John John Florence Wins The Volcom Pipe Pro

A huge woo-hoo, atta boy, and F#CK YEAAAAAH goes out to Astrodeck team rider and Wunderkind John John Florence. His latest victory at this year’s Volcom Pipeline Pro makes it three years in a row that the 20-year-old Oahu native has been able to do repeat business at the prestigious event. We’re so stoked and proud of John John. And this is just the start of things yet to come!

Everything you’ve heard about John John Florence is true. Everything.

He IS that good. He IS that talented. And he IS that surfing phenom who someday will be World Champ.

Need some more convincing? Watch the clip. John John makes his presence known and he makes his statement loud and clear. How sick is this kid? No. Seriously. If there ever was a true definition for the word Wunderkind, John John Florence would be it.

“Departure Delayed” also features guest appearances by Nathan Florence, Ivan Florence, Kiron Jabour, and Greyson Fletcher, so check it out!

http://www.surfermag.com/videos/departure-delayed/

To attack fearlessly and recklessly, that’s what the Japanese word “Banzai” means. And judging from Greyson’s recent assault at the Banzai Skate Park, the boy was all about being a Kamikaze daredevil.

Check out Greyson in a couple of links. It’s good for your soul.

http://surf.transworld.net/1000155650/videos/cotes-cube-at-the-banzai-skate-park/

http://vimeo.com/56474438

In Part 2 of his D-Side Interview with Dibi Fletcher, Kolohe “Brother” Andino discusses fair treatment in contests, experimenting with board design, Dancing with the Stars, fashion trends, and big wave riding… among other things. So check it out, and if you missed out on Part 1 of Kolohe’s D-Side Interview with Dibi, find it somewhere here on www.astrodeck.com to view it. So do that. Do that now. Well, we mean after you watch this first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDmgQCYO4Ic

Kolohe Andino on The D-Side

Yeaaaaah! Dane Gudauskas landed the cover of the newest Transworld Surf. Way to go!

And here’s a pic of Dane and brother Tanner when they stopped by Astrodeck to pick up some traction pads for their Winter stay on the North Shore. And from recent photographic proof all over the ‘net, looks like the boys are making a huge scene out there. Just like we knew they would.

We’ll be posting up a little Summer update on Nathan next week. But, for now, here’s a little somethin’ somethin’ that should tide you over:

Nathan Fletcher getting a nice one at Pipe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klW56C2FHtc

(If you can’t directly click on the link to view the video, just copy and paste. Simple as that.)

Happy Father's Day from the Astrodeck Family

Astrodeck has been family owned and operated since 1976. So we know a little bit about longevity, loyalty and the drive to keep it all together.

And through all the years of spectacular highs and dismal lows, the one thing that we’ve always been consistent and proud of is that Astrodeck has always kept it Fletcher. We’ve always held that bond; from Herbie to his own sons Christian and Nathan, to Christian’s boy Greyson, there’s a strong patriarchal influence and kinship that’s thicker than water.

This Father’s Day, we just want to give a shout-out to all of our friends, riders, fans, supporters and even the occasional passerby… because we know there’s a father in that mix somewhere. And whether your own childhood was memorable (or scarred) because you had the kind of dad who yelled at you about forgetting to turn the light off, or you had the kind of dad who got on your nerves and embarrassed you in front of your friends, or you had the kind of dad who gave you a break even after you messed up the umpteenth time, we just want to take this time to acknowledge all the dads out there. We know that they’re not perfect men but we hope that they at least tried.

And one last thing… if you were lucky enough to be that kid who hung out with your family at the beach, especially with your dad, make sure you let him know how grateful you are because of it. And if he was the kind of dad who pushed you into your first wave, give the guy a hug. Come on, don’t you think he deserves at least that?

Happy Father’s Day!

(Astrodeck Team Rider Shane Beschen)

It was a pleasant surprise yesterday when Shane Beschen came by the Astrodeck office with his little grom, Noah.

Shane and brother Gavin have been long-time Astrodeck team riders. Their loyalty, support and belief in knowing that we produce the best traction pads has now transcended to the new generation - their own offspring of mini-rippers.

Noah is 10-years-old and is going the way of his dad and uncle. In other words, the kid rips in the water and apparently he’s no hack with a skateboard either. Greyson’s had a few sessions with him at the local skatepark and both “sons of” had a pretty good time landing a few.

(Noah Beschen with the Astrodeck Black & Green Crossroads traction pad.)

Check out the 113 Shane Beschen Traction Pad. Not only do we have this in solid back, but there’s also a camo version as well.

113 Shane Beschen Black

113 Shane Beschen Camo

And it wouldn’t be nice of us if we didn’t include and produce some pads by Shane’s little brother, Gavin, right? So here they are. Another one of our more popular models. Solid and sick.

148 Gavin Beschen Black

148 Gavin Beschen Camo

We’re really stoked here at Astrodeck that we actually have a relationship and rapport with all of our team riders. In fact, we consider them friends first and foremost. How many companies can claim that their riders come to their offices to just hang out and get caught up and shoot the breeze? Not a whole lot.

As is often the case, we’ll get weekly visitors. You’ll never know who will pop up. We’ll have Reef Macintosh come over and get some sandals for his size 13 feet. Or Nathan will drop by with best buddies Mr. Buzz and Bruce Irons, or maybe Shane Beschen might bring his little groms and chat skate with Greyson. It’s like a constant who’s who of popular surf culture at Astrodeck.

In fact, Danny Fuller just swung by yesterday. He picked up some of our sandals; his favorites are the MG1 and the ML3, as well as some of his traction pads, the 405 Danny Fuller pads, both in black and white and black and green. He talked some art with Herbie and also told the A-deck crew about SUP guys doing tow-ins at Puerto Escondido. Haha, what a trip that is!

Danny likes the MG1 Sandal.

He also picked up some ML3s.

The 405 Danny Fuller Pad in Black & White

The 405 Danny Fuller Pad in Green & Black

Anyway, it was great seeing Danny - one of the nicest guys ever, and one of our favorite surfers of all time.

Danny Fuller gettin' some.

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.