Herbie’s opening for his one-man art show, WRECKTANGLES, at The Hole in New York City was a huge success!

East Coast friends and supporters subjected themselves to the freezing, harsh conditions just to partake in the event that some were calling “where the surf meets New York”. The inaugural celebration was a blast and we think it’s pretty safe to say that Herbie enjoyed the moment as well.

Here is a pictorial write-up of the event from renowned writer and collector Adam Lindemann (The New York Observer), and from Frank151 Magazine.

http://www.adamlindemann.com/the-hole-herbie-fletcher-wrecktanglesl/#1

Herbie Fletcher (Photo by Jade Katz/Frank 151)

http://www.frank151.com/news/photos-herbie-fletcher-wrecktangles-at-the-hole.html#.URmKHxzc8bo

In Part 2 of The D-Side with Makua Rothman, Oahu’s native son talks about tow in partners and bandmates, the chick conflict, how times have changed since he won the Billabong XXL back in 2002, and his opinion on women surfers. Haha, pretty good stuff. Check back for Part 3 soon.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the music you hear throughout the interview is Makua’s. Kid’s got some mean talent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL4R0y3W0nQ&feature=youtu.be

The D-Side with Makua Rothman: Part II

Makua Rothman has always been full of aloha charm, and now it’s resonating into a growing musical career. Taking a cue from the old sounds of Hawaii and blending it with his own modern twist, Makua is making music - and he’s making it sound good as is evident in our D-Side clip here with his song “Sweet Sunshine” playing in the background. Not only can this guy ride the biggest, gnarliest waves, but he can wail on the ukulele, too! Part I of Makua’s interview with Dibi Fletcher for The D-Side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIOyKC6tCsI&list=UU0Wv9LTgYUpG-p-fpSpscvg&index=1&feature=plcp

The D-Side With Makua Rothman: Part I

So if you haven’t heard about it by now, you will be soon enough. Yesterday Herbie gathered together some of surfing’s brightest surfers to start production on his new and upcoming Wave Warriors film that will be released in late 2012.

This happened once before with the original Wave Warriors photo shoot back in the mid-80s, but since then nowhere in the history of surfing will you ever see these cast of characters together for a group pic. Everyone from Rob Machado, Danny Fuller, John John Florence, Bruce Irons, Christian Fletcher, Nathan Fletcher, Julian Wilson, Kolohe Andino, Buttons, Rory Russell, Makua Rothman, Alex Knoxt, the Gudauskas Brothers, and a slew of others got in on the act. Oh, yeah, and some guy named Kelly Slater - whoever he is, he was there, too, as was reknowned artist Julian Schnabel.

If you couldn’t tell by the elite list, this was an invite-only shoot of the best surfers on the planet, with loving acknowledgement and memory going out to Marvin Foster, Andy Irons, and Sion Milosky as well.

Past, present, future… we are the Wave Warriors!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se-kjVywe4I

December 12, 2011: Off-The-Wall, Oahu, Hawaii. Photo by Jim Russi

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.

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

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