ockanui said...
You know its tough out there in the free enterprise system, its an ideal world to think that everyone can afford a locally produced name brand, the reality is there are many people out there who cannot and because of that should they be excluded from participating in the sport, how many of us buy and drive imported cars?, I bought a name brand surfboard by a name shaper composite board but it was manufactured in Thailand, the company was obviously bypassing employing Australian labour and costs etc, but it was offering choice, and I had the choice. As far as that bloke in a van goes, who knows his life story, but I know how difficult at times it is to make an adequate income at times, sure there is a localism sentiment, but in effect each time I go surf at some place there is always some comment about the sup I ride and where it should be put, I guess the word is territorialism, but it should be.. tolerance
I agree with you here, I drive a Toyota Hilux, also made in Thailand and for it's money and category the best car on the road.
I think the point is though not having any problems with boards manufactured overseas rather than locally but the R+D that goes into the specification of the boards. To be able to specify what you want, it needs to be made locally (wherever your location, Hawaii, Gold Coast, California etc) refined, tested, refined, tested and masters sent for reproduction with very strict QC's.
I know factually that certain factories in China in particular will provide you with a catalogue of boards that can be made with reference to their original designer. No royalties payable. These are the unscrupulous types operating on government subsidy for profit. You will find that the big guys deal with factories committed to brand name construction that take pride in making quality boards as a long term business directive.
What people need to consider is this: If you are riding a moulded board it is last years actual R+D designs. In that case you'd hope that the designer was ahead of the curve. Certain companies lead the way, not follow. You know who they are. I dream about a handshaped Dave Parmenter or Blane Chambers.
While it may not be the case for WVM at the demo day supporting people that manufacture in the knock off factories with no time or money spent on design, team rider feedback is diverting money from the development of the sport.
For resale value and performance you are better off with buying a good designed brand name second hand board than a cruddy heavy generic new one if money's an issue.
