If Only Surf Shop

New Site Launch

2009-09-04T09:30:00.006-03:00

The time has come for this here page to end. But don't fret or get choked up. Because we've got a rad new site where you can check out all our brands and what surfboards we have in stock. There's also a section for our team riders complete with bio's and photo galleries. Best of all though is that we'll still be blogging and bringing you the latest in surfy shralpenings locally and internationally.

We'll leave this page up for a while but we will no longer be adding new content. So add www.ifonlysurfshop.com to your RSS Reader and your bookmarks. And don't forget to keep rippin.

Sincerely,

Freddy McShreddy

Fan Letter

2009-09-02T10:34:00.002-03:00

Dear Erika,

I know you are new to this area but I'm hoping you could swing wide of our neighborhood and maybe stall for a bit. You know, just sit out there for a while and let your skirts blow in the wind like one of those old movies from the 40's. That way we can get a solid 3 or 4 days of rideable surf with light off-shores.

Sincerely yours,

Freddy McShreddy

3 Dans

2009-08-27T13:54:00.002-03:00

book 'em Danno

Danielsan

'maybe I'll bring waves maybe I won't' TS Dan

Temper your hopes all but at least be ready for some warm water storm surf. Hey at least it's better than no surf.

got Bill?

2009-08-25T15:51:00.003-03:00

So how was your Bill experience? We've heard varied stories from really good to really bad. I guess it all depended on your timing, location and point of view. Some poeple did score though and they had the photos to prove it. Local photographers Zak Bush and Scotty Sherin have photos in the latest Surfline feature. Congratulations fellas for the search and the goods.

Check it out here

ID Found and Hurricane Update

2009-08-20T11:21:00.005-03:00

hey someone left their American driver's license at the shop. if you know this dude from Hawaii please let him know that we've got his ID and that it's got a little Sex Wax on it from scrapin down the rhino chaser - getting ready just in case.

...and speakin of getting ready, make sure you also get your propane and extra water stocked just in case Bill decides to crash the couch eh.

Oh and one more thing - I found this list of humorous tips regarding large hurricane swell on 2ndlight.com

If you think that walking a block down the beach to get back to your car is the norm, you're not ready.

If you pull into a parking lot and the first words out of your mouth are "Is it flat?" while you can hear loud crashing in the background, you're not ready.

If you go straight from your car, to the water, you're not ready.

If the wax on your board is yellow and crusty, you're not ready.

If you think that a storm 900 miles off the coast will be HUGE, you're not ready.

If your arms are sore after a summer session, you're not ready.

If you're looking for a place to crash in CB, you're not ready.

If you still get belly rash, you're not ready.

If you wear web gloves, you're not ready.

If you're still riding your first, second or third surfboard, you're not ready.

If you think that the only good waves will be at the Moose, the Reef, or Martinique, you're not ready.

If you don't own a travel board, you're not ready.

If you don't have flashbacks when you first look out to sea, you're not ready.

If you think you're ready, you're not ready.

Ripping Bra

2009-08-18T15:11:00.004-03:00

Are your tired of getting hassled in the line-up, of people dropping in on you, paddling under you and generally disrespecting your mad surf skillz?

Well here's your chance to show them once and for all what you're made of. The 1st annual Shut up and Surf Classic contest has been announced and this time it's not for cash but for props. For more info visit the SANS site or just come in to the shop and fill out your entry form. All forms must be in by August 31st.

Mass Hysteria

2009-08-17T07:42:00.004-03:00

Don't get too anxious - everyone remain calm. We all know that wave prediction in the North Atlantic is about as accurate as CNN news. But if this forecast turns out to be true we may just need to get our mini-guns outta the basement.

EDIT:

Upon further investigation I have discovered that this is no longer a tropical storm. My apologies ladies and gents.

May I please introduce to you, Hurricane Bill! More info here

Two types of shredders in this world

2009-08-07T08:30:00.004-03:00

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

TSJ | POV - "Dan Malloy & Dane Reynolds Board Swap" from The Surfer's Journal on Vimeo.

Our sources say that there could be some waves this weekend. Oh and if you were looking at getting that fine 9'6" resin tinted Tim Stamps log in last week's post you're too late -it's gone. But we can certainly order you one any time so stop on in.

Keep shreddin.

new Tim Stamps Sleds

2009-07-28T11:36:00.003-03:00

We got some new boards in last week and thought we'd give you a bit of eye candy for your viewing pleasure.

Below is an egg. We've got three in the 6 to 7 foot range. Single fin boxes with Futures side bites. These boards are rad for any surfer and will go well here in the Maritimes.

...and here we have a 9'6" resin tinted single fin noserider. This board is amazingly crafted and it won't last long. It's the kind of board you keep and surf for 20 years. The one below is a 9'0" performance longboard. It's light and made to be surfed aggressively. Stop in and check them out.

How do you like your eggs?

2009-07-22T08:24:00.003-03:00

Well we've got three kinds for you to choose from. Fresh off the glassing room we have three Tim Stamps eggs. All have a singlefin box and Future's side bites, white sanded finishes, and built in speed. They are 6'6", 7'0" and I believe 7'6" but don't quote me on that. We'll have photos real soon.

Highlights and Monday news

2009-07-20T11:15:00.006-03:00

Parko is up by 3 wins now. Kelly would have to win 3 events and make it to the finals on another to overtake Parko. Will Kelly gets his 10th title? Who knows. Does it matter on our shores? Probably not so get out there and shred some victory at sea surf while it's there. Some fun little lines coming through on the weekend and word on the street is that there is still swell although the wind is on it.

Don't forget that we've got some tasty little boards in the shop from Channel Islands like Fishcuits and Biscuits, as well as some high performance machines for shredders from Patterson and Stamps and some quality used boards as well.

And don't forget -when in doubt paddle out.

Perfect Rights

2009-07-14T07:21:00.001-03:00

the J-Bay contest is on live right now - you can watch at work with your morning coffee. Check it out here.

