American Surf Designs Pilot and NYTVF

Remember the tv pilot we were working on called "American Surf Designs"?  Well, it has been receiving awards and screenings at various TV and film festivals from Hawaii to Florida this year.  The biggest honor has just been annouced.  "American Surf Designs" has been chosen to be screened at the prestigious New York Television Fesitval.  Its a big deal and our producers will be there to schmooze and (hopefully) SELL IT!  Wish us luck, congratulate our producers if you know them, and go to our homepage to see the pilot.  To see the trailer for NYTVF, click here.

The structure of the show will be something like "LA Ink" or "American Choppers" where different kinds of surfers- celebrities, charities, professionals, friends- order custom surfboards and the process is followed from start to finish.  The show would also follow the hectic, exciting, sexy, REAL southern California surf lifestyle.  Its not a glossy image of making surfboards, its the real portayal of craftsman dedicated to the art of stoking surfers out!

Let us know what you think.

Surf 101 Lessons on Cloud 9

HSD's Andrea Holeman is teaching free "Surf 101" lessons in conjunction with Cloud 9 Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Ocean Beach this summer.  The first lesson is slated for this Sat, July 10 at 4:20pm.

"Surf 101" is not just a surf lesson, we spend about an hour in the classroom (patients can medicate) going over things like surfboard design, different types or breaks, how swells are formed, or just watching videos.  Then the class walks over to the beach for a surf session.  Andrea can provide lessons for first-time, beginner, or intermediate surfers.  Pleas sign up for the lesson at the front desk prior to Sat, as space is limited.

This should be a twice-a-month class.  The next class is scheduled for Sat July 31 at 1:20.  Cloud 9 hosts their monthly BBQ the last Sat of each month, so we thought it would be fun to medicate and surf FIRST.  Please join us!

Patients, friends, beginners, pros- all are welcome to join us for this FREE surf lesson/session.

Cloud 9 Medical Co-op
5029 West Point Loma Blvd., Suite B
San Diego CA 92107
619-225-9128

Happenings at PB Surf Shop

Thought this might be of interest, from Pacific Beach Surf Shop:

Next up for the following weekend [July 17th 7:30-11:00pm] we are having A VERY special guest Glenn Hening with an Audio Visual Presentation of the untold story behind one of the most significant milestones in the history of surfing. As Surfrider Takes off - The Visionary Surfers of 1984 lead the courage and teamwork that created the Surfrider Foundation. The story is entertaining and inspirational. 

Right afterward is the band FMera as they extrapolate its post- Shoegazeresque era influences from bands such as Rid, Jets to Brazil, Interpol, the Smiths and Helio Sequence and masterfully weaves them into a mechanically timed and melodically spaced equation of undulating sounds. Heavy layers of rhythm guitar laced and chimed with notes ring high above the vocals, subdued in tone but not in volume. With lyrics such as "turning on the satellites" and "slowing down... break release", words are not just notes on a piece of paper; rather they are intricate layers of the melodies that form the mind and soul of FMera.

So as the summer starts off you are again invited to take part in the relentless unfolding musicality and history of surfing that will be happening at Your Local Surf Shop in San Diego. Thank you for your time and we look forward to seeing you at our shows.

Tyson St Board Demo

One thing is for sure, board demos are best when timed with swell!  We had a great day- good waves, good boards, and good friends.  Come on down next time, we're sure to have something you'll like.

During HSD board demos, shaper JP Holeman is on site (or in the water) to talk to you about board design and help match you up with the right board.  The point is to get wet and have some fun, so try 3 or 4 boards, mix up fins, and talk to a pro to improve your surfing experience.

Nathan Carvalho at Newport June 2010

Kaua‘i’s Nathan Carvalho in action during the Arnette Pro Junior All Day Antics at Newport Beach, Calif., this weekend. Carvalho made it through from the Round of 80 to the semifinals. Keanu Asing, of ‘Ewa Beach, took first place in the event.  


the site I snagged this from

New Shaping Room

JPs new shaping room is fully functional and packed with blanks to shape.  He's been shaping out Bill Johnson's factory for a few weeks now and its going great.  Great room, fun people, and best of all... not in our living room!

I am AMPD

Many of you have noticed and asked about my rad new jeans I've been rocking everywhere from business meetings to art events and even the Price is Right, so I thought I'd give you the entire rundown on custom designer jeans by Tony Esparza. 

Tony launched American Made Premium Denim, AMPD a few years back.  He understood that we live in our jeans and felt that our jeans should better reflect ourselves, be fashionable, and be comfortable.  He started making one-of-a-kind jeans for his friends and local musicians and began to get orders.  He stepped up production, made a few patterns and got them sewn in the US.  Tony customizes each pair of jeans with custom washes, vintage fabrics, distressing, and sometimes cool vintage patches.

Its the details that make the jeans so rad.  Tony uses vintage fabrics to line his jeans.  He thinks its important that jeans look just as good on as they do thrown on the floor, so even the insides and pockets have stylish elements.

A few of the more savvy boutiques in the LA area now carry his jeans, including  Miso Fly and Live Lounge.  He works with the owner of each shop to use fabrics and washes for the customer.  There is nothing available as hot as AMPD! 

