What the blank???

Foam E-Z's Q&A with Surfer Mag's Scott Bass

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:35:00 +0000

Posted on Surfermag.com May 7, 2008

The good folks at FOAM E-Z have been servicing the Southern California marketplace with board building equipment for 15 years. Brad Nadell is the man behind the machine that is FOAM E-Z and what better time to catch up with the hard-goods retailer than during his month long 15-year Anniversary celebration.

Q: So, 15 years in the surfboard products biz; how did you get started?

Brad Nadell: I started working at Harbour Surfboards doing everything, and eventually ended up spraying boards mostly. Then a friend came to me, he had owned the big glass shop in Westminster; he came to me with the idea of providing professional shapers with foam blanks. In '93 there was a large amount of shapers in the region and we figured instead of driving to San Clemente for blanks we could provide the HB area with product.

Q: And the store evolved from there.

Brad Nadell: Yeah, I bought out my friend and ran with it from there. I slowly added more and more tools and resources for shapers. As time went on I realized there was a market for the home hobbyist builder, and that led me to bring in more stuff like fin systems, books, and resin and all the necessary requirements for the home builder.

Q: How many blanks have you pushed out the door in the last 15 years?

Brad Nadell: Gosh, I don't know upwards of over 100K blanks. It fluctuates each year or cycle.
Q: What other stuff is available at FOAM E-Z?
Brad Nadell: Logo paper; safety equipment, respiratory systems, how-to videos. If you want to build a board we have it all, and we'll help you understand the process. It's all pretty simple but it can also be intimidating. It doesn't need to be. We try to put the fun into the equation.

Q: Do you get a newbie customers?

Brad Nadell: We get hobbyists all the time. I try to pound into our sales staff all the time that it's crucial to welcome the new hobbyist. It can intimidating to walk in and be new to the concepts of board building. Some times our industry doesn't understand customer service. I make sure our people are helpful and service oriented. It sounds simple but customer service is what makes or breaks businesses.

Q: What types of customers do you get?

Brad Nadell: We get all different levels from your professional shapers to your garage builders, to the hobbyist guy who just loves to build stuff. You know, the father and son types stop by or guys doing senior projects for school. It's really sort of cool. Everyone loves the idea of surfboards and building your own magic board. The neat thing is, it is totally do-able.

Q: You've got a big celebration all month long?

Brad Nadell: We are having a month long sale through the end of May, each week we are spotlighting a different section of the store. On May 31st we're having a big party and event at the store with tents and product and demos. So everyone should come by.

For more info on FOAM E-Z check out their website - www.foamez.com.

MONTH LONG 15% Off Aniversary Sale at Foam E-Z!!!

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:26:00 +0000

In celebration of our 15 years in business we are having a month long sale! Each week a different product category will be highlighted and all customers will be able to save fifteen percent (15%) on that category. This week, from Sunday May 4th thru Saturday May 10^th, the sale category is Blanks. Customers can either come into the shop to make the purchase or you can purchase online with the redemption code 15YRBLANK1. Look for a new category and redemption code next Sunday May 11^th. Stay tuned, it’s gonna be a great month!

Foam E-Z 15 YR Anniversary Party!!!

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:40:00 +0000

Come join us at our 15 Year Anniversary Party Event from 11-3pm on Saturday May 31st. It will take place behind our shop and will include: Giveaways, Raffles, Food/Drinks, Board Building Demos, and a Storewide 15% off Sale. All of our vendors will be present to answer questions and chat about anything you have in mind. Future Fins will be installing boxes into a shaped blank which then will be glassed with Composite Resource UV Polyester Resin and the board will ready to sand with in an hour and a half. Ocean & Earth will be raffling off pads, leashes, and more. US Blanks will have a van full of Seconds (blanks) for sale at a reduced price. Sol Sunguard will be giving away lots of killer sunscreen and lip balm. Many “pro” shapers will be present including Tim Stamps (Stamps Surfboards). ProBox Larry has graciously donated a variety of fin and box setups for the raffle. The raffle will also include Epoxy donated from Resin Research. This list will be growing as the month goes on so stay tuned.

You won’t want to miss this. It will be a great opportunity to talk shop, get some free shwag, and eat some free grub.

See you there!

