At EOS we are always trying to bring you the latest in longboarding. We are huge fans of the mag Concrete Wave – that for sure keeps us in tune with what is good and what is sub par.  We came across a couple board companies that we had to have so we went out an got ‘em for you guys.

Honey Longboards: We were in search of longboard company besides Kahuna that has a sweet natural look to the board. Honey has a deverse line up so check em out !

Koastal Longboards: Deverse line up with a natural look to their boards. They have some sweet cruisers 47″ baby.

EastSide Longboards: Sweet shapes including some drop thru that you need to get for your speeding pleasure.

The Gator Skim Club and I have recently started to really get into flatlanding. One of the boards we have is a Dashboard Proto, which I’m here to give you my thoughts about.

The three main things I like about it are the weight, the float, and the grip. The Proto (and all Dashboard skimboards for that matter) are THICK. This makes them fairly heavy, which really helps you keep up your momentum. The weight also affects shuvits a lot. It doesn’t necessarily make them harder or easier, but I do like it. It sort of feels like they spin slower, because there’s more mass to kick around; because it’s a more substantial board, I feel like tre shuvs are much easier to land and ride out of because of the momentum that you carry. Also, because of the momentum the board carries, I feel like it floats exceptionally well and pops high too. And of course, like every Dashboard, the full grip is works great and looks really clean too.

-Jesse Lash

EOS Team Rider and NCSA President

Kyle Reed

Jesse Lash

Lash getting up!

Lash Shuv Much

EOS rider Matthieu Thibaud Shuv it by Jason Romine

Matthieu or Muchu has been riding for EOS since last summer. Not only does this guy rip, but he is Victoria Skimboard’s shaper. Which of course makes him a wealth of knowledge of everything skimboard. Here is a nice little chat we had gmail style:

PB: ok… you ready for this??
MT: ha ha, I don’t know, am I? I’m kinda scared for you…
PB: Is annie looking over your shoulder?
MT: nope, but trigg will probably
PB: Lets jump into this – This year seems like the first year where Vic has come out with more than two pro boards

EOS rider Matthieu Thibaud Wrapping by Jason Romine

MT: Correct my English if needed
PB: What made you guys decide to do that? Just noticed that out of all the board companies, you guys have the most pro models
MT: Last year we had three and this year, four – Morgan Just, Bill Bryan, Brandon Rothe and Tex Haines
PB: Tons! -Most companies have one or two
MT: We have a really good team with different styles, so different boards. We wanted to offer our customers the boards that our best team riders actually use
PB: B-Rothe seems noticeably different from the rest – How much do these guys know their boards?

09- Brandon Rothe Pro Model

MT: Each one of the rider was really involved in making those pro Model, shape, rails, and art and rocker of course
PB: of course – Out of Mo, Beaker and B-Rothe… who really knows what they want? – Who really knows their stuff?
MT: Me of course
PB: And that’s why the ladies love you
MT:  I would say Bill Bryan – He really knows how he wants his boards to the detail – The weight, the shape, the rocker

photo by Jason Romine

PB: MO and Beaker models are 3/4″ do they ever ride on the 5/8?
MT: We do a lot of shaping to those Pro Models so it’s more like a blend of the 2 thickness to give benefits of both
PB:  Rothe has a much more blunted nose than I have seen… why did he go that route? How does that fit his riding style?

photo by Jason Romine

MT: The blunt nose is to have more control when going switch (which he does a lot)
PB: Any disadvantages?
MT: For his style of riding, it is perfect.
PB: He’s pretty good – ha ha
PB: In your mind though do you see any disadvantages with the blunt nose for someone else riding the board?
There is give and take like
-3/4″ to 5/8″
-Box rails to round
MT: For your first question: I’ve been riding a blunt nose, I love it, I honestly don’t really see a disadvantage
For the second question: There is no better thickness, it makes different boards, but none better than the other
PB: all good different conditions call for different boards for the ideal ride yea?
MT: Same thing with the rails, some people will like Boxy some tapered, we explain people what it does to your riding, and they choose. There is no board that would work for everyone.
PB: But anything works for you – You can skim my desk and hit some mean liners
ha ha
MT:  Yeah I’ve been wrapping Aliso on a Foamie, and had so much fun
MT: Is your desk 5/8 or 3/4? Just kidding
PB: about ¾ – I’ll let you borrow it anytime
PB: When are you coming out to Utah to do some boarding???
MT: As soon as my sponsor EOS books the ticket – jk
PB: Fair enough

