Dream On.....

There was little reluctancy to get out of bed as there was promise of waves, though not exactly spry I had come to my wits quickly and began to coordinate an exit strategy. Went down stairs and fired up the old van, she usually stutters a bit before coming to her own much like myself. Popped the lock on the garage and lifted the door open upon the sleeping bundle of water boards lining the walls and piled in the corners. In a selfish way I picked the newest one, the one whom I had not shared a lot of special moments with but sure was hoping I would get to in time. Being a 9'11" I also grabbed another much lighter and smaller craft, the epoxy one with the plywood keels on it in case in fact there was a curling face on the wave. That board and I had been getting along great lately. I picked up my rubbery armor and pungent towel off the floor and shut the door on the rest of the willing sticks. I hobbled back up the stairs to forage for some munchables quickly before I was discovered, I had to escape the lair before she woke up and enticed me with tea and delicious, hot, cooked versions of munchability. If I was caught undoubtedly my resistance would be nill and would therefore delay my departure as well as my arrival time to the place, and all I wanted to do was get to the place......quickly. Unaccosted, I made it back to the van with a handful of fruits and a granola guy in my pocket. Rolling out of my driveway there was always a blurry recollection of the buoy and swell reports i'd read the night before fumbling around in my head and faint, self directed questions and answers like, " I wonder if there's enough tide for....... well, no that's what happened the other day...nahhhhhhhhhhh...but Kev said it looked pretty good yesterday maybe i'll scroll up there'' No matter what these contemplations formulated it was unlikely they would change my routine. A creature of habits loves it's habits and I was most definitely a creature, a tall, lanky, toe headed one at that. Passing under the bridge to the coast highway and leaving the wretched world of 9 to 5's and gridlock lunch break traffic that exists in the opposite direction always gives me a tinge of pride and self reassurance about the pawn I play in the whole thing. My existence played out on a six mile stretch of beach land with no need for a freeway or mega store unless provoked by a broken coffee pot or a flight out of town. I hung a left on the coasty and strolled slowly down the highway through some stop lights, laughing at the usual crusters who are yelling and swaggering about with their 80 0z. seven eleven coffees and mangy dogs. The exercisers were about everywhere, people stirring for foods, funds, and fun emerging from their nests to enjoy this beach haven. I glance over in a moment of serendipity as I see that the front row parking spot is open in front of my joint. I meander in after a few "mornin guys" and "what's happenin duders" with the patio laxers. Grab a cup of my favorite black stuff and pick out the doughnut. The honey one. I love that one. Carina or Cesar usually have something funny to say as they ring up my purchase which is consistantly pennies on the dollar as I have had several come and go stints of employment at the establishment. A couple blocks behind the bistro I can scope the spot, from the north side, intently disassembling the conditions and crudely trying to make what seems like a very important decision -Boneys or not? The tide is high and will be waxing for a little while more and without much swell the choice is not the place. The creaturely habits direct the bus on down the highway to the place where they put that funny looking metal sculpture that kind of looks like a surfer. Yeah that place. Well, I surf there cause I don't know why, today I'll surf there cause I don't know why, I guess it feels comfortable. Oh yeah and I can secretly spy on the Creef making sure its not working really good and if it is I'm a short paddle away. I think the long board thing is the the reason for my sometimes ill searched surf squanderances. When you ride a longboard it always seems fun, you don't worry about if the waves are going to be good. Just paddle out and slide around. Simplifying things has become more and more attractive to me these days, logging dilutes the seriousness of what you're doing out there and how ripping everyone thinks they are. At least in my case I feel some sort of odd satisfaction by being viewed as garish and kooky by all the disillusioned, shortboard riding, red bull hopefuls who jog up and down the beach in between losing their board trying to punt stink bug double grab airs. Then again, my intimate moments of weightlessness in dablings of trim on two foot surf probably gives them as much stoke as driving down to San Diego State for their next communications class. Well, we all live in an evolving summation of what we've seen and what we've experienced first hand, most assumptions and deductions refer to only what we don't fully understand or are not willing to try due to how somethings been marketed and who it's captured to embrace it. My theoretical imbalances are often weighed in the water while waiting for knee to waist high mole hills. I spot an oddly wedging little slant forming across the way and stroke earnestly toward it, somehow innately knowing this is going to be the one wave of the day that will actually have a little bowl. I sweep in left and swing my board drastically to the right, slightly stalling me in the bottom of the crest as I crouch and grab my rail behind me and bring my head close to the face of the wave. The curve of the wave is not like any of the other today, steeper and more taught, I suddenly find myself slyly hiding under a thin roof of water with four feet of board sticking out front of me and a view that will make my day a whole lot better than I thought it was going to be. Squirting out of more of a head dip than anything I coast the wave all the way to the sand honoring it's merit and that fact that I've got to be to work in about fifteen minutes. It's funny walking up the beach looking out to the line up and seeing these tiny little jib waves passing by and knowing just how much stoke you can get from a little conversation with one, it's like being part of a secret club that knows the meaning of life. I slip the log into my vanski once again and barrel down the road another two miles to the job, park in the neighborhood and grab my stuff for the day. I roll through the front door ten minutes late greeted with smiles and "Yeah Stickman, you get some little reelers?" Smiling, I'm just about summon a comedic rebutle when a faintly recongnizable sound begins to overwhelm my senses, growing in intensity........bbbrrrduduDING! bbbrRRDUDUDING! BBBRRUDUDING! My eyes peel open slowly and I reach over for the phone. "Hello?" "Hi Nick it's Chris from oncology at Dr. Conrath's office calling to tell you your appointment tomorrow has been moved to three o clock ok?" "Yeah that's fine" I mumble in haggardness. I hang up the phone and roll over and peer out the foggy window at the bird feeder. It's grey again but the snow is melting, there's a few bird buddies sessioning the feeder but the rest of the world seems asleep. It's cold in my room, always, I sit up and rub my hand over my head where there used to be hair....."I had a dream I was living the dream" I thought. It was just like I remembered.
-Bloggins-