New news and Friday video

2009-07-10T10:41:00.003-03:00

We've got a bunch of new CI's for your surfy pleasure. Short, wide and faster than a speeding bullet in a hail storm in the dead of winter. huh? Anyway check back soon for photos of what's left of the new CI's -they won't be here long and some have already flown the coup like One Flew Over a Cuckoos Nest.

We also just got a tonne of new accessories from Creatures. "Whoooa gnarly."

..and for today's video feature we give you two guys who can ride anything. Dane Reynolds and Dan Malloy are featured on this TSJ video trading quivers and shredding waist high beachies.

TSJ | POV - "Dan Malloy & Dane Reynolds Board Swap" from The Surfer's Journal on Vimeo.

now we've got a race

2009-07-06T11:27:00.002-03:00

Looks like the ASP this year is lining up to actually being competitive. Slater won in Brazil making everyone have to swallow their words from the last two contests. Time will tell but one thing is for certain -the title is on the line and the next few contests should be worth watching. Here's a rad article about the event from ESM Surf.

highlights of the Brazil finals

New CI's and Matuse are here!

2009-07-02T14:53:00.000-03:00

Sitting around the shop shootin the breeze today when suddenly in walks buddy with a surfboard sized box. Doh! They are here, 12 spankin new CI's, white as clouds and promising more fun than a $100 bill on a Friday night. We've got three of each: Flyers, Pods, Biscuits and Fishcuits.

So as we're unpacking in walks buddy again with two boxes labeled with the iconic M. Matuse's are in too. Hurry and get yourself the flyest and most comfy suit there is before they are all gone.

This Just In (pun)

2009-06-29T09:48:00.006-03:00

Hey Shredders

Hella week last week eh! If you didn't get to surf last week please accept our condolences. All I can say is that the waves were mackin all week.

So just a few updates in between swells. We've got some new spring threads in from Katin and slippas from Sanuk -lots of boardies as well as some new track pads. There's more stuff on the way to fill your minds with wantonness so don't fret. Finally, we've been testing a Channel Islands Biscuit(5'8") over the past few weeks and all we can say is "sick." There's a shipment of CI's on its way so keep yer peepers open and don't spend all your hard earned dough on booze so you can snap one up.

And now I'd like to re-post a comment from our consummate board rider and teamster Justin Huston. Seems Justin was out last week testing the old Skillet. We posted a review of this Tim Stamps high volume shorty thruster a little while ago and you can check it here.

Anyways, here's what Justin had to say:

"A follow-up review on the 5'10" Stamps "Skillet". Johnny let me have a crack at the Skillet, after learning my 5'8" Stamps Quantum Quad was in for repairs.

To be honest, I was a bit reluctant to go back to a thruster set-up on a high-volume, small wave board--I'm really liking the quad feel--but I was stoked with how versatile and user-friendly this board ended up being.

With constant surf all week, I was able to surf a few sessions in solid overhead waves on my backhand, and also a few sessions in chest high, down the line surf on my forehand.

Like Stamps' other boards, he's really got a formula down for the boards to generate their own speed! The thruster set-up and rounded pin made this board feel really solid off the bottom and when reconnecting during reo's off the whitewater. You can really push off that back foot through your turns with no fear of sliding-out unintentionally, and it actually feels like you get a nice squirt of speed coming out of your turn.

I'm 180lbs and 5'11", so the board was a pretty ideal fit for my dims. At first I thought I'd want to go smaller, but if given my choice, I might even go with a 6'0". To all you folks still stuck in 6'2" x 18 3/4" x 2 1/4" Slater-land: don't fear the VOLUME!!! Get yourself a board with volume in all the right places and you'll start having a lot more fun and surfing a whole lot better!"

Looks like we'll have some more waves this week too!

Waves all Week!

2009-06-25T08:56:00.003-03:00

Man o man. We've had solid surf since Sunday and it just ain't done yet. The water is warm and although it's been overcast the vibes are good with set after set bringing plenty of smiles in the lineup. As I write this the buoy is reading 7' @ 10 seconds. Get out there and remember to hold on to your boards.

Faces

2009-06-11T13:30:00.000-03:00

Check out our team rider Myles in the current issue of Faces Magazine.

Sanuk slippas

2009-06-05T08:57:00.004-03:00

Speaking of Dorian -just in this week are Shane's favourite slippas (that's Hawaiian for flip flops eh). Come on in and grab a pair of Sanuk Sandals before they walk out the door. We've got styles for women and men. And maybe get yourself a bar of wax 'cause we may get some waves cuz.

more quad shorties

2009-06-02T11:54:00.005-03:00

frothing for Matuse

2009-05-28T11:40:00.010-03:00

Still flat out there. The swell models change every half hour it seems and just when you think the waves are upon us they disappear.

I'll tell ya what is coming though -the soljas. Das right, we got a shipment of fantastic Matuse Hoplite 4/3's that should be arriving next week.

"what the hell is talking about?" you say bewildered.

4/3's for men and women.

"The Hoplite foot soldiers of ancient Greece had the most advanced armor of their era. They were fast, fierce and well protected. Modern day surfers can now own these same qualities by wearing a Matuse Hoplite suit. No spear or shield necessary."

For real though these suits have had accolades from everyone in terms of their fit and warmth. Matuse uses Japanese Yamamoto limestone based rubber which is inherently less porous and lighter than the traditional petrol based wetsuit rubber. Therefore a 4/3 Matuse is warmer that it's petroleum counterpart.

And since we know you're gonna ask... yes they are making a hooded winter suit called the Tumo.

Visit the newly updated Matuse site for info on specs. Call us for pricing.

Flatness

2009-05-26T11:10:00.004-03:00

Here's today's swell map. Last time we had a flat spell this bad was last year in May and June. At least it's sunny out and most days are warm enough to a wear a T-shirt. NOAA has released the 2009 hurricane predictions and they are calling for a "near-normal Atlantic hurricane season." Read the rest here.

We have some stuff coming in real soon and I don't wanna spoil it for ya but just know that we'll have a tonne of new boards as well as new threads so keep checking out the blog for updates.

