IF YOU WANT QUALITY, YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!

Artisan Surf Designs
(Falkenau Surfboards & Fins)
(Custom Board Bags by Melissa)
2658 State Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(Located on the side of Legends Surf Shop)
info@artisansurfdesigns.com
619-757-0100



Welcome to Artisan Surf Designs

Welcome to my Blog. I created this blog to help fuel my creative hobbies by allowing my friends and viewing public to share in some of my surf designs, my passion for playing music, my art based creations, and updates on what is going on in my humble little world.

GOD, the GREAT SPIRIT, has blessed me with the passion to walk the path of an aspiring artisan and musician. I attribute everything I do to my savior, the good LORD Jesus Christ.

I live my mortal life while free-surfing; designing, refining, and shaping surfboards; designing and foiling fins; designing and framing hollow wood surfboards; making skateboard decks; wood-shedding, writing, recording, mixing, mastering, engineering, and performing my music (Fender Rhodes & Saloon Style Upright Piano, Fender Strat & Tele Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Bass, Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonies); screen writing & writing poetry; compiling footage for my mini-dv and 16mm film music and surfing documentary; woodworking; designing and silver-smithing jewelry; trying hard to be a great husband to my beautiful wife, a devoted and loving father to our three beautiful blessings (Gavin, Bella, and Eden) and one big furry blessing (our dog Nick); and I am aspiring to be a master craftsman and Artisan, like my buddy Skip Frye, and many others (Bill Thrailkill, etc.) who have influenced my surfboard shaping. My ultimate goal in all of this is to find fulfillment in using my gifts to positively influence the lives of people like YOU.

I got into education eighteen years ago in 1995, when I began substitute teaching for the South Bend Community School Corporation, and later with School City of Mishawaka, both in Indiana. I began teaching full time fifteen years ago in 1998, after graduating from Indiana University. I've been employed full time at Harmon Hall Las Americas, Veracruz, Mexico (1 semester); Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School, Cassopolis, MI (2.5 years); Fallbrook High School, Fallbrook, CA (1 year); The Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, CA (10 years); and Penn High School (1 Year as DEAN OF STUDENTS in 2012-2013).

I got into the Fire Service in 2008 as a First Responder. In 2009, I earned my EMT-B certification through Miramar College, San Diego, CA. Along with being a Professional Educator and Dean of Students, I've been a Firefighter-EMT with Elfin Forest / Harmony Grove Fire Department and the San Diego County Fire Authority, Campo #46 (Cal Fire / SDCFA ACADEMY #14). I earned my DO1A at Miramar College, completed another 12 semester units at Alliant International University and earned another teaching credential - CTEL/TESOL/CLAD - which gives me 21 masters level credits as well. Currently, I am in Paramedic school at the Elkhart General Hospital Health Education Center in Goshen, IN. I am scheduled to graduate on April 12, 2014 with my NREMT-P. I am also earning my Master of Educational Leadership (Admin) through Western Governors University, Indiana.

A college professor and mentor once told me that I am a renaissance man. I liked the "ring" that had to it. So when people ask me what I do for a living, I like to tell them that I've been somewhat of a renaissance man for hire. Now it is time to focus on God, Family, and my job.

When my family lived in O-side, Jerry Ingham and I built a completely portable and removable 8' wide x 16' deep x 9' high surfboard shaping bay; a 16' wide x 16' deep x 9' high wood shop; and a 8' wide x 24' deep x 9' high work shop, complete with fans, filtered ventilation, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, all designed with safety in mind.

I moved Artisan Surf Designs to State Street, one door behind Legends SUP, in Carlsbad, CA., a space 10.5' x 22' x 9.5' high (owned by the waterman legend Bryan "The Lion" Smith, Jeff Warner of Warner Design Co., and Tom Tople of Legends SUP), to keep my hobby and passion for making surf-craft alive. Cal Schafer shapes his ZEN SURFBOARDS label out of the same bay - kinda like Skip Frye and Hank Warner used to do at Harry's in PB. Cal has mastered the art of shaping and is an amazing fin foiler as well.

I am always trying to work hard towards being environmentally conscious, while keeping the future generations of surfers in mind with everything that I design and build. Our ocean is more polluted and more crowded than it has been in any time in its history. It is our legacy to walk lightly on the path we choose to walk, and take with us whatever we began our journey with, leaving only footprints, and the knowledge we've learned for younger generations apply to their walk.

