Santa Cruz shops: Freeline vs. Fiberglass Santa Cruz vs. Pearson Arrow
Andrew
help choosing which shop to buy from.
I've pretty much narrowed it down to three shops:
Freeline Design (Capitola)
Fiberglass Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Pearson Arrow (Santa Cruz)
I'm somewhat partial to Arrow. Among other things, they seem to have
the best selection of stock longboards.
Anyone have any positives/negatives about any of these three shops?
Thanks.
Andrew
Wavslav
FSC has lots of sizes but only one shaper. Jim is a good guy and doesn't
deserve the flak he gets FSC is a really good place to save a couple of bucks
and to get Clark blanks on Sunday.unfortunately, his boards look good but are
"low status" in an additude heavy lineup. John and Peter Mel at Freeline are
good guys and Bob Pearson has good house shapers and very good stock shapes.
probably sells more Boards then anyone
For selection of stock longboards youll find themost shapers, best variety of
stock longboards new and used, and best prices at Cowell's Beach Surf Shop
across from the wharf entrance.
They feature JD rockets, Froggystyle, Johnny rice, Hicks, Spico/Surftech,
Surftech Epoxies and even Michel Junod's boards and others too
and you can finagle new custom long boards from Hicks or Spico starting at
about $365+/-
WHAT A DEAL!!
some would consider this more of a "Westside / Lane " shaper representation
But those shop guys are all Bros and its a Westside locals shop.
Most of those boards are glassed at the affiliated Westside Fiberglass.
Ive gotten my last 10 boards glassed there through Cowells.They always do high
quality glass work for me
And They will for you too
Good Luck.
Wavslav
Dyer Crouch
Have you been to Ward Coffey's shop? It is really close to the Arrow
shop and the person who shapes the boards (Ward) will talk to you as
much as you want about where you are surfing, what types of waves etc...
I think his prices are really good too. I would at *least* take a look
there. The phone # is: (831) 459-0868. Lance & Sons is a new shop which
is going to specialize in longboards & is right across the street from
Arrow as well. I don't have the phone number but I would check them out
too. This is another shop where someone will really talk to you about
what you want. I can honestly say those two shops would give you more
help in picking the right board for you than trying to sell you one.
If you want my opinion on the shops below:
>> Freeline Design (Capitola)
Not real wild about them.
1: They tried to sell me the repair kit for a plastic board when I asked
for the repair stuff for a fiberglass board.
2: I have asked questions on several occasions and just gotten a snow
job.
>> Fiberglass Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Don't know much about them.
>> Pearson Arrow (Santa Cruz)
Good boards but staff is not usually helpful. Mostly surf rats who want
to get back to thier comic books & goofing off with friends.
> I'm somewhat partial to Arrow. Among other things, they seem to have
> the best selection of stock longboards.
>
> Anyone have any positives/negatives about any of these three shops?
They *do* have a good stock.
Later...
Dyer
Dyer Crouch
I forgot Paridise Surf shop! They are mostly geared towards women but
they have a good selection of boards too. They are also at least as
helpful as Ward and Lance. These guys are right around the corner from
Freeline in Capitola.
If you are looking for a wetsuit. Try this shop! They sell Aleedas which
hold up about twice as long as O'Neills too.
Later...
Dyer
lp
> Andrew -
> <snip>
>
> If you want my opinion on the shops below:
>
> >> Freeline Design (Capitola)
> Not real wild about them.
> 1: They tried to sell me the repair kit for a plastic board when I asked
> for the repair stuff for a fiberglass board.
> 2: I have asked questions on several occasions and just gotten a snow
> job.
i've known john mel and have gotten several boards there through the 80's.
never had problems with john or his daughter lisa.
they have a good selection of new and used boards which is always worth a
look.
there are different people that work there as in any shop, so the service
fluctates.
>
>
> >> Fiberglass Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
> Don't know much about them.
ditto
>
>
> >> Pearson Arrow (Santa Cruz)
> Good boards but staff is not usually helpful. Mostly surf rats who want
> to get back to thier comic books & goofing off with friends.
