. Pop outs provide larger margins and more reliable inventory streams. And, don't forget about the minor ding resistance. That's a huge selling point to the occassional surfers.

Because excessive consumption supports these large corportations... "Gotcha" isn't cool anymore, buy "Billabong" shirts.. wait.. "Volcom"... wait... "Mada"... Quicksilver is the thing this season...

I saw some guy literally ride his byrne(not sure on exact spelling) red/white poppout on his stomach. Pretty solid head high set just went to waste. I'm not sure if he later stood up but it was a sight to see.

OK. I always figured it was all about desire to surf as opposed to corporate entities forcing people into the water.

I understand what you're saying in regard to supporting "surf" companies that really only try to capitalize on the "surfer image" part of the equation, though.

If it's just a fad, those people chasing only the image will leave eventually.

I hope... anyway.

I don't like them because they're ugly.

yea i agee with all of that...they ride like ***** and they are too boyent so if there is a little wind on it or its bumpy.. your board will bounce you right off....also they are not as stong as everyonee thinks..i have see alot of broken surftech boards