And if you are completely bored at work this week then head over to the Post Surf page to check out the latest trash talk in pro surfing. Lewis Samuels used to write for Surfline and then they let him go. One minute into reading Post Surf and you'll see why. Hilarious.

check out the site here.

What short board should I be riding?

2009-05-20T09:28:00.004-03:00

Surfboards design isn't exactly a hard science. Everyone who spends a lot of time in the water has a pretty good idea what works for them, how much volume they should have, etc. However, there's always that gnawing presence of the ideal 6'0" x 18 1/4" x 2 1/4" thruster that the magazines often tell us to ride. Some people can indeed ride a board like that around here but for most of us it would only work on the best of days with a long period swell. So what is the ideal board for the average Nova Scotia conditions? The answer to that question is totally dependent on the rider, however, the article below by guru shaper Rusty Preisendorfer goes a ways in deciphering the current shorter board craze popularized by Kelly.

"Owning a surfboard designed for average surf is about the most sensible thing a surfer can do. If there is only one board at a time in your budget, wouldn't you rather be having fun, surfing with much less effort 80% of the time, and pushing the threshold of your board on the occasional good day? (Versus bogging and pulling off the odd good hit on your signature world-tour board?)

There is no revelation in the "short shortboard revolution" -- it's practicality and the pursuit of happiness rearing its everyman head.

Go shorter, wider, thicker, flatter, and the fun will find it's way back into your everyday surfing experience. Skip the old-school fish thing; it's been flogged to death. They ride flat on the water and have an appalling lack of continuity in rail-to-rail transition. There are plenty of good alternatives. Round tails, diamond tails, bat tails, and sorry if it sounds sacrilegious, but do yourself a favor and try anything but a tail that ends with a 10-inch gap. One or two sets of wings are a great design feature to step down tail width without excessive outline curve."

Read the rest here.

Parko

2009-05-13T08:51:00.001-03:00

Teahuppo trials are over

2009-05-10T10:38:00.005-03:00

...and here are the highlights.

and you can watch the event live here.

Skillet Review

2009-05-07T09:08:00.001-03:00

When I hear the word skillet I think of those old black cast iron pans with bacon sizzling away on a Sunday morning. I’m not sure what inspired Tim Stamps to name this board model a skillet because it is neither old nor heavy.

Above are the board dimensions. I weigh 170 pounds and stand a proud 5'8". Yeah I know I could stand to lose a little.

I had the opportunity to test this board in several different conditions from waist high mush to solid head high days. It has a modern foil where rocker curve and bottom contours flow seamlessly throughout. Like many high performance thrusters this board features a single to double concave for speed and control and lowered entry rocker to make getting into waves easier.

Rail profile shot.

There is no surfboard design that excels in every condition. Every design element has it strengths and weaknesses. This board has similar paddling characteristics to a modern fish. Meaning that is paddles easy and gets into waves earlier than a standard hi performance short board. The pulled in thumb tail keeps the turning radius tight and allows the board to hold in steeper surf.

So what’s the trade off? A thin, narrow pointy thruster is made to turn on a dime and generate speed when surfed rail to rail. The skillet has built in speed due to it’s flatter rocker meaning that you don’t have to constantly keep it on rail however it will not be as ‘loose’ as a performance board.
This one comes with a thruster set-up with Futures fins. However these board are also available as quads.

The Skillet is a sleeper board. It may look like an egg but it has the design elements to make it go on rail if you have the skills to do so. I usually ride a 5’8” quad fish. With this board I had the same wave count as with my fish but it was a bit more responsive and definitely allowed for tighter turns. A lot of time our waves are not super steep so the flatter rocker and extra foam in the Skillet make it ideal for a majority of days.

Reviewed by Ricardo Salcedo

Easy come easy go

2009-05-06T08:59:00.005-03:00

Here we have teamster Dean surveying a fresh shipment of longboards that came in recently. Notice his thoughtful gaze, his easy stance and his dedicated focus to the unpacking process.

And here are two beauts. The grey 10 'Oh' made for a man named Chuck and the yellow 9'2" for another stoked customer. Gloss and polish with painted tiger stripes complete the "dream board" factor. Unfortunately these two logs only graced our walls for a fleeting moment and all we have left of them is this photo.

Thought for the day

2009-04-30T09:51:00.001-03:00

new T's from Spacecraft. Get one.

Monday notes

2009-04-27T10:07:00.005-03:00

Man the waves were good on Friday. Hopefully you guys were on it. Then later that afternoon we received a highly anticipated shipment of custom board orders from Tim Stamps. You should have seen the smile on the faces of the lucky guys who came by to pick up their new boards bearing their name on the stringer signed by Stamps. Rad.

Spring is definitely here now and summer is just around the corner. We just got in a barely used stand up paddle board. It's an 11' Robert August Wingnut model. You can read about the specs here. It comes with a deck pad and a 6' locally made ash paddle with an 10 degree blade for $1300.

Don't forget that we've got a hella discount on our last few performance modules so come on in and check 'em out.

Oh and on a final note, If Only Surf Shop is now on Facebook. Be sure to look us up next time you log on. Enjoy the sunshine and hope for waves.

Hi Performance Payoff

2009-04-23T09:19:00.004-03:00

Hey Shredders. How you liking the heavy south west winds eh? The buoys are firing but who knows. Those who go may score. By the way, since there is still waves, and summer hasn't hit quite yet, there is an opportunity for YOU to take advantage of something that YOU absolutely must take advantage of. We are offering $100-$150 off any of our new high performance! We've got boards from Timmy Patterson, T. Stamps and Cordell Miller -all hand shaped boards of the highest quality. Come on in, take a look, and throw one under your arm. Guaranteed not to disappoint!

Check out what's in stock in our Board Files page.

Friday updates

2009-04-17T10:58:00.004-03:00

Rumors are that there was rideable surf yesterday evening. Hope some of you were on it. There doesn't seem to be much swell for the next few days so sit tight, put some new wax on your board, fix those dings, and do your push ups.

In other news, it seems that longboard fins were in high demand. Since we posted our fins last week we've sold nearly all of them. Thanks for stopping in.