Just Cause I'm Short dont mean I dont shred!

Stories of an 8'4 Mini Light Weight Pintail, and his buddy the 8'6 Silver Spoon and their struggles of being short.

What is a short person long board?

In the competitive world of height, Mini Longboards stand at the top of the trade in first place.

The issue of height might be a rather sensitive one, but this is not true towards the family of Surfboards. Being called short is not a matter of insult towards these people. As a matter of fact, these people actually consider being called short the equivalent to honouring their race.

The influence of Mini Long Boards have spread so much over the years that even Oxford has agreed that Mini's are to share the same spot in the thesaurus as the ‘short person‘.

How does one tell if another longboard is short?

One can tell a mini longboard apart from an average longboard by simply visiting a local bar and paying particular attention to the lady with the palest skin. It has been scientifically proven that Mini longboards are attracted to pale women. Therefore any board standing close to the pale woman should be automatically considered short.
However, there are other ways for one to differentiate a short person from the crowd. As a general rule, one is deemed short if he or she coincides with any of the following:

• Has low self esteem
• Strongly attracted to Goths/Ghosts
• Masochists; It is an exotic sight to be able to see a short person not being bullied
• Usually seen being kidnapped and/or held hostage

That’s not all. There are still unsolved mysteries about mini longboards that we cannot even begin to imagine. The difference in height changes our perception of the world entirely.

How does one grow taller?

When we talk about height, what immediately comes to mind are the giraffes. Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. Why are the giraffes so tall then? It’s all in their method of giving birth, ergo it is only natural for us to follow their example in giving birth.

Giraffes are known to give birth in a standing position and have their calf fall from a height of 2m. This is the obvious reason for the giraffes’ height. Likewise, we should shape boards from a specific height, but why stop at 2m? With advancements in technology and high-rise buildings, we humans can take it to a whole different level. Shape your boards from the 10th story and then drop it off the roof from that height. At this rate, your board will be tall in no time!

