Shaper Profile – Kirk Mcginty of L41 Surfboards

Santa Cruz local Kirk Mcginty of L41 surfboards has created a niche for himself and as a result the L41 logo is starting to litter the waters of Santa Cruz with some rad alternative shapes due to Kirk’s creativity.   Sit down, relax, and read up on the birth and the future of L41 Surfboards.

Warning:  Reading this article will make you want to call L41 Surfboards and order a board.  Perfect timing… Christmas present to yourself!

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NCS: How and when did you start shaping surfboards?
KM: I made my first board in 1996 while working at an industrial design firm in Sunnyvale, CA. My degree is in product design and I’m a CAD designer by trade. I’ve always been interested in forms, surfaces, clean curves, etc.. That combined with my surfing background made designing a surfboard inevitable. My first board was made using hi-end software and was cut on a 500K CNC milling machine. This was before anybody was using machines to produce surfboards. I had it glassed at Full Metal Jacket by Don Hicks and Vince Collier and it worked great! I followed up with a few more and eventually got curious about hand shaping. After a handful of bad attempts and some coaching by a good friend and pro shaper I was able to make something that worked. I’d hand shaped a few dozen boards when I met Marlin Clegg at Cybershapes. He ran the first cutting center in Santa Cruz and spoke my language in terms of CAD/CAM and its role in surfboard manufacturing. I quickly realized that I could get much better results by using a mouse and a milling machine than I could with a planer. Eventually, KKL, AKU Shaper and Shape 3D came along and it got much easier to deliver files to cutters in return for next to perfect pre-cut shapes.

What is the name of your surfboard brand?
KM: L41 Surfboards, short for “Lower 41st Avenue” — one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Santa Cruz and home to some of my favorite waves . It started out as a sort of inside plug to my friends, then as it grew I liked the idea of capturing some of the energy of the area and translating it through my brand.

NCS: What is your favorite aspect of shaping?
KM: Hands down the greatest thing is handing off a custom shape to a stoked customer. Second is to be creating something functional with the tools I have and receiving positive feedback from the people who ride it. There’s also the therapeutic aspect and hands-on creative value to getting in the shaping room with some good music and dialing in a foam sculpture.

NCS: How about your least favorite?
KM: Tough question. Probably the learning curve involved in designing good boards. It’s taken years and endless tweaks to get to where I am now. As soon as I think I’ve got a winner, a subtle change to rocker, fin placement, thickness flow, etc. can make it better. This can be frustrating but then I have to remind myself that there’s a natural evolution to everything. This constant learning and change is vital to the design process.

NCS: Is there a certain shape you sell more of?
KM: I do a fair share of performance shortboards but have to say alternative shapes are my niche. Anything short, wide and flat and any variety of non-standard quads are a staple. I also do a lot of performance SUP designs, long boards, eggs – anything really.

NCS: Is most of your clientele from Santa Cruz?
KM: Yes. However I’ve also made boards for people on the east coast, in southern California and Canada.

NCS: Do a lot of your customers come in knowing what dimensions they want already or do they tell you their skill level and type of waves they surf and then let you run with it?
KM: I’d say half of my custom orders are from people with a particular design in mind. With the advent of model names (i.e., dumpster diver, rocket, flyer, etc.) it’s gotten much easier to interpret a customer’s wants. Of course there are also customers who don’t know exactly what board to order. Using my skill set and experience it can be fun and challenging to determine what would be best for them. I also get orders from folks who have an idea that maybe goes beyond what is considered “normal”. These are the projects I like best. An example would be a high performance SUP based on the Mini-Simmons platform.

NCS: Where is your local surf spot?
KM: The Hook. However it really depends on the time of year and wave conditions. I basically surf anywhere between Rockview and Trees with occasional jaunts down to the beaches and Moss Landing.

NCS: What do enjoy most about living Santa Cruz?
KM: The best thing is the consistency and quality of the waves here. Every day is surfable given the right equipment. I also love how accessible the ocean is and the geography.

NCS: Where would you like to see yourself five years from now?
KM: Retired and living in Costa Rica would be nice but probably not realistic. I hope to be happy, secure in my job and still crankin’ out good boards for people!

NCS: Who are your influences?
KM: If I had to pick any particular people in the industry whose craft or skill I especially respect and appreciate I’d say Gerry Lopez, John Carper and Rich Pavel. But being self-taught and a naturally creative person I never really aspired to be like anyone else or make something “as good” as or better than another guys.

