BEACH DAZE
Words by: Grey Lockwood
It goes without saying that everyone needs a break from reality sometimes. Luckily, for all of us here at Bing Surfboards that break comes in the form of mandatory surf days a few times a year. We spend our lives making or selling surfboards, so getting the chance to surf together is special on so many levels. Recently we had the chance to get the gang together and here’s how it went.
With the Bing van packed to the ceiling holding as much foam and fiberglass as possible we wait patiently in the dark watching the clock get closer and closer to 6am when the gates open to Southern California’s mecca of longboarding, the unforgettable San Onofre. Without fail we’re always there at first light to grab a nice little spot on the 50 yard line between “The Point” and “Four Doors” giving both the goofy’s and regularfoots a chance at some amazing rides.
As the sun comes over the hill most of the crew has already hit the water for what could possibly be the first of four sessions that day. The retail team, the factory squad, Bing team riders, and head shaper Matt Calvani all get a chance to ride waves together. While boards are getting passed around in the lineup it gives us a chance to not only talk about board design and function, but get to know each other a bit better outside the confines of the work environment.
The morning sesh turns into some beach hangs with not only our own work family, but quite a few of the usual suspects at San O like surfing savant J.J. Wessels and world-famous artist Brian Bent. Some of us stay in the water all day while others are perfectly fine just admiring the beauty of the California coastline with a beverage in hand and feet in the sand.
While everyone including Mick Rodgers and Mele Saili were showing off some amazing talent, this time around it was the boss Matt Calvani on his new Levitator Type II taking the win for endless noserides in the shifty chest high waves at “Four Doors”. It’s safe to say that over 500 waves are ridden at any of these events and it’s days like this that get us through the long grueling hours, days, and months in between.
The honest truth about building surfboards for a living is that you’ll never make a million bucks, but the chance to spend your days with people who love and appreciate a sport we hold so dear makes it all worth it. For just a small moment of our year, between all the phone calls, emails, and foam dust we are actually getting paid to surf…. how cool is that?
Also in Bing Surfboards Blog
THE DESTINATION IS THE DESTINATION
THE BOARDROOM 2023 COMPETITOR INTERVIEWS
Name, hometown, and surfboard brand.
Josh Peterson, hometown Virginia Beach (born) Haleiwa (currently living), and my brand is Peterson Surfcraft.
When and where did you start surfing? Describe your first surfboard.
I started surfing when I was about 15 in Virginia Beach, and my first board was an old funboard from WRV that was about 7’6” and had glass on thrusters and an insane airbrush.