PB: When did you start shaping?
MT: About February 2007
PB: How did you learn? What got you into it?
MT: I was here at Victoria Skimboards, needed a board, and asked the permission if I could give it a try and shape my own board… It came out really good
PB: really?
MT:  natural
PB: Were you riding for them at the time?
MT: I’ve been riding for Victoria Skimboards since 2001
PB: How did you get introduced to Vic?
MT: I won the french championship in 2000, and the french distributor (that became a friend) of Victoria Skimboards started sponsoring me
PB: After that came all the money and ladies?
MT: T’as tout compris!
PB: YES! – Speaking of France… how is that scene developing?
MT: I’m sure you are google translating that ha ha
MT:  They are doing good. Of course I stay in touch a lot with them. Every year, the french tour and European Championship get a little big bigger. They already have some really good projects for this year
PB: Cool
MT: There are good people that put a lot of effort in organizing events
There is ALWAYS a good party too
PB: I’m sure there is…
PB: What do they need over there to kick it up a notch?
MT: They need some media coverage (it s coming along with online magazines like foreverSkim etc). Hopefully in the future, an international Skim Tour would stop for a contest in France, or more generally Europe. That would help

photo by Jason Romine

PB: So when did you decide to come to Ca?
MT: My first trip here was because I was in an engineering school in France where they require a certain level of English, and I was pretty bad in English. In 2005, my teachers told me I should spend my summer in an English spoken country. So my first call was asking my Sponsor Vic and they said yes
I know Cali is not the closest spot from France where people speak English, but I definitely wanted to go to Cali too – to visit and skim

photo by Jason Romine

PB: Sick if you are going to do it… go big
MT:  exactly
PB: Vic seems to be stepping it up in the flatland arena – what made you guys really get into that world?
MT:  Vic has been interested in Flatland for a long time. Tex went to his first Sacramento Skimfest Contest in 1998
PB: You guys mixed it up with the Matrix… what was the inspiration behind that board?
MT:  We’ve been trying boards for inland for a while. We thought that the wooden boards could be really improved by combining foam technology

Muchu

PB: The grinder I noticed has a lot sharper rails then most… – compared to the old grinder and most wood boards
MT: What do you call the “old” grinder? 2008?
PB: the penguin/walrus grinder
MT: Sharper rails give more control when on the water (easier to turn)
than more round
PB: Matthieu… that wasn’t too hard – too painful
What’s going to happen this year? Predictions?
MT: Yeah right, I’m sweating
MT: EOS is going BIG this year! ha ha!
PB: you know it!!
MT: Thanks for your support Paul
PB: No worries. We think this year is going to be good for us – bigger and better
PB: ciao loco de la guerra!
MT: Bye, thx again

Exile Nation

Steve Taylor runs the show and the ins and outs of Exile Skimboards. So we are going to pick his brain for all skimmers beginners to those that think they are good. There is a ton of good info so take some time to soak it all up!

EOS: Ready for some interview time?
Steve: born ready

EOS: that’s great – So this is year 7 for exile?
Steve: No comment – jk HA
Season numero 7, si

EOS: besides working from a garage what other things have you guys tweeked along the road?
Steve: Basically Exile grew from garage, to a warehouse/store front that was equal to a garage and closet, to our factory now with a healthy storefront, enclosed offices and roomy manufacturing grounds. The growth has given us the freedom of working comfortably and also allowed for the opportunity to grow more and more.
what happened i just blacked out

EOS: as far as skim tech stuff?
Steve: Things that have changed as far as product have been the addition of the Hybrid rocker early on. This is a two stage rocker that is common in many skimboards now. Two stage meaning there is slight rocker in the tail and most of the rocker is located in the nose area. The board also has a flat spot, which allows the rider to squeeze as much speed as possible out of the board without sacrificing maneuverability.
We’ve also strengthened our gloss coat finish as well as making it cosmetically more appealing. So you’re welcome for that.