>
> > I'm somewhat partial to Arrow. Among other things, they seem to have
> > the best selection of stock longboards.
> >
>
agree with both the selection of longboards and the uniterested staff.
in general, i think you should look around based on the specific equipment
you are looking for.
i'd go to o'neill's before the others because i like the way their suits fit
(especially during memorial weekend sale).
lp
MiffMole
>"low status" in an additude heavy lineup.
You mean, even the Cowell's/longboard set is getting nasty? Sheesh.
Keith Elliott
miff...@aol.com
piob...@bigfoot.com
Wavslav
riders lusting after one for their next board
gpas...@my-dejanews.com
wav...@aol.com (Wavslav) wrote:
> Those boards are probably adequate, but you don't hear too many accomplished
> riders lusting after one for their next board
Then whose boards do Adam Replogle, Chris Gallagher, Jay Moriarity, Peter Mel,
Darryl "Flea" Virostko, Terry Sims, Wingnut...ride? Most ride locally made
boards, some don't...
Gioni
http://www2.crosswinds.net/san-jose/~pasque/
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
WhirlaWhip
>riders lusting after one for their next board
I think
you are
probably not
a surfer.
ben blake
i'm in the tube and you are not
http://members.aol.com/whirlawhip/page/index.htm
bud
> <snippage>
> Boards in a shop have had
> time to cure. Do you understand this? Buying a board in a shop gives
> the buyer the opportunity to look and the board. Do you understand
> this?
cure shmure....what kinda core surfer has to worry about a board curing?? hell, if
the resin is still tacky you save a few bucks on wax. when it falls apart just
have another made at your request!
> I have a shaper who makes my boards at my request, but buying a board
> onsite does have its advantages.
yeah, you don't have wonder if your new stick is ready yet
bud
ryan_r...@hotmail.com
alo...@mindspring.com (Andrew) wrote:
> I'm about to buy my first longboard here in town and I would like some
> help choosing which shop to buy from.
>
Hmm... Why are you buying from a shop? If you're buying a used longboard that
makes sense. If not, take advantage of the years of experience that shapers
have and ask them to make a board for you. It's not any more expensive. You
get a board that someone had to make for you rather than a board that somone
needed to sell to you. Plus, you get to help keep a shaper fed.
Ryan
Lemming Wear®
> On Sat, 30 Jan 1999 05:47:23 GMT, ryan_r...@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> >In article <36b4b222....@news.mindspring.com>,
> > alo...@mindspring.com (Andrew) wrote:
> >> I'm about to buy my first longboard here in town and I would like some
> >> help choosing which shop to buy from.
> >>
> >
> >Hmm... Why are you buying from a shop? If you're buying a used longboard that
> >makes sense. If not, take advantage of the years of experience that shapers
> >have and ask them to make a board for you.
>
> You make no sense. Are you saying that boards in a shop are not
> shaped by shapers with years of experience? Boards in a shop have had
> time to cure. Do you understand this? Buying a board in a shop gives
> the buyer the opportunity to look and the board. Do you understand
> this?
call me versatile if you will. Somteimz I find myself in a
shop buying a board off-the-rack in certain sitiations-
a stranger wandering the coast, busting boards with
heavy lips in unfamiliar territory... or getting smokey
and wanting to try something new
when I do, I usually opt for a Pearson. They just suit
me for reasons. Seems like they have more foam to
them yet still perform. Which is important when you're
built like a brick-shit-house, like me.
jb
>In article <36b4b222....@news.mindspring.com>,
> alo...@mindspring.com (Andrew) wrote:
>> I'm about to buy my first longboard here in town and I would like some
>> help choosing which shop to buy from.
>>
>
>Hmm... Why are you buying from a shop? If you're buying a used longboard that
>makes sense. If not, take advantage of the years of experience that shapers
>have and ask them to make a board for you.