I DO NOT GLASS OR USE RESIN, EPOXY, OR ANY TOXIC CHEMICALS IN MY SHOP. I work mostly with wood, and if I'm not using U.S. Blanks, I try to use non-TDI surfboard blanks. I dispose of surfboard foam waste at local surfboard manufacturing facilities to assure that my waste is disposed of properly. I also use recycled wood and salvaged wood for my projects. So if you have any wood that you want to get rid of, let me know beforehand! IF MORE MANUFACTURERS OF SURF PRODUCTS WOULD DO THIS, SURFING WOULD HAVE A CLEANER IMAGE!!!!!!!

My overall focus with building surf-craft has always been to learn and master the art of shaping, while refining boards I've made and ridden, so that one day, I will have made that "magic" board -- the one that works exactly the way it was designed to work. I have finally reached the point of shaping 4 "magic" boards (based on feedback from riders and my own experience on two of them). I strive to one day shape fine custom surfboards like my friends Skip Frye, Bill Thrailkill, Josh Hall, and all my other friends, mentors, and influences whom I've had the honor of knowing throughout this journey; to build beautifully crafted hollow wood surfboards, like Paul Jensen, Danny Hess, and all of the wood board artisans on Swaylocks; to design, cut, and foil my own wood fins like Geppy, Hasselgrave, Cherry, McCormack, Marlin Bacon, and Daniel Partch; to design, cut, steam bend, and build skateboard decks to keep the look of the classics alive; all innovated with templates and foils designed with specific rigidity for speed, like Simmons and Thrailkill, or for flex, drive, hold, trim, and glide in various waves and conditions, Like Skip Frye. I also mill my own wood for custom nose and tail blocks, custom wood surfboard racks & board hangers. My wife sews fin covers, board socks, board bags, board straps, and carriers, all custom tailored to fit any surfboard or fin combination.

Feel free to pop in and visit me some time. I'm always up for a good conversation -- and be sure to check out LEGENDS , with the green awning.

If you like guitars, check out Epic Guitars. Kevin Kinear is an awesome person, amazing guitar player, and carries some of the most beautiful guitars that I've ever seen.

Please help support the hand-shaped surfboard market. We are a dying breed, because capitalist kooks with no talent or soul are creating slave labor at alarming rates, creating more boards than our ecosystem or line-ups will ever be able to handle out of more toxic materials and processes than ever before. THEY are the reason hand-shapers can't sell a damn custom hand-shaped surfboard that they poured their own sweat, heart, and soul into for what it's really worth... one board a day... one day at a time, like it used to be.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HAND-SHAPER!

-- Dave Falkenau, BS, NREMT-B, FF-EMT, DO1A, Teacher, Dean of Students



ORDER YOUR BOARD TODAY BY CALLING 619-757-0100!!!!!!!

Models I currently offer:

"Tadpole"
(This is the ultimate kid's board!)
sizes: 2'0" to 4'7" 4'8" 4'9" 4'10" 4'11" 5'0" 5'1" 5'2" 5'3" to 5'9"
Blank: U.S. Blanks 5'9"P
I originally shaped this model for my son, Gavin Cole Miller as a beginner board when he was 8 years old. ...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $450 on up

"Hagan Fish"
(This fish is unlike any other!)
sizes: 5'2" 5'3" 5'4" 5'5" 5'6" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 5'10"
This was an experimental fish designed in collaboration with one of my students, Delco Hagan. I made this one 21" wide, with a wider nose for easy paddling and wave entry, and pulled in the rear end to 9" butt crack between the two pins...moved the fins up and in...with rounded rails.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600 on up

"The Seed"
(This is the fastest fish I've ridden!)
sizes: 5'3" 5'4" 5'5" 5'6" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 5'10" 5'11"
This is a streamlined high performance fish foiled to perfection originally for Raymond Turnipseed of Carlsbad / Oceanside, CA. This has a definite "MEZ" influence from Kauai. I actually used a 5'7" Richard Gomez knee-board / fish template for this board... I rode one of these (5'7") on a huge winter swell double to triple overhead, and went faster than any board I've ever ridden. It blew my mind.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600 on up

"Johnson Summer Hybrid Quad"
(NEW MODEL FOR SUMMER 2008!!!)
sizes: 5'4" 5'5" 5'6" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0"
The Johnson Summer Hybrid Quad is a model I designed and shaped with John "Jodasch" Johnson. It is a Hybrid-Fish Swallow Tail Quad. John's is 5' 8" and has a modified fish template where the curve bends around to allow 8" between the pins, with a 2" deep swallow tail. It's 19 1/2" wide and 2 3/8" thick. The board is completely foiled out with streamlined rails and a nice single to double barrel concave flowing out through the fins and tail... Call me up if you want to order one for yourself. I can make 'em in any size and / or according to your favorite dimensions.
Designed as a Quad with Futures, but...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600 on up

