Stab’s last print issue featured this double-page spread of Julian Wilson using an Astrodeck front-foot traction pad. Julian tells the Stab readers about how Christian (Fletcher) gave him the pad and why he loves the grip so much. In Julian’s own words: “It felt like the best grip I’ve ever felt, like my foot couldn’t come off. I was hooked. So, now, I’ve just been using it on all my boards. It’s just really light and really sticky. I haven’t looked back since.”

Thanks to Elliot Struck and the guys over at Stab for shooting this over to us!

Julian Wilson on Astrodeck

We’ve just received our fresh shipment of Astrodeck traction pads. And, damn, if you people don’t have a sixth sense! Up until now, we hadn’t even announced our new batch of arrivals, but individuals and shops everywhere have already started ordering like mad. How’d they know?

Here’s our latest hot topic, and one that we know will be another in-demand product: The New Nathan 123 in blue and yellow. Looks pretty sweet, doesn’t it? Yeah, I see you eyeballing those colors and ready to make a purchase.

Get in on the Holiday spirit and buy yourself (or your friends) some Astrodeck. After all, ’tis the season!

New Nathan 123 Multi-Grid Blue/Yellow Traction Pad

Well, well, well… it’s been awhile, stranger.  What’s new with you? Yeah? Really? You don’t say! That’s great. Anyway, back to me…

As is always the case, Astrodeck’s been on another trek of progression and everyone has been going at it nonstop. It’s hard to catch one’s breath and be able to just sit back when the revolving door of projects and cast of characters come passing through here on a daily basis. There’s never a dull moment. I swear, one of these days I’ll come into the office and find Oprah Winfrey sitting on a box of traction pads, fingers entwined over each other, begging Greyson to show her how to do a mean ole stalefish over at the San Clemente skate park. Don’t scoff. Seriously, these kinds of casual encounters happen here at the ‘deck.

Anyway, it’s been kinda like that lately. So excuse us if you feel like you’ve been neglected lately. It wasn’t intentional. It was life.

But we’re making it up to you now. We’re not ones to leave you in the dark when it comes to all the latest happenings. We appreciate the fact that you guys come back to check up on us, and we dig it even more when you write and verbally abuse us to post up more content. Ah, you volatile gluttons. You’re lucky we aim to please.

So where did we last leave off? Or better question, where do we even start?

Oh, I know. How about with Nathan?

Don’t play dumb. You’ve all seen and heard about Nathan’s two waves at Teahupo’o by now. In fact, the words “Nathan”, “Teahupo’o”, “insane”, “gnarliest barrel” and “balls the size of an abnormally large elephant with even bigger hints of gigantism” are now part of every day American lexicon. Five, count ‘em, FIVE covers (so far) of that Teahupo’o she-devil with Nathan trying to tame the bitch. Nathan is also being recognized for his remarkable feat with multiple nominations (for the “Monster Tube” and “Ride of the Year”) for the Billabong XXL Awards. Every time I see yet another photo of Nathan’s ride, I scream, pull out tufts of my hair, and run out of the room. It’s so intense. So surreal. Damn, Nathan, thanks for making the rest of us feel so human, and thanks for making me have bald spots on my head now.

(Nathan Fletcher covers. All photos were taken at Teahupo’o except for the bottom right Wavelength Cover - that front shot was taken at Cloudbreak, Fiji this past summer.)

In other Fletcher news, look for an upcoming pictorial blog by Herbie. Herb, Christian and Greyson spent a good portion of their Summer in France and Spain, traveling with Julian Schnabel, checking out the art scene, soaking in some Basque culture, skating the local parks. Christian and Greyson even scored some near-perfect days surfing Hossegor. Christian reported that the weather was warm and the swell was up. Even Julian found himself paddling out. More of this to follow at www.herbiefletcher.com

Dibi Fletcher is back with The D-Side. Back by popular demand! Her D-Side collection of interviews has taken us into the candid, poignant minds of people such as surf industry pioneers Grubby Clark and Walter Hoffman to Andy Irons (in one of his last interviews). There have also been anecdotes with the quirky, wild, vivid characters such as NFL great Kyle Turley, John John Florence, Bruce Irons, Eddie Rothman and a slew of others. So it’s only proper that Dibi include Jason Jessee into this mix of people. Jason is a complete classic. Check out his D-Side interview that’ll be posted up on Christian’s website within the next few days. www.christianfletchersurf.com