You make no sense. Are you saying that boards in a shop are not
shaped by shapers with years of experience? Boards in a shop have had
time to cure. Do you understand this? Buying a board in a shop gives
the buyer the opportunity to look and the board. Do you understand
this?
I have a shaper who makes my boards at my request, but buying a board
onsite does have its advantages.
Now go tell your boyfriend that you got spanked a good one by jb.
- jb (200lbs of idiot busting surf muscle)
jb
>jb wrote:
>
>> <snippage>
>
>> Boards in a shop have had
>> time to cure. Do you understand this? Buying a board in a shop gives
>> the buyer the opportunity to look and the board. Do you understand
>> this?
>
>cure shmure....what kinda core surfer has to worry about a board curing?? hell, if
>the resin is still tacky you save a few bucks on wax. when it falls apart just
>have another made at your request!
>
Cure shmure? I have arrived in Centro with boards so fresh that the
fins looked like gumby dolls after the plane ride/abuse.
Don't start on me Bud!
- jb (200lbs of your favorite surf muscle)
>> I have a shaper who makes my boards at my request, but buying a board
>> onsite does have its advantages.
>
Wavslav
I actually was referring to the FSC boards that arent too lusted after
Simms rides a Harbour from Seal Beach
wingnut rides on Robert August's boards despite his licence dispute with Bob
pearson a few years ago.
Adam Rides on HIC or Al Merrick, he's got a big out of town sponsor
Peter Mel rides a John Carper despite being a shaper
Flea, Jay and maybe Gally are Arrow riders
your point was what?
I'm not dissing Arrow boards, I spend alot of time at the factory.
I dont buy stock boards and although I know the owners of all those shops and
spoke well of them and do some business there,....
I reccommended a shop I really like...
in reference to some other related post of yours,
Ward makes nice boards
but he's lame
I wouldnt go out of my way to give him business
Wavslav
Wavslav
stand up barrel
and you are flat
I know you are
not a surfer
you dig some
other sport
and like to
talk to surfers
I pity you
and urge you to hang out
with your own kind
sponger
speed bump
Wavslav
Let the tide in and set me free
WhirlaWhip
WhirlaWhip
>and urge you to hang out
>with your own kind
>sponger
>speed bump
I pity you
fat old man.
Look down at
the beer gut.
Sad. So sad.
I have been deeper
than you ever will.
Balding too?
So sad.
You were made
for that longboard
statue.
gpas...@my-dejanews.com
wav...@aol.com (Wavslav) wrote:
> Gioni,
> I actually was referring to the FSC boards that arent too lusted after
You didn't specify that so it seemed that you were referring to all the shops.
> your point was what?
There are name surfers from Santa Cruz surfing local boards.
> in reference to some other related post of yours,
> Ward makes nice boards
> but he's lame
> I wouldnt go out of my way to give him business
Wasn't me, I don't know Ward nor his boards. Maybe it was lp or someone else
that mentioned Ward.
Gioni
http://www2.crosswinds.net/san-jose/~pasque/
ryan_r...@hotmail.com
j...@swbeli.net (jb) wrote:
> On Sat, 30 Jan 1999 05:47:23 GMT, ryan_r...@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> >In article <36b4b222....@news.mindspring.com>,
> > alo...@mindspring.com (Andrew) wrote:
> >> I'm about to buy my first longboard here in town and I would like some
> >> help choosing which shop to buy from.
> >>
>
> time to cure. Do you understand this? Buying a board in a shop gives
> the buyer the opportunity to look and the board. Do you understand
> this?
The difference I was talking about was between having a shaper make a board
for you and buying a board off the rack. If you buy a board off the rack you
have to know what you're looking for. If you buy from a shaper you get his
judgement thrown in as a bonus. If you go into a shop, you might someone who
can give you good advice or you might not. If you want a board to cure, just
wait.
> I have a shaper who makes my boards at my request, but buying a board
> onsite does have its advantages.
Immediate gratification is the major one. Also, f you want to support the
shop, then buying a board a way to do it.
> Now go tell your boyfriend that you got spanked a good one by jb.
