Too Many Board Manufactuers Hurts Skimboarding

[Michael Fk]

There is a difference between making a personal opinion and giving someone a blowjob.

[Indy]

Not really, because if you're not careful both can get pretty messy.

[Aaron Peluso]

any more feedback?

I thought your post was quite thougtful and for the most part, correct. I will comment below.

DL i respect some of the media that you have worked on and know that you understand the mechanics of action sports media management but i feel that your contributions to this thread have been weak and childish

Really? I didnt get that. Maybe somewhere where he was joking around, I kinda forget... but I thought his substantive posts were pretty spot on, from what I can recall...

I guess in the most literal sense yes this is true if tomorrow we woke up and there were 200 skimboard manufacturers in the states all offering the same stuff at more or less the same price the industry would get raped.

Thats the sense I am talking about though. Whether we wake up tomorrow or 3 years from now... its still getting raped. Only the time frame changes.

But, as manufacturers pop up and fade away i think this cycle is an important part of any industry, I say this in reference more to looking at the history of all other major extreme sports.

There is nothing wrong with a new skimboarding company that offers something new. Nothing I said in this thread was intended to mean that there should be no new skim companies period. Innovation and competition are both important. However, too many of the companies I see pop up do not offer any substantial improvements (no names here, just in general thats my observation). Most of the time (not all) there are in fact no improvements and the primary distinction that the company offers is a board thats almost as good as whats currently available, at a direct to consumer price that ignores the retail channel, and nearly assures the long term failure/irrelevance of the company. In a couple cases, companies have attempted a substantial improvement while utilizing the retail channel.

But its an almost impossible road either way because the bottom line is that the fundamental economics ALREADY dont make any sense. I won't lie, I thought there was more money in skimboard manufacturing when I started. Exile would never have been able to meet its obligations per the original business plan had its popularity and acceptance not far exceeded my wildest dreams....

Originally, I wanted to make some cash off skimboarding, sure.... As time wore on I found myself educated on what it really takes to do this. I rather quickly began to focus on sustainability rather than profit and began taking steps to delegate my day to day involvement with Exile as a self sufficient entity and me as a shareholder, rather than CEO. I am already a lot more like that than most people realize (thanks Steve).

The process of starting a skimboard company and small business is incredibly stressful and difficult and doing it myself only gave me that much more respect for others who had come before.

In order to provide the greatest possible service to the industry those involved should find what they are best at and try to refine all their “working” hours (hours that they commit to helping or serving the industry) to that activity.

Of course. I delegate everything I can in skim. I want to delegate more. One of the big problems is that there are few qualified people in skimboarding to delegate too. For instance, I don't want to be president of the UST, I would much rather have someone else doing that, and if I could think of someone qualified to do it for the price I do it for (free) I would.

I see this in Aarons means of function, he has been attack for having an outside job and not taking a salary for himself, well that is how he finds he can best serve skimboarding, because he must apparently be good at real estate and that allows him to keep his head above water for running exile at a high level of functionality, in staying away from the shop and shaping he allows for those who are more fit to run those sections do so and again the company can function better because of it.

Yes.

The point is at the beginning of the modern era of humanity people realized that in order to make the most money they most devote the most time to the thing they are best at and pay or let others do the rest because it is by this way and this way only that society can achieve its economic peak and highest net wealth. So Aaron does what he does best (real estate and media contributions) and lets others run the rest

Pretty much.

[skimmer-x]

I have learned/am learning alot here latley as well. Sometimes the hard way. But that's the way you have to do it sometimes.

[Adam Hayward]

I believe Hayward, Cesar and Danny Diaz had done (sending used boards to be sold cheaper) correct me if I’m wrong,

corrected

However the other thing that I am very happy to have come away from the second trip with was a good discussion with adam on the direction and possibilities of the skimboard industry.

me too budy

[Adam Hayward]

just our edits of gordon and mine's hard drive's turned into a MOVIE.......?

while were on, or i guess off the subject; who made the skate edit in the bonus section with (i think) hi-8 with the date and time display being fast-forwarded and paused with a vcr (i think)?

that still remains my single favorite edit in extreme sport cinematography

[paddymack]

It seems like Tex believes that our sport is at a standing where everyone needs to help each other in making the sport grow, as well as ALL of its manufacturers.

All Exile has done is advance the spot. Higher quality boards, HD Movies, and always something new. It doesn't matter if the money is coming out of AP's pocket or sales.

THIS SPORT IS GOING SOMEWHERE, AND IT'S MAINLY BECAUSE OF AARON PELUSO AND EXILE.

Haha, now we know why Tex thinks that this site is "PRO" Exile. Wanna get off your knees?

[jesse]

how does that make this site pro-exile? just because one kid is a fanboy? maybe skimboarders at large are pro-exile, and it has nothing to do with the website?

[paddymack]

dont forget about the balls Michael, the key to a great blow job is to acknowledge the balls

+1 rep whore.

[paddymack]

how does that make this site pro-exile? just because one kid is a fanboy? maybe skimboarders at large are pro-exile, and it has nothing to do with the website?

