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AN INTERVIEW WITH TRAVIS GRANT, WORLD CHAMPION STAND UP PADDLER

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Tess

TravisHead

Back in November 2012 Travis Grant signed on to paddle for NSP. Travis, a true waterman, is one of the world’s best SUP paddlers: Battle of the Paddle (BOP) winner, Waikiki Paddle Festival champion and current ISA World Title holder, there is no doubt that Travis’ star is on the rise.

At the same time NSP also signed up with SUP designer Dale Chapman of DC Stand Up Paddleboards. What a team! Travis and Dale are working together to create some kick arse, race and pro race, SUP boards for the NSP range.

The new boards should be in the market place around July 2013. We recently caught up with Travis to find out a bit more about him and to get a sneak peak at the new NSP Race SUP designs…

NspRace 4 GSI: Tell us about the first time you were on a SUP? How long did it take to get hooked?
TG: First time on a SUP was 2009 I think. I started seeing it around a bit more and thought, you know I might be good at this. I mean, I have been paddling outriggers since I was 15 years old (so 15 years now) and love to surf, so I grabbed my brother’s super old heavy wind surfer, got an old outrigger paddle I had and put a long shaft on it and went for it, straight out into the surf. Honestly I was hooked instantly. The feeling of standing or walking on water the entire time was mesmerising. I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed it. It is such a different perspective and view of the water when you’re standing on a surfboard as opposed to sitting or lying down. It takes everyone a while to adjust, but once you get the feel for it you’re hooked for sure.

GSI: What is your connection with the water? Were you a surfer before hand?
TG: Being born and raised on the Gold Coast (Queensland, Australia) it’s kind of hard or silly to ignore the giant blue playground we have on our door step. I started surf club (nippers) and swimming as soon as I could walk. Apparently I used to spend as much time in the water as out of it when I was a kid. Like most kids after swimming came body boarding then the urge or desire to start standing up on the wave takes over and surfing becomes the norm. Standup has now taken that step, say one step further! Haha, now I find myself reaching for my SUP more than my surfboard.

I’ve tried my hand at nearly all water sport, loving them all, but for some reason paddling/outrigging and SUP have become my chosen water sports. I’m pretty happy with my decision.

GSI: What would be your advice for someone getting into paddling race boards for the first time?
TG: The reason I got into the paddling or the racing scene was I, along with alot of people, got sick of the massive crowds you get every time the surf was good and also the day to day inconsistency of the waves so I started paddling the surf ski and outriggers to fill in the small or windy surf days. I had so much fun paddling I started to focus more on paddling than surfing. Then after a while the two started to combine themselves and SUP was reborn. Now I paddle everyday and at the same time I feel like I’m surfing, if that makes sense.

GSI: 12’6″ or 14ft? How would you decide which board is better for basic downwind paddling and flat water use? Is it based on body weight?
TG: 12’6″ and 14ft are similar in many ways, a bit like a longboard and shortboard, they both behave slightly differently on the water. 12’6″ has become what you would call the “stock class” of race boards, the all rounder. It’s long enough at 12’6″ to get some speed on the flat and have a race, yet still manageable and surfable in most surf conditions. It’s the clubby board version for SUPs!!

The 14ft board is longer obviously, so what does that mean? Well in brief it gives the board more straight line speed/glide as you essentially have a longer water line. So if you’re one for speed and downwind paddling then a 14ft board is the way to go. But if you want an all rounder that is good fun in the waves still, 12’6″ is that perfect balance of speed and manoeuvrability.

Another point to look at is your weight. Heavier people do go better on the 14ft boards as well. Weight, or power to weight we call it, is a big factor with most paddle sports actually. The bigger the body, the bigger the board! At our training squad we have half the guys and girls on 12’6″ and the other half on 14ft. So if you find yourself a bit behind or you can’t get your 12’6″ running, try a 14ft board, it might be just enough for you to keep up with the pack.

GSI: What is your training regime leading up to an event?
TG: Training. I like to call it Practice, as that’s what I’m doing out there. Practice makes perfect, it really does. If you don’t put the time in you can’t expect to get any better. There is no real secrets to training or practice.

Nothing in my opinion beats time on the water! You need to choose a program, and you want to try and stick with it and see how you go. It’s all about improving your speed and skills right? So you want to try and balance your practice time into some skill/technique sessions and the very important speed sessions. I didn’t say more importantly there, as I am a true believer in good technique. Once you get the technique right then you can work on speed. Most people go right into trying to go fast without learning how to paddle! You don’t want to get into any bad habits early.

GSI: As an elite athlete what do you do to stay strong mentality during a race?
TG: Racing is a very mental game sometimes, or all the time. It’s one element not many people consider or think about, yet it can play a huge role in your performance. I know a lot of guys that kill it at practice, but when it comes to race day they fail to perform as well as they should have. The mental aspect is a hard one as every individual is different and views things in a different light. If your mentally stronger then your competition you have a huge advantage, and if they know that then you have already beaten them. After a big competition I am normally not only physically drained but I’m mental drained as well sometimes. It takes it out of you.

Before a big race I try to focus and think about how can I win this race. I look/study the conditions, the tides, the proposed course and the weather, to try and see where or how I can win this event. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best! I have found over the years the more races I do, the more confident and stronger I become mentally. Confidence is huge and it can’t really be taught, you have to figure it our for yourself and earn it! If you’re not confident how can you expect to win. Be careful with confidence though, no one likes a cocky or up themselves athlete. You have to be confident within yourself not with your mouth!

GSI: Say you are in the top 3 mid way through a 5km + race – what percentage of risk do you take on when taking a different line to competitors?
TG: Good question, and you can’t really answer it properly until presented with that situation. Again it comes back down to how well you have prepared and how well you know the course and your competition. It becomes a mental game when there are 3 guys duking it out. Basic rule, if you’re the fastest and you know it, you do the safest line/course. If you’re struggling to hang in there, then I would be rolling the dice for sure to try get a lucky break or an advantage over the other two guys.

