Surf News

A Short Story (Two More Pictures Below)

Once upon a time there was this place in Costa Rica where you could go and have the surf vacation's of your life. A place where the locals would greet you with a smile and Pura Vida (Pure Life) was just what it meant. A place where you could get the best fillet mignon dinner, cevechi, beers and dessert for $20.00 including tip. Surf 3 times a day without having to fight for the set wave, or any other. Glass or offshore morning sessions, offshore for lunch, offshore or glass in the evening with some of the best sunsets imaginable. And best of all a place where you could go for a short time, and return to reality with the experience only you and your vacation buddies could share and appreciate.

I tell you this short story only to be fare warned, should you care to take upon such an adventure. You just experienced Pura Vida and you will never be the same again.

Winter 2005, 06

By now you have probably heard all about the Clark foam crisis. Yes, it is true …they are no more. But there are many people stepping up to provide surfboard blanks, (the core). We have good inventory and don’t expect that to change. We are receiving boards on a regular delivery schedule.

I think a benefit to all this is that there will be more suppliers of foam than ever before and some alternative materials as well. We have hand shaped epoxy in the works. Lighter than polyurethane and more durable. Other than that you can’t tell the difference…boards look the same! We should have some here by March.

Hotline has decided to discontinue the double blind stitched Firefly Pro model wetsuits. From now on all Fly entry Firefly suits will be the GT series, seams are Glued and Taped. So to help Hotline reduce inventory all of our 4/3 and 3/2 Firefly Pro suits are reduced at least 20%! We also have a good selection of all types of 2 mil Spring suits, long sleeve, short sleeve and short sleeve full suits. For those warmer days we have 2 mil Flak Jackets with a half zipper, and .5 mil Fire shirts vest or long sleeve! If you are in the market for a new spring suit or want a new full suit for next season give Hotline a try, still the best suit your money can buy!

For the budget minded we now carry Neosports Hyperflex full and spring suits. Available in 3/2 and 4/3 these suits are double blind stitched and range from extra small thru XXlarge. Regular price for the 3/2 is $149.00 and for the 4/3 $159.00. These suits are being offered for $99.95 and $109.95! Great price, very good suit with a great warranty. Come in and check them out!

As it is every summer a lot of people are shopping for a surfboard. Most beginners and intermediate surfers are usually looking for a used board or cheap new board. Many of them ask about “epoxy” boards …what’s the deal with them. Well, the deal is this…there are epoxy and then there are epoxy. Point is there are many options . Some “epoxy” are made overseas, (China) and are heavy and not very durable…beware, most stores won’t have anything to do with them so you could have trouble when it comes time to trade in for a new board.

The most respected epoxy boards are either the hand shaped , only a few companies offer these, or the molded boards. Both are good, the advantage with hand shaped epoxy is the option of a custom shaped board. No custom boards with the molded type.

Any questions, give us an e-mail or call the store!

Mahalo,

The 5th Street Crew