What should one do when one encounters a Mini Longboard?

In the event a wild Mini appears when one is walking in the tall grass, one has to remain composed. Remember: Mini Longboards will not attack unless provoked.

Engage the Mini Longboard in a staring contest until it sleeps before throwing pokeballs at the short person. Patience is the key.

Used, but not abused.

Do you see what is here? In the used rack? Really? A Mandala 5'8 Quad $440, a Gary Hanel 5'8 Mollusk Fish$440, a Russ Short 6'4 Campbell Bonzer $440, and a Chris Christenson 6'4 Cafe Racer$425. Guarantee my friends these little buddies will not be here long!

This "Mini Slider's" Crazier than a road lizard!

What we've got here is a "One of o' Kind" 8'6" Chris Christenson "Mini Slider", carved out of CLARK FOAM.
It's a one off, can't find it anywhere else but right up here at Mitch's Surf Shop in Solana Beach.
So listen up all you crackerjacks get on down here and pick it up

-The Juice

Slide into the NewYear like a mongoose in a hen house

Didn't get exactly what you wanted for christmas? take a all that cash you got and come down to mitch's and snag one of these sweet little wave sliders.



5'8" CAFE RACER hot dang competition orange

I picture my little baby Jesus wearin' a tuxedo T-shirt slidin down the face of a monster, screamin' Shake 'n Bake. On one of these super bad, Black 6'6" C-Units. Ohhh Yeah
Ahh dang look at this, 5'8" pumpkin seed by the man himself Michel Junod
this things sweet right here, I dont care who ya are


HAPPY HOLIDAYS
-The JUICE
is loose

All A Board!!!

Bloggins atcha again....Hey folks hope everyone had their fill of turkey and family drama, word is that there was some pretty hot wave action over the holiday weekend, hope you all were able to escape the house and get some sliding in. I've been trippin for a week up here in the Nevada land, (Tryptophanin that is...) the turkey and taters diet has taken hold and the leftovers are holding position in the fridge unwilling to dissipate. Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone we can surely bet the Christmas mayhem will bless us in all kinds of stressful and uncanny ways. If you didn't get your fill last weekend come on in and gobble up one of these crisp new sticks we got in over the past week. The gents from Takayama and Kookbox both dropped bundles o' shred off for us. Got some dandee Kookbox diamond tail eggs and oddly unique twin fins as well as some real nice Takayama In the Pinks, an EGG 2 and a Scorpion. Like I said Christmas is coming and tis the season to do random, unexplainable, and downright wonderful things like buying someone you fancy a fancy new surfin board! We now also officially have all of our winter steamers in and ready for the call of duty. Stop on by the website or the shop in Solana or La Jolla for some gift idears or just some surf conversation and maybe an energy drink (please take one....) Be thankful! Until next time, stay surfy surflings. -Kenny B-
New rendition of the Kookbox laminate, it's got slash marks cause yer gonna be slashin on this thing man......

Three Kookbox Diamond Tail Eggs lookin pretty swell here, 8' purple people eater, 7'10 Half n Half and a 7'8 Red with blue bottom. Smaller versions of Joel's classic long board template but still with enough volume throughout to float King Kong.

Here's the slasher again, glass on tall full rake twin fins with sanded finish. Something fishy is going on here......

Twin pins, diamond pins, swallow twins, Siamese twins we got em all down here at Mitch's. No job, no credit, no problem. We finance anybody, if you can speak and have a name come on down!!!

More candid moments with our fishy friends down here, these are diamond tail twin fins. Sanded finish with glass on fins, no kooky boxes here..... just kooky box boards.

Under bellies of some one of a kind surfin sleds, sure to be a good time in San Diego surf. Specially if yer surfing the trashy north county bank walls we get so often. Foam is your friend.

Twin pin and friend. These guys deserve to be in the water, come be a humanasurfatarian and take one of these with you for a dip. Almost maybe guaranteed to work really well.