Its not just this one Exile groupie, there are plenty of them on here and you know it Jesse. If you read my post, it says "No wonder Tex THINKS this site is Pro Exile." How can you not say that this kids knees are bleeding all over Aarons rug, and cat? When he says something as ignorant as AARON IS THE ONLY REASON THIS SPORT IS GOING ANYWHERE! It all really depends on the area, when it comes to what group of skimmers favor what board company, Jesse.

[Jesse Davis]

How can you not say that this kids knees are bleeding all over Aarons rug, and cat?

Hahah wtf that is awesome! Dude Aarons cats said they don't appreciate the VAG juice from that kid on the rug!!

[jesse]

I recognize that his comment was ridiculous, but you can't say comments like that are the reason Tex thinks this site is pro-exile.The majority of people aren't on their knees saying AP is god.

[Jesse Davis]

Aaron Peluso is god! He made Stimulas, and the movie is fracking sick

[paddymack]

I recognize that his comment was ridiculous, but you can't say comments like that are the reason Tex thinks this site is pro-exile.The majority of people aren't on their knees saying AP is god.

You're right, that comment cant be the reason Tex thinks this site is pro exile. Mainly because he has not been on the boards since he made his last post(s). More people in Florida want Aarons nuts more then the people that dont. So why would he? Aaron talkin up Exile every day of his adult life on skimonline? That is clearly not the reason why.

[skimmybits]

eh...i would agree on saying somb is pro-exile. anyone ever take the time to read the stimulus banner ad thingies? anyone take a peek at the end all board thread. (ehm: http://skimonline.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19081) yeah. just look at all the people that have gobbled peluso's PENIS in this thread alone. i realize this has already been said, but i just felt like saying it again. because i can. america, frack yeah. carry on, SOMBoarders.

[zeus]

the banners are paid for, vic can pay to have banners too.

[skimmybits]

i must say though, the stimulus ad (all i see in that corner) is quite effective. just reading "steve taylor has an eight minute segment" makes me excite.

[Shawn Kenny]

Not really, because if you're not careful both can get pretty messy.

reppppp

[3rd Coast Skimmer]

hahahaha i typed doyle surfboards in on google images and there is 3rd coast skimmer.

Yeah... that is me that pops up there...

But make NO mistake, the boards that I own are NOT the same as the "Doyles" that are refered to here.

Mine is made by a local, custom shaper named Mike Doyle (Mike Doyle Custom Surfboards) not some soft top you get at Costco for $109

The Hobgoods are riding them, and helping tweak for a signature series....

[3rd Coast Skimmer]

There was one comment that Tex had made that made no sense to me... about AP not paying himself....

I own and operate a video production business centered on the surf scene. At this juncture, I can not afford to pay myself either... all money that is made by Sirfur Productions and Texas Surf TV goes right back into the business.

In year 3, my business plan calls for me to be able to draw a small... and I mean small salary... Most of us who start businesses with an initial investment out of our own pockets can't afford to pay ourselves.

I don't see what is wrong with the owner foregoing a salary, to increase operating capital for the business.

All other parlez between AP and Tex, I remain eiher neutral or quiet on.

[Utah]

/\ Agree 3rd Coast. Its a failrly common practice for owners to not take a salary in a small business setting. I didn't understand the big fuss over that either...

[ZapBulletRider]

Every serious skimboarder should treat their purchases as a vote of support for companies whom they approve of.

Exile fluffers checking in, woot woot. LOVING the new board btw.

[TheDL]

I recognize that his comment was ridiculous, but you can't say comments like that are the reason Tex thinks this site is pro-exile.The majority of people aren't on their knees saying AP is god.

It would be pro exile if Aaron was on here telling people to say stuff like that, then deleting their accounts if they don't. People do that because exile does stuff that they like. Its their own free will.

People might be more inclined to like Exile because AP's made himself accessible through this site, not just as a company owner, but as regular guy who participates in non skim related discussions too. Owners, or employees of any other company have that available to them here as well. For the most part they just choose not to use it... and I think their non participation is to their own detriment.

[Derek Makekau]

Exactly.

It would definitely be nothing but beneficial if other companies dedicated an hour or two a day to post on here, on the clock or not. Not only would it alleviate some of the bias people see, but this site can be extremely helpful in terms of keeping up to date on the skimboarding world.

Without SkimOnline I doubt many people would have known about FSM or Skimboarder. SkimOnline is as important if not more important than the magazines...I wish other companies would take time to represent themselves here.

