CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS Read what our customers are saying about their product purchases from us. We want to keep you stoked. That's our passion. It stokes us when you give a shout out. 12/9/08 Subject: Starboard 9'8" Thanks Wardog, Another board in record time. I had my new board in my hands 18 hours after ordering it. Thanks again, ~s.west (eastside Santa Cruz) 12/6/08 Subject: SUP package in Memphis Warren, Received board (Bill Foote) in perfect condition. Thanks for packing so well. Have a great holidays Steve Burnett (Memphis, TN) 12/4/08 Subject: Aloha Hey Wardog!! Long time no chat...j/k. So my client is back from Hawaii and is SOOOOO stoked on the Starboard Fish you sent out there he said it was epic! Which is awesome. However now that he's so stoked on that board he wanted me to look into selling a couple of the other boards that he has and upgrading those to that 9'8" Starboard Fish. So...hey please send another one to my client in Malibu...;-) Sorry for the for the rush again! I appreciate all your help!!!! I'll catch a few waves in Hawaii for you :-) Aloha, Ginger C*** (Malibu, CA) 12/3/08 Subject: Stoked Wardog - Just wanted to thank you again for taking the time to get my bro and pops on boards. My dad is super stoked, he just turned 65, though I think he is feeling younger then ever. I can't wait for our entire family to be out on boards together. Thanks again man. Hope to be doing it standing up soon... Best Regards, Brandon Von Guenthner (Thousand Oaks, CA) 11/14/08 Subject: lovin' SUP Hi, Wardog! It's Charity (SUP girl in Shell Beach). Just wanted to say that I still LOVE STAND UP PADDLING! Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me all about it last Spring. Since then, I've taken my board out so much--it's what I look forward to most on my days off! I go to Avila Beach & Port San Luis a lot because they are right around the corner, but I also like to take it when I leave town--as long as I know there will be water! So far I've been to Huntington Harbor in OC, Santa Barbara, Carpenteria and even Lake Tahoe and Lake Lopez. I have to admit, after trying Santa Barbara, I was jealous that your water is warmer and I could actually attempt to ride the waves because they weren't crashing as hard as they do up here. But either way, I just love paddling around! The fall has been incredible--paddling along side dolphons in Avila was a highlight! Just wanted to let you know that I'm thoroughly enjoying my board and so glad I got it!!!!! Hope all is well! Charity R***** (Shell Beach, CA) PS: I attached a few photos...the first day I brought my board home...and then a couple shots from one of my more recent sunset paddles. 11/3/08 Subject: Starboard 14'8" Point with the Wardog Freeweed fin Warren, I want to give you an update on the Starboard, with the Wardog Freeweed/ rudder. I put it all together and took it for a paddle along the coast through the kelp. The set up worked as expected. I sliced through the kelp and eel grass without collecting any weeds. No more stopping to pull eel grass off the fin. No negative difference on steering with the Wardog Freeweed Fin and the board tracks better then with the stock set up. DEFINITELY AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT. I would say any rudder equipped Starboard heading to the West coast should have this set up. That said, I paddled the board without the rudder assembly (Fixed Wardog Freeweed fin) many times and found the best paddling spot to be right where the tiller assembly is mounted. So I went back to a fixed mounted Wardog Freeweed Fin. The board does her best work going down wind, and boy is she fast in the following seas. The Starboard (at 27" wide) is actually more stable than my 11'6" x 29 3/4" wide Naish in the bigger seas. Anyway that's my report. I will no doubt play with the rubber some more. I'll be at La Jolla this weekend and will probably see you there. I plan to race my Naish as I want to compete in a stock class and than surf San Onofre on Sunday with my son. Thanks again for the Wardog Freeweed fins they make paddling the Starboard a joy. I would be glad to bring the Board by your store so you can check it out. SUP on, Daniel McCarter (Santa Barbara) 10/6/08 Subject: Happy Customer Wardog- I really appreciate you taking the time to inform me about all the great gear you have last Saturday when you weren’t really open for business (after hours). The Werner paddle you sold me performed exceptionally well and is a terrific value relative to the other paddle I bought from a website (that will now be for sale!). I also learned from a few of your technique tips. I had one of the best days on my SUP at Solimar’s