Vernon AhKee & Dale Richards at Venice Biennale 2009

ISAAC PADDON TOURS HIGHWAY ONE

(pic- Larry from Fox Wetsuits frothing over the DIVERSE boards on display at the Spring Cassic in Cronulla on the weekend.)



I had the chance to hit the road last weekend for a short tour playing 4 shows and surfing in the spring classic in Cronulla on the Saturday. The waves were small but clean and very surfable. I took a range of boards down on the trip but due to our tight music playing schedule didnt get much time time in the water. I drove to our first gig at The Pacific Hotel in Yamba On Thursday Arvo after work .After the usual very late night there, drove the 7 hour trip to Newcastle just in time to get in the water and catch the last 20 minutes of light. With only an hour to spare before the next show, I managed to restring the guitars , sink a quick ( warm ) beer and race to the View Factory Arts Cafe to sing my heart out. With The longboard contest in Cronulla the next morning ( 3 hours away) and being after midnight already we had to decide to either drive that night and have a quick sleep before my heat, or have a quick sleep and leave at 3:30 am . We opted for the latter. I arived just in time to judge the first heat, slip into my wetty , and try and still see straight. I vowed it would be the last time i play a show the night before a contest. Although cloudy and fatigued the day ran smoothly and a lot of people were stoked on the DIVERSE boards i had on display . The quality, the Art and the shapes were what most people were impressed on. The day followed with the presentation where i placed 1st in over 30's and 4th in the opens. We then jumped on stage and cranked up the amps. The south side crew were an apreciative and hospitable audiance and it was a pleasure to perform for them. With no where to safely store our music and surf gear we waited till the last partyers had left and attemped to sleep next to our gear on stage curled up on a hard floor rapped in towls and whatever else we could find to keep warm. After the 4 hour partial sleep on the surf club floor, we headed off in the van back up the coast to our next gig at Barrells Bistro in Sawtel on the coffs coast . We made it just in time to the gig and played one off the sleepiest layed backe gigs in a long time . I think i only opened my eyes in 2 songs . The small but quality crowd seemed to love the performance. Next stop was Arrawarra spot x Surf camp, a usual rest stop on our sleepless journeys . Ariving back yesterday arvo it was good reflecting on the short but interesting times we had experienced on another one of our Highway one music/surf tours. and now as im back in at work in the Diverse surfshop on the goldy i can do some thing else i love, and that is talking to customers about one of the most favourite things i do . Enjoying the pleasure of surfing the waves of the ocean. It also occurred to me the the oil leak in my van had got alot worse. we used 17.5 litres of oil on the trip. it cost more in oil than fuel. Pleasures of being on the road. Isaac

16gb Iphone unlocked contract free $949.00

I felt I needed to write this down rather than just tell you both,
 
I got the call Sunday that the mini simmons iPhone board was ready to be picked up, so like all big boys do, I raced down to pick it up. Dave you have excelled yourself it looks brilliant, a unique design on a unique board. Whilst I was in the shop Jamie was busy as there was a flood of people,  and the iSimmons drew quite a bit of attention. As I waited for things to quieten down so that the fins could get there ceremonial fitting, I was talking to one of your customers that was returning a demo board (at this time store manager Mr Drew had sealed the deal on yet another Diverse shortboard) the conversation was based on Diverse and shapes etc, when the iSimmons caught his eye. He asked me what i expected from the board and how would it perform and let me say it was a rare moment when i was lost for words as i really didn't know. But today i surfed it at Cabba (cabarita point) and i'm still lost for words but in a different way, its shape is hard to get your head around until you surf it and then the performance takes over......... its amazing
iFast
iPerformace
iFun
 
iStoked
 
Thanks to both of you
 
Simon Fowler

BIG cold waves again in Tassie

James Hollmer Cross serving up some great shots again from the deep cold south of Tasmania....

JAIDEN ELGEY

Hey dave i got back from Bali about 5 days ago had a really good time and got some sicc waves! Here are some pics from bingin on my newys which go soo good. I went on a boat trip and got deserts pumping off its head like 3-4 foot so yea that made my trip!! Im goin down to manly for the pro juniour in 2 weeks so i will let u no how i go.

Jaiden..