"El Pescado"
(A fish with a classic feel!)
sizes: 5'6" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0" 6'1" 6'2"
This is a classic fish template foiled out and completely dialed for a variety of wave sizes and conditions in San Diego and North County.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600 on up

"Divine Design" Fish
(This board is amazing!)
sizes: 5'6" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0" 6'1" 6'2"
This is modeled and designed after my own 5'10" Skip Frye fish that Skip shaped me for one of my birthdays, which is foiled out and simply amazing... I made a template of it and started shaping them, as a cross between they way Skip made mine, and some tweaks that I put into it to compliment my own surfing style. It works best with twin keels or as a quad.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600 on up

"Destroyer Twin" / BT Arc Fish / Broom Fish / Grouper Fish
(This board goes like a scorched ape!)
sizes: 5'2"-8'4"
Blanks: U.S. Blanks 5'10" RP (with Classic Frye or Small Frye rocker); 6'2" A; 6'5" A; 6'8" RP (with Classic Frye or Small Frye rocker); 6'10" A; 7'3" A; 7'5" A; 7'7" A; 7'9"H; 8'0"H; 8'1" EA; 8'2"A; 8'3"H; 8'4" SP (closest to the Clark 8'3"E)
This board was designed with the help of Bill Thrailkill of the "Surf Systems" fame. Bill is the originator of the "twin fin", the use of the "D" and reverse "D" fin, the "widow-maker", stabilizers, and corner fins. He was riding his "twin-symmetrically-foiled-fin" set-ups 2" off center back in the late 60's at Pipeline, before anyone else ever thought about anything but the single fin. He designed big wave boards that looked like large short boards, which could out-surf anything out there. His theory was that you can always slow a board down, but you can't get a slow board to go fast! He was built for speed, and his boards are the fastest in the water, even today. Typically the tails are 10" - 10.5" and set-up with the "twin" or "widow-maker" set up.
...available as a quad, twin or widow-maker, Fins Unlimited Boxes and Brewer or Thrailkill Fins ONLY!....$675 on up

"Newshape Quad"
(BT Arc Fish / Broom Fish / Grouper Fish)
It works best as a 5'10", 6'0", 6'8", or 6'9"
Blanks: 5'10RP with Classic Frye or Small Frye Rocker; 5'8"RP with Classic Frye or Small Frye Rocker; 8'4"SP (closest to the Clark 8'3"E that was originally used for the 6'0" and 6'9")
This board is very similar to the Thrailkill Twin or Destroyer Twin. However, it is set-up as a quad instead of a Thrailkill Twin. The 6'0" and 6'9" were made with both options (quad and twin boxes). This board has been ridden by Jeff Warner at Legends, Brad Whann, myself, and others. Jeff thought it was very fun and had a good "Frye-like" feel to it. Brad told me in his 30 years of surfing and tesing boards for Bill Johnson and others, that this board "magic". He had me shape him one, and has asked me if he can rep them for me. We have collectively decided that there is definitely something magic about this board. I shaped it out of a Clark Foam 8'3"E Eaton Blank to get the flattest rocker possible. It has a hulled nose, flat bottom, into some vee out the tail with Frye-roll on the bottom rails, and foiled from the top down to the apex of the rails. There is a lot going on in this board. The original Bill Thrailkill Newshape template is 6'0", and that is exactly what this board is... Bill helped me template this one. The Back fins are up 4 3/4" from the tail, in 1 7/8" from the rail at the trailing edge, and towed in 2 7/8" from the rail at the leading edge. The Front fins are up 10 1/8" from the tail, in 1 1/8" - 1 1/4" from the rail at the trailing edge and towed in 2 1/8" - 2 1/4" from the rail at the leading edge. I use Futures Vector II FSG1 415's in the front, and Futures Quad 340's in the back.... this is exactly how you'll get it... $675

"Aaron Pallasch Model"
(This is THE ANSWER to the modern shortboard!)
sizes: 5'9" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0" 6'1" 6'2" 6'3" 6'4" 6'5"
This is an amazing little ripper, originally designed with a little thicker body for taller or heavier surfers 145 lbs. on up who like a shorter board for heavy ripping, aerial maneuvers, and high performance pro-level surfing.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600

"Magic Sam" (not to be confused with the Nat Young Magic Sam...completely different)
(This is the ultimate "Big Guy" short board!)
sizes: 6'4" 6'5" 6'6" 6'7" 6'8" 6'9" 6'10" 6'11" 7'0"
At 20 1/2" Wide x 2 3/8" Thick, this baby can hold up to the heavies...double barrel...serious vee... killer!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600

