http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrwhHV0M0mI

Part Two of Dibi Fletcher’s Q&A with former NFL New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kyle Turley. Now touring the country with his own band and promoting his new album “Anger Management” (from Grid Iron Records), Kyle stopped by the Astrodeck Headquarters for a down-to-earth chat with Dibi for her popular interview series “The D-Side”. In this particular clip, Kyle talks about growing up as a grom and his love for surfing. And after viewing this, you can check out the rest of Kyle’s interviews with “The D-Side” at www.christianfletchersurf.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrwhHV0M0mI

Astrodeck team rider Makua Rothman and Ian Walsh (sharing the last wave with Makua) riding some big ones at Jaws in Maui. Video by Joel Guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MsTb1DJw0A

Herbie went on a boat trip to the Mentawai Islands this past fall. It was all-time. With a crew that consisted of Nathan Fletcher, Bruce Irons, John John Florence and Danny Fuller, how could it not be?

Herbie Fletcher: Photo by Art Brewer

When Herbie came back to San Clemente, he came back in typical form: with lots of great tales of near-perfect surf and good times. He also took a bunch of photos for definitive proof of all of this. Always stoked, always amped. So Herbie.

Here Herbie takes us back to last October and how it all went down. Read it through and check out the pics while you’re at it. To say the least, Herbie and the guys were going mental at the Mentawai Islands! This is Part 1 in the series, with more to follow in upcoming blogs.

I was sitting at my desk at Astrodeck, working on some new traction pads when Nathan called me and asked if I would like to go on a boat trip that he was putting together. I hesitated for a moment because I wanted to go, but knew that something like this was going to be a big commitment. I was thinking about all those waves I had seen from photos and about being on a boat for two weeks. If the waves were going to be good, it would be such a great trip.

Nathan told me that Archy (Matt Archbold), Bruce Irons, Danny Fuller, and John John Florence were the surfers he had picked to go, with Art Brewer taking photos and Joel Guy as the videographer. Such a core group of guys. Hard to pass up.

It was a perfect time of the year for surf and the winds…well, it’s an island, you know? No matter what the wind does, somewhere it’s offshore. At work, things were slow. Business usually is during Mid-Fall. And at the islands during this same time, there are hardly any boats because the season is coming to an end. So that also means no crowds. Not that that really matters, I guess, because I always get my quota. So, keep in mind, all these things factored into my head real quick about whether or not I should go. Then when Nathan said that it would only be the six of us on that boat, I was so stoked. Just us at that break. And I couldn’t think of a better group to go with.

I mean, I’ve known these guys since they were groms. Archy, Nathan and I used to surf all the time together. California, Hawaii, Mexico, etc. Archy would come by just before sunrise and get the coffee going. It was a trip to see him now with a fat ass gun, laughing and joking. “Fuck Herb!” he’d yell. And Nathan would be right there chomping at the bit, so excited to surf with Arch, knowing that he was going to have a good day.

To watch Arch surf was the best because Archy is the man. Archy surfed fucking great. Always doing new and innovating things. His surfing has always been radical and he put himself in critical positions, and pulled it off, frontside and backside. There are only a few great surfers that push the limit every five years. Kids have always been coming up, changing and pushing the old guys, and Archy was one of those kids.

Bruce Irons is another one of those surfers who has always been gnarly. He’s been blowing minds from a young age. Bruce and Andy would come by Astrodeck first thing in the summer on their way to the NSSA Nationals at Trestles. They’d stock up on Astrodeck for the contests so they’d have more control with their boards and be able to push the limits in the air and on edge. As they grew-up, they’d stop by my house at Pipeline on the North Shore. Bruce and Andy would hang out with the best surfers of the time. This was the Wave Warriors house that I owned with Gerry Lopez. The Pipe house. We’d lock the gate to keep the posers out. To get through the gate was a big deal, and I knew that Bruce and Andy were going to be part of surf history somewhere down the line. Coming from a big surf family based out of Haina, Kauai, they just had the “It” factor, and I got to watch them develop their talent. Lucky me.

Danny Fuller also came from Kauai and surfed the North Shore ripping Pipeline. He’s so casual and smooth, with lots of style. He’s part of the current gang dominating the Pipeline line-up. He’s very versatile; from hot-dogging small waves to tow-in’s at Teahupo’o. He’s also one of the most friendly and happy-go-along guys I’ve ever known. Always smiling and laughing.