When someone breaks off and takes a risky line it can sometimes mentally hurt the other guys as well, so no point in sitting behind and following the leader if you want to go for gold. That’s the exciting thing about SUP races, the elements can play a huge role sometimes and it’s the guy on the day who plays to the conditions best that wins. Sometimes a bit of luck might also play a role.

GSI: What format race type do you like best? (BOP, downwind, flat water course or other ) and why?
TG: I enjoy competing in general. I like the challenge of having to negotiate the ocean and work out the best line for whatever course has been set. If SUP was lane/sprint races I don’t think I would be paddling. As long as the race is in the ocean, I’m happy to race, weather it be downwind, in and out whatever, I’ll be competitive.

If a race is in the flat water, I don’t really enjoy flat water. That’s me personally. To me the word SUP means Stand Up SURFboard and should be in the surf/ocean. Ocean racing is about who can utilise and work the ocean to their advantage. Flat water races are one big wash ride and normally the fittest guy wins. I like to see paddlers with not only fitness but also ocean skills. Not a fan of drag races in flat water!

GSI: Tell us about your association with Dale Chapman? How did that come about?
TG: Actually I met Dale on the beach at Noosa when the Noosa Festival 09 had their first ever SUP race at the event. It was a 12’6″ class, starting in Noosa River paddling out to the bar around to first point then finished up the beach. It was a great little race, not many in it as it was a very new sport.

I was down there and keen to race but had no board. Dale kindly lent me one of his and I ended up winning the race, which was the first of many on a DC. Ever since then we have made a few boards together. The designs have changed a bit since then as our skill levels have improved. The DC boards I’m on now I’m very very happy with. They are the fastest 12’6″ and 14ft boards I have ever paddled!

GSI: How are the new NSP race boards different to what you’ve been riding in the past?
TG: I signed with NSP the same time Dale Chapman did. Kind of a package deal I guess. Normally I would use a custom made board and I still do, but now that we are backed by NSP, they will be producing my race boards for not only me to race, but others who feel they can manage an elite style race board. Also with the distribution power that GSI and NSP have I can soon turn up to a race anywhere in the world and have a top of the line NSP board there waiting for me to race!

The quality and construction NSP produce I’m extremely happy with. Apart from making my elite boards, they will also be manufacturing 12’6″ and 14ft DC boards very similar to my race boards but more user friendly, let’s say more stable. So no matter what your skill level they have a race board for you. From first board to first place they say. I think they nailed it on the head with that one!

GSI: At GSI our Mantra is “Life is better when you surf” – how does that statement resonate with you?
TG: Life is better when you can remove yourself from the busy noisy real world and go out into the surf and look quietly back at what you have left behind for a while. I couldn’t think of a better place to be sometimes than out surfing.

You can check out the whole range of NSP SUPs and surfboards on the NSP pages of our website.

Travisbottom

Posted in GSI Community, Interviews, SUP, Team riders | Leave a comment

MODERN LONGBOARDS – 2013 RANGE OF TRADITIONAL STYLE SURFBOARDS

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Tess

Modern Longboards: The Blackbird and the Retro
The 2013 Modern Longboards range has two new additions for 2013. The Blackbird and The Retro. The new range was designed by GSI’s Product Manager, Corey Davis, based on feedback from our customers, retail partners, and some of GSI’s most accomplished and experienced staff members.

New logos, a rich color pallet of striking resin tints, and gloss finishes create a high-end feel that draws a line back to the traditional style of surfboard building.

These boards are built to last and have been manufactured using the highest quality glass, resin, and tint colors imported from the USA. Here’s the 1O1 in the range…

ModernBlackbirdLogo
The Modern Blackbird features a double concave. The dimensions of these funboards are targeted at progressing surfers. The boards feature an easy entry and a stable character for surfers that are still on the learning curve but are moving towards intermediate status.

The smaller sizes, 7’0 and 7’6, have an FCS thruster set-up, meaning they’re ideal for lighter riders that are starting to link their turns. The 8’0 and 9’1 are both built with a 2+1 fin set up delivering more traditional performance as a single fin, or with the side bites for larger more powerful surf.

ModernRetroLogo 2 The Modern Retro is a single concave noserider built in the traditional way; heavy glass on a PU core with a classic resin tint. The Retro model is all about glide down the line and hanging toes off the nose. They’re easy to ride and really capture the feeling of Life is Better When You Surf. Currently available in 9’6 and 10’0 with a 9’1 coming in the next few months.

The entire Modern Longboards range is designed for having fun. These surfboards have a classic look, will excel in small surf, and will stand the test of time. Check out the specs and product videos on the Modern Longboard pages of our web site.

Posted in Surfboards, surfing | Leave a comment

GSI TURNS 10 – OUR TEAM

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tess

Gsi Head

GSI is made up a very passionate group of people. We love what we do and everyday we work towards making our’s and everyone else’s life better through surfing. Here are some team highlights from the past 10 years…

KEL, CEO & FOUNDER – (Manly, NSW, AUS) :

I think my highlight is building the company from an idea to what it is today. The original idea is still the core part of the business that we run, new things like Stand Up Paddling, Finless surfing, bodyboards are all great but at the heart of what we do is surfboards. This is where my and our passion lies. I love it more than ever as it brings me so much happiness on a daily basis.

ALEX PAPPAS, TERRITORY MANAGER – (San Celmente, CA, USA):

Since I began working with GSI seventeen months ago, I have had many amazing experiences. Some of the highlights include traveling through Canada, getting to visit nearly every surf shop on the West Coast [USA], getting to know all the amazing GSI team, and surfing new spots on the most unbelievable quiver imaginable.

SCOTT WYATT, OPERATIONS MANAGER AUSTRALIA – (Freshwater, NSW, AUS):

My highlights would be quarterly meetings getting together with the team and having a huge range of boards at my fingertips. I wish I had a funny moment for you but I’m the new guy and have nothing for you…YET! Another highlight was heading to NZ and helping to set up GSI NZ, it’s great to see set it up and running well.

MARK HORTON, OPERATIONS MANAGER USA – (Sonoma, CA, USA):

From day one, GSI has been about the surfer, no matter the ability level, the retailer, no matter the store size, and our service level each visit, each call, each day, each year. 10 years on, and we still have this focus – YEW!