"Fryed Fish" / Long Fish / Long Fish Simmons
(A "Long" Fish for the "Big" days!)
sizes: 6'5" 6'6" 6'7" 6'8" 6'9" 6'10" 6'11" 7'0" 7'1" 7'2" 7'3"
This board is another one of my attempts at trying to emulate the Master himself... it was modeled and designed after another one of my longer Skip Frye fish that Skip recently finished for a belated Christmas gift, which is foiled out and simply amazing... After studying Skip's and Josh's Long Fish Simmons and Josh's Fish Simmons Quads, I had to put my skills to the test and see if I could make one... don't want to disappoint the Skipper!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600

"Modified Displacement Hull"
sizes: 5'1" on up to whatever you want!
My hull journey started when I dropped everything I was doing in my shop, took a few months to do extensive research, and learned everything I could about the hull surfboard. I studied Diffenderfer's boards, e-mailed Greg Liddle, talked to George Greenough, read everything I could on the internet and Swaylocks, and studied boards that were considered "magic". This led to me shaping a 7'0" "Freak of Laminar Flow", which is now in the collection of Dan Salimone. I'm currently experimenting with these, even though we don't have ideal conditions in Carsbad for a board like this. You really need a nice clean wide open face for one of these. They are super fun and ride completely different from any other surfboard. You are really burying your entire rail and relying on your flex fin on your bottom turn, transitions back up into the face, and your backside turns. If you've read the Surfer's Journal Articles "Stubbies" or "Displacement" or have heard of Bob Simmons, George Greenough, Clark "Greg" Liddle, Ryan Gerard, Dan Salimone, Brian Hilbers, Kirk Putnam, Mark Andreini, Steve Krajkowski, Klaus, Kopps, Kit, McMalibu (sways), Queequeg (sways), Fineline Surfboards, or the Hull Tribe up North, they are the ones who started it all. They are the masters of the whole hull riding experience.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600-$850

"Classic 70's Diamond Tail Diff/Seed Model"
(Originally designed by Mike Diffenderfer for Raymond Turnipseed)
sizes: 6'4" 6'5" 6'6" 6'7" 6'8" 6'9" 6'10" 6'11" 7'0"
This is a classic 1970's wide point forward single-fin, diamond tail down railer, designed by master shaper Mike Diffenderfer for master surfer Raymond Turnipseed!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600

"PB Point Section Connector (mini)"
(This is my mini version of the ultimate all-in-one Point Model)
sizes: 6'10" 6'11" 7'0 7'1 7'2" 7'3" 7'4" 7'5" 7'6"
This board needs a pretty flat, Fryeish rocker to work right. I designed this after years of living in San Diego, surfing PB Point in San Diego County. I studied boards that Skip Frye made for the point as well as personal riders that Jade and Glen from Star Surf had in their personal collections. My mini point model is all of those boards I studied, wrapped up into one nice little package, ready to deliver a memorable session at any point or reef!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600

"Classic 70's Pin Tail"
(Originally designed by Mike Slingerland @ Surfboards Hawaii)
sizes: 7'0" 7'1" 7'2" 7'3" 7'4" 7'5" 7'6" 7'7" 7'8"
This is another 1970's wide point forward single-fin, pin tail down railer designed after my own personal Mike Slingerland Surfboards Hawaii... I can catch anything on this baby in waves of any size. Talk about a smooth ride... This is it!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600

"The Middle Man"
(This is my answer to the mid-length and hybrid surfboards out there... trust me, you'll want one!)
sizes: 7'7" 7'8" 7'9" 7'10" 7'11" 8'0" 8'1" 8'2" 8'3"
This is a mid-length board that can be shaped any way you like it.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $600

"One Board Quiver"
This is shaped from a Bill Thrailkill Planshape and rocker Template.
Sizes: 7'10" - 8'10"
This is your answer to the "quiver" question. This is the only board you'll need, for just about anywhere. This template and rocker are based on tested and proven boards that Bill Thrailkill made and has ridden, or has made for others who have ridden them in California, Hawaii, France, etc. It was carefully designed to handle the smallest waves up to about 20'.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $675

"Fish Simmons"
(I didn't design this board so I won't change the name. It was designed by Skip Frye)
sizes: 8'8" 8'9" 8'10" 8'11" 9'0" 9'1" 9'2" 9'3" 9'4"
This is a really neat board if you've never tried one. Skip makes them down in PB and they are surfed at the point and at the cliffs mostly. My friend Josh Hall comes about as close to a Skip Frye Fish Simmons as a shaper can get. This is my attempt. It is made to be ridden as a 3 finned board, but......available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $675 - $850

