Christian & Greyson Fletcher in Japan with a buddy.

Just as we were going to write up a piece on the Japanese promo tour that Christian and Greyson recently got back from, the devastating and horrific earthquake and tsunami that took place in that nation blindsided the country and shocked the rest of us in the world. And though we didn’t feel it appropriate (at this time) to post up the photos from their trip, we do want to take this opportunity to express our deepest sorrow and condolences to this nation of people we consider friends.

The Japanese are in our thoughts and prayers, and we here at Astrodeck won’t pretend to know of the many struggles and trials they will go through in order to get their lives back in order. Many will question, “Why?!?” along this harrowing time, but we truly hope that they know we extend our friendship with gratitude, solace, and support.

With love,

Team Astrodeck

John John Florence: In the air and on the land. (All photos by Herbie Fletcher)

Date of Birth: 10/18/92

Hometown: Sunset Beach/Hawaii

Current City: Sunset Beach/Hawaii

Favorite Pop Tart: Strawberry with frosting.

Guilty Pleasure: NA

I use Astrodeck traction pads because: I cant surf without it.

Crank it up (favorite tunes): Black Sabbath

I wouldn’t be caught dead: Rollerblading

I’ve yet to master: Fishing

The first time I stood up on a wave: Rockies

Grub (favorite food): Pasta

10 years ago I was: A grommet.

10 years from now I want to: Still be surfing.

I can’t live without: The ocean.

Ideal conditions: NW swell at Pipe with SE winds or NW swell at V-land with light W winds.

Beliefs: Eat alot of food and everything will be good, ahahahaha.

Strangest thing in my life: Wahiwa at night time.

What I would change about this world: Some of the people.

Are you easily impressed: Yes

Parting words: K, talk to you later.

Herbie Fletcher's "Wrecktangle" at the Waikiki Edition Hotel

Herbie will be in Oahu this week to promote his “Wrecktangle” board sculpture that’s being featured in the lobby of The Waikiki Edition.

Coming from the mastermind of Ian Schrager, The Waikiki Edition is a new type of hotel - kind of like an entity of its own - that’s being introduced by the Marriott International. In collaboration with interior designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg and landscape designer Deborah Nevins, the Waikiki Edition resides as its own sanctuary on the sand; smack dab near the beaches and Marina shopping districts in a coastal urban sprawl. Truly, a visiting surfer’s paradise.

When you walk into the lobby, the first thing that captures your eye is the wall-to-wall “Wrecktangle” pieced together by Surfer/Artist Herbie Fletcher. Emphasizing the impact of just how powerful Hawaii’s Pipeline is, Herbie collected over 100 surfboards that have been ridden (and broken) at this notorious spot by some of the surfing world’s mighty elite: Kelly Slater, Bruce Irons, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Christian Fletcher, Nathan Fletcher, and the late Andy Irons to name just a few.

Many never think to realize the impact and sheer bravado it takes to ride waves such as the Banzai Pipeline, and for those visitors to the North Shore who are lucky enough to stay at The Waikiki Edition, the “Wrecktangle” will perhaps give them a small idea of how intense that ride was.

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

So anyone who knows a lick of surf history knows that before it became the notorious Volcom Pipe House, it was Gerry Lopez’s and Herbie Fletcher’s pad first. And it’s safe to say that all throughout the 80s, anyone who was anyone in the surf world walked through the doors of that house. People from Johnny Boy-Gomes to Dane Kealoha, Martin Potter and Kelly Slater. So many notable, talented riders and characters. Much of the Wave Warriors grew into infamy from the sands in front of Pipeline and Backdoor; it was the best of times with debauchery run amok on land and sheer, unfiltered bravado in the water.

Fast forward a couple of decades. Time flies but good times never die down. Some faces have faded but as is always the case, that only means new ones emerge. Many of Astrodeck’s team riders haunt the Pipe House compound and still dominate with their presence. And no one has forgotten that Herbie and the Pipe House go hand-in-hand, rich in a timeline of history.

Volcom’s own Bruce Irons recently went on a trip to the Mentawaii’s with Herbie. And after coming back home from that epic journey, Bruce called Herbie up and personally invited him to join the Volcom Pipeline Pro that’s taking place now. Because, come on…how can you do an event like that and not involve Herbie Fletcher? That’s just wrong.

So this five-star WQS event started today and the conditions are…eh. The winds aren’t a big factor today, they’re kinda light. And the waves are looking choppy, junky with sand on the reef and double-ups. Not ideal. Guys who are regulars out there are getting scored 1.6 and 2.3’s. Anyway, been getting all this coverage by watching the live webcast (www.volcompipelinepro.com). Herb was invited to do some commentary, an opportunity to give a rich detailed history of having been one of the first people to surf Pipeline back in the day, and also talk about the good ole Pipe House during its heyday of yesteryear. Herb’s also going to be surfing the event right before the finals. That’s always cool. And, you know, he’s still the only guy his age who’s not afraid to charge Pipe…on a longboard!

Yeah, Herbie! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back.

Below is a piece that was writen by Volcom about the Pipeline House:

On Thursday February 8, 2007 Volcom purchased one of the most famous houses in surfing history. The three-story home is situated directly in front of Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore. It was once home to legendary surfers Gerry Lopez and Herbie Fletcher and has been an icon in the surfing world for close to three decades. It will now serve as Volcom’s second residence in front of the world renowned surf break.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our team riders, coaches, product developers, and the entire marketing program,” said Richard Woolcott, Volcom’s president and chief executive officer. “It’s also a great honor to carry on the legacy of the house that Gerry Lopez and Herbie Fletcher made so famous.”

The new home will be headquarters for Volcom team rider Bruce Irons and other top Volcom surfing professionals during the winter months while they train for the Triple Crown of Surfing and maximize their exposure during the north shore season. In addition, the house will be used as an R&D center for product design, testing and retailer roundtables. The original Volcom House will continue to accommodate the majority of Volcom’s domestic and international up-and-coming team riders.

“I can’t believe that we even had the opportunity to purchase this historic house,” said Volcom’s vice president of marketing, Troy Eckert. “Just thinking about the legends that used to call The Pipe House home is amazing. I can’t wait for our team, and especially Bruce, to enjoy the house. It’s a dream come true.”

“We are all so lucky to have both places and ensure our presence at Pipeline. We wanted to give Bruce and the team the best place to live in the winter,” said Volcom’s surf brand manager Brad Dougherty. “This is a very exciting step for our surfing program.”

Volcom team rider Bruce Irons said, “Growing up as a kid we saw this place in all the videos and we could only dream about what it was like. That dream has become reality and we now get to live it for the rest of our lives!”

Volcom Hawaii sales rep, Clint Moncata said, “From the ghettos of V-land to the beachfront at Pipe, never in my wildest dreams could I have predicted we would be part of one of the most famous houses in the surfing world. The new Volcom Pipe House is a reward to our Volcom Hawaii surf team for always believing in the brand!”

“The community up-roared when we bought the first house and we proved that we fit in. We all hung out at this house when we were kids and this was the only place we knew. Now we are back and in full effect. Check mate… bring it on!” said Volcom Hawaii ambassador Kai Garcia.

“This place and this house are full of Hawaiian surfing history. I’m proud and humbled to be a part of it. Volcom will continue the history from this incredible site,” said Volcom Hawaii team coach Dave Riddle.