We've also got a new shipment of "dope-tastic" gear from Spacecraft including some amazing hand painted trucker hats, rad T's and more. The cool thing about Spacecraft is that there stuff is either made in the US, or in Bali!!

Finally, we'll leave you with the round 3 highlights of the ASP Rip Curl Pro. PArko won, but we've only got video highlights from round 3. Check out live.ripcurl.com for final day action.

5'5" what?

2009-04-14T18:32:00.000-03:00

Have you seen Lost's 5'5" x 19 1/4 Redux? If you haven't the your missing out. Mason surfs amazing spinning 360's all over the wave face like he was skating a pool. Definitely one of those videos that gets you amped to go surfing.

Singlefins

2009-04-06T18:22:00.004-03:00

Spice up your ride with a new fin. We've got 'em in super light wood

and colorfabulous fiberglass for your high performance longboard, retro singlefins and singlefin logs.

friday humor

2009-04-03T11:31:00.004-03:00

Localism - some spots around here can get super crowded when the stars are lit up. A little angst in the parking lot aint always a bad thing. Keeps Kooks in line!

But hey it's good to have a sense of humor about it. Check this vid from the Moose last week.

Sessions

2009-04-01T14:40:00.004-03:00

Monochrome sessions somewhere in Nova Scotia sometime in March of 2009. photo by DTC.

Wednesday Humor

2009-04-01T09:36:00.005-03:00

Pro surfing ain't all fun and games. Sometimes there's clownin too. The Hobgood brother's have a good sense of humor and Damo likes to clown his peers. Funny s#!t

tazzy smack talk from goods on Vimeo.

Endless Possibilities

2009-03-30T10:24:00.004-03:00

We thought you may enjoy this little video of Tyler Warren. Warren surfs a lot of short, high-volume performance boards. Whether it's a quad fish or quad round pins, his boards seem to work really well in mellow, waist to head high open faced waves like we have here in Nova Scotia. There's lots of different styles of surfing and surfboards, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're looking for knifey high performance thrusters that will surf top to bottom or more mellow easy paddling boards that turn mellow arcs, we've got what you need. Stop in and put one under your arm.

Used Boards

2009-03-27T08:23:00.006-03:00

Hey Shredders! We've finally found the time to photograph and load all the used boards onto our Board Files page. Please feel free to call or stop in the shop for more info. You may as well come in because there's nothing like holding a board under your arm to see how it feels!

So check it out. We've got a nice Al Merrick Red Beauty that should be holdin it down in someone's quiver. We've also got a nice JS Combat in mint condition as well as quite a few different performance thrusters and quads. Finally, there's a few fishy type boards for speedy high-linin and mellow turns on point waves. Don't let 'em pass you by like that fourth set wave you didn't see comin.

Hard Choices

2009-03-26T06:50:00.002-03:00

Waves were super fun yesterday. I hope you guys scored too.

Wednesday...

2009-03-24T09:04:00.001-03:00

where you at? stop in and check out the new Sitka gear and grab some wax cause it could be really good.

Friday's News & Board Files

2009-03-20T14:32:00.005-03:00

The buoy was reading 5' @ 11 seconds at 6AM. Got out for a dawn patrol session this morning and scored some nice little waves. The North wind was brutally cold changing in and out of wetsuits though. It's good to get a little surf in for the first time in two weeks of flatnes.

In other shop news, we just finished putting together our BOARD FILES page. Here we'll have photos and dims of all the boards in the shop. Check it out and feel free to call or post a comment if you have any questions about a board. We'll be updating the BOARD FILES pages regularly and we'll probably post the used boards as well.

Finally, our spring fashion will be out this coming week. We've got a bunch of rad new gear from SITKA and SPACECRAFT in house, with gear from RVCA, PATAGONIA and the rest our small label fashions on the way.. We'll post some photos of the new threads soon.

And just one more thing "_____"

Stamps Quantum Review

2009-03-17T13:35:00.019-03:00

You thought we chose our team riders just 'cause they look pretty? Hell no. These guys are superb surfers and surfboard testing machines. Justin has just sent us a review so without further ado...

Stamps Quantum Quad Fish Dims
5'8" x 20 3/4"W x 2 1/2"Th. PU/PE construction with Futures fins.

Rider Dims: Height: 5’11”, Weight: 180 lbs,Years surfing: 21

When Johnny approached me to write a review of the 5’8” Stamps I’ve been riding for the past few months, I was a bit reluctant. How do you review a board you really like without sounding over the top and using every cliché in the book? “Best board ever!” “Magic board!” “Super loose in the pocket, but really drivey down the line!”

Surfing is a personal thing, so what I have to say is just that--my personal experience with this board. But maybe you’re curious about these quad fishes, or you have one yourself and are curious what someone else thinks, so I’ll just focus on why I like this board and why it works well for me and you can take it from there.

I've found the board to be really versatile -- basically my go-to board, whether it's waist-high mush or overhead and pumping. I honestly didn't think I'd be surfing it as much as I do, but I consistently have more fun on this board more than any other. Typical of a fish, it catches waves easily and also generates and holds a lot of speed through flat sections, which I think is a must for boards around here. Even when we get bigger surf, the waves tend to be pretty gutless and flat faced. The width carried through the tail, the flat rocker, and the quad set-up makes it perfect for our waves. Super quick down the line —it generates a lot of its own speed. And for a 5'8" it holds up surprisingly well in bigger surf--gets you into waves early and feels surprisingly solid off the bottom.

What I especially like about this board--and maybe it's the short length combined with the quad set-up, I'm not sure--is how responsive it is when you want to turn up in the pocket or cutback out on the face. [OK, here’s where I try to get really technical] It's not like a thruster or single-fin where you change direction by pivoting off your back foot to turn, but rather you initiate your turn from the rails. This works well for me because I'm more of a "front-foot" surfer, and this seems to be typical of all the quads and twin-keels I've ridden. But a definite benefit of the quad set-up over the twin keel is that they tend to "track" less and are more responsive, making it easier to adjust in the pocket and initiate cutbacks. This holds true with the Stamps quad--tracks and drives really well down the line, but is super easy to put it on rail when you want to. Wait…isn’t that the same as “Super loose in the pocket, but really drivey down the line?” Damn!