This here beautiful contraption is a 7'2" Takayama Egg 2. Flo egg style rails with a slight bevel and thinly foiled tail. Flatter entry rocker and bottom into a highly pronounced V in the tail. If you don't want a fish and you don't want a long board than I don't know what you want. You probably want this board but just don't know it yet. Come see, I dare you. Re-evaluate your impression of a full rail turn.

Rail to rail this thing should be sharp and alert with the option of riding one fin for lift and trim or three for power and hold. If you want a board for most everything this could be a great choice.

This here is also an all around rider for those riders who want lots of padalability and also want something that responds really well off the tail. A bit flatter in the nose than the Egg2 as well as wider enabling access to the nasal passage in certain circumstances. As far as hold in steep surf this board will impress even the most tubular of bros.

The scorpion also has a significant V in the tail which makes rail to rail transitions quite satisfying for such a wide board. With such a pulled in tail and fluid rail line this template is one of the fastest sticks around.

In the Pink room? In the Pink Panther? In the Pinky Toe? Never was quite sure what Donald named this board after or about but it most definitely is one of the most popular all around longboards in the world. We sell more In the Pinks than any other board we carry. Surf head high Oceanside and do off the lips and ride the curl, then head on down to Pipes and dangle your flanges for a bit. These things will do it all.

Yellow top and blue bottom make green rails!

All the pinks come with a single fin box accompanied by fcs buttons. Pop in the side fins for carvage or pull em out for that good ol' fashioned single fin longboard pivot turn. It's like a magic carpet.

Kenny gets deep....

Well howdy there blogsters, Kenny Bloggins coming at you live from my inland chemotherapy treatment center as I'm being intravenously infused with harsher drugs than you could get on any sketchy dark Tijuana back alley. This place is about as far from surf thought or culture as I could find myself other than a camel ride in the Sahara. It's really mind jogging stuff seeing how many people's lives are intertwined with cancer and chemotherapy. People come back here two and three times to try to save their own life. Here I am sketching this morning about getting my IV put in while the lady next to me is on her third round of chemo and the nurse has tried about eight times to find her vein for an IV as tears roll down her weathered cheeks. This situation is such a mind opener, life deals up so many wicked hands and so many unjust situations it makes me feel grateful for every moment I ever had sliding with my friends or rolling on my skateboard. I'm seeing people that have had diseases and disabilities that have halted their once common life into an everyday uphill battle. I read the Lance Armstrong book a couple weeks ago and one of the things a fellow cancer survivor told Lance was "we're the lucky ones, you don't think so right now but you'll know after all of this." I can see that as clear as the water at Swamis in September, even at this stage in my episode. This is the most intoxicating and utterly raw way to take notice of yourself, life, nutrition and gratitude for every person and experience we're so lucky to have. In this mind state there are no kooks; hip styles, lousy surf conditions, elite surf clicks, premium boards, fancy surf rigs, ego trips, rippers, trippers, or more rightful surfers than others. We're all disillusioned in the pursuit of FUN on these glorified water sleds as we dance the surface of the ocean, trying to exude our self expression and obtain feelings that are so self centered and utterly unimportant that the thought of all the negative energy and self righteous elitism that our surf culture breeds is down right embarrassing to the tune of the real world. Give away a wave for me and all the other dampened souls in this oncology center. Thanks for listening, hope that wasn't to heavy for a supposed janky surf shop blog. Kenny B- Got the anticipated Mike Peterson film in the other day. A cinematic insight into a tripped out, hippy granola eatin', drug filled, globe trotting, ubur-ripping progressive life of one of surfing's most elusive and misunderstood surf icons. Pop it in, sip somethin and enjoy the ride.

Got some new foamy rip riders from the folks over at INT. Some of these have future fin set ups enabling some real performance ride traits like that of a poly board. 4'11" blackball beater shown here could be bodacious as a permanent ding free device for the bed of your truck or something to divert your out of town visitors away from your nice quiver with.

Hot graphics for a hot little shredster. This might even be a rad little travel board as it would be relatively safe from the baggage apes that seem to have a talent for blowing out boards.