John John. The tow-headed North Shore grom. I’ve watched John John surf since he was eight-years-old and now he’s suddenly turned into “da man” at places like Pipe and Backdoor. Here he was on this trip, still only 16-years-old, but hanging with all the older guys. But the kid surfs like you can’t even imagine. He’s the future. Being raised on the North Shore among surfing’s powerful elite, and learning from them, watching them, surfing with the best of the best, has all contributed in allowing John John to take it to the next level. His surfing is what the other kids are going to try to live up to. He tows-in when big wave riders won’t even paddle out. He walks right by them and says, “See you out there!”

Matt Archbold, Danny Fuller, Nathan Fletcher, John John Florence.

Nathan has always surfed…since he could hold on to a boogie board. I think even before he could walk! I’d play with him, float around with him in the water. He always rode the big waves. In Hawaii, I would have to pull him up from under water by his leash. Nathan is a true daredevil. From motorcycles to snowboarding to skateboarding to big wave surfing. He’s a master of it all and with respect. When he was younger, Nathan always had to keep up with Christian and the other older guys, and so that would just push him. And then some. Everyone has always loved Nathan because of his talent and his mellow vibe. He just does what he does, hanging out and loving it. Surfing, traveling, making movies, doing magazine articles, designing and shaping surfboards, painting, taking photos, etc. He’s a real artist-in-motion.

Art Brewer. I’ve known Art since I was seventeen. He’s always had a camera around his neck. I really got to know him when he and Spider Wells moved in next door to me in ‘69 at Pipeline. It’s been a long road. He’s been on the cutting edge of surf photography for over forty years and still has the stoke to go on surf trips. He’s paid his dues and got his rewards. Art taught me how to work a manual camera back in the mid-seventies, and he’s still teaching me.

So this was our little group. No tourists allowed. This was a trip that only Nathan could put together. No maggazine or clothing company could come up with something like this, with these group of guys. From 16 to 60. And what an adventure it was.

It began when we flew into Singapore and found out that there had been an earthquake in Padang. Padang is where the rest of us were to meet up with Bruce and John John at the boat. There was no chance of us getting a flight into Padang after the quake. So we hung in Singapore for awhile, some of us just prowling through the city of lights, some of just trying to get some rest while we had to wait around.

Finally, after about two days, we were able to head for Padang, where we met up immediately with Bruce and John John at the boat. And right off the bat, we went to Lance’s Right for sunrise services. It was head high and overhead for a few days. The goofy-footers wanted to go to Macaronis.

Herbie Fletcher going mental at the Mentawai

Check out our blog on Part 2 as the journey continues…

Check this out. Some surf stores up in San Francisco ran out of all their Astrodeck Traction pads, Wave Warriors t-shirts, Christian Fletcher t-shirts and Christian Fletcher Reefers sandals. Herbie, ever the consumate professional, didn’t want those guys to wait around forever in getting their new shipment so he raced on up there to deliver the goods. Needless to say, Herbie ran past a red light. But could you blame the guy? When people want their Astrodeck and Christian Fletcher swag, they want it NOW!!! Order your stuff today at www.astrodeck.com or www.christianfletchersurf.com

Speed racer Herbie Fletcher driving past a red light.

PART 1 of our series interview with ex-NFL New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kyle Turley. While on tour with Hank 3, Kyle stopped by the Astrodeck headquarters and did an interview with Dibi Fletcher. Yeah, Christian’s mom. This interview, among many others yet to come, will be featured on www.christianfletchersurf.com and will be called “The D-Side”. Man, there’s just too much talent stuffed into one person. Not only was Kyle a professional football player, but he’s also a gifted musician, (Check out Kyle’s own record site www.gridironrecords.com) and surfer.

Ladies and gentleman, check it out: Kyle Effing Turley!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3zRt5htWrA

Volcom is doing a special Pipeline/Pipe House series, mainly featuring Herbie and Gerry Lopez. This is Part II in a series and shows some crazy Herbie antics. Typical of Herbie but outrageous to the rest of us. Their next series will feature some cool Old School footage of Christian and Nathan back when they were groms, so stay tuned!

http://volcom.com/news/article.asp?sid=&articleID=4384

If you want jacked feet like these for the rest of your life, go ahead and DON’T buy our sandals at Astrodeck and Christian Fletcher Surf. But if you want the nicest, most comfortable flip-flops you’re feet will ever have the pleasure of knowing and wearing, order our styles at www.astrodeck.com and www.christianfletchersurf.com

This Guy Didn't Wear Astrodeck Or Christian Fletcher Sandals

Herbie Fletcher presented by Brucennial 2010: Miseducation

It’s probably a conservative assumption to say that you probably know a little somethin’ somethin’ about Herbie Fletcher.

