Hey Guys, we get a lot of questions about what our stock levels are and what exactly we have in stock, so I figured I would answer them. We stock as much as possible and within the next week or so we’re going to be closing on our NEW 4,100 sq. warehouse! Once that’s done we have plans to triple our inventory within the next 2 months and get actual video of the place up on the web so you can see for yourself! That being said we have TONS in stock now, from Travel Surfboard Bags to Surfboard Day Bags to FCS, Future Fins and Kinetik Racing Fins! We try to keep everything in stock at all times, (example we just had a 110+ piece fin shipment come in from Kinetik) but with manufacturers currently running lean and mean, managing our own inventory becomes tricky. However, our volume is SO good that we have about two shipments a week coming in from various manufactures including FCS, Futures, Dakine, Creatures, Billabong and most of the rest of the manufacturers we carry. So, if we don’t have “it” you can be sure we’ll be getting “it” back in within a day or two. That’s just how we roll! Peace.
Tag Archives: The Surfboard Warehouse Blog
FCS Fins, Original Art, Original Pics.
Hey Guys! You’ll be soon seeing MANY more changes, (some of which are taking place now) with our site and its ORIGINAL content. We’ve started with our FCS Fin section. There you’ll notice that things are looking a bit different than what you’re used to seeing. Why is that you ask? Well, because we have begun taking our own FCS Fin images as well as making enhancements to our current FCS Fin images so that you the customer get a better feel for what you’re looking at. With online businesses, the manufacturer will often supply photos of their products that a shop can use on their web site. That’s GREAT! However what happens is that online shops tend to take advantage of this and what you end up with is a world where everyone on the Net is using the SAME product images… BORING! Well, you know that we at The Surfboard Warehouse INNOVATE! In this case that means bringing you better, crisper, original, different, FCS Fin product photos! You’ll also begin to notice our site using MORE of our UNIQUE watermarks as the process continues. This is because we don’t want any one imitating us! Yes, it’s harder doing things with originality, but we won’t stand for the status quo. Please let me know what you think! Below is a link to our FCS Fin section that’s being revamped as we speak! Thanks again!
Surf Mag. article in the cards?
Check it out! I won’t say who, but I have been talking with the editor of a MAJOR surf Mag. and I MIGHT (key word MIGHT, nothing’s set in stone yet) have a monthly article appearing about surfboard fins! I appreciate ALL of your support with my writing in the past, hopefully I have refined it enough that my writing can make the cut! Here’s a sample piece that I wrote for the Mag. Let me know what you think!
Words from a Finatic™
Are fins important? ABSOLUTELY. Should you change them based on real time conditions? ABSOLUTELY. If you want to take your surfing to the NEXT level, fins are the key. Fins allow YOU to use one board across multiple conditions. Do I work for a fin company? lol NO. Do I surf, do I experiment with my fins more that anyone you’ve ever met? YES. Do I catch more waves? Do I push my own limits? YES. We won’t get into the “how” I have access to ALL of FCS’s, Future’s and Kinetik’s fins, just know that I do. Google “Finatic”™ if you like, otherwise take my word for it.
Now, let’s get the OBVIOUS out of the way, “Is it just hype, GREAT marketing by the fin companies in order to get YOU the consumer to buy Fins?” NO and YES. It is HYPE and it is GREAT marketing; but will fins change your surfing? ABSOLUTELY, the HYPE is for real. FCS, Futures and Kinetik Racing Co. all have signature fins. Why? To sell more fins?!? YES. But, it’s also because the BEST surfers in the world can tell the difference a few millimeters can make. They can tell the difference in a fins’ template, in a fins’ size, in more rake, less rake, more cant, less cant, more flex, less flex, more sweep, less sweep. Their feet feel it and if you pay close attention yours can too. (Tip of the day: A THIN traction pad will also help you “feel” your fins.)
First and foremost let’s not buy into a “Magic Fin”. Kelly is amazing, I mean my God did you see the MASSIVE no handed 360° air he pulled at the Quicksilver Pro. New York? I watched it over and over again and it was done on the FCS K-2.1 PC Quad. MAYBE even with the new Knubster as a 5th trailer fin. I’m certainly not the first one to call him a FREAK, but he is. Are his fins the key? Simple answer, for HIM, YES, for you, maybe not. I have been told that most professional surfers refine their fin templates over the course of 6 months to a year!! That means those fins are DEFINITELY dialed in for them, for you however, maybe not.