Here's two 5'1o" fishies at $300, one with Future and the other with the traditional soft board plastic screw type fins which are much more flexy and soft for those novice out of towners.

5'10" Decks, Squishy and wax free, think of all the dollar bills you could save on buying wax. Blue one is equipped with Futures.

7' Blue and 8' Yellow $375 , these are the quintessential surf devices for anyone just learning. Super safe and resilient, stable and surprising well surfing. You would be surprised how fun these are, they can really be an enticing option on those wierd little days especially when someone else you know is riding one as well. (i.e. board transfers, trim battles, shoot outs, etc.)

And the 9 footer $400, the king of stability and the proven teacher of the decade.

This here is Micah Wood and one of his 100% handcrafted surfboards he brought on into the shop for us. Micah is a real nice young gentleman with that natural craftsman talent that will most surely make him a standout board maker in years to come. Swing buy and take a gander at what this young lad is capable of, this here is a 9'9" traditional 50/50 single fin log. Nice work Micah.

I wood love to have one of those fine sleds I tell you what.

Also new in the shop are more hand made, recycled material totes by Peace by Piece. These are fine quality carriers made by a lovely lady in Leucadia. Tote in style young toters

More fine works of bag, she has a knack for finding killer materials at the thrift and fabric stores. Patterns that degree holding, fashion savvy, corporate surf company designers will likely not be envisioning for years to come if not ever. This is artsy, soulful individuality handed to you in a handbag.

Falling into place....

Hola Amigos, the fall season is undoubtedly coming to a close as we all wait anxiously for the evident decision to be made as to whether we will be heavily weathered or not from the El Nino.

We got the roof fixed at the shop in anticipation for months of soggy splendor. Tuned up the garden real nice with some solid rations and stocked the cabinet full of coffee. As I said last post all of our new winter neoprene and geoprene has arrived and though we may see warmer than normal mid winter temps you will undeniably be in a wetsuit, why not be in a lightweight freshy that makes these possible epic winter sessions that much more enjoyable. New 101 fins are here, if you haven't seen, held, or surfed these things let me tell you what. Eliminating fin weight on any board is progressive, especially on a quad, adding flex to a fin can change your idea of a turn entirely. On the flip side keeping stiffness can be a crucial demand for quad and thruster sets in which bamboo has proven viable. These new longboard fins are built to last and are much more environmentally sound than others. 101 bamboo fins are surely to be a staple in the surfriding world from here on out. Flexy, strong, Stiff, Lightweight and Nice Looking. Find the characteristics you need for your steed. Blab atcha soon, Kenny B

2nd Annual Zombie surf session at George's Beach Friday Oct. 31st!!! Keep your eyes out for slow crossing pedestrians on the coast hwy. There should be some creepy trim figures gliding through the water and a whole lotta coffin rides for certain. This is sure to be a hell of a time! Don't kill yourself! Go grab some old cryptic rags throw em over your wetsuit, maybe dash yourself with corn syrup and white zinc and go shred dead! All dead and undead invited, zombie garb be delighted.

Oceanside doing it's magical fall dance here, one of the best places to be on the coast in the fall if you can just so happen to fall into place here at the right time. Often one of the most tubular of breaks around during it's showing times and with enough punch to give you a nice pummeling, which can be really refreshing after a summer of riding north county slup banks.

