Author: Nicolas Rottier

Posted on by

Santa Cruz Skimbash 2010

The weekend of September 18th – 19th brought waves to the southland and to Santa Cruz.  It was a good thing as the Santa Cruz Skimbash was held at 26th Street in Santa Cruz on those days and the waves “were a pumping.”

After a grueling weekend of riding from all parties, the final results from the professionals were:

1) Bill Bryan
2) Teddy Vlasis
3) Tim Fulton
4) Sammy Stinnett
5) Jaime Lovett
6) Jake Stinnett

Congratulations to Vic team riders for a successful event on the Professional and Amateur side.

Bill Bryan doing what he does best – win!

Teddy Vlasis driving down the line.

Trevor Stanaland floating for the homies.

Derek Marolf relaxing and taking in the sights.

Patent Koty spray!

Posted on by

Spotlight on Antonio Martin

Spotlight on Antonio Martin on the right.   He does all the jobs,  and manages all the guys doing all the jobs.  He can run a computer cutting machine,  and shape,  vacuum bag,  glass Woody’s, mix any kind of resins,  run a press, and lay a new patio for you or build a wall.  And you can add to that another 99 specialty jobs he as mastered.  He is the manager for our plant in San Clemente and without him we would all be working elsewhere.   He has given one digit of his left index finger,  for the company,  because of a nasty skill saw accident.  Not to mention the ulcers he has suffered from being the center of employee disputes over the years.  “Hard working” barely describes this guy.  He will bear hug a drum of resin at 500 lbs and move it around the floor like a dancer.   He is constantly guilty of trying to too much at once,  leading by example,  constantly showing the others how to get it done by not wasting any time.  Longevity is one key to Victoria Skimboards’ success and our relationship with Antonio is one of the many benefits that our customers probably don’t appreciate.  Your valuable dollars are not wasted on a Vic skimboard when you have someone like Antonio working for you.  Thank you Antonio, from all of us.  
Tex 
Posted on by
Spotlight on Rodolfo Lagunas.   This is the man. These are the hands. 
Rodolfo is our chief glasser at Victoria and has been so for 14 years straight.   He can feel the resin content of a board in his hands and pull exactly the right amount out to make the strongest possible board, with the minimum amount of resin.  The perfect blend of strength and weight.   This is the artists touch, literally.  If this was Japan,  he would be a national treasure,  sponsored and supported by the nation,  and highly valued by his customers.  He is one big reason Victoria has maintained it’s reputation as the maker of the best boards on the planet.  Like the finest of culinary chefs,  he can handle multiple different resin systems,  a dozen different pigment effects,  and balance these against 20 degree fluxuations in temperature that can drastically effect the curing rates.  We here at Victoria salute you Rodolfo.  Thank you so much for all the pleasure you have brought all our customers all these long years. Tex and the Vic Crew
Posted on by

Skim Your Library?

Vic team rider Scooter Hayes loves to have fun and apparently so does his local library. The New Hanover County Public Library served as the grounds for Scooter and his friend Tyler Simmons to “skim” the literature, videos, and information in search of what they desired most – knowledge and fun. Check out the video by clicking here.

Posted on by

Show me the money.

8-18-10
Today I attended a Surf Industry Manufacturers Association  symposium on the subject of managing team riders.  Apparently the world of surf team management is changing very rapidly due to the explosive growth of sports agents who represent athletes in negotiations with their sponsors.  Contracts, clauses, questionable products like alcohol and tobacco, personal behavior restrictions, age minimums for contacted riders,  endemic (surf industry)vs. non endemic sponsors  (like Redbull and Target) and are they good for the industry were just a few of the many subjects tackled this morning.  
Bottom lines:  A sports agent will help you. (See Jerry Mcquire movie again)  Money isn’t everything, some sponsors like alcohol and tobacco companies, will not be good for your future.  Energy drink sponsors are questionable.  Sponsored riders should really like their sponsors products or it won’t work out over time.  You should like and pre-approve of their advertisements that feature you. In the case of Bob Bernquist, getting on the cover of High Times was not good for his contract with Verizon.  
In short, we have a long, long way to go.  Even the industry of surfing is still way, way behind the likes of motocross,  or skateboarding, or snowboarding.  Again, money isn’t everything, but is certainly is driving a lot of the decisions in sports these days.  
20 billion dollar companies are now competing with the 20 million dollar core surf industry companies.    It’s a whole new world. 
Tex 
Posted on by

Victoria Skimboards WCS 2011

The dates for the Victoria Skimboards World Championship of Skimboarding 2011 have been set.  Mark your calendar, get your flight, and practice as next year will be here before you know it.

Victoria Skimboards WCS 2011
July 16 – 17, 2011

We will see you there!

Posted on by

Be prepared, always carry a sand wedge.

Today’s lesson is all about club selection.  First question is where are you going to play?   Makenna Beach, Maui, Hawaii, or Aliso Beach with a trough and small waves, or maybe you are hitting the pier at Virginia Beach and the waves are just big enough to carry you?
Different places require different boards,  or if you play golf, different clubs.   
Case #1  Makena, Maui is characterized by a 24” tall, vertical wall, as the wave always hits a trough and creates a horrendous transition from sand to water.  Adaptive evolution is at work here,  the locally made Maui Skimmers are perfect for this wave.  They have huge rocker and pointy noses for minimal drag going over the big curb at Big Beach. 
Case #2  You are engaged in mortal combat at Aliso,  money is at stake, the waves are small, the transitions are brutally short and you are prepared because you brought your sand wedge.  What you have is an Ivan Ashauer special,  something two sizes smaller than you normally ride. The judges will love you, albeit with some understanding of your wisdom,  as you rip, tear and lacerate the little buggers with total abandon.   Good club choice,  perfect distance, your caddy reminds you, as you mount the victory stand.  
Case #3  The Virginia Beach Pier is your venue today,  great running skills are a must,  deep water takeoffs required, super smooth transitions onto the board,  and off the wave are critical.  Here’s where you pull out the Big Bertha, Bubble Burner, Al Haig Warhead for some serious plane time.  Extra low loft, that means rocker, is a must for distance driving,  along with having an oversized board.  This would also apply to an older skimmer going at it anywhere, or a session at 10th St. with it’s dicey sidewash that is barely big enough to support Rob Machado, let alone a 200 lb. wannabe wedge rider.  Wider tails are great for this, whatever shape you choose.
Moral of the story: Fit your stick to the situation.  If you can afford more than one club,  back up your game with a small wave basher,  or a distance driving big board.  Pro rider tip: Ride your big board as practice for a contest,  then switch to the regular size board for your heat.  You will turn effortlessly.  Learned that from Kai Bond, former pro longboarder.    Tex