Tonight, there will be a party at Live Lounge and desinger Tony Esparza will be on hand to help fit you into a pair of jeans.  There will also be music and cool recycled surf resin jewelry by HSD co-owner Andrea Holeman.  Check it out if you are near Riverside tonight from 7-10pm.

Rad Girls Video Clip at the Old Shaping Shack

Got a few minutes and need a laugh?  Watch this Rad Girls video clip from Season 3 on MavTV.  Too much fun at the shaping shack... I love these girls.

Moving Shaping Rooms

For the past 3+ years JP has lived and shaped out of his home in Oceanside, until his wife, me, decided living anywhere other than a surfboard factory might be nice for change.  So JP rented a shaping room from Bill Johnson (still in Oceanside, don't worry) and shaped his last boards at home last Friday.

JP was a little sad to say goodbye, but also excited for the new opportunity with Bill Johnson, and his now happy, dust-free wife.

After the boards were shaped, we loaded up the Prius and headed over to the new shaping room to set things up.  Then we had the huge task of moving all of our stuff into storage while we embark on a CA road trip.

 We underestimated the amount of stuff 2 business and a couple can store in an 1100 sq. ft place, so we had to give the spillover away.  Here, our friend scores an entire living room set, a bag of assorted sundries from the fridge, and an ice cold bottle of Jagermeister.  Thanks for taking that of our hands.

The best scores were found in the alley.  Thats where we left all the surfboards that were dinged, old, or just had nowhere to go.  Here, the neighborhood paleontologist scores a surfboard on his rollerblades.  I will miss the alley and the local bums.  Gotta love Oceanside.

After the move out and clean-up we packed the car and the dog and hit the road.  When we get back to SoCal, we'll still be making surfboards in Oceanside, but we'll be living in San Diego, closer to our roots and family.  Change is good.  Thanks 310 for the good times.

"You have to go out on a limb to get the fruit."

HUGE THANKS TO DEREK, RON, AND DAVE FOR THE HELP!!!  YOU GUYS RULE!!

Slightly Stoopid Board

Yesterday, Daniel De La Cruz from Slightly Stoopid swung by the shaping bay to get a new board shaped.  The board is actually a Rad Girls Surfboard we're customizing for De La.  JP shaped the BFF to De La's specs and Andrea is going to paint Stoopid's Skull Kiss artwork on it.  So stoked to work on this board.

A lucky fan won 2 cd's yesterday on the Rad Girls Surfboard facebook fan page.  Congrats Spencer of PB.

HSD in Surfer's Journal

Just got the new Surfer's Journal in the mail and there was Taylor Dodge on an HSD!  I wasn't really expecting that!  Stoked!  Way to go, Taylor.

I will have to scan the page to post the article, but until then check out Surfer's Journal.

Page 16-  Higher Learning: Life’s Lessons at Black’s Beach

By Evan Slater
Naked old men, the Ho Chi Minh trail, and California’s best bathymetry. Evan Slater drops a four-year UC San Diego education into 3,000 words, and comes to find that the best thing about going to school in La Jolla isn’t being on campus, but scampering down the Goat Trail just in time for a Canyon Set.

Another Satisfied Customer

I had to post this... I love opening emails like this, even if I had to edit it a bit :)  Love the enthusiasm, Liz.  For those of you that don't know Liz Lantz, get to know her amazing work and photos.

HOLY SH*T.
JP, the board is so f**king awesome. I just got back from my first sesh on it and it was one of the best sessions I've had in a long time. I wish I could surf all day, and I also wish I had told you and Andrea I was going out on the off chance you could've met up with me- didn't think of it till I was in the water.
Seriously, you did an AMAZING job and it is exactly what I wanted. It's so responsive and maneuverable, easy to paddle and get into waves....it is PERFECT for me. I think the ultimate test will be when I take it out on a big day (the waves are pretty small today), but the surf today was my favorite conditions so that says a lot right there.
Anyway,

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!
Liz

Stone Brewing Fundraiser Board

This custom Cherry Bomb was especially made for Stone Brewing Co. The asked us to make a donation to thei fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clb of Escondido. Stone is a very generous company that also supports the Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter.

JP made the Cherry Bomb 6'0 x 19 3/4 x 2 1/2. I painted it to look like a stone that had been dipped in red. Pure Glass laminated it. It looks great, hope it makes a lot o money.

Custom Boards

Here at HSD we mostly sell custom boards to surfers that want something specific out of their surfing. Our Cherry Bomb model is a popular model. This one was custom made for Tanner, the generous owner of Cali Bamboo. He provided us FSC certified bamboo for the stringer and fins, we made a blank with post-consumer recycled styrofoam, and our buddy Woody hand-foiled his fins. Pure Glass laminated the whole thing with epoxy resin and Tanner is now surfing this board all around Sunset Cliffs and Blacks. He loves his new HSD Cherry Bomb and was stoked to contribute to the making of his custom board.

New Digs, Ya Dig?

HSD has a little more room thanks to a new office, board room, and jewelry studio. We just finished up the painting and are busy working away. There are only a few more touches before it will be complete. Enjoy the photos. Its nice to have more room:)

91X Surf report

Holeman Surf Designs is now the official sponsor of the 91X surf report. Listen to 91X and figure out where to go surf the epic swells we've been having or follow Pat on Twitter.