The garden was fully exasperated by the end of September with only a few haggard tomaters hanging on. Our amazing build something outta nothing, plant a forest outta dirt green thumb all pro shop guy Billy has replanted a splendiferous assortment for the winter. Broccoli, Red onion, Carrot, Garlic, and Romaine Lechuga will hopefully give us shop kids some wholesome natural nourishment to keep our carcasses scrambling for those hefty winter bombs.
Got some bamboo skegs sprouting in the succulents, looking pristine and healthy. This here an integral part to any bonzer surf shape. 6.5" 101 Bamboo Bonzer template $99
8.5" Longboard Wide Template nicely developed for those slightly shorter logs with 2+1 setups for big guys looking for hold or lighter pilots looking for an all around single. $109
9" Flex could be quintessential for one's adored hull or singlefin. Virtually no fin weight in the tail and a snaptastic flexibility range will make your old fin feel tired. $109 ( note: below is 9" flex and above is 9" Narrow. sorry bout that.)
9" Longboard Narrow. Ample flex and uber light. Less tip volume and rake make this a really maneuverable diverse choice those surfing mostly tail to center in 2-5' longboard surf. $109
9" Longboard has a fuller body throughout, a wider tip and more sweep. Great all around fin for surfsters who surf off the tail and get to the front to dangle piggies. Will work great in steeper and faster surf as well. $109

Bloggins back to work.....

New 09 Matuse Fullsuits have arrived and have been renovated with some new design work and re-enforcement areas to make a great suit even better. These suits don't hold water like their predecessors ensuring your catlike reflexes will not be bogged down, these are closed cell limestone based rubber armor suits that are proven toasty warm, ultra flexy and bad to the bone. Available 3/2, 4/3 at the shop and 5/4 hooded upon request. This 5/4 Tuma is proven efficient in Alaska, Canada, and other really cold places.

New boots for them shiverin little flanges that need some quality coverage, after all dem little buddies are your control units that help execute those hot moves.
Brian Hilbers brought down some really neat Finelines for us on his way to Sacred Craft. All of which are full bellied thin rail hulls that ensure incredible lift and states of trim that can be so foreign and euphoric and so enjoyably unpredictable that they may cause quiver abandonment. Here is a 6'4" MP purple tint square tail and a 6'1 GB. Both come equipped with custom foiled and designed side bites to give you a little extra control and hold for those roundy rails.
The MP will surf better off the tail as far as agility and quicker maneuvering adjustments where the GB will offer a larger planing area throughout provoking more drawn straighter lines.

5'11 p-38 Hull fish, I mean what can you say that hull fish doesn't. Turns like a Suzuki Samurai off the tail glides like a Towncar in trim. This is the swallow tail model known as the Dirty Sanchez.

5'9" P-38. Glass on 101 Bamboo Fins. Custard nasal region with burnt orange back end.
All of the Finelines have really fine price points, all these boards are in the six hundred range which as you know is less than most these days. The price tags say nothing about the quality, craftsmanship and design integrity of these sticks. Do yourself a favor.

Whoa.........It's been awhile since my last posting, sorry about that there eh. Well you know those things in life that you hear about and think "how could that have happened to them," or "that would never happen to me," the bizarre mind glitching stories about crazy and rotten things happening to the least expecting of people. Well, I've had the inconceivable awakening to be one of those people and it's opened some mental doors that could and probably would have stayed locked for a very long time if not otherwise been put in this situation. The reality that real life twists can wake a person up really f@#!in fast from the daily innocent ignorance of the good life has come into full wide screen view in the past couple weeks. Unfortunately I have had to move my Bloggins headquarters out of state and I now officially have my own oncologist. Let's just leave it at that, explaining the three week delay on an update for you folks. My surf life at this point feels like a little kid peering into a snow globe dreaming of the magical winter wonderland, only my globe is a computer screen with surf report photos and swell charts. This ramble is not unlike the other hundred million stories written with the message of taking life day by day and living every moment to the fullest and it feels a bit self righteous and awkward as I plunk on these keys but when your in a situation like this, as so many others have been in, it feels like it's your duty to remind people to open up and take a hard look at the things we take for granted every day, especially getting to enter the ocean as a playground. What we surfers get to do is so unique and utterly organic it really epitomizes the theme of be here now, on the other hand it's so easily lost in ego trips, paddle battles and lineup crowding that sometimes the whole thing feels like driving in traffic. Well, the waves in my life don't involve any water these days and it hasn't been calm and glassy here for quite awhile, so the next time you feel like you're sitting in traffic wherever you are, remember there's a lot of people out there just like me who would give anything to be sitting right there with you. Thanks for listening, Kenny B