So, what’s the BEST approach to fin experimentation? How can you get pointed in the right direction, trying fins that are the best for YOU? First, identify your “problems”. Maybe you’re a pro. and you don’t “think” you have any problems… FINE. lol Then what are your weak areas? What do you want to do better? Start there, identify what you need from your board, chances are you can get “it” by changing up your fins. Next, look in the mirror. lol Seriously though! Look at your body type; are you a grom, or light weight? Are you a middle weight? Or are you a HEAVYWEIGHT? Use the guides that FCS, Futures and Kinetik give you. The FCS JW-1’s are AWESOME. I love them in a bit smaller surf, but if you’re a “Grom” or a “Big Guy” steer clear, they’ll be too stiff or too loose as the case maybe. The JW-1’s are a mid ranged fin! You like Jullian Willson, (who doesn’t right now) YOU like the pop of the orange and black ascetic, GREAT, but if you’re a grom or a Heavy Weight they’re NOT for you. I am 6’2”, 170 lbs. I am border line a LARGE surfer; I would only even consider these fins in smaller surf where I need my board to be a bit loose.
SO, what’s the take away? Do you have more questions now than you did at the beginning of this article?!? GOOD, YOU SHOULD! That means you’re thinking about your surfing… That means you’re thinking about your fins, which are quite possibly the most important finishing touch to a good board. TRUST ME, a fin change can make a good board GREAT, or a GREAT board terrible. (If you’re not choosing wisely) A fin change can allow you to make the section you’ve been having problems making. A fin change can add drive or loosen things up. The RIGHT fin change can change your surfing.
Chris Hough Founder & CEO of www.TheSurfboardWarehouse.com
The Home of Finatic™
Thoughts?!? Feedback?!? You know it’s always welcome… Thanks again!
Feast Day and SALE Fins.
What is Feast Day? Well, Feast Day was born today 3/1/2024 at The Surfboard Warehouse! We decided that since pay day is the 1st., since we’re all trying to eat a bit more healthy (I personally am in the middle of P90-X) and because we just wanted to have steaks today, we declared the 1st. day of EVERY month FEAST DAY! (Once again proving I am the best boss ever, as the company paid for all the food. lol) So, if you would like to celebrate with us it’s pretty simple. On the first of every month make an ENORMOUS (and at least attempt to make it healthy) lunch. Then, email us or post on my blog, how you celebrated. (What you had to eat) It’s that simple! Today we fired up the grill out back and all had Steaks, Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Kiwi, Peaches, Strawberries and Carrots and let me tell you Feast Day was celebrated in all it’s glory! Chalk up one for The Surfboard Warehouse, once again innovation NOT imitation! Between that and the fins we currently have on SALE we’re simply the best company EVER! (You know I had to throw a product plug in there some where)
Changes to www.TheSurfboardWarehouse.com!
Hey everyone! Just wanted to drop you a line and talk about some MASSIVE design changes that we’re making to www.TheSurfboardWarehouse.com. First, we have removed the flash from the header entirely so that we can more easily change the graphics at the top to highlight new products, sales, and special features. With the flash gone our website will run smoother AND you can see EVERYTHING on your i-Pad! Other design changes will include things YOU have asked for! Such as, more contests, a search feature, pricing on EVERY page, some minor shopping cart changes, and Finatic adjustments. Currently, you will see some new graphics at the top highlighting Finatic, our hats, AND fins that we currently have on sale! So keep it here at The Surfboard Warehouse; we LISTEN to you, make changes, and then do it all over again. WE EVOLVE, if you’ve read my posts before you know I’m about innovation NOT imitation and that’s what we’re doing, innovating. If there’s any other functionality YOU think our site should have PLEASE drop me a line, (my PERSONAL email is below) without “you” there would be no “us”, so thank you! Your questions, comments, praises, and concerns are always welcome.
Chris@TheSurfboardWarehouse.com
Surfing & China
Hey Guys! So, UNFORTUNATELY I am NOT talking about surfing IN China. “In” and “&” are two small but VERY different points in this conversation. lol Anyway, I thought I would stray from Surfboard Fins for a sec and talk about China. (for good reason) MOST of the surf products you know and love are MADE IN CHINA. (surprise, surprise right?!?) Anyway, everything from Surfboard Bags to Fins, Leashes to Traction Pads, for the most part are MADE IN CHINA. Why does this matter? Well, apparently the Chinese work force wants to make money as well and in that spirit China raised their minimum wage earlier this year. Again, how does this effect you and I? Well, with minimum wage going up in China, the cost to produce your favorite Fins, Surfboard Bags, etc. has gone up and when that happens we all feel it. So, while we maintain the BEST prices in the industry, if you have had the sneaking suspicion that prices on surf gear have been sneaking up on you… You’re right! Unfortunately, they have! Check our sale and clearance pages and make SURE your getting our email blasts in order to get the BEST prices on the NEWEST surf gear!