BRIDGET REEDMAN, TERRITORY MANAGER – (Auckland, NZ):

I’ve been on the GSI team 6 months and it’s been such a buzz seeing people stoked on surfboards we’ve supplied, and sharing the love of surfing.

MARIE MERCER, ACCOUNTANT – (Balgowlah, NSW, AUS):

One of the highlights in the short time I have been with GSI have been the meetings we have had at Manly in such a spectacular location overlooking the harbour. It is great to get the team together and plan the direction of the company & Kel is very motivating.
The other highlight would have to be finally getting to test out a SUP at Fairy Bower…it seemed so effortless but I was sore for days afterwards!

Jamie

JAMIE WILLEMS, TERRITORY MANAGER – (Moffats Beach, QLD, Australia):

The highlight for me since day one till now has to be the great people I deal with, from my retail stores through Surf Schools and all the surfers I have met at events that GSI has been involved with, lots of good times on the road with them all. Also spending time at the annual GSI conference with the extended and growing GSI family!

Mike

MIKE TABELING, CUSTOMER SERVICE – (Rosarito, MX) :

I started with GSI when it was only 2 years old. I watched, and helped, as the company brought in some of the best and most well known shapers in surfing to design boards that would suit surfers throughout the world. Mark Kelly, the CEO, chose to surround himself with dedicated ‘real’ surfers which we call the GSI Team, but they are more like a family if you know what I mean. This is the best job I have ever had in my life!!!

Mertino

MARK MERTENS, TERRITORY MANAGER – (Jupiter FL, USA):

Whoa, can’t believe it’s been 2 1/2 years since I started at GSI. When they say “time flies when you’re having fun”, this is what it feels like. The highlights so far are: going to Australia for our Conference and getting to meet and surf with the whole GSI team, thankful for getting to work and serve my accounts and receiving phone calls from people saying “that board works unreal and makes me want to go surfing!”.

ED GERBINO, TERRITORY MANAGER – (Shirley, NY, USA):

I joined GSI in 2005, expecting to start a new chapter in my life, to learn and grow. Looking back, I got so much more! The People, the friends, the coworkers, the retailers, the challenges, the personal development, travel, waves, surf competitions, paddle board races, expanding my comfort zone, helping others, charitable works, exotic locations, lost, found, empty, fulfilled… everything you can think of and more – this has been one of the greatest rides of my life. I love working for GSI… Life is better when you surf.

Johnny

JOHN JACKA, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER – (Putney, NSW, Australia):

A highlight for me would be when we first sponsored the Malibu Classic back in 2009. In the middle of the heats, GSI was allocated a slot and our US team got to paddle out and have Malibu to ourselves for half an hour. When does that happen? Never! Sharing the waves, hooting each other and generally having a ball while the thousands looked on from the beach wondering which heat was in the water – it was so much fun.

Garret

GARRET WISETH, CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER USA – (San Jose, CA, USA):

Has it been 10 years already? Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! Well for me, I have enjoyed this ride for 9 years and there is no end in sight! I am stoked by the talent pool of people I work with, and feel fortunate to work in an industry I dig. We all believe in our Mantra! This is truly a great company and will continue to succeed because we all are passionate and dedicated. Great Job Kel, leading this crew. Looking forward to the next 10 years…and beyond…

Matt H

MATT HARBOUR, TERRITORY MANAGER – (Longbeach, NSW, AUS):

The first highlight was travelling to the US to meet the team over there and surfing in Santa Cruz. Second highlight was working at the 2010 Noosa Festival when the surf was pumping for the whole week.

Tess

TESS KELLY, MEDIA DIRECTOR – (Collingwood, VIC, AUS):

I’ve been with GSI since 2006 and for me there have been heaps of highlights. The stand outs for me so far? Learning to surf; the unreal people in the GSI team; the inspiring people I have meet along the way; the amazing places I have travelled; GSI’s sponsorship of the Noosa Festival of Surfing, our ever evolving product range…and the ride goes on…

Matt M

MATT MARTIN, TERRITORY MANAGER – (JanJuc, VIC, AUS):

For me the highlights have been: All of the Design evolutions that we have seen, from SUP, to Finless to Meyerhoffer; the acceptability of riding all different types of craft; constructions evolutions from PU to FF to Coco Mat and watching the GSI team grow.

Crow

COREY DAVIS, PRODUCT MANAGER – (Portland, OR, USA):

Traveling all over the world with our sales team is the best part of my job. The crew at GSI is top notch. GSI has been successful in good part because of a timely business model. But at the end of the day, the sales team is driven to provide the best service and support to help our retailers succeed. It’s a pleasure to provide product for such a positive and intuitive crew.

Chris

CHRIS POTHOFF, CUSTOMER SERVICES MANAGER AUSTRALIA – (Wamberal, NSW, AUS):

A highlight for me would be going for a night surf under a full moon at our first Noosa Festival of Surfing (2007). The water was warm the waves were 2-3′ and glassy and there was phosphorescence in the water. It was magic.
I have to say that the biggest thing for me is that I have not had Mondayitis since I started with GSI back in 2006. Not many people can claim that I reckon!

Matt S

MATT SWAN, MANAGER ONLINE STRATEGY – (Manly, NSW, AUS):

Having now been at GSI for technically under 2 weeks, I’ve still had time for a couple of little spells of “far out how lucky am I?”. It’s truly a privilege to work in an industry that inspires such consumer passion and dedication and for a company that genuinely combines an ethical attitude with a professional approach. And also everyone else who works here rocks

TY WIGGINS, INTERNATIONAL OPERATION MANAGER/ANALYST – (Warriewood, NSW, AUS):

After my first week I am very excited about both my role within GSI and the people that I will be working with. I have never seen (either in my work life or in my consulting work) the level of enthusiasm and passion that I received from the staff when my intro email was sent around. That alone puts GSI in a very small percentage of companies and I can’t wait to get involved.

Posted in GSI - 10 year anniversary, life is better when you surf® | Leave a comment

GSI TURNS 10 – OUR COMMUNITY

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tess

OurCommunity Head

Over the past 10 years we have passed our mantra on to many charity and non profit organisations around the world – purely for giving others the opportunity to experience the joy of surfing. We feel privileged to be able to help support these fantastic people.

