Archive for General
December 2, 2009 at 11:55 pm | Spongercity General News
Read this, don’t puke, then leave your comments if you still have enough will to do so. Disgusting.
http://www.driftsurfing.eu/index.php/archives/3351
We read this article on the great website DRIFT Surfing while doing our daily little “web tour” of what’s going on in the surfing/bodyboarding/ocean world today… Sad stuff. It’s not in our habits to post things that are not 100% related to bodyboarding but this time it’s directly related to us, it’s related to any person enjoying time in the ocean. What the fuck is going wrong seriously with people being able to slaughter peaceful animals like that ?
October 23, 2009 at 10:59 am | Spongercity General, Industry, Interviews News
We had the opportunity to work a couple times with TOYS Bodyboards on different projects and one of them was logo designs for some of the boards in the TOYS 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 range.
We thought it’d be cool to let you know how logos are designed, from which ideas and what the pros actually want for their logos when you work with them on a new board logo from scratch.
Among some of the logos we worked on for TOYS we really liked working on Aka Lyman’s new logo for this year and it’s our favorite among the ones we’ve done, mostly because Aka Lyman and Will George (Toys Boards Owners) kinda let us do whatever we wanted with just a few directions from Aka. So we’ll use the aka logo as an example and will explain (or try to) what the different steps are to design/work on a logo with a brand and a rider:
1. The brief and talk:
Here was pretty much Aka’s brief we got for his new logo – “for my new Aka II logo I had an idea with the number “II” and the AKA letters for the logo and I told Theo (Spongercity editor/designer) to run with it and come up with what ever he thinks looks best”.
So the only real obligation we had was to include Aka name’s and the number “II” because it was Aka’s second board with Toys.
2. Research:
We started working on heaps of different ideas and weren’t happy with any of the logos until we eventually came up with a logo that had a big AKA lettering using a clean sort of roman font and the roman numbers “II” right under it. The II and AKA are sealed together and we only left the contour on the logo. It looks like a movie or video game logo somehow and we sent it to Aka and Will for feedback.
3. Feedback and potential changes (sometimes endless changes and modifications!)
Aka actually wanted to keep it. We got lucky and were stoked. This doesnt happen too often. Usually you need to go back and forth a dozen time and sometimes start from scratch again and again, trying to find a logo that matches the rider’s style and what he likes. Aka – “The first logo he sent me is the one that is one my board now. He nailed it on the first go at it! It’s simple, visible and that’s what I wanted. I’m not into logos where there is a bunch of stuff going on. The Aka II logo is perfect for me cause it reminds me of a jersey with my name and number on it. Being a big sports fan I really dig that.” Here’s the logo:
- Original logo as we designed it
- Logo on the finished boards for the 2010 range
- Close up on the logo (Will George’s beer on the pic)
4. The details and technical info:
On the technical side of things a logo must be really clean and completely vectorized to be used either by a screenprinting machine (in factories like Mez in indo who builds the Toys boards) or to be transformed as an iron stamp (for factories like Toobs or CustomX / Cartel in the US or any custom board shaper in Oz for example like QCD, Turbo, Fish at Manta/4Play or G.Edwards at Unknown).
Here the vectorized version of the logo.
The process is different but both need vectorized logos, with clean edges and you alwyas have to pay attention to the size of the logo and the thickness of all contours to make sure it will come out clean on boards. Screenprinting logos is pretty much like screenprinting tshirts, it’s basically paint applied on the boards.
Stamping is slightly different: the logo has an iron stamp mold, you need to heat the mold, once it’s hot enough you apply a sheet of special foil paper with paint on it in between the mold and the board and you apply a gentle pressure for a few seconds to let the paint that is on the paper print the board. Both process are really different but at the end the logo will pretty much look the same on the board. The stamping process usually leaves a mark on the foam. The hot mold leaves a mark on the foam under the paint.
Let us know if you have questions or want to learn more about logos and logo designs for boards or leave comments on this post and we’ll try to answer questions.
October 12, 2009 at 9:43 pm | Spongercity General News
Search no more and contact our good friend Brandon Foster. Here are the house details below.
