Wayne Lynch...Transition era stylmaster.

Wayne Lynch was way ahead of his time...still rips today.



1968...ahead of the curve.



Wayne's quiver...borrowed from Switchfoot to share the stoke



Gerry Lopez...the real deal.

laid back

Cool as it gets...

right where he belongs.

Bing Family Tree...check out some new models.

Chris Del Moro rips...period.

The Ride Everything mentality.

This is the start of our 16th year...crazy yes but 16 it is!  Seems like only yesterday.  We've always been from the 'ride everything' mentality...heck, we live on the East Coast...we need to ride everything. There's alot of board design going on out there right now...our FOCUS is on what we like to call Solution Boards.  Boards that allow us to catch lots of waves...whether they're weak and mushy or fast and hollow, these boards solve the problem with our beach breaks.  We need to catch waves early and get up and ride...if you're not catching the waves, you're not riding and if you're not riding then you're not having fun.  After all, isn't that what surfing is all about...having fun?

I think Richard Kenvin said it best..."We've got an infinite # of choices to do this thing...starting with no board at all. Most of us don't make a living competing with the best surfers in the world. It's a total delusion that we can't ride whatever we want...because we can ride whatever we want."  Richard Kenvin on waveriding - Idiosyncracies

Over the next couple of weeks, we're going to highlight the Shapers and the companies we carry...from Clean Ocean Surfboards to Hap Jacobs and Bing...to Harbour and Mitsven and Chaize Surfboards out of Asbury...sit back and enjoy.

Below are 3 mini Simmons that are FOR SALE in the shop...right now.

3 Mini Simmons

all handmade fins.  The COS has handmade bamboo twins, the mitsven twin, handmade ply and the mitsven quad, handmade glass



Misven's hand drawn tissue laminate



We've got a new Captain...

Cool Transition Era Velzy in the shop...V-bottom

Just picked up this late 1960s Transition Era Velzy V-bottom.  Stringerless 8 footer...really cool board.

cool lam.

a little beaten, but smooth none-the-less

v-bottom

Freddie's photo of Greg Noll...cool as it gets!

A couple weeks back, I posted a story about local legend, who recently passed away, Fred Knapp.  We had the ceremonial paddle out and gave Freddie the propper send off...we got in a circle and each told a story.  I shared this story about Fred at Makaha, the day Greg Noll caught his infamous wave...

"It was a bunch of years back. I've got an early 60s Greg Noll Surfboard hanging on the wall in the shop. Fred got talking about Greg and how he looked up to his big wave surfing ability and how he visited Hawaii in the late 1960s. He said it was 1969 and he was in Makaha...they were getting hit with a huge swell. Only the best of the best big wave riders were out. He watched as Greg Noll paddled out and sat in the line up for a long time. He went on to tell me how he saw Greg catch one of the biggest waves he had ever seen! Freddie was referring to the infamous December 4th, 1969, where Greg Noll surfed what is still considered to be one of the biggest waves ever paddled into. Fred was there! He ran down the beach and retrieved the famed yellow board that was ridden that day and gave it back to Greg. He went home and came back to the shop with photos of the day and of the ride. There they were...I held them in my hands. You could see the wave and the surfer...he was there all right! Fred was a local legend and will be greatly missed."

A few days later, Fred's wife came into the shop to let us know she appreciated what we all did and to drop off this photo.  She was going through some stuff and came across this shot that Fred took that day...I had goose bumps!  Freddie was there...

Greg Noll...Makaha, 1969. photographer, Freddie Knapp

8th Annual Board Swap goes off....

Yesterday was a great day...the best turnout we've had yet.  Had a chance to see some old friends and meet some new ones as well.  The front of the shop was loaded to the sidewalk with a really cool selection of boards from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and modern ones as well...not really sure how to spot a 90s board, but am sure there were some.  The place was packed with local legends, industry figures, groms and all in between...loaded with Real Surfers.  From what I saw, there were folks from Boston to Maryland and all had a great time.  The weather held out and there were even some waves to be had.

There was a real nice display of boards...from modern Hap Jacobs, Harbours, Bings, Phillips, Tylers, Yaters, Campbell Brothers Bonzers to old school pintails and logs.  Lightning Bolts, Gordies, Casters, Weber Performers, G&S...all for the taking.  My favorite was a transition era Velzy V bottom...really cool board.  And yes...there were some hipsters.

