Breaking The Mold

The older I get, the more I think about the materials I am working with and thinking about our long-term health – my clients, my family, and my own.. As I shape through my last few blanks in my stock-pile, I am thinking about ways to incorporate organic materials derived from nature, drafting my ideas and harvesting my inspiration from fellow pioneers and artisans like Yvon Chouinard, Fletcher Chouinard, Andy Powers, Les Paul, Leo Fender, George Greenough, James Wharram, Paul Jensen, Danny Hess, Paul Gross, John Cherry, Jerry Lopez, Skip Frye, Josh Hall, Jerry Ingham, John Carper, Mike Diffenderfer, Bill Thrailkill, Cal Schafer, Phil Edwards, Bert Burger, Bob Simmons, Richard Kenvin, Lindsay Lord, Daniel Thompson, Jim Kinstle, Marlon Bacon, Jim Phillips, Daniel Partch, Geppy, Velzy, Avila, Masuzzo, the crew at Keahana – and the list goes on. Think about it – we are made up (99%) of the six elements oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus; about 0.85% of the five elements potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, magnesium; and other trace elements, which are all necessary for life. Trees and plants need sun, soil, water, and carbon dioxide, among other trace elements in order to survive.  The earth is 71% salt water, 2.5% fresh water (69%of that is frozen), and 26.5% land.  We love the earth.  We love the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries.  We love life.  We love to surf, and let’s face it – we need the plants and trees for our oxygen. It only seems natural – the bond between humans and wooden surf craft.   I want to be a positive cog in the wheel by using UNHARMFUL variants of naturally occurring organic materials, rather than HARMFUL synthetic materials to make our surf craft. I am excited to see all of the wood board builders out there, and the guys creating green blanks and resins, because it makes me realize that we are finally starting to change our mindset as designers and shapers.  We are finally starting to break out of the mold – like we had to when Grubby Clark took a sledge hammer to most of his blank molds and we had to solve the blank equation.  There are ways of doing it, and I am excited for my kids, and the experiences they have ahead of them with a lifetime of riding new waves and refining their surf craft.

Artisan Surf Designs: Falkenau Surfboards & Fins has expanded to Elkhart, IN.  My wife and I bought what used to be the Beardsley Flower Mill on the St. Joseph River up until 1900, founded by Havila Beardsley (who is also the founder of the city of Elkhart), and are restoring the beautiful prairie style 3-story walkout river estate "Riverside Manor" which was built there in 1906 by the famous architect Enoch Hill Turnoch. We are still living in California, as well, so don't worry, you can still find us in Carlsbad and Fallbrook. 

I started Paramedic school at Elkhart General Hospital in on January 2nd, 2013 and will graduate as a National Registry Paramedic (EMT-P) on April 12th, 2014.

I have a new line of surfboards, SUPS, paddles, hand planes, fins, skateboards, and other surf craft, so call me at 619-757-0100 and order yours today!

- Dave & Melissa

Hybrid Fibonacci number sequence 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987,...

For those that think the Fibonacci number (Fn) sequence is just a coincidence, there are MANY "non" math equations and sums on the "insides".  For example by combining 3 consecutive Fn creates a new Hybrid Fibonacci number that still sums in a sequence!  Please note that a "0"* is added where needed.

ex 0,1,1,2,3,5,8 become
011,112,123,235,358 etc
011+112=123
112+123=235
123+235=358
20305+30508=50813*
30508+50813=81321*
5813 +81321=132134
81321+132134=213455
132134+213455=345589
21034055+34055089=55089144*

This works forwards and backwards. It also works with the "sister" Lucas numbers (Ln) sequence, and of course adding 2 hybrid Fn equals a hybrid Ln and all it's variations - and still sum to the golden ratio! The Fn are the most unique sequence in existence - the key to the future of surfcraft design.  Thanks to Robert Wilson Simmons, he unlocked the secret for us - only it took Richard Kenvin to rediscover it, Joe Bauguess to bring it all back to life, and Daniel Thompson to perfect it on a whole new level.  If you haven't seen what these guys are doing, be sure to check it out!

I'm still shaping boards, so if you want something feel free to give me a call and we'll set something up... 619-757-0100!