ODB HAWAII HOUSE 09-10 Season:
Coming to the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii between 1 November 2009 and the 1 March 2010. Looking for a spot to stay in a clean, safe house with some other great people in the surf and bodyboard world including me. We have a spot for you. We have the best priced accommodation on the North Shore of Oahu in a great 3 bedroom house situated in the best spot on the North Shore half way between Pipeline and Rocky Point and just 2 houses back from the sand.
If you are interested in being in Hawaii get a hold of me asap so that I can save you a spot in the house.
We are not fulling the house with people. This means spots will go super fast.
Rate Card:
1-6 Nights – $35/night
7-29 Nights – $30/night
30 and over Nights – $25/night
These rated are for a spot in a room. The rooms each sleep 3 people in a incredible 3 bed room house Two house back from the beach. If you want to have your own room or share with just one other person let me know and we can work out a new rate.
Thanks
BRANDON FOSTER
Contact me at this email thanks:
rockypointhouse09@yahoo.com
PS- It will be first come first serve as usual so let me know asap if you are interested. There are only 9 spots.
PSS- I have photos email me if you want them.
Pics from the house: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6
August 6, 2009 at 9:38 pm | Spongercity General, Industry, Spongercity Store News
What if we told you that we made Spongercity™ leashes? fin tethers and neoprene heel pads for your fins ? What if we told you we’ve been working on these for months now? What if we told you they’re the best leashes and accessories around? What if we told you we’ve used the best materials and worked with the best factory and people to create those leashes? And what if we told you we’re gonna deliver sick colors combo for these?
Yep, it’s all happening!
We’re launching Spongercity™ Accessories and will be ready to deliver at the end of this month on the Spongercity Store and a couple core shops around the world.
We were tired of seeing the classic black leashes and could never find the leashes we were looking for confort-wise and quality-wise so we decided we’d create our own range of accessories. Why not ? We were already doing Tshirts and caps so it made sense to work on a hardware range now.
The problem is.. we didn’t want to go for the easy & cheap made in china products and the easy all black color. We wanted to create something original that we’d be proud to use, looks good in the water and is the best quality possible. The good news is, we made it: Our whole range of accessories is Made in The USA, using the best materials and manafacturing there is. It’s simply some of the best leashes, fin tethers and heel pads you can find at the same price or even cheaper than what’s available on the market.
How did we do that you’re gonna ask ? Why could we do this and other brands – big brands – couldn’t ? Simply because we’re not doing this for the money and we’re gonna sit on our margins just because we fuckin wanted to release leashes and accessories that rock and that’s it. We’re not here to make money, there’s no money in our sport anyway.
To keep our prices fair and accessible to everyone worldwide we decided to offer free shipping to almost all countries worldwide (see if your country is good for free shipping when you’ll checkout in the Spongercity Store).
This means the prices on the Spongercity Store already include the shipping wherever you are. Prices might seem expensive for US citizens but when you do the math (price minus shipping) it will most likely be the same price as all other hi-standard leashes on the market.
Aussie and Euro citizens will be stoked coz the price is also the same as other leashes on the market Aussie & Euro markets and the shipping is free also. Take this into account when looking at the prices: they all include shipping wherever you are, you won’t pay anything else than what’s on the price tag!
ALL DELIVERIES WILL TAKE PLACE LATE AUGUST – EARLY SEPTEMBER. You can pre-order anything you want and we’ll keep the item aside for you until we’re ready to ship them. Nothing to pay to pre-order, just let us know what you want and we’ll put it aside. Use the contact page on the Store to tell us what you need.
Here are pictures of all the Spongercity™ Accessories:
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Bicep Leashes – Picture 1
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Bicep Leashes – Picture 2
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Bicep Leashes – Picture 3
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Fin Tethers – Picture 1
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Fin Tethers – Picture 2
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Fin Tethers – Picture 3
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Heel Pads – Picture 1
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Heel Pads – Picture 2
- Spongercity™ Deluxe Heel Pads – Picture 3
Spongercity™ Deluxe Bicep Leashes are available in Royal Blue, Street Grey and Blood Red.