"The Glide"
(This is a classic Double-Ender like a Skip Frye Double Eagle)
sizes: 8'10 8'11" 9'0" 9'1" 9'2" 9'3" 9'4" 9'5" 9'6"
The first one I shaped was a (2+1) FCS & Fins Unlimited / Bahne Box set up - Skip Frye Eagle Template with the center box 6 5/8" - 7" up from the pintail; Magic Pin Tail Template; Inspired by Skip Frye Eagle / Magic; Red White & Blue Resin Swirl; Glossed & Polished Finish; glassed on fin-panel Leash Loop... but I can make it any way you prefer!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons...
$675 - $850

"The Oceanslider"
(This baby was made for speed and glide... As we all know speed + glide = slide... and slidin' in trim in the upper 3rd of the wave is what she's all about!)
sizes: 8'10 8'11" 9'0" 9'1" 9'2" 9'3" 9'4" 9'5" 9'6"
This was originally shaped for Wayne as a Christmas gift from Dan at Hill Street Cafe, Oceanside, CA. I shaped this one with hard down rails all the way around for speed. This one has little bit of roll in first 3rd, goes harder in the middle third, and the last 3rd is hardest, with the last 12" - 18" sharp as a straight razor. I love pintails, so I went with a pintail. This one will get an 8" box 7" up from the tail. However it works best as a Bill Thrailkill set-up with two 10" boxes sunk 2" off center.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons...
$675 - $850

"The Perch" / "Surf Perch"
(This is my nose rider... aptly named because you'll be perchin' all ten little toesies up on da nose!)
sizes: 9'7" 9'8" 9'9" 9'10" 9'11" 10'0" 10'1" 10'2" 10'3"
This log was designed specifically for nose riding in mind. It was originally designed for my great friend and fellow surf buddy, Tom Morgan of Atlantic Beach, FL. He's about 6'5", and needed a special board to get him to the nose, and this is what we came up with.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons...
$675 - $850

"Rhino Racer"
(Step into the realm of cross country surfing!)
sizes: 11'5" 11'6" 11'7" 11'8" 11'9" 11'10" 11'11" 12'0" 12'1"
This board has hard down rails for fast drops, driving down the line, and making all the connections, from the first wave on the outside, all the way to the beach!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons... $850

"Tyrannosaurus Tandem"
(Experience the ultimate in Tandem Surfing)
sizes: 12'2" 12'3" 12'4" 12'5" 12'6" 12'7" 12'8" 12'9" 12'10"
This board was made for Tandem Surfing in a variety of wave sizes. It has the rocker a pair of tandem surfers' need to make critical drops and keep the nose up in critical sections.
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons...
$850

"Mommy's Little Monster"
(Ah... the modern OLO!)
sizes: 13'1" 13'2" 13'3" 13'4" 13'5" 13'6" 13'7" 13'8" 13'9"
This board is beautiful, with smooth lines, and the wide point in the aft section for easier maneuverability. Surprisingly, you can handle this board with relative ease. Catch waves from 6" to Sunset or Waimea on this baby!
...available in any fin combination, boxes or glass-ons...$1,310 - $1,390

I can shape anything you have in mind, grom, short, fish, fun, egg, hull, long, nose-rider, log, glider, or all in-between, and cross-country boards as large as you can find a blank for!

I MAKE CUSTOM NOSE BLOCKS, TAIL BLOCKS, AND WOOD FINS TOO!!!!!

God Love The Fish!

The "FISH" design is by far my favorite. If you look back at what Steve Lis invented back in his kneeboarding days, you'd find that this design was before its time, especially after Jeff Chin took it out and stood up on it for the first time, drew his line high, and flew faster than his friends on the shore had ever seen. The Fish and Quad Fish are in a realm of their own. This is one of my specialties.

I have recently expanded my "Fish" template quiver toward the "Arc Tail" or "Broom Tail" or "10-10 1/2 inch" Square Tail Realm with the Thrailkill array of fin set-ups (Twin foils set 2" off center; Widow-makers; Edge Fins; Trailers; Stabilizers; etc.). I am putting 3 of them to the test up here in Carlsbad -- a 5'10"; a 6'0"; and a 6'9". So far, these things have exceded my highest expectations... they go like a scorched ape! I am calling this board the "Destroyer Twin" because it just destroys any other twin design out there as far as performance is concerned.