Alright, I’ve sucked enough soul out of surfing with this analysis to jinx me for a lifetime, so I’ll let Stamps get the last word: “This all adds up to a super fast, very positive board. Super fun in all conditions.”

Ed: we've got two of these left in the shop at the moment. A 5'10" and a 6'0" -play on playa.

More on Tim Stamps boards at Surfboards by Stamps

Shapers, mini-guns and consequences

2009-03-16T08:52:00.003-03:00

A few of our customers have ordered custom mini-guns for an upcoming trip to Indonesia. Luckily they placed their orders early and these guys are stoked to have their boards on time. Getting a custom board is one of the greatest aspects of surfing. You get to have a board hand sculpted by someone who's taken into consideration your size and surfing ability as well as how you want to surf.

Sometimes however there can be trouble with shapers. Take for example the recent Owl Chapman incident. Writer Jeff Johnson writes an article about ordering a famed Owl Chapman gun and all hell brakes loose. Then there's the Steiner incident below. Get your ducks lined up boys and girls. Whether it's a big-wave board for your summer trip or a custom fish or longboard for Nova Scotia summertime fun, the time is now.

Flat Friday's and other news

2009-03-13T12:02:00.007-03:00

Damn it's flat. It's feast or famine around here. Last week we got tons of waves and this week it's flatter than the prairies. As for the next few days it looks like we'll get more of the same. Do your push ups and hope for waves.

In ASP news I'm sure most of you have heard that Joel Parkinson took the win in this year's first event.

“That first wave was a good one but I came down funny on the floater and buckled my board,” Parkinson said. “I came in and just got energized when I heard the score and everyone on the beach really pumped me up. The crowd is awesome. There are so many people. Down here you don’t really see it, but from the water you can see the crowd on the hill and all along Coolangatta and even down Kirra Point. I could hear them

Booties

2009-03-09T18:27:00.003-03:00

We just received a small shipment of 7mm FCS Booties. So for those who've been waiting, act fast as they will go quick!

Surf News Round-Up

2009-03-06T08:39:00.008-04:00

There was a decent swell this week with consistent rideable surf for about three days. Tuesday was probably the best day and most of the spots were firing. Surely some of you professional types had "board meetings" early in the morning eh? I hope you were on it.

The ASP Quick Pro is on this week and a lot of the usual's advanced straight to round three. Slater, riding his tiny fat nosed boards, looked like he had more speed than three Double Double's. How long before more of the Tour guys are riding "fishy'er" type boards with pulled in tails? Time will tell. The Hobgood twins were up against each other in round one with Damien pulling ahead of Ceej and going straight to round 3. Looks like the East Coast guys with their mush busting ability are dominating this contest. Check out the round one highlights below.

Thomas Campbell's latest movie The Present is finally finished and making the rounds in small theaters around the U.S. For those of you who like to surf every kind of surfboard in any kind of waves, the film will certainly not dissapoint. Check out the trailer.

Dane Reynolds killing it on a quad fish

2009-03-04T14:16:00.002-04:00

You know how you always here people talking about fish as summer boards? It seems that a lot people think of the fish as a low performance mush machine, and that is not untrue. However, a quad fish can be surfed at a "SICK" level if you got the skills. Case in point.

surfboard shaping start to finish: Stamps

2009-02-26T19:17:00.001-04:00

Tim Stamps is a surfer shaper who seems to be getting more and more exposure these days with his own label. His shaping talents cross practically all of the different styles of surfboard design. From ultra high performance thrusters to hi-volume performers and everything in between. Our team rider Justin rides a few different Stamps models around here but then you probably already knew that.

Here's a rad video of Stamps shaping one of his Quantum Quads from start to finish. The video is a tad long but definitely covers all the aspects of hand shaping. Come in and peep our Stamps Quantums, Skillets, Flares and Mullets. We can also order you a custom from Stamps. Check out the entire Stamps lineup here.

Waves?

2009-02-18T10:39:00.007-04:00

Looks like Friday and Saturday could be shaping up for some good surf. Of course it's still too early to tell and local winds will make a big difference in wave quality. Either way better get your ducks lined up and your calling in to work excuses dialed in case it gets good.

We still have a few sizes of 7MM boots and mitts in stock so if your feet are getting cold after 45 minutes in the 0 degree water then you might wanna come in and get some.

friday

saturday

2009 ASP

2009-02-16T10:01:00.004-04:00

The 2009 ASP tour is getting ready to kick off next week at Snapper on the Gold Coast, Australia. There's lots of speculation but it seems that most people are putting their money on Slater. Some are even starting to call him 10K. He's got a whole new quiver of shorty high-volume performance boards and he's amped to go for his 10th world title. It's hard to say what will happen because there's some great new talent as well as the hungry tour guys like Parko and the ex-champ Fanning. Who's your favourite? Peep the new poll to the right.

here's king freak gettin shacked in Barbados.

oh and by the way, we've got a hella sale on clothes right now and we've got a few rad shred sleds. As for short hi-volume performance boards, we've got a slew of them so come in and take a look.

Not Tax Sale!

2009-02-07T12:16:00.004-04:00

This is the "LOVE NO TAX" Sale! From today, Saturday February 7, to Saturday February 21 we will eat the tax on any in-store purchase... including boards! So in honor of that oh so loved Saint Valentine, come in and get your special someone(s) a V-Day gift! Guaranteed to generate enough "sweetie points" redeemable for at least two guilt free surfs.

*disclaimer* any implied or spoken of "guilt free surf" is purely for marketing and entertainment purposes only, as we all know there is no such thing as a guilt free surf. If Only Surf Shop bares no responsibility in the event that you get your ass kicked by a significant other, because you went surfing when you should have been home changing diapers or finishing the basement that was supposed to be done 8 months ago!