Spongercity™ Deluxe Fin Tethers are available in White, Red and Black
Spongercity™ Deluxe Heel Pads are available in Blue neoprene, Red neoprene and Black neoprene.
All items have the original Spongercity™ red label on them.
We’ve paid attention to details and our accessories have the sickest color combos you can find with seams matching the color of the urethane on leashes and urethane ends matching the color of the nylon bicep strap as well… Fuck black ! Bring the colors back !
Spongercity™ Store – You can already preview all items on the store. Pre-order by using the contact page. We’ll let you know as soon as products are ready to ship. All items are already in stock, we’re just finishing the packaging and stuff.
How do you like the new store look by the way? We just updated it with a fresh new look!
PS: Yes we tested our leashes and accessories and good surf last week already and loveddddd them all ! Yewwwww. We couldn’t choose between each colors so we opened a box of leashes and took one of each like kids in a candy store ! ha ha, yes we can do this !
If all works out well we might consired sponsoring a couple riders in the future. Note this down kids !
August 4, 2009 at 12:18 pm | Spongercity General News
The Roach has been throwing tail in Oz lately and our sources all converge to the same conclusion: the legend is very much alive and throws buckets and tails every time he drops the knee on a boogie. Matt Lackey reports that he’s been filming with Roach for his upcoming flick and has captured some sick footage from Roach. Can’t wait to see this !
By the way read / follow Matt’s stories on his Billabong.com Blog here. You’ll see some recent pics from Roach. Matt’s blog is actually one of the rare interesting blog written by a pro bber that we’ve read recently. Thanx Matt ! Phil Gallagher’s blog is cool as well but Phil’s a photographer hey !
May 17, 2009 at 10:08 pm | Spongercity General News
Sorry for the lack of updates the last couple weeks, we went on our annual indo trip for almost a month and weren’t near computers really often… We bet you’ll excuse us !
Here’s a little summary of what went down in the boogie world the last few weeks anyway:
- UNITE released their Winter 09 line, check it out here.
- Our friends at RookiesUSA have updated their site with a sick pipeline pro video edit.
- We spotted this cool clip from Tom Robinson on Vimeo filmed by Cameron Danzey.
- Jake Stone has a blog ! Check it out here and make sure you watch the video edits on the blog !
- Todd Barnes will release a follow up film to THRASH ! It’s gonna be called THRASH’D and the premieres are in October 09 ! Check Thrashdthemovie.com for more info ! This is gooood news hey !
- DKS (DK Sessions) will have a Launch Party on Sat. the 30th of May ! For more info check: Dksessions.com
Spongercity Store update: Truckers Caps are back in stock, Stickers, Badges and Tees as well. We’re still waiting for some size M tees at the moment but most tees are available in all colors and sizes. We’ll come up with more products very soon. We’ll keep you posted.
We accept USD, AUD or EURO currencies, and YES we do ship to most countries. Shipping costs are indicated while you check out, before payment of course so no worries. Payment can be made with any major Credit Card and also Paypal if you wish.
April 24, 2009 at 3:40 pm | Spongercity General News
It was actually a good idea to start a real Spongercity Store and we got quite a few orders but we’re almost sold out at the moment and are waiting for new caps, tees and stickers. We’ll keep you posted when everything’s back in stock ! We’ve got new caps models coming that look pretty sick, kinda between a Newera style and Flexfit style cap, with an embroided Spongercity logo on it. Classy !
April 19, 2009 at 8:12 pm | Spongercity General News
We’ve now completely switched from our version 3.0 to our version 4.0 of Spongercity.com
We re-designed some bits and parts of the site and added some better artwork here and there just to make sure our visitors don’t get lost in the navigation between sections and posts or whatever and still have a neat and clean design to read the latest news and interviews we post. It’s all about ergonomy hey !