SURFERS FOR AUTISM – Dave Rossman

In only five years, SFA has grown from a handful of philanthropically-inclined South Florida surfers to a global juggernaut and has taken close to 7,000 special athletes surfing in coastal communities across the globe. Global Surf Industries has been the group’s official board provider since the beginning and has played an integral role in the organization’s growth. “GSI has supported us and gave not because of any agenda or PR initiative; they did it because it was the right thing to do”, said SFA President Don Ryan.

Registration maxes out at 200 surfers, per event, who spend the day being pushed into waves by upwards of 300 volunteers. Without GSI’s generous contributions, SFA simply would not be able to take as many special athletes surfing. The goal for 2013 is the same as always: bring the stoke to more families and communities across the U.S. and globe. As long as there is autism, there will be Surfers for Autism. Happy 10th Anniversary GSI! – Dave Rossman

DISABLED SURFERS ASSOCIATION – Gary Blaschke

The Disabled Surfers Association of Australia Inc. wish to congratulate GSI on their tenth anniversary of amazing work in Australia and around the world. GSI were the first and only corporate organization to financially support the efforts of Australia’s only fully registered Public Benevolent Institution and Charity dedicated to the wellbeing of the disabled in the Sport of Surfing.

GSI’s support of the DSA’s efforts enables us to go forward with our fully voluntary programs throughout Australia and New Zealand and after twenty seven years of setting World’s Best Practice, we hope our unconditional arrangement can prosper for thousands more Australian’s and New Zealander’s who wish to experience the thrill of Surfing. Thanks GSI and Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary. Gary Blaschke OAM,D.S.A.A. National President

WAVES for DEVELOPMENT – Dave Aabo

“Life is better when you surf.” The first time WAVES for Development heard this was 5yrs ago. That was before we started using surf tourism to empower communities and enhance the traveler’s experience. Now we’re recognized as legal not-for-profit entities in three countries. GSI helped launch WAVES and Surf Voluntourism as a concept through their generous donation of surfboards. We’re grateful. So are locals in Northern Peru who have learned to surf with WAVES on GSI boards.
It’s been fun to grow with GSI over the years. As we celebrate the last 10 years of GSI, with five of them helping launch and grow WAVES, we look forward to the next 10. Working together, we can accomplish much more than alone. And, spread the true Corporate Aloha that GSI exemplifies. To making WAVES together!

JIMMY MILLER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION – Jeff Miller

Global Surf Industries as a company and as a group of individuals have been instrumental in the growth of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation since our inception. We literally could not do our ocean therapy program with both kids and injured military without their support and the surfboards themselves. We share a common belief that “life is better when you surf” and GSI’s support of the JMMF has proven that belief to be 100% true as we have been told by the participants and volunteers in our program that our ocean therapy program has saved their lives. We can’t thank Kel, Tess, Horto and Garret enough for their support and friendship. We congratulate them on 10 years of success and look forward to the next 10! Jeff Miller, President, Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation.

OUTDOOR OUTREACH – Chris Rutgers

Outdoor Outreach is a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower at-risk and underprivileged youth to make positive, lasting changes to their lives by utilizing outdoor physical experiences like surfing, combined with academic and social support, to provide youth with the support, relationships, resources and opportunities they need to become successful adults.
For many years now, Global Surf Industries has been a critical supporter of our organization. Each year we take 600 underprivileged youth surfing, most of whom had never been to the beach before. This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of Global Surf Industries, who are tangibly showing the kids in our community that “Life is better when you surf!”
Congratulations on 10 years GSI! Chris Rutgers, Executive Director.

MISSION MEXICO

Amongst the enormous daily challenges to stay afloat and knowing that the children, who have suffered terribly, need different outlets to help rebuild their confidence and their general trust in the world, Alan and Pam Skuse, founders and Directors of children’s refuge, Mision Mexico (www.lovelifehope.com), decided to apply their combined skills to teach the children water safety, swimming, and of course – surfing!! Surfing is a previously unknown activity in this part of the world, yet it has become a uniquely transforming sporting activity for these children.
In 2007 the children received a shipment surfboards from GSI to help their surfing program and as a result of this kind of support, many of the kids from the Mision Mexico family are now seriously carving up the waters near Tapachula in the same way that many other grommets do in all corners of the globe…”When I surf, I don’t have to think about anything except the waves. Not my past, not drugs, not anything. There is nothing like it.”

LIFE ROLLS ON – Kris Nakamura

We are truly grateful for the extraordinary support of GSI. Life Rolls On Foundation’s award-winning They Will Surf Again (TWSA) program would not be possible without their generous donations of surfboards which allow us to empower quadriplegics and paraplegics experience the freedom and mobility of riding a wave. Anytime we have asked, GSI has always risen to the occasion to do what they can to support our work. Whether it was a set of boards for our newest TWSA event site or donating product for our fundraisers, they have been there for us. They are wonderful community partners, we are sincerely thankful to call them friends and congratulate them on their 10 year anniversary. Kris Nakamura CEO

SURFING MUMS Inc. – Clare Romea

I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for all that GSI have done for us. If it wasn’t for GSI, Surfing Mums Incorporated would not be where we are today. In the last year, 2011-2012, our membership numbers doubled and that was directly due to the fact that GSI sponsor us and give us boards that we raffle to fund raise. The proceeds from the fund raising have gone towards first aid kits and flags on the beaches for our groups. What Surfing Mums provides is a break from the toils of motherhood and brings families and the community in general together. All for the love of surfing, and life.
GSI is also helping to look after the next generation of surfers, many of our member’s children are avid surfers and surf competitors and they know that GSI helped their mums and them by contributing to our cause.
Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary. Claire Romea, President, Surfing Mums, Australia

Posted in GSI - 10 year anniversary, GSI Community | Leave a comment

GSI TURNS 10 – OUR BOARD DESIGNERS

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tess

Shapers Head

We are extremely proud of our stable of world class board designers, their passion for what they do, their contributions to surfing communities all over the world and the way they live our mantra is what makes GSI boards the best on the planet. This is what they have to say about being part of the GSI family over the past 10 years…

Steve

WALDEN SURFBOARDS

First a big congratulations to Mark Kelly and the entire GSI crew for a remarkable 10 years!