The Guys at Foam E-Z

The Newest HULL Creation From The Guys @ Foam E-Z

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:09:00 +0000

Inspired by all the Hull craze these days, we at Foam E-Z decided to try our hand at building one. We decided to make a 6 foot stubby, based on the Greenough Velo and the Fineline Geebee. The bottom of the board is hulled out with a slight V in the tail. The board is glassed with double 4oz BGF cloth on top and single 4oz BGF cloth on bottom. It has a 10.5" Fin Box 10" up from the tip of the tail. The final dimensions of the board are 6' 20" nose x 23" wide x 18". We're currently testing it and will report back.
RadRob

The NEW Foam E-Z Fin section!

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:19:00 +0000

In an effort to carry a wide selection of fins, we have dedicated a large section of Foam E-Z (shop) that has everything from a 6" cutaway to a 10" Velzy pivot fin. Each fin is selected by us here at Foam E-Z with the idea that everyone surfs differently, and has a different idea of what fin they want to run in their board. We recently received some new L-Flex fins to add to our selection, and keep up with the Hull craze that seems to be sweeping over Southern California. Feel free to stop on by, call, or email and our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you select your next fin.

The Guys at Foam E-Z

BYOB Build Your Own Board!

SOS SURFIN U$A Art Show - Gato Heroi

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:43:00 +0000

This past Saturday April 5th marked the opening of the "SOS" SURFIN' U$A art show, presented by Gato Heroi Surrfboards. Robin Kegal did a wonderful job of telling a story of the rise and fall of surfers through his original surf art. Robin (a regular customer at Foam E-Z), is known for his unique style of turning surfboards and surfboard material into great artwork. The evening also had live music performed by Mattson 2, and lead singer Alex Knost's band capped off the night. The art will continue to be displayed for the month of April at Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana.
Reported by RadRob

HOW TO MAKE A SURFBOARD IN THE 70'S

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:17:00 +0000

Check this classic footage....HOW TO MAKE A SURFBOARD IN THE 70'S...GET RAD!!!! Check out this clip, but be careful!! Sideburns and bowl cuts are required!!

Ron Stoner Art Show at Mullusk Surf Shop

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:16:00 +0000

The Ron Stoner art show this past Saturday February 23rd at the Mollusk surf shop in Venice was awesome! There was some really cool music , that could be described as acoustic surf jam. Kind of a cross between 60"s surf music with a more acoustic blues feeling to it. Denny Aaberg, and Sam Adams were on acoustic guitars and were accompanied by a great drummer who's name I didn't catch. The art was great as expected, they had about 7 or 8 of Ron Stoner's photos in their gallery that really showed his abilities as a surf photographer. You can't forget about the surfboards they have on display. They have some really cool boards by shapers like, Liddle, Andreini, Anderson, just to mention a few. To sum it up it was a great party, with cool people, great art, and good music.

Reported by Rob Triplett (Foam E-Z team)

Dirty Harry Hates A Dirty Beach.

noreply@blogger.com (NeoN) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:27:00 +0000

Clint Eastwood Wants YOU! To Save San Onofre

Attend the California Coastal Commision Hearing

Wednesday, Feb. 6 starting at 9 am, at Wyland Hall, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014

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The dates for the 2008 Sacred Craft Show have been announced!

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:31:00 +0000

The SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo takes place Oct. 11 & 12 2008. SACRED CRAFT will be held at the Wyland Exhibit Hall in the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Surfboard shapers & board manufacturers will gather for two days to exhibit their state-of-the-art surfboards and celebrate the culture of the surfboard with their fellow surfers.

SACRED CRAFT director Scott Bass is very excited about the new venue. "The Wyland Exhibit Hall is much bigger than last year's facility," explained Bass. "The ceilings are higher and the footprint is much larger. We needed room to breathe, last year we were packed." Over 4000 surfboard lovers attended last year's SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo.

Bigger and better is the theme for this year's expo and that means new exhibits and attractions for surfboard lovers. "We're going to have all the top surfboard makers here. But we really pride ourselves on making it affordable for smaller grass roots board builders to show their wares to the public," explained Bass. "And in keeping with that theme, we want to expose young people to the art of surfboard shaping through our 'hands-on shaping experience' exhibit. Young shapers have to start somewhere. It is our hope that a few up-and-coming Dick Brewers germinate out of this hands-on shaping experience."