EOS: Saying thanks every night
Steve: As far as shapes we started with a blunt shape and a traditional shape. We now have the hybrid shape and Pro Shape. The Hybrid is a great all around board, and excels in any conditions for any rider. The Pro shape is a narrower shape, and a bit harder to tame, but it does allow riders with the knowledge/ability to get more speed and more control once in the pocket, though getting there is a bit harder.
That’s about it, just that book

EOS: Anyone that sees the hybrid shape will notice the more blunt nose. What was the story behind that? – more blunt compared to other shapers boards
Steve: the blunt nose pushes more water. What’s that mean for the rider? It’s easier to make the sand to water transfer that hinders many riders. It’s also great for wrapping waves. You’re less likely to pearl, or dig the nose in the water.

EOS: ok… bearded or beard ed – what did beard ed do for you guys?
Steve: It proved to the public that Exile is not a fad. We’re a team of skimboarders, that have grown together with a product that is tested every single day in intense conditions, and fun ankle high slappers. We’ve become a family, and we want to share the good things that we encounter. It also proved to ourselves that we can put something out that will far exceed expectations which is never easy to do.
It’s actually Bearder. It was a mis-print and we just rolled with it.

EOS: bearder or bearded… where did it even come from?
Steve: I don’t know if I can leak that

EOS: better keep it under wraps for the kids
EOS: Out of your team who is the most techy when it comes to their board? – Who knows what they want the most when they get their board shaped
Steve: Paulo and BCS definitely know their boards better than anyone

EOS: How different are their boards?
Steve: Their boards aren’t necessarily different, but they are very particular about weight and Brandon’s boards are tapered a certain way. His board is 3/4″ but tapered to 5/8″ in the nose and tail. Paulo’s board he has been riding recently has less rocker than our typical Hybrid rocker board. It’s a little harder to turn, but it is very quick.

EOS: how sick is the red ablum?
- haha extremely sick

EOS: I don’t think he needs help turning
EOS: http://blog.extremeoutdoorsupply.com/ – what happened to the beard?
Steve: oh gross. haha it was red, and i was being called a ginger which i am not, so it had to go. Nothing against gingers, I’m not a racist

EOS: so how did Hank get in the mix??
Steve: Hanky Panky. Hank came out and visited with Derek Makekau and him and I became very good friends. He was attending Flagler College in Florida, majoring in Sports Management, and needed to fulfill a requirement of becoming an intern. Hank spoke with Aaron, and it was a perfect opportunity for both Exile and Mr. Snapp. We were growing, I was becoming overloaded, and Aaron needed the free time to concentrate on our expansion and other projects. Hank came and did an internship, finished that up, got his degree and came back because he couldn’t stay away from me, and he’s been with us since. Hank is just a stand up great guy, and you won’t meet a friendlier face. Exile’s been called the new Happiest Place on Earth because of this guy.

EOS: Within the Exile team Who are you keeping an eye on?
Steve: you mean who on our team is coming up?

EOS: yea.. my question sounded kind of gay – literally
Steve: who on our team is going to breakthrough?

EOS: yes
Steve: The thing I love about our team is that all of these guys and Shonna Cobb, our sole female rider, everyone has broke through. Who’s name is going to be on top of the UST in 3-5 years? Blair Conklin and Kalin Wiley are already better than half of the pros on the tour now. We just added Ken Suzuki, and Corey Hanks to the team. Ken is an explosive young skimmer from Newport Beach. Hardly anyone knows who he is, but he skims similar to Blair, just with less experience. If he sticks with it, watch out world. Corey Hanks is following in the footsteps of Woody Harris, someone we’ve watched grow with our company into a great young pro. All of these guys have the ability to be in the top 10 on the UST in years to come. I’m as excited as they are to watch them reach their peak.

EOS: Every time the name Blair comes up it boggles my mind – it’s mind boggling
Steve: He has skills that match anyone, and he has a mindset similar to Paulo. His head is screwed on straight, he has the support of a great family behind him, and he’s a great kid. We hope we can help him grow as a skimboarder and as a person. Basically we are just extremely stoked in this dude, and it’s a pleasure to have him with us.