I signed on with GSI about 7 years ago when GSI was in the early stages. The GSI model of building, distributing, and marketing boards was so different that it made people nervous, including myself. I quickly learned I had nothing to be nervous about, GSI was reinventing and revolutionizing the surfboard industry.

GSI started right by hiring the most qualified, professional & passionate people. The GSI reps. and support system are unmatched. Period. The GSI crew is out representing my brand, meaning I am trusting them with my almost 50 year old company. I have complete confidence in their ability to care and grow my label. A company is only as good as it’s people and GSI has the best.

The Walden team does a lot of traveling with the GSI team, to me our best times are after a conference or trade show when we all get together for dinner to talk story and hang out. It is pretty rare in business ( and in life) to spend time with 15+ people and enjoy the company of everyone, but we do.

Over the last 7 years I have had the unique opportunity to go out on the road with the GSI reps. and visit surf shops all over the world. We have had some legendary road trips! I have had the pleasure of sharing those trips with master shapers like Bob Mctavish & Greg Weber, both who have become very good friends.

It is important to me to meet my dealers and understand what their needs and wants are.That ability to travel has added a lot to my understanding of the global picture. GSI understands the importance of meeting people one on one, which is why dealer trips and demo days are a big part of what we do.

I don’t think you can talk about GSI without addressing the nay-sayers, the people who are hesitant about change and think that you some how lose soul by innovating. Ten years later I think many of those people are waiting in line either for their new GSI board or to be part of the GSI board range. Quality will always quiet the critics.

Again, a big congrats to GSI for 10 years. I look forward to meeting up with the entire crew and toasting everyone in person.

Aloha, Steve Walden

Bob

MCTAVISH SURFBOARDS

Joining with GSI as our McTavish brands’ International distributor has added some great broadening aspects to my life: People, coastlines, and waves in far-flung places.

Since we’ve been working with GSI I’ve had the privilege of travelling to some stunning and spectacular coastlines. GSI as the World’s largest surfboard company exports to and markets in over 74 countries. I’ve toured England, Brittany, the Basque coast of France and Spain, The Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and of course California and Washington State.

Travelling with Mark Kelly is always fun, and Steve Walden, his partner Brandy, have become very good friends through our travels. Add Richie Lovett, Thomas Meyerhoffer, and the terrific GSI guys in each area to my new friends list too! Great guys!

Surfing Westport Washington in 4 mill rubber, hood and booties, with pumping double-overhead surf, followed by a talk-fest gathering with Mike Tabelling. Another similar night at Croyden on the coast north of Devon. Pork pies and warm ale. Crazy hot-springs hotel in Taiwan’s volcanic coastline, plus maybe the world’s best food in Taipei. Immaculate glassy Geuthary, followed by dinner at Micki Dora’s favourite waterfront restaurant. Jagging sweet lefts at Strickos on Rottnest Island. Then into Little Creatures for dinner. It goes on and on.

What a wonderful planet we live on, and what a gift to be able to see so much of it. It sure helps a guy get a world view. It’s pretty much the same story everywhere. The common good things in life are sharing with friends and family, the planet’s beauty, the food and drink, and especially for us surfers… the WAVES! – Congratulation on 10 years GSI – Bob McTavish.

MEYERHOFFER SURFBOARDS

Being part of GSI has been an amazing opportunity to connect with surfers all over the world. Receiving messages about shared stoke from all parts of the world is one of the very best feelings you can experience.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to get to know almost everyone on the GSI team. What a great group of individuals that together is one of the strongest teams I have experienced – in any company I have worked with.

The best part is the numerous adventures we have shared together from surfing and lobster sandwiches in Maine, to late night nut cracking dinners in the Basque country – after being woken up at dawn by “come on mate – lets go!”, to wandering the streets of New York trying not to get the boards stuck in the subway escalator!

As a designer, it has been a real honor to be invited into a rocking group of shapers with generous and open minds that I look forward to continuing to share thoughts and experiences with around the future of surfboard design. SUR FOR WRD – Thomas Meyerhoffer.

ALOHA SURFBOARDS – Richie Lovett

Many years ago, certainly more than 10 years ago, I vaguely remember sitting in an office at Surf Hardware International with GSI’s President Mark ‘Kel’ Kelly. At the time I was competing on the ASP World Tour and Kel had some involvement with marketing or something, and anyway we were discussing my annual contract to endorse FCS and Gorilla Grip. I remember the conversation was easy, the negotiations were fast, and the deal was done without too much drama. Some time after that, perhaps I was picking up some gear for my next competition, someone told me that Kel had left SHI and was planning to start some type of surfboard company. At the time I didn’t think much of it, and I certainly didn’t think that one day I’d be involved with that ‘surfboard company’ on a number of different levels.

These days Kel and I have a running joke. Whenever we catch up he asks me, “What hat are you wearing today”. Not literally, but in relation to who I might be working for on that particular day. You see I currently hold positions with Surf Hardware International, Aloha Surfboards, Waves Magazine, and also GSI. This is not an attempt to impress with my resume of employers, rather it’s to make the point that surfboards and surfing hardware are a passion of mine, and secondly to highlight that for the last 4 years I’ve worked with GSI as both a brand representative for Aloha Surfboards, and more recently as GSI’s Brand Ambassador, copy editor, and the guy in all those surfboard videos.

Speaking as a representative of Aloha Surfboards it’s tremendously satisfying to see your designs and surfboard models replicated with accuracy, and to an extremely high standard so that surfers around the globe can share the stoke that I get every time I ride one of these boards. Our team riders also love riding Aloha boards manufactured through GSI, to the point where some them have used these boards in ASP World Tour events. That in itself speaks volumes about the quality and the performance of the boards.

As an employee of GSI I can honesty say I have never met a more friendly and motivated bunch of people who share in the common goals of not only making GSI a successful company, but who wholeheartedly believe in the company’s mantra of Life Is Better When You Surf. They say a company is only as good as its employees, that said the future looks good for GSI.