Legendary surfer, superior waterman, raging jet skier, surf traction pad mogul, crafty shaper, Wave Warriors film magnate, husband to the fiercely creative and independent Dibi (Hoffman) Fletcher, father to flying alchemists Christian and Nathan Fletcher. Blah, blah, blah, the list goes on. And on and on. Seriously, if it involves innovation, water, and surf, it probably has Herbie’s scent on it. And it would take an extra two days to even slightly dwell on his past involvements with the wakeboarding world, the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, modeling with Versace, and his friendship with Julian Schnabel, Bruce Weber and Ingrid Sischy of Interview Magazine. Just to name a few of Herbie’s list of accomplishments and contacts, mind you. But, no. No, no, no. We’re not going to get into all of that.

Because whether you may have known a lot about all of this or only a little bit of some of this, what most of you probably didn’t acknowledge or realize is that Herbie Fletcher is also a talented and gifted artist. What started as a faint teenage hobby has grown into a gradual and passionate adult persuasion. (More about Herbie and Julian Schnabel and the Blind Girl Surf series artboards in another blog.)

Whether it’s on surfboards or on canvas - whatever type of medium and style - the ever-expressive Herbie splashes it. And let’s not kid ourselves, he always makes a big splash. So much so that now Herbie and his artwork will be featured at the Whitney Museum under the direction and presentation of Vito Schnabel (Julian’s son).

Brucennial 2010: Miseducation will have it’s gala opening on Thursday, February 25th. The event will premiere at 6 PM and is expected to last until 2 AM. Obviously, those New York art types know how to party until the wee hours of the morning. This first night is open to the public and will run until April 4th, 2010.

Herbie is one of a few select artists who will present his lauded pieces up for viewing and purchase. So if you’re in the New York area, take a go at it. And if you see Herbie, say “hi”. We hear it’s going to be snowing big-time while Herb’s in NY; we hope he puts on a little more than just a pair of Astrodeck sandals.

Below is the official press release. Have yourself a gander and then check it out in person.

————————————————————————————–

PRESS RELEASE FOR BRUCENNIAL 2010: MISEDUCATION

I think the Brucennial is like—in the life of the people—it’s like an anniversary in the life of people. The people, they need moments to celebrate themselves and that’s what a Brucennial is. The Brucennial happens every two years, or really, you know, whenever we feel like it, and it’s a moment of celebration of the history of the people—of the reason why the people exist, of the nature of the people. Again, it’s like a person. If not there would be a flux of time without an interruption and I think that as people, people are live entities and they need to have some moments where they recognize this liveliness of their existence.

- Francesco Bonami

SoHo: The Bruce High Quality Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of The BRUCENNIAL 2010: Miseducation on February 25th at 6pm.

Since its founding, the BRUCENNIAL has evolved into The Bruce High Quality Foundation’s signature public program, as well as the most important survey of contemporary art in the world ever. Following the triumphant successes of BRUCENNIAL08: Doing it Again (Bushwick) and BRUCENNIAL09: Smithumenta (Carol Gardens), BRUCENNIAL2010: Miseducation brings together 420 artists from 911 countries working in 666 discrete disciplines to reclaim education as part of an artist’s ongoing practice beyond the principals of any one institution or experience.

The BRUCENNIAL will be housed at 350 West Broadway. Additionally, BHQFU projects will be on view at RECESS at 41 Grand Street.

The BRUCENNIAL is presented by The Bruce High Quality Foundation in collaboration with Vito Schnabel. 350 West Broadway is provided courtesy of Aby Rosen.

So Christian was at the beach, doing some promotional stuff when these random kids came running down to check out what was going on. This is the result of that little interaction. Check out the one kid practically molesting the front foot pad. Creedler…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXDSalQTfCU

Check out this little blurb of Christian talking about why Astrodeck sandals are the best in the business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56K3NPKNUqY