Archive for category: News

Zach Plopper on his 5’6″ quad from Matuse Inc. on Vimeo.

Written by Zach Plopper; Video by Michael Sander

Paddle out anywhere in southern California these days and you’ll notice a commonality among nearly everyone’s board. After two decades of the same razor blade thin, pointed nose, potato chip thruster, people are catching on to new designs. No longer is the glass slipper the status quo in today’s line-ups. Instead people are going shorter, wider and stubbier.

I am no exception. On a recent visit to Xanadu’s office in San Diego to order a few boards, he sold me on the 5’6” Gypos, a round nose, rounded pin quad. I ordered it because I trust his opinions and innovations as he is inarguably one of the world’s greatest shapers. I also ordered my standard 6’0’ thruster and a 5’10” quad that follows the design of my favorite board.

Well, the Gypos came first and the result…I never want to ride a different shape again. We were blessed with a mix bag of swells right after I got it and I was blown away by its versatility, but most of all, its mach-10 capabilities. I am a reformed surfer now…the little board guy.

I think a lot of surfers, especially the competitive pros, are afraid of embarking on the little board endeavor. Slater’s loss at the Quicky Pro has been attributed to his board choice. A lot of shapers tend to throw all sorts of volume into these designs and the result has been slipping and sliding all over the place; no penetration. No need for thickness. The right little disk design can be as thin as your standard thruster and the result will be that you are able to put it wherever you want. Since Kelly is the only guy on tour applying the little board philosophy to real surf, I think we will see some domination when he eventually works out his design kinks (maybe he should leave the shaping up to Al). We will also see no one on the world tour even try it since it’s Kelly ushering in the change. We tend to think he is just trying to make things hard on himself. Anyone that has a proper little board will tell you, it’s not only all the more easy, it’s all the more fun.

Check out the recent video footage of the Analog team surfing up in Newport Beach on surfline.com. The guys catch a fun swell and rule the lineup. All the riders are wearing the co-branded Matuse x Analog wetsuits. Some great pub for Matuse and great suits for Analog. CLICK HERE to check out the video.

A recent update from Flynn Novak.

Greetings:

Just got returned from a somewhat uneventful but still enjoyable, 3 weeks on the road.

During this latest journey, I spent about 2 weeks in Tasmania shooting photos with legendary photographer, Sean Davey, of Tracks Magazine—the Australian publication. I also competed in a 6 Star WQS event.

The water and weather was freezing cold. However, I was obviously toasty warm in my Matuse suits – which helped me stay loose in the chilly climates of Taz!

Here’s a link to a feature that Surfline did on the contest, I have the opening shot, as well as a video clip of me wiggling around to stay warm in one of my heats:

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/more-pumping-surf-as-top-seeds-take-the-water-oneill-coldwater-classic-tasmania-day-2_25368/

Below is another feature that Surfline put out while I was away. I have 3 clips in a row from a nice day at Pipeline. Note: this is the first time I was back in the water since hitting the reef at the Pipe trials. I still have staples in my head and my back is still severely bruised in these clips.

http://www.surfline.com/video/locals/february-north-shore_25491

In any case, I hope all is well!

Aloha,

Flynn

Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 3 – 8pm
Admission: Free
Location:
Liberty Station Marketplace
2445 Truxton Rd. #108
San Diego, CA 92106
The event will be held in the courtyard between Panera Bread and Sammy’s Woodfire Pizza.
Schedule:
3pm: Authentic Hawaiian Dancers and Island Music.
4:30pm: The Blonde Brothers. Sunset Cliff quartet.
6-8pm: Loma Tones. Classic Rock ‘n Roll.

Derek Dunfee continues his string of recent publicity by getting the cover shot of South Africa’s Zig Zag Magazine.

The cover image was taken by Derek at Cloudbreak, in Fiji off the famous island of Tavarua. Derek is a boatman there for part of the year and this is one image he captured using his board mounted Del Mar Water Housing set up. Not only does Derek have to set up in the wave he also has to fire the trigger to get the photo taken. An insane image that definitely earned the cover. It’s fitting that it was the green issue Derek scored the cover for. He’s seen wearing the limited green Seal shirt from Matuse.

The issue has a story covering the guys at Del Mar Water Housing showcasing what they do. An interesting feature explaining what’s new, creative, innovative and groundbreaking in the world of water housing. With the limits being pushed every day by water photographers it’s only natural that the design demands on the camera equipment evolve with them. If you don’t have access to the magazine you can visit the website and look through their online digital version once it goes live.

Congrats Derek and keep up the good work!