SACRED CRAFT will also feature seminars including surf artist Drew Brophy and many others (TBA), top secret pro surfer / shapers (TBA), a wetsuit pavilion, fabulous artwork and other exciting exhibits. "We're even toying with the idea of premiering a surf movie on Saturday night," said Bass. "And of course there is our Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off."

Happy New Year, and a short recap of 2007!

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:15:00 +0000

2007 was an interesting and exciting year in the surfboard building business world as it was the second year without Clark Foam. This past year was very different from 2006 in that instead of there being a foam shortage there was a glut of foam.

A lot of foam startups came and went in the two years since the Clark empire shut down. Here is a list of some of the larger manufacturers that served the USA in 2007. US Blanks, Walker Foam, and Just Foam are the only the Polyurethane TDI foam companies manufactured in the US (California). King Mac, Bennett Foam USA, and Surfblanks America are produced in Baja Mexico. As MDI Polyurethane goes, HomeBlown US has risen to the top with their cutting edge BioFoam product and Ice 9 is gaining steam as time goes on. It's hard to track all the EPS foam companies in 07 since you could find EPS just about anywhere. Marko was the dominant Molded EPS creating a great product for the hand shaper. The best billet EPS we've found is White Hot.

As the year 2007 came to an end we are sad to report that Walker Foam has closed their doors. It's hard to believe that they are gone after all these years. Harold and the Walker people were a huge part of our scene after Clark Foam shut down. Instead of us going overseas for blanks like most of our competitors, Walker Foam stepped up and serviced us to the best of their abilities. It was an extremely tough time for all and they made the best with what they had. We want to really thank Walker Foam for all that they did for us after Clark Foam closed. They are a great group of people.

This past year saw Foam E-Z adding new foam companies to our line of foam blanks. First, we picked up Marko to fill our "molded Eps" void. Then, we brought in BioFoam as our "green alternative" MDI PU foam. Both companies produce a great product and have helped us round out our blank selection.

That's the short scoop on 07. We're looking forward to servicing all your board building needs in 2008. Who knows what lies ahead but it should be fun.

Happy New Year from the Guys at Foam E-Z! :-)

Biofoam Shaping Video of Tom Nielson

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:18:00 +0000

Great footage of a Biofoam blank being shaped by Tom Nielson! This quote from www.phoresia.org explains why the video was created. Phoresia.org is an organization to provide a consumer resource about environmentally and socially responsible surf related products and lifestyle choices."As part of the initial Biofoam project ideas we wanted to show some video footage of one of the blanks being shaped. Partly because it’s cool to see a shaper at work and partly because a visual of a Biofoam blank coming to life under a the planer of a skilled craftsman speaks volumes about the viability of the product."

Enjoy the video.

BioFoam Surfboard Blanks in our House!

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:20:00 +0000

In an attempt to carry the best range of surfboard blanks available we recently added HomeBlown's BioFoam to our line. Foam E-Z prides ourselves on having the best materials available for our customers, therefore BioFoam was a no brainer to fill our MDI void. These blanks are considered to be "green" by surfboard standards. Homeblown US manufactures the Biofoam blanks in which nearly 50% of the core ingredients are from agricultural products. Biofoam is produced by replacing the polyol component of the foam with materials converted from natural plant oils.

Shaping Tips
The Biofoam surfblanks are slightly harder to plane because of their cross-linked properties. Planer blades need to be sharp and/or you need to mow the blank a little slower than typical TDI foam. If the blank is cut on the computer there is no problem. The tight cell structure and properties of MDI allow it to machine very cleanly.

Finish shaping the Biofoam surfblank is very easy to finish with the normal the shaping process used. It may feel a little on the soft side when finished but let the blank sit overnight before glassing and it will harden up tons.

GLASSING TIPS
Glassing the Biofoam surfblank takes a little extra care. While Biofoam surf blanks make great surfboards, some issues have come up as to the way they take color, airbrush in particular. While color in the laminate works great, or of course, art on the hot coat, much airbrush color on the foam crystallizes. Clear boards or those done with resin tints have been working well. If using polyester resin squeegee on a cheater coat of resin to seal the blank before you laminate. Then proceed as normal. If epoxy is used, consider the airbrush notes above, then glass as normal.