EOS: I want to be Blair

Steve Taylor at the Vic 08

EOS: What’s up for exile in the futuro?
Steve: Our second team video will be out in the very near future. I’ve seen a lot of the footage that we’ve gathered. It’s going to blow every mind out there. More so than Bearded did when it was released. We’re mastering making boards with full bottom arts, so be ready for that in 2009. The most important thing is that we’re going to continue to make the best performing and strongest boards in the world. We’re constantly testing new products and trying new things to make sure we’re on top of the competition, because we like being there, but most of all we like our customers to know that they are riding the best skimboard in the world, an Exile. Our staff is dedicated to skimboarding, and dedicated to skimboarders, meaning we care about you, we care about how your board rides and we will do everything we can to keep you stoked on skimboarding and hopefully skimboarding with Exile.

EOS:I think everyone is gearing up for the new dvd to drop – no pressure
Steve: yeah, it’s a crazy process.. and our team skims so much that we’re always filming. Anyone making a video can tell you, one of the hardest parts is deciding when enough is enough and you’ve finally acquired enough footage to let you sleep peacefully

EOS: is this going to have some France footy?
Steve: woah woah easy secret squeezer – I actually have no idea. Probably will be something because it was very good there, but I’m not promising anything

EOS: I’m used to that already…
EOS:What does skimboarding need right now?
that’s kind of big general… maybe lame question
Steve: Pros to be able to be actual professional athletes where they can live off the sport.
We need the funding to be able to have events with waiting periods and the money to travel to spots where skimboarding can be seen at it’s absolute best. Outside funding is a must for now. Energy drinks, broadcasting, whatever it may be we need the support to be able to showcase these riders at their best in the gnarliest conditions. People like to see extreme sports in their extremes…

EOS: waiting periods?
Steve: Yeah, just like in surfing. You choose the location and you give the place a week or two weeks to get the right swell/conditions so that it has a very good of chance at putting out the best waves possible for the spot.

EOS: for sure featuring the riders in the best situations in un-velano conditions.
Media outlets, more exposure to get the big money interested
Steve: Even if we had like a 4 day period for Vilano they would have hit it. That place has been going off all year. haha
Steve: Exactly. We need to prove to the media and the top dollar companies that skimboarding is more than sand sliding on a wood skimmer.

EOS: So like 15 years
Steve: We basically need 15 years or so haha

EOS:Here’s to the future – smells like hank
EOS: so basically some big money has to come in – lots of it
Steve: ya i hear you on that one

EOS: It will be interesting to see how it plays out
There is a challenge there… better comps to attract bigger sponsors – better and more media – maybe some creative grass movements
Steve: Yeah pretty much nailed it

EOS: barack style
Steve: We need to go green
Change

EOS: lol
sounds great – maybe some government money?
I think some wooden arrows got some funding… why not skimboards?
Steve: we need tampax
skimboarders are already known mainly as “vaginas” or a more harsh word for that body part… why not go for the corporate sponsor for something that protects that body part during the harshest of times

EOS: yes – great idea
EOS:I’m sure paulo would love to put that on his skimboard
I’m sure tampax will have a targeted audience – just like flomax on monday night football
Steve: I would definitely be down for putting a tampax sticker on my board hahaha

EOS: all about the $$ – no shame in your game!
alright… time to wrap this up
anything else you want to say?
eats some hay
I just may down by the bay?
Steve: Come be a part of our family. We’ll feed your skimboard needs well, and if you’re lucky Hank will tuck you in at night. It’s a treat, or so I hear…

EOS: good ol hank – thanks again steve
Steve: heck ya!

Steve Taylor - He's really high

Part II
EOS: ok esteve.. lets talk rockers – your rocker is what… 1 and 1/2?
Steve: wait what’s rocker? – jk typical rocker on an exile is 2 1/8

EOS: There is a lot of talk of rockers these days… smaller rocker bigger rocker whatever. Why did you guys go with that size?
Steve: Our rocker is suited for everything. Not just siders, not just liners, not just wraps. You’ll be able to manage it in any conditions. We can make flatter boards, or boards with more rocker for certain areas. Where it’s set at now works the best with our shapes and designs so we stick with it.

