Surfboard Shapers Chosen for Ekstrom Tribute; Early Bird Registration

July 21, 2011

Matt Biolos to defend; Sacred Craft Early Bird exhibitor registration open

Encinitas, Ca., (July 18, 2011) — – Six shapers will design, shape and craft unique asymmetrical surfboards during the ‘Tribute to the Masters Shape-off’ honoring Carl Ekstrom and presented by US Blanks. The six shapers hand-picked by Ekstrom include defending champion Matt Biolos (San Clemente), Tim Bessell (La Jolla), Ryan Burch (Cardiff-By-The-Sea), George Gall (Point Loma), Wayne Rich (Santa Barbara) and Daniel Thomson (Australia). The Tribute to Carl Ekstrom takes place during the Sacred Craft Consumer Surfboard Expo October 8 & 9, 2011.

At Ekstrom’s suggestion this year’s shape-off will not be exact replications but rather new variations of the asymmetrical design. Anything goes! The only parameters are that 1) the finished blanks be asymmetrical and that 2) the fin placement be drawn onto the finished blank.

The finished blanks will be judged by a trio of design legends: Stanley Pleskunas, Rusty Preisendorfer and honoree Carl Ekstrom. The trio anticipates having each shaper discuss with them the ‘proof of design concept’ during the judging process.

“With the asymmetric design it is very important for the judges to fully understand the shapers design concept, and just looking at them won’t do the shaper and his design justice,” said Ekstrom. “These boards are so unique that it’s important to discuss the boards design with the shaper.”

The winner will receive $1K and have their name etched onto the Mike Marshall Perpetual Trophy alongside past Tribute to the Masters winners Ricky Carroll (x2 Mike Diffenderfer, Bill Caster), Marc Andrieni (John Bradbury), Pat Rawson (Dick Brewer), Wayne Rich (Renny Yater), Matt Biolos (Simon Anderson), and Ward Coffey (Doug Haut).

EARLY BIRD EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION AND FLOOR PLAN

Early bird registration is OPEN. The floor plan, booth space contracts, and general information are available online at:
https://sacredcraftexpo.com/exhibit .

On August 19 early bird pricing ends. The pricing structure will be strictly enforced. Please take advantage of the large savings and send in your contract/money prior to August 19.

We have unique surfboard exhibits/events lined up including:

Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoring Carl Ekstrom presented by US Blanks
Billabong Art of Shaping Auction LA County Edition
Golden Ticket – One attendee will walk out with the board of their choice
Future of Surfing Shaping Bay & Laminating Showcase
The Soul Project Quivers Lounge
The Art Grotto benefiting Surf Aid International
KorduroyTV Vid Shorts Lounge
Antique Roadshow Style Surfboard & Memorabilia Appraisals
PRIMO Beer Flowing
Music by Surfers for Surfers featuring Seth Pettersen
Longboard Skate Zone Demo Tarp/Ramp/Cone combo
Demo morning – ride the boards!
Tons more to on tap!

Sacred Craft brings together surfboard lovers in what has become the surfboard industry gathering. Passion for surfboards and the authentic culture that flows forth never goes out of style.

WHO: Surfers, shapers, and surfboard manufacturers
WHAT: Two days of surfboard heaven
WHEN: October 8 & 9, 2011
WHERE: Del Mar Fairgrounds
WHY: Because surfers care about two things: waves and the equipment to ride them with
HOW: $10 at the door; kids 12 & under free

To exhibit/reserve booth space at Sacred Craft click here now to download the booth space contract.

About CARL EKSTROM

Carl Ekstrom was born in 1941, raised in La Jolla, began surfing at age 11 and built his first board at 15. In the early ’60s Ekstrom shaped for Wardy, Ole, Jacobs, Bing, and Con among other surfboard companies. In ’63 he opened his own shop with Al Nelson. Ekstrom developed the first asymmetrical tail design in 1965, based on the idea that the board should better match the surfers own nonlinear stance. In 1988 Ekstrom and Windansea surfer Tom Lochtefeld began working on a stationary wave later dubbed the FlowRider, which made its public debut in a Texas waterpark in the summer of 1991. Ekstrom’s design influence can be found restaurants, military training helmets, Reebok shoes, and beyond. Ekstrom’s asymmetrical surfboard is enjoying a major resurgence with La Jolla surfer Richard Kenvin and the Hydrodynamica crew helping Ekstrom with R&D in and around San Diego environs.

About SACRED CRAFT

The SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo is an opportunity for shapers, surfboard craftsman and surfboard manufacturers to come together under one roof and share their passion with the surfboard loving public. It operates with one objective, to unite passionate surfers with the surfboard industry.

About US BLANKS

Our comprehensive line-up of blanks is unmatched in both design and quality. Proven classic shapes, together with a larger and exciting new offering of cutting edge designs, puts US Blanks at the forefront of surfboard cores.

Posted by ScottB on July 21, 2011 at 7:09 am