(The D-Side with Jason Jessee)

Kolohe Andino recently won the 2011 ASP SuperSurf International in Brazil. This was a coveted 6-Star event and Kolohe just killed it! He beat out fellow San Clementian Tanner Gudauskas. Looks like the SC boys were dominating the field. Kolohe pocketed $20,000 and jumped with 3,500 points in ranking. The kid is only 17! If he were in school, taking the SAT test, his score would be, like… well, we don’t know what the actual high score would be for the SAT, but you get the idea. He’d be valedictorian and nerd clinger for life! We’re so stoked that Kolohe is on the Astrodeck honor society.

Keep checking back here, within the next few weeks, Astrodeck will have a whole new inventory; with more stocked products and more NEW products. Traction pads, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Just in time for Christmas! We’ve got some new Wave Warriors t-shirts featuring Nathan, and those will surely sell-out as soon as we get ‘em in. You guys can be so demanding! And we’re gonna also have a new line of Christian Fletcher t-shirts. Just wait ’til you guys see these new designs and graphics. You’re gonna go nutballs. We’ll keep you posted on when we have all our new stuff online.

Winter Season on the North Shore is coming up. We can’t wait. We’re looking forward to seeing the rest of the Astrodeck team dominating the scene. Just like they always do. Danny Fuller, Makua Rothman, Reef Macintosh, Archy, Kalani Chapman, Jamie Sterling, Gavin and Shane Beschen, Timmy Reyes, Nathan, and Christian, etc. The boys are gonna represent. Oh, it’s gonna be such an epic winter. I can feel it. Can you?

We get a little chuckle here when we find random pro surfers riding our traction pads. But who can blame them, right? Best grip, no slip, truly the originators - Astrodeck.

Oh, look! Here’s Julian Wilson during the Hurley Pro 2011 at Trestles. And what? What’s that on his board? You don’t say! Why, that looks like the 403 Crossroads in black and green! And funny thing is? We’ve heard that Julian scored the highest wave this particular day. Hmmm, coincidence?

Now, we wouldn’t take ALL the credit, but it’s pretty cool that a week before the US Open, Kolohe Andino stopped by the Astrodeck Office to pick up some of our traction pads for the contest. Heat after heat, he became the giant killer, and found himself in the semi-finals where he was eventually taken down by overall 2nd place finisher, Yadin Nicol.

Kolohe Andino with some sweet Adeck on his board.

Kolohe again. All grip, no slip. That's Astrodeck for ya!

And speaking of Yadin, check out the pic below as he prepares to leave the competitor’s area and hit the water. Looks like the Aussie contender jumped on the Astrodeck bandwagon. Yeah, you like that, just as much as we do, dontcha? That board looks really solid with the Adeck.

Congrats on placing 2nd, Yadin! And a bigger congrats for using the best surf traction in the world!

In fact, we’re stoked that a lot of guys who were riding Astrodeck did pretty well overall: Ian Crane, Shane Beschen, Timmy Reyes, the Gudauskas trio, etc.

Pretty good representing Astrodeck, guys. Pretty damn good.

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.)

How to apply Astrodeck Traction Pads:

The surface of the board needs to be clean in order for the tape to grip properly. Many new boards have mold release or showroom wax residue that can cause unwanted oil based surface. Or used boards that had wax applied will also have an oil residue as well. To make sure that you have a clean surface, apply acetone or denatured alcohol, which will get rid of any leftover residue.

To apply the pad, rip the tape off and use the paper to push down between the grid patterns. The adhesive is a pressure sensitive tape, which means it needs to be applied with pressure. By pressing along each gridline, you will create a bond that will withstand almost any conditions.

Astrodeck prides itself on its top of the line tape that solidly adheres the pad to the board. The pad should outlast the life of the board if applied correctly.

Now get out there and surf!

Sincerely,
Herbie Fletcher

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!

Here at Astrodeck headquarters, we’ve all pretty much come to the same conclusion; Herbie definitely takes top honors in the “Coolest Surf Dad” category.

And while your own dad may still be walking around in those Bermuda shorts and white knee-socks - so much so that you just wanna hide and shrivel up from embarrassment - come on, cut the guy some slack. Or better yet, help him up his cool factor by ordering him a pair of killer Astrodeck sandals.

After all, he is your dad.

Happy Father’s Day!