So happy 10 year anniversary GSI, and a huge congratulations to Kel, the GSI team, and also the surfboard brands, for giving surfers the perfect excuse to go and spend some quality time in the ocean…

Cheers to the next 10 years!

Richie Lovett

THE SEAGLASS PROJECT – Tom Wegener

Working with GSI has been a pleasure! My first contact with GSI was at the Noosa Festival of Surfing which they were the primary sponsor of for years. I thanked Mark Kelly every year for supporting this great event that would never have made it on the radar of main stream surfing. There was an alaia expression session at the 2009 Noosa Festival of Surfing and I spoke to Mark about working with GSI on a very experimental foam version of an alaia even though there was no demand for them and it was all totally speculative.

GSI helped me with materials to make the experimental boards and said they would license the shape if I could make them work. This was the carrot that justified my year of experimentation and many many prototypes and eventually this led to the Seaglass Project Tuna and Albacore models. Now there are really good finless boards available in 74 countries around the world.

GSI has put an enormous amount of resources behind the Seaglass Project as well as other a vanguard surfboards. In this way GSI is world’s leader in broadening surfing’s horizons by bring great new boards to a hungry surfing world. I believe that a future for finless surfing has been made possible by GSI’s support. Thank you GSI!

Happy 10 year anniversary GSI!!!!

The Wegener family

HAYDENSHAPES SURFBOARDS – Hayden Cox

Haydenshapes are very proud to be part of the Global Surf Industries family. For us, working with Kel and the crew really brings the sense of unity. I’ve never seen better leader, or a more passionate team that really live for surfing. They way they do things, their service and their contribution to the surf industry on all levels is truly inspiring. Ten years is a huge milestone for any business and we are stoked to celebrate it with them.

We look forward to some fun years ahead. Congrats! – Hayden Cox

STEWART SURFBOARDS – Bill Stewart

Stewart Surfboards is happy to be a part of the GSI family, offering a range of some of the best high-performance Stewart models to the worldwide market. We appreciate the support of GSI spreading the good word of Stewart Surfboards to their established network of dealers around the globe. The GSI team’s professionalism and passion for surfing keeps us stoked to work with them for years to come. 10 years – Congratulations. Bill Stewart.

Turbo

TURBO BODYBOARDS – Gregg Taylor

Turbo Surf Designs has a rich history in the sport of Bodyboarding dating back to Hawaii in 1983. Our mission is to honour the legacy of Turbo and the sport of bodyboarding by being the leading provider of premium quality, high performance bodyboarding equipment, utilizing innovative materials and designs. The next stage of our evolution is our partnership with Global Surf Industries, to make our innovative range available to the core surf market globally.

The team at Turbo has had a great experience with the team GSI for the initial months of our partnership and we look forward to a long and successful relationship. Congratulations GSI, on your 10 year anniversary. Gregg Taylor

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GSI TURNS 10 – INTERVIEW WITH MARK KELLY aka KEL

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tess

KelHead

It is only right that for our 10 year anniversary we interview CEO & Founder Mark Kelly, a.k.a Kel. Home in Manly for the first time in a few months we caught up with him this week for a chat…

GSI: 10 years in – is GSI looking anything like you envisioned it would when you started the business?

Kel:Yes I think it is, I am stoked with how it is going as we pass the 10 year milestone. We will have 21 full time staff and 2 part time staff by December, we have products going to 74 countries.

GSI: What are the major changes you have seen in the surf industry over the past 10 years?

Kel: Probably the biggest change is one that has affected a lot of other industries and that is the emergence of online as a platform for consumers to gather information and more recently buy products online. We spend a lot of time and effort constantly improving how we communicate online, with great videos, product shots, action shots, excellent descriptions about how each of the boards work. The feedback from people around the world is that our website is one of their favourites.

GSI: When GSI first started there was a lot of negative feedback about boards not coming from the traditional shaper – do you think people’s outlook on this has changed?

Kel: I do for sure, the number one issue for any consumer is quality and performance. We make sure that all of our products are designed to perform to the level of the surfer buying them and that they are made to our high quality control standards. Our commitment to service is the other avenue that has helped us build a great reputation that now sees GSI as a valued member of the surf industry globally.

GSI: GSI has introduced some ‘quirky’ surfboards into the market over the past few years, namely the Meyerhoffer range and The Seaglass Project finless boards – what is the thought process behind introducing products that are out of the surf industries’ “comfort zone”?

Kel: If you meet Tom Wegener or Thomas Meyerhoffer in person you quickly learn that these guys are absolutely committed to what they are designing, their commitment to helping people get more from their surfing is what bought me to want to have them involved with GSI in the first place. They both think outside the box which is a good thing for sure.

GSI: Up until now GSI has been predominantly all about surfboards. Bodyboards were recently introduced into the range. Why/How did this happen?

Kel: We were approached by the guys who own Turbo to join forces with them to help them achieve their goal of getting Turbo back to the position it once held as the leading bodyboard brand in the world. The team they have there are really into the brand and have done a great job at getting everything ready for us to take to the market. It seemed like a natural fit for both of us to move forward with. Our strength in distribution and their strength in designing and marketing the products and brand.

GSI: The GSI range has seen a few brands come and go, how do you make the decision to add or remove brands to the range?

Kel: We only add a brand to the portfolio when we see a gap in the market or a gap in our range. We have a lot of product now so we have to be very responsible with how we manage the portfolio, I think it could get too big pretty easily. If something is working we look at adding more models or sizes to a range. If something isn’t working we try to get it going in a couple of ways and at the end of the day we look at the commitment we are making, the results we are getting back and sometimes we have to make tough decisions. The hard part is taking the emotion out of it as this always clouds your business brain.

GSI: Board designs go in and out of fashion, has there been a board in the range that has been a continuous “best seller”? If so, why do you think that is?

Kel: The all time winner is definitely the 7S Super Fish, it would have to be the biggest selling model of surfboard in the world. It has been one of our best sellers every year since we introduced it. Feedback is always that this board works and helps people take their surfing to a new level. I have ridden it around the world at many breaks and I really love it myself. It is my go to board for sure.

