It is a longstanding fact known throughout my circle of family and friends that no one is to touch any of my magazines until I have first been through them from cover to cover.
This is especially true when I have new Surfing World and Monster Children. I seriously wait for each new issue to be released from the minute I am finished the current one. Both mags are not only chalked-full of amazing stories, but they also contain beautiful pictures, a unique approach to layout and design, pieces from a variety of contributors, and information about everything from music and art to travel to the best creams for rashburns.
I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my new Surfing World since they released the topic on their blog- The Design Issue. Totally worth the wait.
I am currently obsessed with board design. I swear I remember people in the water by what kind of board they are on...and I notice someones' surfboard before I notice anything else about them. Honestly though, a surfers' quiver does say a lot about them.
The issue delves into issues of environmental board creation, the evolution of design, the origin of the twin-fin, and even has some non-shapers tackle the art of creating their own board. I loved everything about the issue- it was only missing a few things in my opinion: some mention of more up-and-coming shapers and some exploration into what both some well-known pro and free surfers are riding. I would love to know who the next generation of shapers are and what they are currently doing with design. I also would have loved to have a glimpse into the quiver of some shapers and surfers. Hear what they love to ride in certain conditions and what they are experimenting with at the moment. I also would have mentioned Al Emery.
As all of my readers know I H-E-A-R-T my new Emery board. I have never surfed a board that I actually felt a noticeable difference in my surfing before I started surfing my new Emery shortboard. Not only is the board capable of catching even the smallest and sloppiest of waves, it also still allows me to make quick turns because of the narrowness of the fishtail design. The rails are softer and a little thicker than my last board, which I find to be much more forgiving on my turns, while still allowing me a lot of maneuverability. It paddles amazingly and looks great too. No jokes, it's a magnet. I am constantly having people come up to ask me about how it goes. And I swear I am becoming a better surfer since I started riding it. Emery is THE designer to watch in my opinion.
Not only has one of his riders, Adam Melling, been added to the WCT this year, but another one of his surfers, Stuart Kennedy, has been tearing it up on the WQS. Both Lennox Head locals have been tearing it up in recent competitions and are definitely worth keeping your eye on. I met Al the other day when I took my friend Marcus out to his shop to pick up a board. I think I freaked him out when I literally gushed to him about how much I like his boards and how his riders are amazing and how my surfing has changed since riding it. He was slowly backing away from me into the safety of his shaping den before I could beg him for a job or to watch him shape a board or add me to his team...anywho...
check out his website:
http://www.emerysurfboards.com/
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