I used to regret never having learned to surf, despite growing up mostly in Southern California near the Pacific ocean.
But maybe that renders me unruffled by the closure of Clark Foam, this week. Apparently, they supplied polyurethane foam blanks to 2/3 of the nation's surfboards.
In a letter to customers, the company's founder and owner, Gordon Clark, said he would close his factory after 44 years in business. He gave his reason as county, state and federal regulators and regs. At least one of the of the substances used in his factory is highly toxic. (Toluene diisocyanate causes cancer, asthma, etc.)
So there's been a run on boards at small shops in California. Boardmakers needing foam blanks have placed orders to Australian firms.
Yet boards made in Asia (Thailand, China, Vietnam, etc.) are starting to sweep the market. With new manufacturing techniques and materials, boards can be made that are lighter and stronger than the traditional hand-formed ones (polyester/fiberglass/polyurethane).
Eventually, I'll bet serious surfers will have to go to Mexico for custom-made boards (if that isn't already the case).
Posted by raacluse at December 9, 2005 09:43 PMI'm now in L.A. for the Xmas/NY holidays, and I've been reading about the latest developments in the surf board trade.
According to an article in EasyReader (a South Bay beach cities free weekly), the market is adjusting to Clark Foam's abrupt closure. Some stores raised prices on their boards (the ones made with polyurethane foam) and limited their sales (or withheld them from sale). Other California foam makers are expanding to satisfy demand. Boardmakers have also placed large orders with foreign factories, as well.
At least one boardmaker is planning to change materials, to use epoxy resin (and polystyrene blanks).
Meanwhile, I oughta get down to the surfing spots to check out the large waves generated by the Pacific storms that're sweeping into the northern Pacific coastlines. Surf's up!
Posted by: raacluse at December 22, 2005 07:21 AM