A Week in Review, Post C.M.
So, the last you guys heard of me we were entering into Cyber Monday, and then silence. I haven’t posted since. (and I do apologize for that, you were warned!) Last week was CRAZY! No signs of the “Great Recession” here. lol With that said, even if this week slows down (which it won’t) you still may not hear much from me this week as I am going to try and surf! lol You believe it? It’s TRUE! Assuming the surf allows, then I may play hookey later this week and try to get a refresher in before the final Christmas push. On another personal note, I believe that I have mentioned before that The Surfboard Warehouse was a class project of mine my junior year of college. Well, I have been invited to go speak there! SO, Friday I won’t be here either, as I will be massaging young minds. Wild right?!? Six years ago no one would have believed me if I told them I would be speaking at my school about the VERY business I started during my studies there. It’s been a wild ride, stay tuned.
Cyber Monday? I Don’t get it…
Hey Guys! I’m feeling REFRESHED after Turkey Day! Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. Again, between now and Christmas you won’t hear a lot from me. (You’ve been warned.) With that said, Cyber Monday is here! So, I figured I would take a second to explain what Cyber Monday is, what it means for The Surfboard Warehouse, and how it came about. Most of us know that Black Friday is the Friday AFTER Thanksgiving. Well, Cyber Monday is TODAY, the Monday AFTER Black Friday. Cyber Monday is the BIGGEST internet shopping day of the year. It came about because consumers would go out on Black Friday looking for deals. Alas, when they couldn’t find what they were looking for they would go home and search for those items on the internet over the weekend. Ironically, consumers then ended up buying those items on the following Monday when they got bored at work! Someone (I tried to figure out who, but I couldn’t) along the way (remember this is a short road, as internet sales have only come around in the last 10 years or so) seeing this trend deemed today “Cyber Monday” and it stuck. Why is today so important? Well… We do about 1/2 an entire months worth of sales in one day! Holla! Now you know. Catch you on the flip side.
P.S. We’re offering FREE SHIPPING, FREE DAKINE HATS and more today, so be sure to check it out.
STORMPROOF?!? Prolite we Can’t Wait!
Hey Guys, this came down the pipes from Prolite today. Get excited! I’ll post more details once I have them!
“Two years plus in development Prolite is about 7 months away from the release of STORMPROOF an elite line of travel products. We’ve been testing different materials over the last 18-24 months in an effort to find the highest quality materials and best components available on the market. These are not your everyday bags and are made exclusively for the traveler looking for the highest level of protection. Prolite is known for board bags and this will solidify the Prolite name as the stand out in this category. In addition to board bags under the STORMPROOF name we will also be releasing a limited line of backpacks and luggage within the next 12 months that will also sport the STORMPROOF logo and feature high grade materials for the frequent traveler. The STORMPROOF line will be available through very limited retail channels and will only be sold in the United States.”
You know you’ll be able to get this line here at The Surfboard Warehouse once they’re available! Stay tuned!
Fifth Lesson… Soak it in.
Hey Guys! I apologize that my posts are becoming more infrequent. I promise that this is a short term issue and will be resolved after the holiday’s. lol Problem is, that around this time of year our sales are off the chain and I need to help when and where needed. With that said, onto our Fifth lesson, “Soak it in”! In business you work hard, so when you hit a milestone or take it to a new level, CELEBRATE IT! For example (plug) The Surfboard Warehouse HATS are IN STOCK! While this may seem like a small and meaningless accomplishment to the naked eye, I assure you it’s not. We, (The Surfboard Warehouse, Inc.) don’t sell any clothes, so this is branching out there. Also, our hats are the FIRST of many branded products to come! We have spent a lot of time working on our brand, it’s image, and our logos. To see all of our hard work come together on the front of a cap… Well there’s no better feeling! With that said, we took time to celebrate this accomplishment. When you hit your milestones, take time to pause and celebrate them. I assure you that if you do, the chance that you’ll get burnt out will fade away. You’ll continue to love what you do.