Livity -conscious clothing

2009-02-02T10:51:00.005-04:00

Late last year we got a shipment of dope Livity Outernational clothing and hats. Livity is based in BC. Here's what the treehugger site had to say about Livity's product line:

"Dubbed one of the most low-impact yet high-function outerwear material ever created, Livity's Rip-Tide III fabric is a hemp/recycled-PET blend that combines durability with lightweight portability. The British Columbia-based eco-apparel brand has applied Rip-Tide III to a range of products, including hats, jackets, bags, and accessories.

Featuring a ripstop box weave construction that resists tearing, the shell fabric is finished with a waterproof lamination that is low-impact and biodegradable. After all, who needs their clothing to outlive them?"

CLOSED Friday and Saturday

2009-01-29T17:51:00.001-04:00

We will be closed Friday January 30th, and Saturday January 31st. Sorry for the inconvenience. See you on tuesday.

Andy vs. Kelly

2009-01-28T14:16:00.004-04:00

Regardless of what you think of competitive surfing, this video is going to be good! A bit of a look into what really went down between two of the most competitive surfers of all time. Can't wait!

Matuse Reviews

2009-01-28T11:13:00.003-04:00

I've been telling you how in love I am with my Matuse suits. A few of you know first hand what I mean, and for those who are still on the fence, perhaps this link will help.

smith optics are here!

2009-01-27T09:56:00.003-04:00

we got some new Smith glasses for bluebird days. come in and check em out.

Board of the Week

2009-01-20T11:40:00.005-04:00

So, I've been neglecting the "Board of the Week" a little lately, and because its January, and its a little boring around here, this week, and next, the "Board of the Week" will be up to you! Basically, any board in the shop could be board of the week, You Pick for $599.

A Question of Volume, or perhaps, Questioning Volume

2009-01-15T14:15:00.009-04:00

So its January, and its -15 out today. I got out of bed this morning with every intention of going for a surf. I made it as far as my basement door before winter smacked me in the face, and self-righteously declared an end to my hopes of that morning surf. Now, I do know that some of you made it out, and good for you, as you guys are much more deserving than I am. I just couldn't do it.

Because it is January, and the shop is slow, I'm gonna start to rant and babble a bit, and being a surf shop owner, what better to rant and babble on about than surfboards! I've been talking with friends a lot lately about board shape and volume, and what an ideal board for around here would be? Really, that is an easy question to answer, or perhaps it is an incredibly dumb one to ask. Ultimately there is no one ideal shape. Everyone gets off on a different vibe, so to pigeon hole someone into a category of what works and what doesn't is unrealistic. But, what I do know is that lately I've been having more fun with my surfing while riding my 6'1" Cordell "Groveller Fish" than I've had in a long time! I can surf it like a short board, catch as many waves as my unfit arms can handle, and with speed to burn, I can make sections effortlessly.

This is not a "get a fish, burn your shortboard" rant. I love a good shortboard. Days like last Friday, or even certain spots on Monday (you lucky bastards!!) my shortboard was, and would have been the call. My point is that just because she's short and fat, doesn't mean you shouldn't ask her to dance! I've sold a handful of "in-between" shapes this fall/winter and like mine, those boards are creating true believers in their riders. Don't sell your favorite 6'2", but next time your considering a new board, think about how your "mind surfing" compares to your actual surfing. If, like me, they don't match up, then perhaps its time to consider something besides a "standard" shortboard. Trust me, you wont regret it!

here's nine time world champ riding a tiny right point on a short hi-volume twin.

Winter Hours

2009-01-10T12:48:00.003-04:00

We will be closed on Mondays for the months of January and February. We will be re-open on Mondays as of Monday March 9th. All other daily hours will remain the same.

Friday's Forecast

2009-01-07T08:55:00.003-04:00

It looks like we could have a classic swell this Friday if the forecast holds. Better get your ducks lined up eh. Call in sick, make excuses, patch the dings on your good wave board, get those new booties and get out there.

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T09:31:00.002-04:00

Hope you guys got some waves yesterday. It was small but fun. The holidays are done and life is back to normal. Come in and say hi, get some wax and peep some new boards.

2008-12-22T12:43:00.004-04:00

The buoy is reading 19' @ 10 seconds right now. There's storm surge warnings as well. I hope you guys out there get your power back soon if you lost it last night. There's gotta be a sheltered spot out there somewhere so get on it. Tomorrow morning should still be good as well and Christmas day looks promising but man you know how your loved one's feel about going for a dawn patrol on that day... good luck.

Thanks for all of your support this year and hope you have a merry holiday. We still have some great sales and some rad boards for last minute gifts. We also just received a new shipment of 7mm boots and leashes too. Get some before the water temp sets in to it's usual 0 degrees winter temp.

Yazzy's Show a Huge Success!

2008-12-17T14:49:00.003-04:00

We‘d like to say thanks to all of you who came to our first ever art opening this past Saturday night, it was a huge success. Yazzy put up a ton of beautiful photos. Our wetsuit and board rooms were cleared and the track lighting made for a nice gallery space. The doors opened at 7 and soon the wine was flowing. DJ Nigel Lutes set up his tables on our counter and spun some mellow vibes to the flow of the incoming and outgoing crowds which numbered around 200 by the end of the night.

A lot of the people that came through were surfers. But we also had a lot of people come strictly to see Yazzy’s amazing photography which included varied themes like landscapes, portraits, wave studies and of course stunning surf shots.

Many of Yazzy’s pieces will remain on display in our shop for the following month so feel free to drop by any time to peruse. The prints are for sale. They are framed in black wood frames and are printed on cotton paper using water based inks. They would make a perfect gift and each print is numbered and signed.

Finally, we’d like to say thanks to Yazzy for bringing his work to the public and for sharing his experiences with the audience. Thanks as well to Red Bull, The Coast, DJ Nigel, Matt the ripper and everyone else who helped to make this event possible.

Recession Sessions - BOTW #2 $599

2008-12-12T14:12:00.012-04:00

Hey Shredders,

Here is the second board of the week. It's up for grabs for a measly $599. What do you get for $599? Well you get a hand shaped and glassed high performance sled made in California. No sweatshop labour here. This board is ideal for our winter surf and will handle anything from waist high to about as big as you can handle. I can see you now, flying down the line, quick bottom turn and shwack! Ripping.