GSI: Having the world best quiver at your fingertips must create a dilemma on a daily basis. What is your current go to board and why?

Kel:Currently the favorites are a 7’3 Super Fish II in Futureflex construction, it is an amazing board, super light and so fast it is fantastic to ride. Also I am riding a couple of prototypes: an 8’0 Softboard and an 11’0 Inflatable SUP, these are great boards and with some refinements will go into production soon. Second last one that I am riding and is soon to be released the Modern Retro 10’0 Noserider, so much fun in small waves. Last one is the new 6’4 Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto – awesome board, new sizes will be available in the next month or so.

GSI: Life is better when you surf – tell us how that sits with you personally, and with GSI as a business.

Kel: In 2006 we created this mantra as it really personifies what GSI is about and how much we value being in the water. I know how privileged I am because of everything surfing has provided me, so having “Life is better when you surf” as our company mantra seems almost synchronistic in some ways.

KelBtm

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GLOBAL SURF INDUSTRIES TURNS 10

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tess

Header 2 2012

From it’s inception in 2002 Global Surf Industries (GSI) has grown from a small operation of two staff based in Manly, Australia into the world’s premier Surfboard Company. Showcasing 15 brands, supported by the world’s leading surfboard, SUP and bodyboard designers, GSI products are distributed in over 70 countries worldwide.

GSI is a unique company in many ways. It was created with the idealist value of commitment to our staff, our customers and the consumers – the surfers, who use our products. From the beginning the idea was always to have the biggest / smallest company we could have and use technology to overcome the need for infrastructure within the business.

10 years on and our 21 employees all still work from their homes in various parts of the world. We do this for a few reasons, the main being that we increase our green footprint by not having any offices and not having to commute each day. Our staff use their time, when others commute to work, to take kids to school or spend more time in the water.

Our company mantra is, and has always been, “Life is Better When you Surf” and we have a mandate to share this mantra with the world giving everyone the opportunity to experience the joy that being in the ocean can bring to your life.

Living the mantra is the best thing about our company. Over the past 10 years GSI has sponsored numerous events and gives ongoing support to many charities and non profit organisations that celebrate surf culture with the Life is Better When You Surf vibe. Here are just a few:

- Noosa Festival of Surfing (AUS): 2007 – 2012

- Surfrider Foundation Clean Water Water Classic (USA): 2007 – 2009

- Donating boards to Outdoor Outreach program: (2007-) Reading the bios of many of their students and seeing how surfing has helped them become amazing young adults with big dreams is awe-inspiring.

- Snowy McAlister Winter Longboard Festival (AUS): 2008-2010

- Sending boards to Peru to help kick start Waves For Development program: (2008-) Seeing some really great young surfers develop from this community is FANTASTIC!

- Donating soft surfboards to Disabled Surfers Assoc Australia: (2008-) Attending a DSA day as a volunteer will leave you feeling very humble.

- Surfrider Foundation Malibu Classic (USA): 2009 & 2010

- Manly Festival of Surfing (AUS): 2009 & 2010

- Donating boards to Surfer’s for Autism: (2010-) Receiving such heart felt thanks from the parents of these beautiful children for helping to introduce surfing into their families’ lives really entrenches the belief in our mantra even more.

Our range of boards has evolved over the years and we now run with 7 different construction types across our surfboard and SUPs ranges. Other major developments have been: the introduction of Stand Up Paddle boards in 2007; the development and release of the radical and award winning Meyerhoffer Surfboard range in 2009; the release of the outstanding, award winning, Seaglass Project Finless Tuna in 2010 and the Albacore in 2012; in 2011 we introduced the much applauded FutureFlex construction in the Haydenshapes line up, and sustainable Coco Mat construction into our NSP range and in 2012 our latest addition, world class Turbo bodyboards.

As our range continues to evolve and grow we continue to stay true to our mantra and produce surf craft that anyone at any level can use to enjoy the ocean and ensure that Life is Better When You Surf!

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INTRODUCING TURBO BODYBOARDS

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tess

TurboHead

TurboRainbow Logo

The latest addition to GSI’s product range is the well known Turbo Bodyboard range. The Turbo brand turned 27 this year and has a very rich history in the sport of bodyboarding. Founded in Hawaii in 1983 by the legendary Russ Brown (“Captain Turbo”), Turbo is well known for quality and innovation which makes Turbo and GSI a match made in heaven. TURBO is actually an acronym for The Ultimate Russ Brown Obsession. Which shows what a fantastic heritage this brand has.

We spoke to Matt Lenton from Turbo Surf Designs this week to find out a bit more about the recently released 2013 Turbo range…

The 2013 range of Turbo bodyboards utliises the latest in cutting edge board design and technology. Turbo have once again proven to be way ahead of its competitors. Turbo owner/shaper/board designer Glenn Taylor has worked tirelessly to bring to life the best range of high performance bodyboards available on the market.

Last season Turbo introduced the hugely popular Trilogy Stringer System into its range. TSS was developed through the knowledge of 3 x World Champ Damian King and shaper of 19 years Glenn Taylor. It has proven to be known as the fastest board on the market and is available for 2013 in the Jerry and Damian King models. With various shapes, core options and pre-moulded stringer systems on offer, the Turbo range has a bodyboard that will suit riders in all surf conditions and disciplines including prone, dropknee and stand up.

Turbo is a truly global brand and this is reflected in the new range of Turbo boards with signature models from South Africa’s Jared Houston, Hawaiian Jacob Romero and Australia’s Damian King and Mason Rose. The signature models are a true replica of the board that the rider is riding.

The GSI range of Turbo bodyboard has a board to suit bodyboarders of all levels. You can check out the complete Turbo range, watch videos and get all the specs on the Turbo pages of our web site.

TurboBoards

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FUTUREFLEX – what is that?

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Tess

If you have looked through our range of surfboards lately you will see that there is a number of boards appearing that are constructed using FutureFlex technology.

Invented by Hayden Cox – founder of Haydenshapes surfboards, FutureFlex technology is the latest in surfboard technology and design.

