Surfer’s aren’t known for their attention to current events, their activism or their socio-political awareness. But with the news of the world and the folly of the high and mighty finally landing inescapably in everybody else’s laps, there’s been alot of interesting conversation around the shop these days.

Lots of our friends are reeling a bit from the drastic downturn in the economy. No one seems to have escaped it, but most people we know are carrying on, mostly with a smile and their usual energy and good spirits.

Chris Smith is one of our friends (recently pledged to become our own Sarah’s husband one day soon) who still has his chin up. Among his pile of interesting skills is the fact that he’s an old-school woodworker who knows all the secrets of sign carving. What a guy – he’s making Grain a giant sign that will be painstakingly routered, carved and painted to hang on the lawn by the barn. It’s generous gestures like these that remind us that whatever disastrous corners the big “they” might back us into, acts of kindness, compassion and friendship will be what brings us through it all.

Last Thursday in Portland Tyler, Jim and the whole crew at Corduroy Surf Boutique put on a great event. The Mattson 2 played in the shop while the movie aired next door at the Big Easy. We were invited to display some boards and raffle off some merchandise and were really happy to do so. The mini-gun we designed with Dave Rastovich, a HomeGrown 5’4″ Waka, an 8′ Mini-Tanker and a 5’10″ Waka (pre top planks) were all on display. As mentioned in previous posts, the 5’4″ Waka was built by our friend Jeff Martin and will eventually be raffled off to raise money for the Jordan Kelly Surf School Fund. Keep an eye on our blog for more information.

If you have any interest in wooden surfboards, you really should see The Present. Thomas Campbell dedicated an impressive amount of time to Danny Hess and Tom Wegener, two board builders that we’ve always looked up to. The Alaia footage is groundbreaking and amazing!

If your in the area this week, be sure to head to Corduroy Surf Boutique on Thursday for the premiere of Thomas Campbells The Present.

Grain will be there with boards to check out and products to raffle. This includes a new HomeGrown Waka 5’4″ built by our friend Jeff Martin. The board will be on display for the evening, but will eventually be raffled off with the proceeds going to the Jordan Kelly Surf School Fund.

Hope to see you there, should be a great night!

If you’re in the Portland, Maine area this Thursday evening, be sure to stop by Corduroy Surf Boutique. They’ll be having a fun little event with live music by Pete Miller and Friends. They’ll also be showing Thomas Campbells’ Sprout and The Seedling. If you like these movies (and what surfer doesn’t), be sure to come back a week later, on Thursday April 23rd, for the area premiere of Campbells newest movie, The Present.

We hope to see you there.

If you’re from New England you know it was a long, cold and snowy winter. To celebrate the sunny skies and spring swells we’re offering a sale on both our Home Grown Kits and our custom boards. From now thru April 10th recieve free shipping on all short board kits and 10% off all longboard kits. Also, for a limited time, place an order for a custom board and get 10% off ($160- $220 value). A $400 deposit is all that is required to get started. Boards ordered today will be delivered by the end of June.