* NOTE from Homeblown: Please realize that Biofoam surfblanks are a new product and although they have been tested and make beautiful functional surfboards, all variations of color layup and airbrush have not been tried yet. We have done opaques and tints and some airbrush that have all come out well but we simply have not hit all the color range.

Service for Travis Northey Saturday December 1st

noreply@blogger.com (NeoN) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:16:00 +0000

Death is nothing at all... I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still Call me by my old familiar name, Speak to me in the easy way you always used. Put no difference into your tone Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity.... Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval, Somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well -Travis

The service for Travis is going to be held Saturday Dec. 1st at the Capo Beach Calvary Church, 25975 Domingo, Capistrano Beach 92624 from 2 – 4 PM. Everyone who can come should. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations to Teen Challenge, 418 S. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92701 would be appreciated. Nancy and I plan on attending. Please join us. Travis was a good young man and one of the best nose riders you will ever see.

Mahalo:
The Real SurferBill

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San Onofre State Beach - Huell Howser

noreply@blogger.com (NeoN) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:34:00 +0000

Huell spends some time at Trestles getting a run down of the history of the area, the geography of the San Mateo wetland, and more! He discusses the toll road issue and it's impact on watershed. It's good to have Huell on our side.

Epoxy 101 Shaping Video Clip

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:39:00 +0000

Enjoy this clip of the Epoxy Shaping 101 with Greg Loehr. It has great insight into shaping EPS foam. Greg goes through the process and shows all the tricks you need to work with the beaded foam. The actual DVD is 97 minutes in length which can be purchased at http://www.foamez.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7_53 .

Epoxy 101 Glassing Video Clip

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:44:00 +0000

Enjoy this clip of the newest film by Carl Ackerman (maker of Shaping 101), Epoxy 101 Glassing. This has been the missing link in the "how to" videos for board building. The glassing is done by Epoxy guru Greg Loehr, inventor of Resin Research Epoxy Systems. In this video clip he glasses a fish with yellow resin color. The actual DVD is 120 minutes in length which can be purchased at http://www.foamez.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7_53 .

FoamEZ at the Sacred Craft Consumer Surfboard Expo

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:04:00 +0000

Only a Shaper knows the feeling.

The FoamEZ.com booth at the 2007 Sacred Craft Consumer Surfboard Expo. Much more than a tool, the surfboard has become a philosophical icon, a sacred craft, a culturally pervasive symbol of freedom.

What the Blank??? 12'2"-B 10'9"-B

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:44:00 +0000

While traveling through ASR on Friday September 7th NeoN and I ran into a old time Foam E-Z customer. We found him working in the Dick Brewer Surfboards booth, if you look close you can see Dick in the background. This guy has been building Guns since the first day he came in our shop way back in 1996! He's been surfing big waves since he was kid in Huntington Beach but now resides in San Francisco and become a regular at Mavericks. He has spent extended periods on the North Shore of Hawaii and has done Tow-Ins at Jaws on Maui.

In his rant he is bascially talking about the old Clark Foam Blanks that don't exist anymore, the 10-9B and 12-2B. These were old Brewer plugs that he made for Grubby

EPOXY 101 GLASSING DVD with Greg Loehr is finally here!

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:52:00 +0000

Fall is here and so is the missing piece to the puzzel, the Epoxy 101 Glassing DVD. In this video, Epoxy expert Greg Loehr teaches how to laminate using Epoxy Resin and Hardener quickly and efficiently. Greg Loehr has been working with Epoxy surboards for years and is the developer of Resin Research Epoxy Systems. There are plenty of shaping video's out but up till now there hasn't been a video that shows the process and secrets that goes into glassing a board with epoxy resin.

FOAM E-Z Invades the 2007 Action Sports Retailer ASR Tradeshow

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:14:00 +0000

Here we are getting a demo from one of the new surfboard blank companies showing at the 2007 Action Sports Retailer ASR Tradeshow. This was not staged, it really happened!

Shape it,
Glass it,
Surf it...

DON'T SNAP IT!!

Foam EZ for all Your do it yourself surfboard shaping needs

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:15:00 +0000

Foam EZ for all Your do it yourself surfboard shaping needs!