NCS: How should people contact you if they want to order a board from you?
KM: I can be contacted through my website and Facebook page:
www.l41online.com
or by phone at 831.251.0322

NCS: What would you say to the individuals that are just are thinking about shaping or just started?
KM: There’s no better feeling than riding a board that you made yourself. No matter how crappy you may think it looks it’ll always be magic.

NCS: Is there anyone that you would like to thank?
KM: I’d like to thank Mark Brown and the crew at Paradise Fiberglass for years of amazing glassing. Also David Vernor for sharing his tips, tricks and industry contacts with me.

Garrett McNamara on biggest wave caught on video… check out the clip!

Extreme surfer Garrett McNamara, took on mother nature and won Read more

Kelly Slater’s Insane Barrel at the Rip Curl Pro San Francisco – Video by: Levon Kassabian

I didn’t get to make it out to OB to watch this heat but I kept hearing about Kelly Slater’s barrel.   Kelly shows his magical skills with this one as he disappears and no one thought he was making it out of the barrel but Kelly being Kelly, pops out with ease.   And as you can guess the crowd goes bonkers and Levon the camera man actually peed his pants.  Fortunately he brought an extra pair of speedos and just wore those for the rest of the day!  Enjoy the quick clip and keep wishing that you could surf like Kelly!

Kellly Slater’s 11th World Title… GoPro Camera Video Clip!

Check out this video clip.  It was shot by the guys at GoPro.  After watching this video your going to want to get yourself a GoPro camera or wish you could surf like Kelly Slater.  Keep wishing and just go get yourself a GoPro!

 

 

 

CEO Brodie Carr Resigns from ASP International

 

SAN FRANCISCO, California/USA (Wednesday, November 9, 2011) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) announced today that it has accepted the resignation of CEO Brodie Carr, effective December 31 of this year.

Mr. Carr has tendered his resignation as CEO on the heels of the premature crowning of Kelly Slater as the 2011 ASP World Champion last week in San Francisco.

“It is my duty to accept responsibility for the recent calculation error that resulted in the premature crowning of Kelly Slater’s 11th ASP World Title,” Brodie Carr said. “The determination of the ASP World Title is the most important moment in professional surfing. Ultimately, the responsibility for every activity within ASP lies with me. Therefore, I have elected to resign my position as CEO.”

Richard Grellman, Independent Chairman of the ASP Board, will temporarily act as Executive Chairman while a global search for a new CEO is undertaken.

“The Board of Directors met today and reluctantly accepted the resignation of Brodie Carr,” Richard Grellman said. “We would like to recognize his valuable contribution over the last six years and wish him every success in the future.”

Slater, who officially confirmed his 2011 ASP World Title on Sunday at Ocean Beach, will join the remainder of the ASP Top 34 at the 11th and final event of the 2011 ASP World Title season, the Billabong Pipe Masters, from December 8 – 20, 2011.

Andino Wins Third Straight ASP 6-Star Event At Fantastic Noodles Kangaroo Island Pro

Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island – South Australia (Wednesday, 9 November, 2011) -Kolohe Andino (USA) has taken out the Final of the inaugural Fantastic Noodles Kangaroo Island Pro over Jay Quinn (NZL) in an action packed day of surfing today. The surf picked up, but so did the wind as competitors went to battle in the 2 – 3 foot (1 meter) blustery waves at Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island.

Andino entered the Fantastic Noodles Kangaroo Island Pro as the number one seed with his eyes firmly set on qualifying for the ASP World Title Series for 2012. His intentions were made clear from the first heat of the event, launching into massive blow tail turns and monster airs. Andino didn’t sit still in the final, catching wave after wave, carving from top to bottom and launching into the air whenever a ramp popped up. After winning his 3rd consecutive ASP 6-Star event Andino now sits at 24th on the ASP One World Rankings.

“It feels kind of surreal right now,” Andino said. “Hopefully I can make the ASP World Title Series for next year now. I’m just competitive and want to win, I knew there was a lot of opportunity for me to do well here and I’m happy it went my way. With guys like Gabriel Medina winning events on tour, I just really want to get there. After he won that last event I just thought that I have to be on there too.”

Quinn played the waiting game in the final, holding priority until the bigger sets came through. But they weren’t enough to see him take top honours at the 2011 Fantastic Noodles Kangaroo Island Pro. Quinn’s powerful carves impressed the crowds and the judges all event, but he struggled in the wind affected conditions in the final.