Dims: 6'1"x18 3/4"x 2 3/8"
Also features a swallow tail for release, Futures thruster set-up, and dope a rope paint job. PU construction for the traditional flex and feel.

so pitted

Art Opening this Saturday with Yassine Ouhilal

2008-12-09T15:16:00.003-04:00

We're stoked to host our first of what we hope to be many community events. Local photographer Yazzy Ouhilal will be showing a wide collection of his photos this coming Saturday the 13th. We'll also have wine and cheese and a DJ to mellow the vibes. Doors open at 7 PM. Come see one of Atlantic Canada's emerging photographers and rub elbows with Nova Scotia's surfy who's whos.

Cy Sutton Banner

2008-12-09T10:20:00.004-04:00

I hope you guys got out yesterday. The waves were mackin and I saw a few guys get shacked like da kine North Shore.

We want to give a big thanks to our friend Cyrus Sutton for hookin us up with this dope new banner. Cy was just here to screen Under the Sun and he got to hang heels on a few of our perfect peelers. Check out Cy's site here: Cy Sutton

here's a little video of Cy for your peepers

Recession Sessions - Board of the Week

2008-12-05T15:21:00.010-04:00

Regular price is $759.

Recession Sessions Price $610!

Dims: 6'0"x18.25"x2.25"
FCS fins and sanded finish with Lossness logo on the deck.

This is the new Mike Lossness model. This is your good day all around board. A bit more rocker up towards the nose, and a bit flatter under foot to give the speed that Mike needs for those 100mph turns! Come in and throw this board under your arm. Guaranteed to impress!

Don’t forget that this board will only be priced this low from December 8th to the 12th. The round tail will come in handy for the swell that’s lighting up all the wave models for late next week.

Board of the Week and Student Discount

2008-12-03T10:30:00.006-04:00

Here at If Only we believe in recession proofing. So we've decided to offer one lucky dog a hand-made, hi-performance sled for what is basically wholesale cost.

"What's the catch" you say as you scratch your noggin in utter disbelief.

Well my friends there is no catch. You can come in and purchase the listed board of the week (updated every Monday on this here blog) for a super low price -but you must do so between Monday and Friday. Then each week we'll list a new board. We'll be starting with our hi-performance thrusters since we're in full winter wave season now and we'll transition to small wave boards later. The first board to be listed will be a Timmy Paterson Mike Losness model. Come back on Monday for full dimensions and special price.

For students we offer a different sort of recession alleviation. Come in with your current (and valid) student ID card and get 10% off clothing, accessories, wetsuits - basically anything but surfboards. If something is already on sale, well, add another 10% off the sale price! For those of you who are feeling a little left out because you don't qualify for the student discount, well keep an eye out for our members discount program, which is based on a yearly membership fee that entitles you to varying degrees of discounts on any purchase! We hope to launch this program sometime early in the new year.

In other news, If Only and consummate cold water photographer Yassine Ouhilal are coming together to showcase Yazzy's photography in the way of a wine and cheese art opening. We will post more information about this event in the coming days.

The water dropped down to 7 C. on Sunday. It won't be long now before it gets down to zero. We've got sick West 7mm mitts in stock for under $50! We've also got 7mm FCS boots that so far have really impressed those lucky enough to get there hands on a pair. There's still a few sizes of West winter suits as well and of course we still have the insane sale on Matuse and West summer suits. Don't miss out!

So there it is, a long-winded update of the goings on here. Keep checking in with us as we are going to be updating this blog multiple times per week. And don't be afraid to speak up. We want to hear from you. Post comments on the blog, or hit us up with comments and/or suggestions at info@ifonlysurfshop.com. Better yet, come in!

Po

2008-12-01T13:47:00.002-04:00

Some of you may have seen this green and gray board in the lineup lately. It's a Dain Thomas quad fish piloted by our friend Po. Po honed his sliding skillz in Kauai and currently resides in Australia. He's been visiting Nova Scotia for the last couple of months and has been lovin our perfect points. As far as style goes, Po's surfing is not lacking. From layback roundhouses to frontside airs, and from backside 180 ollie's on the open wave face to cheater fives, Po uses the wave like a canvas. If only I could paddle as fast as this guy. Shoots brah! Oh and Po has a little writing project about the ocean. You can peep it at pelagiclove.blogspot.com

click on images for larger view

all photos by Bush

Surfing in the Chronicle Herlad Today

2008-11-28T10:07:00.006-04:00

Waves are a natural resource and we as a community of surfers must do everything to protect our access. Those who don't surf may see this article and think that we just want to play with our boards in the water. But the truth is that a surfing community is generally physically healthy, environmentally conscious, and contributes to the local economy. As surfers we tend to put less of a burden on the health care system and are generally more productive citizens do to our active lifestyles. We need to come together to protect our rights to the coast lest we lose them. Support the Coastal Access Committee and be sure to be respectful when you're changing in and out of your wetsuit.

Here's the article in the Chronicle Herald

Surfers want more Minutes

Local surfers are hoping city hall will give them a break — or at least get to one.

They’re lobbying regional councillors to spend about $250,000 on a piece of land in Cow Bay that would guarantee access to a popular surfing spot called Minutes. And they’ve invited councillors to come check out the site this morning.

"It’s one of the best surf breaks in Canada," Iaian Archibald of the Coastal Access Committee said around lunchtime after spending his morning on a surfboard.

"We’ve been accessing it by private land for years. But we’re going to lose that access point in the next year or so.

"It’s a really long wave, and the idea is you can ride the wave for minutes," Mr. Archibald said Thursday, explaining how the spot got its name.

The winter surf break is active from the end of August until June.

"We’ll have anywhere from 100 to 150 people use it on a good day," said Mr. Archibald, who’s earning his master’s of business administration at Saint Mary’s University.