Some people have asked us about the design of the site and if we do everything ourselves. Yes we do everything ourselves. And yes we do build or work on other sites as well. We designed spongercity from scratch (started 2003 we reckon), all by ourselves with our little hands a some good coding software. Yes we use the now popular Wordpress platform to store and manage our news posts and pages. It wasnt that popular in the early days but it is now. It’s got a good and flexible structure to work on and you can design really nice sites over its flexible coding architecture. Oh and NO we’re not using a Wordpress already-made design, it wouldn’t be fun ! The site is 100% Spongercity-Designed and Spongercity-Tailor made for our needs. Do we build other sites too ? yes. Mostly HTML/PHP/CSS sites and lots of them with a Wordpress install. Depends what the client needs.
Anyway we hope you enjoy the new version (very little changes if you ask) and we hope you’re using some of our current features:
- The spongercity Podcast
- The spongercity Mac OSX Widget
- The spongercity Store
- The spongercity RSS News Feed
- The spongercity Flickr Galeries
- The spongercity Twitter feed
- The spongercity Newsletter
- The spongercity Facebook page (become a fan get exclusive giveaways soon!)
- Fuck Myspace it sucks now (we have one though, we’re seriously thinking about deleting it now). The Myspace pages, designs and administration panel suck.
February 20, 2009 at 11:05 pm | Spongercity General, Links News
www.bodyboardersjournal.com that is.
Our friend Michael Emo has been working on this baby for quite a while now and he just officially launched it yesterday. Check it out and help Mike gather some more info if you can.
Here’s what BBers’ Journal is all about:
We aim to bring together and preserve the stories, projects, people and events of the last 37+ years that have ultimately defined and shaped our sport.
We’ve gathered content and information on bodyboarding from every corner of the globe. Countless videos, magazines, stories, profiles, articles, interviews and images from the past and present have crossed our desktops, blurring our eyes and overloading our brains well past midnight. And along with the help of a few generous bodyboarding souls, young and old, we have arrived.
More than 400 video titles and 200 issues of various bodyboarding magazines have been indexed to date. We’re also working on individual and company profiles, interviews, stories and much more! In fact, we’re working to preserve the entire history of bodyboarding and this is just the beginning. So sit back, saturate your mind and enjoy.
Michael Emo
Founder
February 12, 2009 at 12:00 am | Spongercity General News
We just caught up with Mason Rose today and asked him what’s up on the rock. Mason’s been there for a month or so and wrote a little report for us to share with you guys. Also check the photo gallery below the report.
Spongercity: Hey Mason, howdy ? What’s up in Hawaii ? Any cool stories ? what you’ve been doing ? weather, waves, sessions, nights ? Your thoughts on the pipe comp ?
Mason: Aite you aliens who be one dimensional on the island of Oahu i wanna share my thoughts on island styles.
Surf, eat, cruise, surf, eat, cruise, party and sleep then do it again, basically this is how it is on the island of Oahu Hawaii but everyone has their version, there experience, their story – this is mine.
Have been here in Hawaii for a month, well this is my 14th time, I have local people i call family, i roll with my crew and i respect the place to the fullest, one day i’d like to live here and make it my home.
A lot of people just stay on the north shore and camp out because they’re forced to but for me i just roam from one side of the island to the next chasing the swell only the locals know about and for me I’m blessed to have that opportunity and i make the most of it…
My daily routine always starts and ends with a wave check and swell forecast so i know where i need to be and then jump in the car and go get some.
I’m also juggling an event (shadow wars), work back home(creative arts director for a company) on top of trying to get waves and coverage for my sponsors www.turbosurfdesigns.com
About the pipe comp, Kainoa McGee is my boy, and he has done alot for the sport, you could say he is our backbone but this year we forgot this and we didn’t hold a spot for him in the pipe comp and maybe it was a miss understanding, a mistake to say the least, i know he is pissed but i hope he recoils and does enter cause i know since then he has been offered a top seed in the comp and entry waivers etc…but other than that the comp will be killah…it always is but i feel this year it has a better structure and grounding to it…the riders are dope and i can’t wait to see the crazy moves!
I got to get out of here and go surf but check some of the pics from my trip…surf, parties and good times! THIS IS HOW I ROLL IN HAWAII!
PEACE
M
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