DEL MAR, Ca., May 13, 2008 -- Coming off of an incredibly successful surfboard rendezvous in 2007, the 2008 SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo producers have ramped it up a notch with a larger venue, more exhibitors and more reasons for surfers, consumers, and surfboard manufacturers to festivate as one. 

Legendary San Diego shaper Bill Caster is being honored during the "Tribute to the Masters Shape-off" presented by Ice-Nine Foam Works. Shapers from up and down the coast including Santa Cruz's Ward Coffey, LA's Matt Calvani, and San Diegan's Ned McMahon and Chris Christenson will replicate a classic CASTER design with the winning shaper receiving a $1000 prize. 

"Ice-Nine Foam Works is deeply honored to sponsor the 'Tribute to the Masters Shape-off' for the second year in a row. The shape-off is a major event devoted to the craft of shaping," said Jon Stillman founder, Ice-Nine Foam Works. "From the beginning, it's been our goal to stoke the tradition by providing support to the next generation of shapers." - Jon Stillman, founder, Ice-Nine Foam Works

"I've always felt my dad was one of the unsung heroes of the industry," said Caster's son David. "The Caster family is excited to see our father honored." The finished blanks will be auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the CASTER family in their efforts to protect the iconic CASTER surfboard label.

Manufacturers already locked in for 2008 SACRED CRAFT include Rusty, Lost, Channel Islands, Ice-Nine Foam Works, Chris Christenson, Stu Kenson, Steven Mast, Walden, Encinitas, Stamps, Noll, Velzy, Hobie, WaveRod, Linden, Shooting Blanks, WetGlass EVF, White Hot Foam, Foam E-Z, Bubble Gum Surf Wax, South Coast, Kevin Cunningham, Matuse, Patagonia, Rip Curl, Hynson, Moonlight Glassing, John Cherry, Mitsven, Hot Batch, Bruno, Mike Sheldrake, and Jim Phillips; with more signing up daily.


Professional surfers are also getting into the foam flying fray. Rob Machado (The Rob Machado Foundation), Pat O'Connell (Surfrider Foundation), Brad Gerlach (SurfAid International) and Joel Tudor (Chumash Preservation Society) will all be shaping a board during SACRED CRAFT's "Professional Surfers Shaping Auction". These rare, one-of-a-kind boards will be auctioned off benefiting the pro surfers charity. Other pro surfers are being lined up to participate. 

New in 2008 to SACRED CRAFT is the hands-on "Shaping Experience" exhibit. "Shaping Experience" will feature blanks, sanding screens, and other shaping tools so that every SACRED CRAFT patron can try their hand at shaping a rail, manipulating a swallowtail or drawing out a template. 

The "Bubble Gum Seminar Stage" will feature entertaining seminars including Drew Brophy's "Pen and Paint Techniques" seminar, a QnA with David Rensin (author of the new Miki Dora Biography); Jon Stillman on changes in the foam marketplace, plus other informative, insightful banter including some super top secret stuff.

Another new addition is the inclusion of wetsuit companies into SACRED CRAFT. With the cold water season just around the corner and some very unique technologies being implemented into the '08-'09 wetsuits it is appropriate to offer the hardcore surfing patron that visits SACRED CRAFT an in-depth look into the wetsuits, straight from the manufacturers. 

"Showcasing our line of premium, ichiban wetsuits at SACRED CRAFT is a perfect fit," said Aaron Kim of Matuse Wetsuits. "The same level of thought and meticulous design that goes into our products is obviously what the surfboards at SACRED CRAFT are all about." 



WHAT: 2008 SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo
WHEN: OCT 11 & 12; Sat 10-6pm Sun 10-4pm
WHERE: Wyland Exhibit Hall; Del Mar Fairgrounds
COST: $5; Kids under 16 FREE; everyone entered to win a NEW surfboard.

VENDORS: To save big on early bird registration (before Aug. 15): 
http://www.sacredcraftexpo.com/registration.html

SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo SPONSORS: 
ICE-NINE FOAM WORKS, SURFER MAGAZINE, BUBBLE GUM SURF WAX

Sponsorship/Marketing Opportunities email: info@surfboardshow.com

In the beginning it was all about the surfboard. The only thing that mattered. From ancient Polynesia to the ASP World Championship Tour; from Waikiki to Maverick's; from The Endless Summer to Surfline; as the eras passed what we've worn or said or listened to or traveled to or read or watched are just sidebars on surfing's timeline. Because the history of our sport is the history of the surfboard. Nothing has defined the surfing experience more than that on which we ride the waves. Nothing defines the surfer more than his (or her) surfboard. So much more than a tool, the surfboard has become a philosophical icon, a sacred craft, a culturally pervasive symbol of freedom, adventure and enduring youth.

 

 

ICE NINE FOAM WORKS
What does a molecule sound like when it breaks? Like the surf, like the sound inside a shell, like nitroglycerin and Dick Dale.

That's the siren call that led us to a secret staging ground in Orange County where our ace design team banged heads and whispered and had séances in San Clemente, studying old techniques and finally coming up with a new twist on high-performance polymers and voila! Surf blanks like you've never seen or danced on, providing a better ride in a better way as we make our way into a better future.

Our mission? Serve Surfing. How? By supporting the local and domestic custom-surfboard industry by creating new and better products for hand shapers.

Ice-Nine Foam Works is a foam blanks manufacturer that focuses on finding and implementing new processes and materials to elevate the surfing experience.

SURFER is produced by a group of surfers that start their days in the water and make a magazine, and a news information network, for the people they bump rails with. Now, as then, it offers a view from the inside-of the lifestyle, of the culture, of the sport-all with an unparalleled track record and authenticity that no one else in the business can claim. WE LIVE THE SUBJECTS WE COVER, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING SO OUR WHOLE LIVES.