“I could be feeling a lot better right now, but there wasn’t a lot more I could do out there,” Quinn said. “Kolohe (Andino) can get 8-point-rides on knee high waves and I can’t. This is a good result and should push me up the ratings a few spots which is good, I go into Hawaii with a bit of confidence, if I manage to get there.”

Mitch Crews (AUS) was one of the form surfers of the entire event, but came up against a red-hot Kolohe Andino (USA) in Semifinal 1. Crews posted a couple of decent scores, but couldn’t match Andino’s ruthless backhand attack after he netted a heat total of 17.17 (out of a possible 20). Crews has now jumped from 63rd to 56th on the ASP One World Rankings.

“I’m pretty bummed because I was really determined to win this one,” Crews said. “In the last 5 events I’ve had 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th and now this is another 3rd, I’ve come so close I just want to win one. Brother (Kolohe Andino) is unstoppable right now. There was 20 minutes to go and I know I needed a big score and I knew that if a set came that I could get an 8.00 or 9.00. A small one came through and I landed a backhand air and scored 8.77 and thought I was back in it, but no other good waves came through.”

For all event videos, photos and results check http://www.prosurfinglive.com/live/2011/ki

Fantastic Noodles Kangaroo Island Pro Results:

Final
Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.33 def. Jay Quinn (NZL) 13.64

Semifinals
SF1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 17.17 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 15.27
SF2: Jay Quinn (NZL) 11.83 def. Richard Christie (NZL) 8.50

Quarterfinals
QF1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.20 def. Michael Dunphy (USA) 14.50
QF2: Mitch Crews (AUS) 12.76 def. Evan Geiselman (USA) 11.17
QF3: Jay Quinn (NZL) 13.90 def. Billy Stairmand (NZL)
QF4: Richard Christie (NZL) 13.17 def. Perth Standlick (AUS) 9.80

The “39 Days of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing” Calendar Starts Saturday

 

HONOLULU, Hawaii (November 9, 2011) – This Saturday, November 12, marks the official start of the world’s premier professional surfing series on Oahu’s North Shore: THE VANS TRIPLE CROWN OF SURFING, Presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. The first stop is the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park. From November 12 through December 20 — 39 days — Oahu’s North Shore will be the focus of the international surfing world, featuring the final three events of the 2011 Association of Surfing Professionals Tour, and a host of entertaining surf-inspired events.

The North Shore extends a special welcome to World Champion-elect Kelly Slater (USA), who officially clinched his 11th ASP World Title this week, & defending Vans Triple Crown champion Joel Parkinson (Australia). The North Shore also welcomes Hawaii’s very own ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore, who has been granted a wildcard to compete against the men in the first two stops of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

All surfing events of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, and the SURFER Poll Awards, will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable in Hawaii and Southern California:
HAWAII: Oceanic Time Warner Cable Channels 250 & 1250
LOS ANGELES: Time Warner Cable Channel 101
SAN DIEGO: Time Warner Cable Channel 411
DESERT CITIES: Time Warner Cable Channel 111

SURFING EVENTS OF THE VANS TRIPLE CROWN OF SURFING:
Reef Hawaiian Pro
November 12-23 (on the 4 best days of surf in the period)
Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park
$145,000 prize purse
Defending Champion: Joel Parkinson, Australia

Vans World Cup of Surfing
November 25-December 6 (on the 4 best days of surf in the period)
Sunset Beach
$250,000 prize purse
Defending Champion: Raoni Monteiro, Brazil

Billabong Pipe Masters
December 8-20 (on the 3 best days of surf in the period)
Banzai Pipeline
$425,000 prize purse + Nixon watch
Defending Champion: Jeremy Flores, France
Also decides Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion – $10,000 bonus

 

 

Medina vs. Parkinson – Finals Video Clip

Gabriel Mendina vs. Joel Parkinson
Read more

Gabriel Medina wins the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco!

Slater Secures ASP World Title as Round 4 Completed at Rip Curl Pro Search

OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Sunday, November 6, 2011) – The Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco returned to Ocean Beach in peaky three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) waves after three consecutive lay days and saw Kelly Slater (USA), 39, officially claim his 11th ASP World Title while completing the non-elimination Round 4.

Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, stayed busy in the peaky conditions on offer at Ocean Beach and built momentum throughout his Round 3 bout, consistently launching impressive airs before throwing a one maneuver inverted grab-rail reverse to secure his position in Round 4.
Read more

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