FINGERPRINTS- Great video with Shaping, Surfing, and Music

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:34:00 +0000

This video is really well done. It has some awesome footage of Guy Okazaki (one of Foam E-Z's long time customers) shaping a polyurethane foam blank. Check out his website http://www.guyokazaki.com/ for more info about him. You'll also find some fun looking surf in Hawaii and quality music to cap it off.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

Surfer's Journal Call To Arms

noreply@blogger.com (NeoN) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:27:00 +0000

Call To Arms

This is our chance to hammer a silver spike into the heart of the 241 Toll Road extension: California Assembly Bill 1457 proposes to ban the building of roads through State Parks. If this bill passes, The Transportation Corridor authorities degradation of San Mateo campground (itself a mitigation for the San Onofre nuclear plant), San Mateo watershed, and the Trestles wave complex will be stopped. Under normal circumstances in the Sacramento dynamic, a bill of this nature would fail due to business-as-usual, political process that grinds on behind the scenes. Unless the unusual happens and the surfing community collectively rises up and mobilizes to pass this bill, it to will fail and likely Trestles along with it. As a member of our surfing community no matter what party you support or where you sit on or in the state of California (Or the nation) please work hard to support this bill the survival of Trestles (San Onofre and San Mateo) as we know it is at stake. Your break (or campsite) will be next. Contact your local state government representatives and request that they support assembly Bill 1457 banning new roads through state parks!-- S. P.

What happens to the backcountry, happens to the beach, contact your California State Representative to keep the link between trestles and the wilderness corridor of San Mateo Creek untrammeled...
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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS SURFBOARD TYPES

noreply@blogger.com (FOAM E-Z) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:37:00 +0000

Here are great short descriptions and historys of the various styles of surfboards by Dave Parmenter:

LONGBOARDS: The garden-variety longboard shape is indisputably the most resilient design in surfing history. A lot of people forget that if the Polynesians hadn't finally migrated to an island with big enough trees to make their olo boards, we'd probably all still be riding prone on paipo boards. The ancient Hawaiian longboards literally created the sport we know today. The papa nui went on to bridge the ancient and modern eras, and is the only design archetype to have been built with every conceivable material, from koa to redwood to balsa, foam and even sponge. Today, the longboard is back in a big way and more versatile than ever. Often debunked for its "old guy" stigma or "unfair" paddling superiority, the longboard has endured for a millennia for the same reason we all surf - we love the "glide."

BIG-WAVE GUNS: The big-wave gun is the "warbird" of the surfboard design kingdom. Let the other boards strut down the catwalk with their garish frills and fashions -- the gun is as lethal and purely functional as the rhino-stoppers they're named for. The big-wave gun has changed the least over the years of any type of surfboard because the mission has never changed: build up a head of steam with three strokes, bust through the ledge, skitter down the face, reconnect and worry about the rest later. You really want to learn about surfboard design? Look at a gun. Its design components are the simplest and purest of any board because they're not made for Quasimodos, roundhouses or 540-to-out-of-its. They're shaped strictly for two things: paddle-power and survival.

SHORTBOARDS: We call them "shortboards," but today's state-of-the-art high-performance surfing isn't happening because the boards are "short." The ultra-radical surfing you see on shortboards is more due to an amazingly deft balancing of design features that seem contradictory. Curves and flats, torque and drag are all combined into the most complex, temperamental and volatile surfboard design ever built, then fused to the power plant of the power-hungry Thruster fin array - and heaven help you if you're a sloth-foot or over 30.

THE HYBRID: Since all forward motion in surfboard design stems from combining established ideas into new combinations, then technically the "hybrid" surfboard should be granted the status of being the most progressive surfboard type of them all. What?! You mean those bulbous, hideous "funboards" are more progressive than my Merrick, dude? Well, take a fresh peek into the "hybrid" skunkworks: these aren't yuppie-doofus eggs anymore. The hybrid design family is burgeoning into fresh new fields and is robbing the shortboard blind of its edges, flats and rockers. Now, they're faster, more forgiving and more versatile than anything the "hotties" are riding - why else would all the pros consider riding them in contests as "cheating"?

Now you know the background behind the board you're riding, even if you've built it or want to build it.

In upcoming posts we will be showing examples of each type of board with detailed descriptions and dimensions. Keep an eye out for this cool and informative content.