Thanks to al that came, helped out, bought boards, supplied the food, supported the shop and had a great time.
Eric

Check out Kirill's Gallery..all the way from Boston.

https://picasaweb.google.com/ma01760/2011NJSpringSwapSaleDay?feat=directlink

local legends. Carl, J Bevs, Scotty and Cliffy

Thanks toa ll for the use of the photos...much appreciated.

Paddle Out - for Freddie Knapp - This Saturday, April 9th...8am. Harris St. Bay Head

The man & one of his many boards

Tuesday  March 22nd, 2011, we lost a great man, a dedicated member of our surfing tribe...Freddie Knapp.  Anyone that surfed Bay Head and surrounding beaches knew who Freddie was...if not by name, certainly by face.  Fred surfed here year round since 1964, untill a back injury sidelined him a couple years ago...he still checked the surf and dropped by to talk stories on a regular basis.  Big Fred will be missed in our lineups, as he was an original, a true classic.

I think Steve Messenger said it best.  "A Surfer through and through...Freddie started surfing in 1964, the year I was born. To say that he was one of the original surfers in this Northern Ocean County area would be accurate, and has been a part of the surfing culture from Pt. Pleasant to Normandy Beach.  I surfed with Freddy ... he was always with a smile and a good word... even if he wasn't feeling well... you never knew he had a bad day."

Local surfer, Jeff Beverly Sr. had this to say.  "I surfed with Fred for many years in Bay Head. He was a great guy and I will miss seeing him checking the waves. Gone but never forgotten. RIP old friend.<3"

I know we all have our memories of Fred...for me, I'll miss surfing with him and his frequent visits to the shop.  He would stop by, always with a smile on his face and always a good word.  I need to share my favorite story Freddie told me. 

It was a bunch of years back.  I've got an early 60s Greg Noll Surfboard hanging on the wall in the shop.  Fred got talking about Greg and how he looked up to his big wave surfing ability and how he visited Hawaii in the late 1960s.  He said it was 1969 and he was in Makaha...they were getting hit with a huge swell.  Only the best of the best big wave riders were out.  He watched as Greg Noll paddled out and sat in the line up for a long time.  He went on to tell me how he saw Greg catch one of the biggest waves he had ever seen!  Freddie was referring to  the infamous December 4th, 1969, where Greg Noll surfed what is still considered to be one of the biggest waves ever paddled into.  Fred was there!  He ran down the beach and retrieved the famed yellow board that was ridden that day and gave it back to Greg.  He went home and came back to the shop with photos of the day and of the ride.  There they were...I held them in my hands.  You could see the wave and the surfer...he was there all right!  Fred was a local legend and will be greatly missed.

PADDLE OUT DETAILS -

In honor of our fallen brother, there will be a Memorial Paddle out ceremony this Saturday, April 9th, 2011...8am at Harris Street in Bay Head. Rain or Shine.  The water is still 43 degrees, so if you chose to stay on the beach, that's fine...all are welcome and appreciated.  Please pass the word along to any one that knew Fred.

Obituary:

Frederic B. Knapp, 67, of Point Pleasant Beach, passed away suddenly Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at his vacation home in New Foundland, PA. Born on Staten Island, New York, he lived there for 20 years before moving to Point Pleasant Beach in 1964. Mr. Knapp served his country in the U.S. Army. He was a driver for Texaco for 20 years and then a salesman for Surf Chevrolet in Point Pleasant Beach for 20 years before retiring. Freddie was an avid surfer who enjoyed fishing and spending quality time with his family and friends at Normandy Beach.

He was preceded in death by his sister in law, Maureen O'Shaughnessy and brothers in law, Ed and Bill Finnerty. Surviving are the love of his life, his beloved wife of 47 years Patricia Finnerty Knapp, his loving daughter, Colleen Knapp of Toms River, the light of his life, his cherished granddaughter, Carlie, his dear sisters, Elizabeth Knapp of New Foundland, PA and Michele Parzych and husband Will of Moscow, PA, his nieces, Maureen O'Shaughnessy, Allison Glossinger and husband Jason, Barbara Parzych, and nephews Eddie and Jerry O'Shaughness, cousins, Walter, Scott and Allen Ireland.

A couple more handboards in the shop...Bridge Ave. Bodysurfing Boards.

Hand made by local craftsman George Nicholas...polyester foam, fiberglass and resin. Awesome jog George!

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