Surfers: Clark Foam closing up shop

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

http://starbulletin.com/2005/12/06/news/story03.html

Damn. An I was planning on ordering a new blank in the next year or so to build a new board in carbon fiber.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Back in high school, Clark Urlta Lite Foam was the ****e!! Only problem was how easy it was to get a pressure ding, always some bozo who wanted to sqeeze your board. When we ordered custom boards Clark was our only choice!!

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

wow, that's the end of an era.

singpilot · 12-07-2005, 07:37 AM

When I was in High School (late 60's) that was where we all got our blanks.

****** EPA.

Bill Douglas · 12-07-2005, 10:13 AM

They should relocate to Malasia. there are no health and safety laws in that country.

I really like the new expoy on styrine (sp) boards and just can't believe how light they are.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Here's a couple blanks I brought home in my bus a couple years ago:

GettinHeadStuds · 12:32 PM

It's not certain that they are gone forever... but it's not looking good. From what I've read, it sounds more like a business decision rather than an EPA or Fire Department issue. What a $hity way to get out... fcuks the whole industry.

There are other blank suppliers out there... Walker for one has been supplying Gene Cooper (cooperfish) and Weber since the beginning.... and supposedly he is in China looking into setting up operations out there... soo... there is some light for the future.

Other than that... we're screwed for the short term. EPS boards will probably become more popular and more expensive and who knows how much poly rides will cost.

It's going to be very interesting. Clark had all the molds for the different shapers and their different rides. So even when shapers get blanks (presumably from another supplier), they're going to have to have to buzz a lot more foam than they've been used to.

Here's a copy of the fax sent out by 'Grubby' Clark.

http://www.newyorksurf.com/modules/ipboard/index.php?showtopic=3470

EDIT :Oh ya... people have been buying boards like crazy since Monday... So if you're in the market... get 'em while you can!

scottmandue · 12-07-2005, 12:46 PM

Too many surfers out there already... on a good day any beach in California looks like the 405 at commuter hours.

Just kidding guys!

Although I do find it alarming how surfers are forming gangs and defending their (perceived) turf (Beach's) with violence.

What happened to to the old surfers that loved nature and everybody?

einreb · 12-07-2005, 01:04 PM

My first fiberglass project as a teenager was a sailboard based on a clark blank. I dont think my parents realized what they were getting into fume wise when they o.k.'d that little project for the basement.

-bernie

jkarolyi · 12-07-2005, 01:07 PM

Yet another employer leaving the overregulated state of California. But we have plenty of real estate businesses to take their place, so go ahead and tear down the factory and put up more McMansions.

The question is, California, where are all these people living in the McMansions going to work?

einreb · 12-07-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jkarolyi
The question is, California, where are all these people living in the McMansions going to work?

They can become realtors and mortgage brokers of course!

stevepaa · 12-07-2005, 02:14 PM

Thanks. I just called my daughter to see if she knew about this and if she needs to get a blank.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by stevepaa
Thanks. I just called my daughter to see if she knew about this and if she needs to get a blank.

Good luck! I just looked up a couple of suppliers I knew, and their websites basically they weren't going to sell to new customers. I'll bet the $120 blanks I bought a couple of years ago went to $500 this week.

kycarguy 935 · 12-07-2005, 10:42 PM

In junior high school {middle school now} I worked at a surf shop in Long Beach, Ca. and they used Clark blanks to make their boards. I still have the board they made for me back then.

Grezdlitn · Grezdlitn's Garage

I thought this might be interesting...... This is a Dragonfly experimental and is made almost entirely of Clark Foam !!

B D · 12-08-2005, 08:12 AM

What about packing up and going to Mexico, it's only 100 miles south?

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

http://www.sfexaminer.com/articles/2005/12/08/peninsula/20051208_pe04_shops.txt

GettinHeadStuds · 12-09-2005, 06:19 AM

I heard Bing & Jacobs Surfboards will be taking orders on certain models starting today. Weeee! Cut out by a machine, finished off by Calvani, and signed by Hap! Welcome to the contemporary shaping game!

pwd72s · 12-10-2005, 05:42 PM

Do you mean "contemporary" shaping...or is it "computer" shaping? I haven't surfed in decades...but shaping is an art form!! It's not like machining replica Porsche parts...

GettinHeadStuds · 06:08 PM

By contemporary I mean...

"Cut out by a machine, finished off by Calvani, and signed by Hap! "

The blanks are pretty much pre-shaped by machines. Then the 'shaper' comes in and buzzes here buzzes there. 'Shapers' for the bigger companys should be called 'finishers' rather than shapers. I used the example of Bing/Jacobs boards, as they are a highly demanded brand and happen to use this process.

You want a 422 Hap Jacobs? They order the pre-shaped (machined) '422 blank' according to your specified length. Matt Calvani (great younger shaper) comes in and 'touches up' the blank. Hap Jacobs (legend) signs board.

In contrast to the 60s... Hap would have had a meeting with the client, ordered a raw blank, and shaped the board from scratch according to the client's specs. Not perfectly even or straight, but a ton of "soul".

Oh well... More demand = less customization.

EDIT: Keep in mind there are "backyard" shapers that take orders and shape boards the "old way". =)