[espinho]

everyone is on the internet, and now, social networks are more than never as important as a website..
I just saw right now on the evening news that in EUA there are lots of companys that are start hiring people to work on their myspace or twitter updates... the times are changing..
If in 92 AP had the big vision to see what internet would be, and he made this website... then in the last years we had the vision to see that skimboard could grow even more with media projection of the sport online and with somb, and this would help also exile, so he invest in it.. supporting this site and the online mags... but paying for it, like other could do if they weren't just waiing for the boards to sold themselfes.
I must say that way before i started working with exile, aaron was already iat my consideration a very nice guy. a normal skimboarder like me from portugal that email him just to ask things about how contest are held in EUA, how things were made in eua skimboard world, and he took the time to respond to that emails explain me how was things made in eua, and other views of the support..
Well this and other things like is opinions about the sport here on the SOMB, are the things that make me like Aaron, and most of the time i think he is right or is opinion is valid, because i have the some opinion. now i ask, am i allowed to like ? or am i obligated to hate him just because is too cool to be true, or because it lloks that i want to make oral sex to him... NORMAL PEOPLE DO HAVE personal opinions... some people do read the real contents of what is written here so maybe that would be nice to stop the frackin bullsihit and just think before post something.

If a girl thinks i m hot and a great guy, and another guy on school think that i'm a jerk, she can't suck my cock just because the other guy thinks i m a jerk? or should she make her own decision and blow me?

i think u get the point!

[3rd Coast Skimmer]

If a girl thinks i m hot and a great guy, and another guy on school think that i'm a jerk, she can't suck my cock just because the other guy thinks i m a jerk? or should she make her own decision and blow me?

i think u get the point!

I love this part of the post.... +8

[waddsworth]

As someone whose built and sold a few boards, I have to agree with DL and Aaron. Friends ask me why I don't start a company and honestly its because I don't have the time to do it right. I know what it costs to build a board, and, even with a good process in place and some volume discounts on materials, the margins are still slim. Add in time/money for advertising, team management, event sponsorship, etc., profits become scarce - at least in plans I've developed. So you can build boards without supporting the industry at all, but you won't be in business long - cause your business will never grow.

[Michael Fk]

I don't give a shit if you think I'm sucking up to AP or if my posts are ridiculous.

Imagine the skimboarding world without exile skimboards. Without Bearded. Without Stimulus. Without Steve Taylor.

Anyways, the sport would be no where close to where it is today. Tex can bash Exile for having funds, but it's Exile's money that is making the sport progress. They are also an active sponsor in contests, and ties with the UST.

Not to say I don't appreciate what Zap, Victoria, and others are doing, but I think most of us can agree Exile is playing the largest part in advancing the sport as of right now.

[jesse]

has anyone sent this link to Zap to see what they have to say on the matter?

[zeus]

Imagine the skimboarding world without exile skimboards. Without Bearded. Without Stimulus. Without Steve Taylor.

you just don't get it do you

[Michael Fk]

I was just kiddin hah

[CustomKO]

Without Steve Taylor

saying that, is close to or is exactly the same thing as saying "lord voldemort" in a harry potter movie in public

[waterlogged]

man that is a solid argument, but im sure there are more factors to it than those. Person to person talk is essential. If you have a shop that happens to have skimboards from the big three in it, its just a normal shop. But if there a skimboard making shop like across the street, it is more unique therefore people who may not have gotten a skim board, may get one just becasue they my ave heard, eh hear about that board shop dow there?Plus most people end up getting new boards soon anyways, the most convient method prbably one from the big three., oh ya and good point custom, that is like saying that.

[ZapBulletRider]

I will briefly weigh in from a somewhat uninvolved perspective, as I don't have much of anything to do w/ the industry and don't really care if it grows one way or another other than wanting to see people who I like and who I think are talented be able to make a living off what they do.

I've been skimming for about 18 years now, started on a Bon-aire, at some point ended up on a Zap wedge that I rode till 2002. I had always dreamed of getting a Victoria. From what I knew, they were the pinnacle of skimboarding, because when I was younger I didn't know anything but Zap made beginner and intermediate boards and Vic made expert level boards. I got my Vic in 2002 and I enjoyed riding it for quite some time, and it held up relatively well (see the "Repairing a hole in your nose" thread in the archive to see what 7 years damage looks like). I came on this site in probably 2004ish, that was the first I'd ever seen/heard of Exile. I immediately was drawn to exile because I liked the aesthetic put forth from the company, heard good things about their boards (through reading threads on here), and just got a good vibe from the company in general. At that point I decided I wanted an Exile at all costs and have supported them since. I never felt like Aaron specifically pushed his brand on these forums; though I do think there is a slight Exile bias here, that has more to do with the kids posting around the world and not much to do with Aaron himself, except maybe people are slightly less inclined to express displeasure w/ Exile since the owner owns/posts here? In any case, I can see where some people might take offense to this argument but I think if you read what is actually being said, it's absolutely true. I never got the feeling Aaron was telling anybody to go out of business, just reinforcing what Dave said about what appears to be true in the industry. Basically, if you're going to make boards, do it 100% and give back to the sport as much as possible. Or don't, because after all it is a free country, but the simple fact is you're hurting the growth of the industry. I am actually really surprised by Tex's comments, and to me he just comes across as somebody angry/jealous at somebody else because they do what he does better and more efficiently. I'm surprised that people think this makes Exile looks bad, to me that means either you didn't bother reading it all or your reading comprehension flat out sucks.

[ZapBulletRider]

Also want to throw out to Corey: TEEZERS was awesome, dude.