Interview with Renaud Cardinal

2 in a row!
Drift posted yesterday my interview with Renaud Cardinal of UWL Surfboards. Full feature on main page that came out really good.

Thank you Renaud, Thomas and Elsa. And a special thanks to Howard, Drift editor/founder for the continuous support.

You can read the full interview at Drift Surfing Europe (main page features) or directly at http://www.driftsurfing.eu/surf_article.php?id=1894

photos by Elsa Girault

Interview with Robin Kegel

Drift Surfing Europe just posted my interview with Robin Kegel of Gato Heroi.

"RR: Some say you’re shaping the future of longboarding, some that your logs are too weird and hard too hard to ride, what’s the truth?



Well, it’s a muddied perspective. I mean, look at the traditional longboarding death and resurgence led by Joel Tudor. Personally I think classic longboarding has no future – just as shortboarding has no future. I’ll explain.
When a surfer is ready to take off and is moves to walk (and pose) there’s no wave function or setup dynamic. Just as shortboarding experienced decades ago, when the approach was to engage only in the end zone of the wave, to boost tricks.
Modern surfing incorporates the full use of waves and functional direction change, harnessing power and poise. Pivot fin logs and concave noseriders don’t allow themselves to be set on the rail properly. They rely on drag. There’s no future in that, the best one can do on those is get a controlled noseride or dropknee cutback. It comes down to design =function = style."

Read the full interview at http://www.driftsurfing.eu/index.php/archives/7937
photos by Elsa Girault

Ryan news

By now, most of you were expecting to see some of the boards Ryan was shaping in Portugal, but as you might have figured out, he didn't arrive yet.

The trip was planned for late May/early June but we have to postpone it a bit. Organizing a trip like this isn't that easy and there's a lot involved. I took some risks choosing such an early date (May) for the trip because I wanted to deliver boards before summer. But it was impossible for Ryan to make it here now. Not easy to leave everything behind in such a short notice.

We are already working on new dates, safe ones, probably very soon (July) and I will keep you all updated.

I'm sorry for this short delay but I'm sure you understand.

Rui Ribeiro

Josh Hall returns to Europe

Josh Hall, the super talented shaper from San Diego is returning to Europe to shape some boards. Josh will arrive in a couple of days and will spend his time between France and Spain.
If you want to grab one of Josh fine shapes, contact him for more info: jhallsurfboards@gmail.com

Josh is a great shaper and a really nice guy and was great to have him in Portugal in Nov. 2009. Maybe next time he can visit us again.

photos by Hugo Correia

Light Bee

5'6 Bumblebee/Light Vehicle mix for Lennart.
Love to deliver boards by hand and see the smile on their face when looking at it! That pays it all!

There's something about...

...this board! I just love it!

Surfer and shaper Neal Purchase Jr holding one of his amazing 2+1's. 
photo by Dane Peterson

Used DK Quad for sale

A friend is selling his DK Canard Quad 6'0, shaped by DJ Kane during one of his trips to Portugal and glassed by BoardCulture. Board has a grey tint both sides with black pinline and a nice polish to finish. Lokbox fins included.

Board was only ridden a couple times and has no dings or much pressure dents. It's almost new!

I don't remember the full dims but it's around 6'0 x 20" 1/2 x 2"1/2. Plenty of foam under the chest while keeping the rails thin enough for nice carves!

And the price is just perfect for the shape and condition... just 450 euros.

Contact Jorge at (+351) 967220850 or e-mail jorgius@net.novis.pt

Manila Surfboards Design

As many of you read a couple weeks ago, Malcolm Campbell was in Portugal shaping at Manila’s factory.
Antonio “Manila” Antunes is the founder and shaper of MSD Surfboards (Manila Surfboards Design). Manila started surfing in the early 90’s and in 1998 he built his factory near Aveiro, North of Portugal. He shapes mainly shortboards and shapes them really well but his interested goes beyond them. He has been working with Malcolm for a few years and also had the honor of having Ian Zamora and Chris Christenson shaping at his factory and sharing important knowledge and experience. All the work with those shapers and a great understanding of surfboard dynamics got him the second place at the European Fish Fry that was held in Portugal, back in 2008 with an awesome Twin Keel.
Manila is a great shaper and a nice guy and will shape my next board which I’m sure will be a blast!

You can know a bit more about Manila and his work at http://www.msdsurfboards.com/

Now something to please the eye, Bonzers, hand shaped by Malcolm, finished by Manila and his crew.

- 5'6 Bumblebee/light vehicle for Lennart

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

- 7'0 Custom shape for Sam

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 5'7 mini Light Vehicle for Miguel

Robin in France

Some photos of Robin Kegel during his visit to France last year, shaping, glassing and surfing with the crew from ATS Surfshop.

photos courtesy of ATS Surfshop

Gato french connection

Robin Kegel is arriving in France any day and will do most of his shapes with the crew from ATS Surfshop. So if you want to get your hands on a Gato Heroi surfboard, 100% hand shaped and glassed by the super talented Robin Kegel, go to http://www.board-kulture.com/ or email: contact@board-kulture.com


Also, check out Gato's blog for more information and and tons of amazing boards and photos!