localswell

            This was our equivalent of the “shot heard round the world.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that line referring to the beginning of the American Revolution and how the world had taken notice of that historical event.  When Grubby Clark announced his closing the “surfing world” took notice.  Much like the American Revolution there was an instant panic.  People were worried about what was going to come next.  What side do we choose?  Do we look for the new foam maker to fill those shoes, or jump on the composite train?  Surf magazines devoted countless pages to who was going to step up to fill in this monumental vacancy.  Board prices rose and people flocked to the store to stock up on what was left before they were gone.  Terror reigned supreme in the land of p/u surf products and everyone walked on eggshells as we awaited our next savior.

            That was 2005, flash forward to 2008.  At my last check surfing was still becoming stronger then ever and building momentum.  Boards are still readily available and priced to sell.  Surf shops are flourishing and all the board makers, local or global, have not gone out of business. So why all the hype then?  Why did we all panic and run to build our quivers?  Simple, because as much as we pride ourselves in being individuals in a sport without teams we had all bought into the theory that Clark foam was “IT” as far as board design.  But just like the rest of surfing history all this “revolution” was, was a turning point. 

            Since the beginning of surfing there has been a “revolution” every few decades.  Long, heavy koa wood boards were replaced by lighter balsa wood boards.  Some people resisted the change as it strayed form the heart and soul of the Polynesian sport.  Balsa wood was replaced by the radical aeronautic substance fiberglass and a lot of people resisted the change as we got away from the “nature” in surfing.  Nine foot paddle beasts were replaced by much shorter, pointier, lighter single fin rockets and a huge riff developed.  Those radical single fin rockets were replaced by two, three and four fin potato chips and then we stagnated.  There was no room for revolution, unless you count the resurgence of longboards.  When the changes in shapes settled down we all grew comfortable with where we were and thought things would never change and they didn’t.  Until 2005.

            Back to 2008 and almost tweny nine and a half months later we are all still hanging in.  Well not hanging in but flourishing.  The much resisted and often maligned surftech boards have undergone vast improvements and acceptance.  The quality foam blanks although maybe not as prevalent are still available through smaller companies trying to protect the “soul” of the sport.  And maybe the best part of all of this is the innovation in new products.

            Aside from creating Clark Foam, Grubby Clark’s greatest achievement may be inspiring surfers and shapers to open their minds to what a surfboard really can be.  By closing he freed us from the confines our own comfort zone and forced us to look at alternatives.  Epoxy, composite, wood and many other vessels have shown up in the water lately.  We are free to experiment and explore what works best for us instead of just riding what we were told was the best.  From finless wooden boards under Dan Malloy, to recycled aluminum boards under Rasta we are seeing barriers broken down all over and the revolution is beginning all over again.

            Many people saw Clark’s closing as a tragedy and it shook our sport to its very foundation.  Well I pose the question to you now two and a half years later.  Would we be progressing and changing at such a pace if it weren’t for this forced exploration of the choices around us?