 I have a surfboard history in my template collection dating from early Olo boards to the Duke Kahanamoku, Tom Blake, Bob Simmons, Phil Edwards, Dale Velzy, Dewey Weber, Greg and Jed Noll, Donald Takayama, Skip Frye, Sam Hawk, Jerry Ingham, Bobby Sakoda, Tommy Maus, George Greenough, Rich "Toby" Pavel, Richard "Dick" Brewer, Joel Tudor, David Nuuhiwa, Mike Diffenderfer, Topper Driggs, Ryan Gerard, Bob Pearson, Drew Marquis, Paul Jensen, Bill Thrailkill, Bing Copeland, Rich Harbour, Clubber, Surfboards Hawaii, Mike Slingerland, Surfboards Australia, Wayne Lynch, Hawaiian Style, Island Influence, Eddie Guitierrez, Richard Gomez, Eggs, Section Connectors, Fish, Quads, Twinzers, Speed Dialers, and the list goes on.

I throw a huge shaka of thanks and gratitude at all of the shapers who have influenced my shaping and my style. Without my former mentors and template originators, I would have been riding a much trickier and harder wave of R&D, than the one I have been gliding on developing my own shapes, designs, and templates. I cannot thank you guys enough -- Especially Skip Frye and Bill Thrailkill -- You have simplified my learning curve exponentially!

Aloha & Mahalo,

-- David Falkenau, BS, NREMT-B

This is exactly what it costs ME to make YOU a custom hand-shaped surfboard...

YOUR COST BREAKDOWN - just so you know exactly what you are paying for:

My hand-shaped boards start at $475 and go up from there.

Hollow Wood Boards average $1200 - $3500

Keep in mind that most retail shops take a 25% minimum mark-up on the boards you are buying from them!

You automatically save 25% by ordering a board through me or any other local hand-shaper!

If you want me to shape you a board, this is how it works:

1) Look at the blank catalog and choose the blank you want me to make your board out of. Pick one that is as close to the final shape as possible, unless I have specified a specific blank for a specific shape or model.

2) Go buy the blank and bring it to me (or send me the money and I'll pick the blank up at Mitch's in Solana beach for an added fee of $10-$25 to cover my gas and my time).

3) Send me half of the total board price so I can get started on your board (I do 1/2 down deposit and 1/2 remaining balance upon pickup):

Legends Surf Shop

c/o David Falkenau, BS, NREMT-B, FF-EMT, Teacher

2658 State Street

Carlsbad, CA 92008

4) Tell me if you want a Traditional Polyester Resin Glass job by Luiz Masuzzo or Mauricio Avila or a Keahana Epoxy Resin Glass job (see the bottom of this section for Keahana's pricing).

5) I'll contact Luiz Masuzzo or Maurico Avila (my glassers) to confirm your price, and will get back to you to confirm... same process if it is done at Keahana... I will just have to confirm with Raul Espinosa, and then give you a call.

6) Once we (you and I) dial in all the details I will shape your board and send it off to the glasser.

7) When your board is complete, you can pick it up at my shop or at Legends, and you can pay me the remaining balance (1/2 of the total price). If your board requires shipping, you are responsible for any added costs that go into the packaging, insurance, shipping, and handling of your new board... your choice of carrier!


BLANKS:

I use U.S. Blanks exclusively!

Click here to see the catalog!

The Prices quoted are from Mitch's in Solana Beach!

Contact them for blank pricing:
Mitch's Solana Beach
363 North Hwy 101
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858-481-1354

SHAPING:

While considering my Shaping Fee, keep in mind, I put my heart, sweat, and soul into the shaping of your board. It is a passion and a love affair between my desire to design and build a work of functional art, my eyes, my planer, my hands, and the blank. I am a proponent of the Great American Dream... so help keep this dream alive and please don't ask me for a "Bro-deal".

$190-$266... 0’0” up to 6’11”

$267-$342... 7’0” up to 8’11”

$343-$380... 9’0” up to 9’11”

$381-$418... 10’0” up to 10’11”

$418-456... 11’0” up to 11’11”

$457-$494... 12’0” up to 12’11”

$495-$532... 13’0” up to 13’11”

Glassing:

Up to 6’11”………………………………………$200

7’0” to 7’11”……………………………………$225

8’0” to 8’11”……………………………………$250

9’0” to 9’11”……………………………………$275

10’0” to 10’11”…………………………………$300

11’0” to 11’11”…………………………………$325

12’0” to 12’11”…………………………………$350

13’0” to 13’11”…………………………………$375

Base Glassing Price (above) Includes:

1) Lamination with “E” or “D” cloth (1 layer 4 or 6 oz. bottom and 2 layer 4 or 6 oz. deck

2) Logos

3) Hot Coat

4) Sanded Hot Coat Finish

5) Leash Plug; or Leash Loop; or ½ Moon Cut Fin Panel Glass-on Leash Attachment

6) Fin Systems: FCS (fins included) $20 add on cost for BASIC stock fins

Future Fins (fins included) $20 add on cost for BASIC stock fins

Lok Box (fins included) $20 add on cost for BASIC stock fins

$10-$25 added Cost for 8” Single Box; 10.5” box or Stinger Box!