EOS: makes sense… you guys can customize rockers etc which your riders do… you aren’t limited to just that type of rocker… you just offer that rocker for the masses because it works in the most conditions
the disclaimer was more for me
EOS:You offered other rockers in your catalog until 07 I think?
Like the constant rocker
Steve: We recommend the Hybrid rocker to everyone. If someone wants a board thats going to plane further, I recommend pushing the board back on the rocker table which is going to give it less nose rocker and a greater flat spot. Brad Domke, Paulo Prietto and new team member Cameron Carothers of Santa Cruz all ride these types of rockers.
Correct we still offer the constant and traditional rockers, but we only sell about 1-2 of these a year now

EOS: just less demand
constant, traditional and now the hybrid
let’s get teched out here
Lets say I want different arrows in my quiver for different situations
Constant rocker would be for?
traditional?
and we already did the hybrid
Steve: The constant rocker is made to excel in fast water situations and waves with power. Aliso Creek when it’s big and fast basically is the perfect example of this.
Traditionals excel in flat beaches with far out waves, but there are a lot of things that make the traditional rocker board harder to ride than the hybrid and constant so we tend to push people towards the hybrid when inquiring about the traditional

EOS: constant rocker… is what it is constant throughout the board
Steve: correctomundo

EOS:Traditional super flat for the people – you know!
Steve: the traditional is super flat. has the same amount of rocker as the hybrid, but over a much shorter area, so it has a lot of nose rocker far up on the nose and then a huge flat spot for planing

EOS: faster – what makes that one hard to ride? too much butter?
Steve: hard to make the sand to water transfer and just different maneuvering wise. Some people love it, but it’s definitely for certain conditions

EOS: gracias
EOS: There is give and take with shapes and rockers…
flatter will be faster
Steve: big time

EOS: Have you guys always offered the textured deck?
I heard Chia saying that textured is the way to go as far as durability and lighter
Steve: Yeah we offered the textured finish from day 1. We introduced the glossy afterwards to appease shops, and people that are afraid to prep their board before putting pads on.
It’s slightly lighter and the textured finish holds up better with knicks and dings. Every single person on our team rides textured, that should speak loudly for the durability of the boards and what’s slightly better.

EOS: oh its loud
Steve: haha you’d think so

EOS: lets talk rails
what do you guys do to make them super duper strong
wow… super duper just came right out
Steve: We already use the strongest materials out there, and we double wrap our rails, meaning there is extra material in the rails to help prevent dings. It’s something we’ve done since day one so that you’re getting the strongest board possible. We didn’t add this process when pressured by others, we started with it and continued with it.

EOS: yea! beautiful
EOS: and what are you riding these days?
Steve: I am riding a MS Pro Shape Hybrid Rocker Carbon 5/8″ but I am going to make a new one that is slightly bigger because I need a little more board for the winter/spring time when Aliso isn’t firing
I’m riding a Burton 156 Love as well. because I quit skimboarding for the winter
haha

EOS: bienvenidos a Provo!ha!
i think I’m out of questions…
Steve: that’s all you got?

EOS: sheesh ok ok
oh forgot again..
weights and board sizes
with my weight I can fit into a bunch of boards
Steve: yeah we don’t want you to feel unloved
everyone has personal preferences. smaller board, bigger board, so we let people know they dont need to stick with one board because of the “size recommendations” if you want a precise fitting call us anytime and we will help you figure out what you like now and what will probably keep you the happiest

EOS: rules to stick to: smaller more maneuverability large more float?
Steve: yuppp
another good rule is to listen to our recommendations i’ve been with this company and hank as well for long enough, and we both are extremely active in trying different sizes and what works well in what kinds of conditions so we can help you out.

EOS: yesssss – and that is really nice of you
EOS: do you ever ride 3/4?
Steve: yeah i did for about 2 years, but i just love the manuevering with the 5/8″ I’m actually getting a bigger shape just so i can keep riding a 5/8″ instead of going 3/4″ in the same size i ride now
give and take there too

EOS: yup it’s all give and take
Steve: like a marraige

EOS: I heard the love you take is the equal to the love you make?
Steve: not at all. it’s more like a one sided fight where the male is always wrong
wait that’s any relationship
haha

EOS: I was quoting the beatles… I don’t know what the hell you are talking about – man you are crazy!
Steve: hahahha

EOS:: that’s a lot of info you just threw down
Steve: hahaha

Smile you are riding an Exile!

