Archive for August, 2008

Were happy to announce that we’re now offering our 8′ mini-tanker model as a Home Grown Kit.
The Steamer has proven to be very popular with the longboard enthusiast looking for a something slightly smaller and more maneuverable. Please note, this newly developed kit will take an extra week or two for delivery while we work out the finer details. Feel free to email mike@grainsurfboards.com with any questions you might have.

The Sapling, the Root and the Steamer

Wednesday afternoon, we made it over to the Pine Surf Shop & Gallery - open about a year now across from Farius Surf Shop (where Grain Home Grown Kits are available). Pine Gallery was a very cool place - great photos and art, and some pretty special boards for sale. We’re hoping to do a larger event there in the future (get on the mailing list to be notified). We talked to a bunch of folks that made the trip down to see the boards, and even some old friends like kit builders and folks that have been regulars on our web site. Burgers, cold PBRs, and good conversation filled the afternoon before heading down to Beach Haven to show a slide show of Nick’s exceptional photos. Our thanks to Jon and Ann Coen for setting us up on LBI.

Thursday we made a short run up to Bayhead where we definitely had to check into the Beach House Classic Board Shop. Eric and Sandi were super-nice and fun to talk to. The shop is a full-on classic in its own right, and shows their dedication to the roots of classic boards everywhere you look.

After hooking up with some friends for lunch, we hit the road for the return to Maine. It was a full-on slog, with heat, rain, night and fog all on tap. By the time we found our beds back home in the wee hours, we were bleary and done up. But even though there were no waves to demo boards in, I’m glad we went. There’s no place like Jersey - the accents alone are worth the trip.

Like many things, motorcycles offer the best and worst. On the down side, you gotta plan around the weather a bit and they definitely leave a rider more exposed if something goes wrong. But for lessening overall carbon footprint in long-distance travel, a well-used motorcycle is hard to beat. Compared to cars, they are about twice as efficient (though they emit alot more nitrous oxides), take less materials to build and maintain, and can maneuver between cars rather than sit pointlessly idling in stalled traffic. Plus, they’re fun. Makes driving anywhere a different experience than sitting in a metal box behind other metal boxes, all made of about a ton of steel, plastic and fossil fuels.

Day one of our RI/Jersey run was a typical bike trip, sky-watching but dodging almost all the rain. We arrived in Rhode Island to a great welcome at Matunuck Surf Shop under full sunshine. Our friend Gary Stoner - late of the Woodenboat class - brought his just-completed board, now ready for its baptism on the next swell. There’s nothing we love better than seeing a HomeGrown kit completed and ready to surf. Our host at Matunus Surf Shop was Bob Fox. He was once a teacher of woodworking who did then as we do now: helped people learn to build their own surfboards. Even now, he is working with a local artist to produce some really unique boards based on full-size woodcuts. Stop by his shop if you are surfing some of Rhodey’s great breaks.

Gary, at graduation.

Tuesday, we visited some of Rhode Island’s other great shops, including Island Surf & Sport, where Mike ran into some old friends. The guys there scoped our boards and had alot of great questions about wood construction. Some of the boards – like our new 10’-6” pintail –were unlike anything they’ve carried in their shop. We then dodged a few towering thunderheads to get in and out of Narragansett so we could visit Warm Winds Surf Shop. We stayed for what seemed hours talking about boards and board design with the super-knowledgeable crew there.

Next came the long slog to LBI – pretty much nothing but highway: lotta night-riding and playing whack-a-mole with Jersey drivers. Tired and saddle-sore, we packed it in late for some deep-REMs, hands still vibrating, and wind-noise ringing in our ears.

At 11am this morning Mike, Brad and Alex loaded up boards, foul weather gear, computers and coffee mugs preparing to hit the road for the next 4 days. They’ll be in RI and NJ hosting some demos at a few shops as well as the Black Whale Bar in LBI, New Jersey. With the trusty ‘66 Grain demo van in the shop, the crew opted for the more exciting and fuel friendly mode of transportation. Motorcycles and side cars. Here are some photos from the road as they pulled out of Maine. Road report at 2:45pm: “in Narragansett RI. No problems, other than being a little soaked.”

Check out our schedule below and feel free call with any questions.
August 12th- Rhode Island- We’ll be making the rounds today and hope to visit Warm Winds Surf Shop, Gansett Juice, Island Surf and Elemental and 7 Ply. Please check with your local shop to see if we’re coming by, or call us on the day 802-598-7194 and we’ll let you know our schedule.

August 13th- New Jersey, 2pm- 7pm- Reception at Pine Gallery in Ship Bottom, LBI
Sunset And Into The Night- Board display, slide show and good conversation at Black Whale on Long Beach Island

August 14th- New Jersey- Once again, we’ll be making the rounds trying to visit some local shops including Farias Surf Shop and Beach House in Bay Head and more. Check with the shops or give us a call to find out more.

Keep an eye out for the Grain bikes at a shop near you.

While we had high hopes of putting together a full 2008 east coast demo tour, a full course schedule and a broken down demo truck has forced us to be happy hitting the road and staying a little closer to home. It’s just not as exciting to be jumping on the highway in an old Saturn wagon.

Demo van or not, we’re heading south on August 11th and will be bouncing around Rhode Island and New Jersey for several days of demos, shop visits and catching up with friends.

Our NJ host Jon Coen sampling some LBI summer waves on the Seed

Check out our schedule below, or feel free call with any questions.

August 11th, Rhode Island, 2pm- 5pm- Matunuck Surf Shop- 706 Matunuck Beach Rd, South Kingstown, RI

August 12th- Rhode Island- We’ll be making the rounds today and hope to visit Warm Winds Surf Shop, Gansett Juice, Island Surf and Elemental and 7 Ply. Please check with your local shop to see if we’re coming by, or call us on the day 802-598-7194 and we’ll let you know our schedule.

August 13th- New Jersey, 2pm- 7pm- Reception at Pine Gallery in Ship Bottom, LBI
Sunset And Into The Night- Board display, slide show and good conversation at Black Whale on Long Beach Island

August 14th- New Jersey- Once again, we’ll be making the rounds trying to visit some local shops including Farias Surf Shop and Beach House in Bay Head and more. Check with the shops or give us a call to find out more.

Look forward to seeing you along the way.