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America has gone from a major manufacturing country to a major importing country. In the past most American goods were American made. If you got a car, radio, television or some other product you could rest assured it was more than likely built in America. Now days it seems almost everything Americans are using is imported from somewhere else other than America including surprisingly enough surfboards.
There was a point in time when no self-respecting surfer would ever think about surfing on an imported surfboard especially if that imported surfboard was a cheap popout. Surfboards that were hand shaped were considered to “have soul” a feeling that a popped out surfboard could never duplicate. Surfboard manufactures laughed at the idea of massed produced popped out surfboards ever being popular especially imported ones.
They’re not laughing any more. Now days go to any beach in southern California and chances are you will see at least as many if not more imported popouts verses domestic hand shaped surfboards.
China, Thailand and other Asian countries are successfully taking a huge share of the American surfing market. A few years ago they could not compete with American built surfboards now it looks as if the American surfboard manufactures are the ones having a tough time competing.
Surfboards are not the only surfing products now being imported from overseas. Purchase a wetsuit for surfing from O’Neill and it quite likely was produced somewhere in Asia. The same goes for Quicksilver clothing company. Buy a pair of boardshorts, pants or a shirt and it’s very doubtful American made. It seems American goods are too expensive to produce in America even when it comes to surfing products.
Probably the number one selling point of imports is price. Most hand shaped surfboards are priced at five hundred and up. Hand shaped surfboards from master shapers such as Donald Takeyama, Skip Frye, Dick Brewer and others can sell for as much a thousand dollars or more. Mass produced popouts vary in price but can sell for as little as one hundred dollars.
Price point considered the popouts are a good deal. Now here is the real shocker for domestic surfboard builders---- the quality of imported surfboards is actually good. Imported surfboards last as long and ride just as good as domestic surfboards but sell for a lot less thus making it difficult for domestic surfboard manufactures to compete.
Domestic surfboard manufactures are not the only ones feeling threatened by the success of cheap imported surfboards. Surf shops are also feeling the squeeze in what should be booming times. Surf shops used to be the only place a surfer could go to acquire a surfboard and all the things that go with surfing. Not any more. Retail giant Costco is now in the business of selling surfing products including surfboards. Costco sells Wavestorm surfboards for just around one hundred dollars, and they sell a lot of them. Costco and Wavestorm have taken the beginning surfing market by storm. The irony of it all is not only is the Costco surfboard line the cheapest it may also be the best for the beginning surfer. Light, soft, excellent performance complete with leash and stomp pad all for one hundred dollars. Who can beat that?
Every Wavestorm surfboard sold at Costco is one less that would have been sold at a surf shop, one less that could have been produced in the good old U.S. of A by an American craftsman one more American dollar going over seas and one less American dollar returning to our economy. At the same time it provides one more person a chance to get a good surfboard at a really good price that may not have been able to afford one otherwise.
With the success of Costco’ surfing related retail sales it is only a matter of time before Walmart, Target and other discount retailers follow suit, as this happens look for more surfing products including surfboards to be imported from somewhere else. Surfing has long outgrown its humble cottage industry beginnings and is now big business for those getting into the business. Specialty surf shops in the future will be in America’s malls. Abercrombie and Finch already have a line of surfing related stores at malls affectionately called Hollister.
Though imported surfboards and surfing products may not be the best for American surfboard makers and surf shop owners they may prove beneficial for the sport of surfing over all. All said and done some kid trying surfing for the first time more than likely doesn’t care were the surfboard came from. Whether it be a piece of wood, a hand crafted masterpiece or an imported surfboard from Costco all that matters to him is the great feeling playing freely in the ocean provides. Stay positive.
Your true calling
Finding our way --------- have direction know what you want to do if you are like many people you may not know what you want to do in which case how do you find out? Start with what interests you.
Ride the surfboard you have
Ride the wave were you are at
Do what you can with what you have
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