FuturFlex Desc FutureFlex is new and it is awesome, here’s what it’s all about…

Continue reading →

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JAKE AND THE ALBACORE

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Tess

The Seaglass Project Albacore

The wait is finally over! The Seaglass Project Albacore has finally landed on USA and AUS shores.

Heaps of people have made purchase of this awesome piece of surf equipment and recently Jake Perdana was lucky enough to take one on his recent trip to Bali.

Bali based surf photographer, Nicole Gozzer beautifully captured a few sessions of Jake and the Albacore. We were all blown away by the shots and Tom Wegener was completely stoked to see the board performing almost better than he could have ever perceived.

We caught up with Jake to find out a bit about him and his trip to Bali…

AlbacoreSeq JP: In early August my girlfriend Morgen and I booked our tickets to Bali to break up the Sydney winter, I have been travelling to Bali since I was 18 and I feel a great connection with the place along with every other Aussie surfer. Before I departed I got in contact with my mate Tom Wegener, we chatted, and we both agreed that the Albacore would work really well on the hollow reef breaks of Bali.

I spent two weeks in Bali with the Albacore surfing a bunch of different waves including Bingin and Canggu. Tom organised Nicole Gozzer , a surf photographer in Bali to document a few sessions surfing the Albacore. Flying up to the Bukit Peninsula on my scooter to meet Nicole for the early session was a regular occurrence, the board had a lot of people talking in the line up. Most of the time we had great swell, which I thought was good to test how a board works and its durability.

GSI: What’s your local break at home in Australia?
JP: Morgen and myself reside in a beach shack in the arty suburb of Tamarama [NSW, Australia]. Tamarama is great, we have south and north facing swell options and if you are patient in crowds, you will find some fun waves. If the factors are right then you will find me surfing the most crowded left in the world at South Bondi. The rip in the south end sometimes pushes the sand around, turning it into a really fun left running into the pool. But due to lack of sand movement on the beach, Bondi can’t handle swell over 4 foot. In that case we hit the road south. I have a fairly extensive quiver of boards which makes it possible for me to surf most days .

GSI: How long have i been surfing?
JP: I have been riding waves since I was ten years old on a variety of different surf craft. Lucky for me growing up in Noosa Heads meant that I could surf most of the time after school. I also studied surfing at high school; I learned how to ride a wave on a bodyboard then slowly evolved onto a surfboard ‘you have to crawl before you walk’. Being labelled and esky lidder was pretty funny, but at the end of the day its all surfing. We are all just riding waves and having fun, aren’t we?

GSI: How long have you been riding finless and what Inspired you to ride finless boards?
JP: I started surfing finless boards about 5 years ago. My main inspiration for surfing finless boards came from watching Dave Rastovich surf Alaias on the points at Noosa. I think it all came from Tom Wegener’s trip to Hawaii and the rebirth of the Alaia. When I was a kid I also looked up to surfers such as Chris won and Cavin Yap, they were the pioneers of stand up bodyboarding.

GSI: What are the differences between Albacore and other finless boards you have ridden?
JP: I find a lot of similarities in riding a bodyboard and riding the Albacore. Besides the obvious reasons of them both being made of foam, the Albacore seems to react really nicely in the pocket and produces a great amount of speed on a high line. I spent a few committed years riding the wooden Alaias, I was lucky enough to get a crash coarse with Tom Wegener on how to shape them. The Alaia is not for everyone. On and alia you need patience and you need to be a strong swimmer in order to enter the wave earlier to draw your line. The best thing about the Albacore is the volume, you can get into the wave earlier and because if its subtle rolled rails it is a lot more forgiving. I think one of the biggest differences and best factors about the Albacore is flex. I find the Albacore has the right amount of flex to allow the board to spring though bottom turns and rail slides.

GSI: The photos of your sessions on the Albacore in Bali are amazing. How did it perform on the reef breaks?
JP: The Albacore worked really well on reef breaks but equally well on beach breaks. I was surprised with how much speed I gathered from the take off, which gave me a ‘magic carpet’ feeling around sections and floaters. I also managed to find a bit of shade on a few waves, but due to the rail contours the shockwave felt minimal. Reef breaks and the Albacore are great companions and I can’t wait for the next marriage.

GSI: Were you surprised that a finless board could hold into a steep face and drive bottom turns in the bali waves?
JP:I personally wasn’t surprised at all that the board could hold into steep waves, nor was I surprised that it would bottom turn well. But I can understand why other people would be surprised. On a finless board you are drawing different lines on the wave. Rather than driving your back foot off the bottom, you are setting your rail and sliding down the face. All the restrictions are gone and you are open to more opportunities on the wave. I remember when I was a toddler and my parents took the training wheels off the side of my bike, that’s the best way I can describe finless surfing.

GSI: Had you ridden the Albacore much before your trip to Bali?
JP:Prior to Bali I was surfing the Albacore alot, in a variety of different waves just kinda getting a feel for it. The first session I had on the Albacore was out at Bilgola Wedge [NSW, Australia] about 2 months before the trip. It was a pulsing easterly swell building through the day and no one could wipe the smile off my face. One of those surfs you remember.

GSI: One of the best things about the Albacore it that it can be ridden by everyone – beginners to advanced level surfers. What would be a couple of things people should keep in mind when riding a finless board for the first time?
JP: If you have an open mind and are willing to experiment with what you ride, then the Albacore would be a great addition to your quiver. I don’t consider myself a novice nor a pro, but one thing that has kept me in the water is experimentation. A new board can give you the same rush of your first bottom turn or first barrel ride. Finless surfing is a great way of fine tuning your surfing and feeling more in tune with the wave rather than trying to fight the wave. Be patient and committed when you ride a finless board and you will find yourself improving through every session. Furthermore just have fun! We are not all out there needing a 9.5 to win a final.

GSI: At GSI our mantra is ‘Life is Better When you Surf’ – how does this statement resonate with you?
JP: I believe surfing creates a perfect balance in life. It only takes one good wave to put everything back into perspective.

You can find boards specs, watch videos and view the action shots from Jake’s trip on The Seaglass Project Albacore page of our web site.

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