2+1 Combo (add $25)

Quads (add $40)

C5 (add $40 - $50 depending on brand and set-up)

Glass-ons ($10 - $50)

*Carbon Fiber Fins, Fiberglass fins, Longboard Center Fins and Special Order Fins are an extra cost per quote.

Glassing Alternative Options:

7.5 oz. – 10 oz. Volan (add $30 per side)

“S” cloth ($5 per yard) or ($15 per layer under 7’ and $25 per layer over 7’)

Fee for Glassing Channels and difficult contours (add $25 each)

Epoxy is additional (based on board length and epoxy brand)

Color Options:

Airbrush ($20 minimum, contingent upon specific work, priced per quote)

Tints & Pigments:

$35 for basic coloring per side up to 7’11” and $60 for 8’0” +

$45 for abstracts / acid splash / swirls per side up to 7’11” and $65 for 8’0” +

Inlay color on deck or bottom ($30)

Pin Lines ($25 on up depending on amount detail)

Finish Options:

Acrylic Finish ($10)

Polished Acrylic ($25)

Sanded Gloss

$35 - $45 under 8’0”

$50 over 8’0”

Gloss & Polish

$45 - $55 for boards under 8’0”

$60 for boards 8’0” up to 10’0”

ADD $5 per 6” over 10’

California Residents add 7.75% sales tax to your overall board cost! I shape under Warner Enterprises / Legends Surf Shop's license.

As of October 2009, my polyester boards are glassed by Luis Masuzzo at M&M, in Oceanside!!!!!!!

I also use KEAHANA Triaxial EPS Epoxy Systems if you want EPOXY:

- Shortboard Epoxy Glass Job... $300

(Keahana Blank & Glass Job...$375)

- Fun boards and boards up to 8'0"... $375

(Keahana Blank & Glass Job...$475)

- Longboards and boards up to 10'0"... $450

(Keahana Blank & Glass Job...$575)

All Keahana boards are priced with hot coat and gloss.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

More shots of the 5'10" Thrailkill Twin that I shaped... it's down in Sandy Eggroll, with Josh Hall right now.






This is the Thrailkill Twin / "Destroyer Twin" / BT Arc Fish / Broom Fish / Grouper Fish. It goes like a scorched ape!

I can make it 5'4" 5'6" 5'7" 5'8" 5'9" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0" 6'1" 6'2" 6'3" 6'4" 6'5" 6'6" 6'7" 6'8" 6'9" 6'10" 6'11" 7'0" 7'4" 7'10" 8'0" 8'6" 8'10" 9'0" 9'2".. pretty much just about any length. I just reuse my nose and tail template, and re-bend the rail curve with my wood fare-curve baton, and make a new template.

This board was designed with the help of Bill Thrailkill of the "Surf Systems" fame. What many people don't realize is that Bill is the originator of the "twin fin", the use of the "D" and reverse "D" fin, the "widow-maker", stabilizers, and corner fins. He was riding his "twin-symmetrically-foiled-fin" set-ups 2" off center back at Pipeline before anyone else ever thought about anything but the single fin. He designed big wave boards that looked like large short boards, which could out-surf anything out there. His theory was that you can always slow a board down, but you can't get a slow board to go fast! This board was built for speed. His boards are arguably the fastest in the water, even today. Typically, the tails are 10" - 10.5" and set-up with the "twin" or "widow-maker" set up.

The actual board in the photos is the 5'10" with a 9" square-tail from tip to tip, 21 3/8" wide, and 2 1/2" Thick.

I wanted to take it out on this small crappy beach break day to see how it compares to a traditional fish of the same dimensions. Steve Lis' fish was originally designed for these Southern San Diego summer-like conditions, and my square-back-Thrailkill-twin version proved itself on every wave!



















Above is Noah Houde's dad testing it out










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Saturday, May 23, 2009

Well... as of today, I'm officially an EMT!!!!!!!





After about a year of school, scenarios, testing, performing skills, etc... I finally made it!

Next up... EMT-I and EMT-Paramedic through Hill College, Texas! It'll take me about another year, but I'll make a pretty good candidate for just about any fire department around with my Paramedic.
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

My Skil 190, 5.5A Serial #A-730889 (approx. 55 years old) after Pete Casica's overhaul



Following Josh Hall's advice that my Clark Foam Hitachi planer # CF 4353 was 99% of my problem when I'd run into shaping problems like dips in the rails of one of my longer boards, I decided to sell it (got $250 for it) and invested the money into overhauling my Skil 190 planer circa 1954/1955. This will be my sole planer from here on out.