"No other in city in Canada has surf breaks (this close). . . . I can get up before the sun, surf for two hours and be back for 9 a.m. in time to go to school. It’s really an amazing resource, and the community as a whole is growing massively. To give you some idea, there are three skateboard shops in the HRM, and there are four surf shops."

you can read the rest of the article here.

Picaresque trailer

2008-11-27T13:03:00.007-04:00

Mikey DeTemple is an East Coast longboard icon in the making. From South Beach and Sebastian Inlet to Long Island and New England, DeTemple knows the spots and slides with style. Here's a trailer for his latest project titled Picaresque. It probably won't be out 'till next year but it will definitely be good.

Nova Scotia has so many perfect logable waves and this little trailer already has me frothin for the summer time evening glass sessions. Check the link to the Picaresque blog for updates: highseasfilm.blogspot.com

"yes but are your boards performance boards?"

2008-11-25T15:29:00.006-04:00

Our customers often ask tough questions and for that we are grateful. Sometimes we have clear and concise answers and sometimes it's better to just show them a visual representation of the truth. And the truth in this particular matter is a resounding YES! We do indeed stock hi-performance surfboards from Timmy Patterson and Tim Stamps and can order you custom sleds or you can grab one off the rack like your favourite apple at Pete's.

Here we have team rider Dean Petty shroping at an undisclosed sliding location early last week. Notice Dean's spankin new Patterson thruster with strategically placed logos? If you see Mr. Petty on the street then it's probably flat. Now come in and get some new mitts and boots and get out there!

(Click on the photo for larger image)

all photos by Bush.

Serious

2008-11-21T09:54:00.005-04:00

OK ladies and gents, the real time is here. It's cold now and there's no turning back 'till June. The models are full of yellows and oranges and a little red too, meaning that swell is out there. Hope you guys have your 7mm mitts and boots ready along with your new winter suits. That is if you want to surf this winter of course. Here's a look at the 48 hour wave analysis model. By the way, we still have an insane sale on Matuse summer suits so you should take advantage as it's unlikely that you'll ever see a deal like this again on suits made from the famed Yamamoto rubber.

Winter West Suits are in!

2008-10-31T17:52:00.003-03:00

When it rains it pours. We also received the first half of our West winter order. 6/5/4 Fluid Lotus' are here, as well as the 5/4 Nitro Plus! Come in and try on a killer buttery smooth Aussie wetsuit! Gloves and split fingers in as well.

Tim Stamps Boards are Here!!!

2008-10-31T17:43:00.004-03:00

Our order of Tim Stamps boards came in the other day. I'm so psyched with the way these boards turned out! Here are a few sample pics, come in and throw one under your arm. Remember, foam is your friend,,, seriously,,, I'm talking to you...

Also, keep an eye out for our Timmy Patterson order - it should be here next week!

Boards are Coming!!

2008-10-24T19:24:00.004-03:00

I know I've been telling a lot of you that I've got boards coming, well I got a update today, and I should be seeing them this coming Wednesday. Until then, a little board porn to keep you on my side.

Fins Make A Difference!

2008-10-24T19:07:00.004-03:00

We've got a Test Drive centre, which means that you can come in and demo as many fins as you want. Find a set that turns an average feeling board into a new magic weapon! (keep an eye out for a similar Future Fins demo soon...)

FCS Booties

2008-10-22T15:36:00.004-03:00

We finally got in some booties the other day. FCS hooked us up with a pretty sweet 7mm boot! For a 7mm booty this feels really flexible. I've only had one surf so far with them, but I was really impressed with board feel that these booties allow! Here's hoping that they are as warm as they are flexible. Come in a check them out before they are gone. Gloves too!

Tom Curren coming to Halifax!

2008-10-01T15:05:00.002-03:00

Check it out! Tom Curren in Halifax. Fri October 10 at the Marquee. Pray for waves!

Joel Tudor on Matuse!

2008-09-30T11:49:00.004-03:00

I'm not the biggest Joel Tudor fan out there, but its still pretty cool that he's now surfing for the best wetsuit company around!
Check it out

Wetsuits Too - 40% Off!

2008-09-26T13:28:00.004-03:00

All 3/2mm and 2/2mm suits are 40% off. I ordered too many, and now I've got to get rid of them! This may be your one and only chance to get a 3/2 Matuse for $269! Or if you prefer, a West Lotus for $195!

$100 OFF ALL IN STOCK BOARDS

2008-09-26T12:02:00.003-03:00

Its that time of year again... well... actually I just need to move some boards. So come in and get that board you've been drooling over. All boards $100 off. That means you could get a Timmy Patterson for $599, or a Firewire for $769,,, seriously!!! These are just a few, come in and check out the rest.

Cordell Miller

2008-09-20T11:54:00.009-03:00

A little perspective.

Tim Stamps Profile

2008-09-20T11:11:00.020-03:00

This is a bit of a primer to get you psyched! We've got a large order of his boards that should be here any day now. Until then... surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/tim-stamps-giveaway-profile/

MYLES' PICS

2008-09-13T15:51:00.004-03:00

Couldn't get them all in one post. Here's some of Myles in Indo.

McKinnon Noserider

2008-09-13T14:38:00.002-03:00

just another happy customer -couldn't wait to wax this new log at home. Dims: 9'6" x 23.5 x 3".

More Team Pics

2008-09-13T14:29:00.005-03:00

My other two team members - Dean Petty and Myles Baldwin. I am so psyched that these two guys along with Justin are involved with the shop. Really good surfers and really good people!

Justin Huston: team rider extrordinaire

2008-09-09T17:23:00.004-03:00

So this is the first post for my shop blog, and I figured I'd start with one my team guys. Justin rides shortboards, quads, single fins, longboards, fish, bonzer's, hulls , hell even on a sponge, Justin can surf them all. If you ever see him in the water be sure to take some time out to watch him surf!

We're stoked to have Justin representing the shop.

photo credits from top to bottom:
S. Houston, J. Doucette, J. Newguard, G. Bondt

Stranger than Fiction

2008-09-09T11:36:00.000-03:00

Check out the latest film by Taylor Steele titled Stranger than Fiction. Available at the shop.