Straight out of the little hippy town of Durango, CO comes some sweet rides for your pleasure only. This are shaped with Hard Rock Canadain Maple so if you want quick response from your board then these are your ride. These longboards come in two different shapes; one with a kicktail and the other in the classic pintail shape. The art on the boards all comes from teh Durango scene giving a great local feel. So check em out!

Durango Longboard Skateboards

This is of course is the latest headline out of the Loaded team. We here at EOS are always stoked on what comes out of Loaded. We are big fans and ride Loaded on our lunch breaks. So when we heard the Loaded re worked their classic fish into the new funky ceviche we wanted to know all about it of course. Here is a hot pic for your pleasure only:

The oh mommy Loaded Ceviche

With a built in vert-lam tail and a mellow nose, the Ceviche takes the best aspects of the Fish, dices it up and dishes out something brand new. Similar in length to the Fish, but with a shorter wheelbase, the Ceviche can be ridden between the trucks for pumping or off the tail for an aggressive, surfy feel.

Pop some ollies or hit some bowls… just get your feet on this board.

In an effort to match the performance of fiberglass,GFH has invested in a new alternative that is safe on the environment and the people who handle the material. The new GFH Fiber Weave is a new material that has amazing rebound properties and is virtually indestructible.

Fiberglass, if inhaled during production or cutting, can be extremely damaging to the lungs. GFH Boards decided to seek out alternative materials when researching the options for high performance composite materials. This new “Green” product is the primary component on the production of the Unknown and the Bali Board.

We are stoked to offer them on the site! Take a peek at our line up here: GFH Boards

Shown here are 2 composite longboards are shown on the right and left – in the middle the new Full Nelson. The Full Nelson was designed to match the original 70′s style longboard.

If you want a lot of flex the Bali or the Unknown – if you want a stiffer rider go for the Full Nelson. GFH also carries one of the most diverse line ups in the skateboard world. So make sure you peep the rest of the selection for any of your skateboard needs.

We have added so many other skimboards that average buyer could be well confused of what to get to help out with the cause we updated our buyers guide.

Here it is – EOS Skimboard Buying Guide

And here is a sick picture of Paulo by Adam Hayward.

Paulo Prietto

This question was asked in my exile board review, “hey man, i enjoyed your review. im looking to by a MS pro shape exile, but i cant decide what thickness i want. is there a big difference in float and maneuverability between the 3/4″ and 5/8″ foam?”

Thanks bro, glad you enjoyed the review. And I’m glad you asked about foam thickness, it’s one of my favorite things to talk about with skimboards ironically enough haha. I have owned four exiles of varying shapes and sizes to date:

• ¾” ML traditional s-glass
• 5/8” ML hybrid s-glass
• ¾” MS hybrid s-glass
• ¾” MS pro-shape carbon (my current ride)

As you can probably guess by looking at the list, I really prefer ¾” foam. The primary reason for this being that I live in Florida. Most of the waves I skim are fairly weak, and every extra bit of push helps. The 5/8” board that I had was a great board. It turned really quickly, and felt great on the face of the wave, but I just really preferred having that little extra bit of speed. It honestly makes a BIG difference. Talking to Steve at Exile one day, he mentioned that even he rides a ¾” board on most California waves, unless it’s a day where Aliso is firing or something like that.

The thicker foam makes the board more buyout, obviously, but it also theoretically makes it harder to turn. In my experience, I prefer the extra speed of ¾” over a little bit of “help” turning the board from 5/8” foam. The difference in speed feels a lot greater than the difference in maneuverability to me. To quote Mr. Peluso “Guys like Paulo and Domke could turn a door.” As you get better, you will be able to maneuver the board quicker and turn better, but you will eventually get to a point where you won’t be able to make yourself go any faster.

All that being said, people still have their own personal preferences. I have friends who skim nothing but south florida ankle-biters, and swear by 5/8”. So, go out there, try different boards, and see what feels right to you. My personal recommendation is for ¾” foam, unless you’re skimming big waves often.

-Jesse