We just got a little Manta Update from Manta’s shaper Reon Fisher: W.A.’s Brendon Backshall has been over at Manta HQ working on his new rides and is stoked with the way his new stock boards are looking. “I am so happy with the look and feel of my new boards. Reon (Manta shaper) and I worked on getting a nice clean template for all conditions and it has been working great.” Brendon timed his trip to the East Coast well and has been scoring all over the South Coast, linking up with video lens man Todd Barnes for his upcoming feature film “Thrash”.
Cronulla’s Johnny Showell is also amping on his new boards. “I have been training hard for this year’s Shark Island contest and with the new CCT core in my boards, it works great for flex and speed out the Island. Fingers crossed we get a good swell during the waiting period.”
Tommy Smith, fresh back from a trip to South Oz with 2x World Champ Damian King, is determined on qualifying for this years Shark Island contest. “Everything feels right at the moment. My boards and equipment are working well, I feel fit and like my surfing is at the top of it’s game.” With determination like this and the skill level of Tommy’s riding, he is a near certainty to qualify.
Manta’s new 08/09 boards are avaliable in all good surf retailers now. For more go to www.manta.com.au
Here are some pictures from Brendo and Showell at the Manta shaping room: Brendo, Brendon again, John, John and Brendo, and a cool Manta double spread ad.
Other than that make sure you log on Riptide’s website to choose your next board on their new Riptide Buyer’s Guide. Note the cool NMD logos, they always come up with a nice design for their signature series (BP and Winny for example), also note what seems to be a golden VS board ! We’ve also notice heaps of PE boards with mesh layers, which sounds great, and noticed the VS “graphic slick” thingy that might be something new for 2008-2009.
Last minute news Plastic People news from the UK for those of you living in Europe and more specifically in the UK and looking for US New-York based brand Plastic People cltohing: Chuck Guarino and Mike Murphy’s bodyboard clothing brand Plastic People now has a UK distributor, Jonathan Tutte from Soul life store in Plymouth. Any interested stores who would like to carry the brand should contact jonathan@plasticpeoplenewyork.com Established in 2003, Plastic People Clothing is the brainchild of longtime friends Chuck Guarino (of THECAST) and Mike Murphy. These New Jersey natives joined forces to create a downtown New York design and clothing label that they themselves are eager to wear and to share with others. Plastic People is a lifestyle, celebrating the best of 80’s and 90’s surf design, punk-rock, & new wave style. Sometimes bright, sometimes dark & dirty, but always fun. For more information and news about Plastic People visit http://www.plasticpeoplenewyork.com. Soul life store is a bodyboarder owned streetwear and lifestyle store based in Plymouth, UK established in 2004. The online version of the store www.soullife.co.uk includes bodyboard brands Plastic People and Opine Clothing and offers free worldwide delivery on all orders.