Note: The knob is from Phil Edwards' own personal planer, from the box of Skil 100 parts he gave to Pete C... so it has some cool history! Terry Martin looked my planer over as well, and commented on what a classic tool it is, and told Pete to find him one! Pete said he's only seen two -- mine, and another one that was in really bad shape.

Here's what I have into my Skil 190, 5.5A
Serial #A-730889 as of today's invoice from Pete C...

$256.09 (price I paid for it on E-bay)

$25.00 (shipping)

$62.00 (what I dropped on the carbide tipped planner blades that I destroyed with my hammer)

$34.00 (NEW ANK HSS Planer Knives to replace the originals and the ones I destroyed with my hammer)

$2.38 (CA sales Tax)

$6.00 (Priority shipping)

$135.00 (Pete C making it like brand new again)

______________________________________

$520.47 (grand Total).....

Not bad for a classic tool that will last longer than I will on this planet.

Here's exactly what Pete did to my planer up in Dana Point and at his Riverside location...

ITEM DESCRIPTION AMOUNT:
1) Bead-blast all housings and cutter drum, paint steel covers (No charge)
2) Disassemble, clean, check mechanical and electrical; Clean motor communtator;
Modify/adjust depth lever for free operation; Resurface and remove sharp edges on
baseplate and shoe; Reassemble, test. ($ 50.00)
3) Install new bearing set (4 bearings) ($ 45.00)
4) Straighten cutter drum and motor shafts. ($ 25.00)
5) Install and align new blade set. ($ 10.00)
6) Remove knob stud and install Skil 100 front knob. ($ 5.00)


SUBTOTAL ($135.00)
TAX .00
SHIPPING & HANDLING .00

TOTAL $ 135.00

-Kawika (David Falkenau)
Artisan Surf Designs: Falkenau Surfboards & Fins
http://www.artisansurfdesigns.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

For those of you who still think that we don't get good waves on Lake Michigan...

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If you really want to get a good feel for the musical talent in the midwest, check out these bands.... Leatherheads...and.... The Deal With 44....

I originally wanted to move to California so I could have my shot at trying to bust into the music scene. I had always thought that the music scene was weak where I grew up in the Midwest. What I quickly realized after moving here, was that the quality of musicians I was working with in the Midwest was far superior to the musicians I was working with in California... and I don't mean that in a bad way... I just know that the people I worked with in the Midwest were more seasoned, well practiced, disciplined, and had a deep soul for the music they were playing, and I realized that it's not the musicians in the Midwest that are lacking, it's the small crowd factor and the inconsistent pool of fans that have always kept us behind in the race to the top.

So before you make any kind of assumption or comment about the music scene in the Midwest, remember, Wilco lives and records in Chicago... go buy Yankee Hotel Foxtrot... and watch "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," a film about Wilco by Sam Jones. Also, keep in mind that Umphrey's McGee started up at Notre Dame, and those guys all started out playing in other outfits, mostly made up of our circle of friends and fellow musicians. furthermore, Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes holds jams in Chicago and often resides there as well.

The bands/musicians that were really good, that stand out in my memory are/were (in no particular order)The Mushroom Head Experience; Umphrey's McGee; Ali Babba's Tahini; Little Frank; Sixteen Tons; X-ray Roger Jimmy; Matt Kovatch (the John Popper of the Midwest); The Deal with 44; Jake Sandock; Aaron "ABE" Sandock; Steve Krojo; Brian Pierce; Steve Pierce; Kieth Paraska; Eric Norris; Derron Hess; Joe Griesenger; Jeff Harrison; Nate Rowe; Dry Rain; The Happy Campers; Kyle Pulk; Chris Lutz; Scott Burkhart; Andy Wincek; Captain Smoothie; John Hicks; Dave Fisher; Jack Wilkinson; Doug Lambert; Aaron Hatton; George Anagnos; The Why Store; Chris Shaffer; Strawberry Larry; Governor Davis; John Mellencamp; Tofer; Jason Michael Thomas; Wilco; Jeff Tweedy; Uncle Tupelo; Jay Bennett; my old drummer "Vinny"; Leatherheads; and gosh, I could go on with this list all day long.

My point is, there is a hub of musicians in the Midwest that need to be placed in the lime light... it's their time to shine!

Here are two of those bands....





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Monday, May 4, 2009

Yesterday morning out front of my house... not too big, but fun and uncrowded! I was riding a 5'6" Keel Fish that I shaped for this particular wave.





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