Why does your weird little fantasy life involve spanking me? I suppose I
should just let this slide but the 200 lbs of homophobic muscle boy act has
always irked me. That said, you have contributed some good information about
surf travel occasionaly.
Ryan
Stephen Erickson
> in reference to some other related post of yours,
> Ward makes nice boards
> but he's lame
> I wouldnt go out of my way to give him business
I've had nothing but good vibes from Ward Coffey (is that to whom you
are referring?) and have heard the same from others. What's your guff?
SurffOhio
>Why does your weird little fantasy life involve spanking me?
As the Sandman pointed out, jb, Carson, Foon and others get giddy reading their
posts on alt.surfing.
One types it up, sends it, and then gets off on reading it. Alt.surfing is a
neat little canvas. jb and Carson originally got their rocks off reading their
"bitch slap" type posts thinking that they were "disrupting" the PC types on
alt.surfing. The've been coming all over their posts for some time now.
Guys like Foon can come up with great literary accomplishments, or "name drop"
( point out that they know so and so, have done so and so, my wife used to be a
cheeleader and knows so and so, e.t.c. ) paint them on the canvas of
alt.surfing, and then sit back and salivate as they read them.
It can be somewhat of a "who can out create who" contest, with the winner often
times announcing that "well, I've had quite a bit of email from people
approving of what I post."
This is kind of the state of alt.surfing today, with the above at least being
better than advertisements, some of the die hard west coasters and Hawaii guys
with surf reports, some international dudes having some interesting info from
abroad, and the Whips Greenwich Village art forms being painted on alt.surfing.
If your simple shaping post gets caught up in the whirlwind of rednecking don't
worry about it. It's just a game.
Surff
b2b...@users.realize.com
> I'm about to buy my first longboard here in town and I would like some
> help choosing which shop to buy from.
>
>
> Freeline Design (Capitola)
>
> I'm somewhat partial to Arrow. Among other things, they seem to have
> the best selection of stock longboards.
>
>
>
> Andrew
Andrew, get the Arrow.
---
Visit www.Realize.COM for Message Boards with Less Noise
PsychoSurfer
Thanks. I actually met with Bob Pearson last week. Arrow is shaping
a 9' longboard for me right now. It should be ready in about two to
three weeks.
Andrew
----------------------------------------------------------------
in beautiful Capitola-by-the-Sea, California
"Why is it, when the waves are just right, when its big
enough and hollow enough and I'm inside of it, everything,
whatever I'm doing, why I'm doing it, in that moment, it
all makes sense?"
--Shane Dorian, "In Gods Hands"
"You have to look with better eyes than that."
--Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio in James Cameron's "The Abyss"
DavePICL
If you're going to choose a longboard, go w/ Arrow or Freeline. Both shops are
owned by serious LB surfers with 30+ years of boardbuilding under their belts,
excellent surfers (and former competitors) in their own right, and gentlemen to
boot.
I'm partial to Pearson, but that could be because I've surfed for him for about
15 years and he continues to support me even though I swapped coasts to Florida
last year. That should give you some insight into Bob's dedication to not only
the sport and his business but also the underlying Aloha spirit of
surfing...always stick w/ a bro who sticks w/ you...:)
John Mel at Freeline is a person that it's impossible to say anything negative
about as well. John's shapes tend to be a bit more 'modern' than Bob's
(although Bob can churn out the high performance stuff too, he's superior in
the old fashioned and/or traditional shapes too...probably the best in NorCal).
It's kind of a question of what you're after. If you want a high-performance,
competition oriented stick both can provide it for you to your taste. If
you're after something more traditional, Pearson is the guy.
Lastly, WHATEVER you do, avoid Fiberglass Santa Cruz. Other than the fact that
the shapes suck, the materials put into the boards are substandard and the
attitude of the owner/shaper go down as the worst in the bay area, I can't
think of a reason to shy away...:) You'll save a few bucks on the purchase,
but you'll get even less than you pay for in the long run.
Aloha Nui
Dave