outer reef and later at Mondo’s where I caught a few very large waves, well outside of and upcoast from the lineup who couldn’t have caught the waves I got. Everybody was super stoked. Even my shortboard riding son was impressed. The paddle made a huge difference. I will definitely be in touch with you about another SUP and experienced serious “drool factor” while in your shop. Also, you were correct about the (surfing) longboard. I don’t think it will be leaving the garage for a long time. Bill B. (South Pasadena) 10/1/08 Subject: Thanks Thanks Warren- I've been having great fun on the Starboard Mr. Easy. It's been the answer to my 65 year old lack of balance on the water. Even caught some waves this AM. Your service has been above and beyond! And it was good to deal with someone who REALLY knows his stuff. All in all, I've been glad I found your shop in Santa Barbara and will certainly return when it comes time for a more advanced board, or one for other family members. Best wishes. Al Karel (Santa Monica, CA) 9/30/08 Subject: Starboard Fish 9'8" Hey Wardog, Unreal delivery time! Phone order to water in under 20 hours. Thanks again, Mike Higgins (SF Bay Area) 9/27/08 Subject: Thanks - a testimonial Hey Guys, Here are some pics of the new Naish 9'6" quad fin. The board is unbelievable, thanks so much for spending some time with me and fitting me on the best possible board/paddle setup. The right fit certainly makes all the difference. I've been having a blast on the board the last couple of days. I truly think that standup paddle surfing is the best core training one can do. My goal is to get some of my clients out there in the water with me since it is such a great workout! Thanks again, hope to see you both soon, Jon Ham (Thousand Oaks, CA) Fitness On The Run 9/11/08 Subject: New Starboard Ultimate Blend Hi Wardog. Just wanted to let you know that I got my board, paddle and bag yesterday! Everything arrived just fine. We took the board out to the lake last night and were up and paddling instantly! I love it! Thanks for the t-shirt too! My husband would like one just like it (denim blue color with the stand up paddle logo on it in light blue) in large. I would also like one of your new designs I saw on your website, if you have it, in medium. Thanks for all the recommendations on the board, paddle and the bag. Everything is just perfect! Liz Haney (Austin, TX) 9/11/08 Subject: Big Easy SUP I got the Big Easy SUP today. Took it out on the lake. Stood up first attempt. My wife told me I looked unbalanced and noticed I was standing a little to the rear, so I tried to adjust and came off. Got up again and stayed on for about 15 minutes when I took it back in to get ready for dinner. I'm very pleased that I was so successful. Thanks again, Milt F. (Woahink Lake, OR) 9/10/08 Subject: SUP web ordering Dear WARDOG, The board is great: it got initiated in North Fork of Elkhorn Creek this afternoon. Very stable, maneuverable, and glides wonderfully. Also, thanks for the Ts: the design is exotic and the color is a refreshing change from anything else we have. Sue S****** (Lexington, KY) 8/6/08 Subject: Lopez 10'3" Hey Warren, Just got the board at the house and unpacked. Everything looks great. Shipping worked out great, the thing was packed awesomely. Can't wait to get out on it and check it out. Had a rainy one today so hopefully in the next few. Thanks for the help and great service. Ted Coourtney (Martha's Vineyard, MA) 7/28/08 Subject: Love my new Naish Hey Warren - Got my new Naish 11'6" from you last weds and I love it. Thanks for the super fast shipping and great advice. This is the perfect board for me. Stable as a dock and I'll still be able to get in the surf with it. Thanks for the t-shirt too! I'll be ordering my next board from you soon. Later, Scott E**** (Coral Gables, FL) 7/20/08 Subject: Stoked in New Hampshire Hi Wardog, I just wanted to drop a line and say I absolutely love my paddleboard. I've been on it almost excusively since it came a few months ago. We had some great waves this past week from tropical storm Bertha, and I got out in some head+ clean surf on the SUP. It was sweet dropping in so early and setting up for some cover ups, lip smacks and long nose rides. I've got 1 pic that's attached from a smaller day during the week. My buddy Steve in Murrell's Inlet, SC just bought the same one, with my strong recommendation. Anyway, I've been checking your website, and would really like to get some info (price, size, etc) on that 7'2" looking Starboard shortboard SUP! That thing looks sick. Many Mahalos, and good waves to you brother, Shawn in NH 7/20/08 Subject: The Stoke A.L. today, all by my lonesome, hot, glassy, inconsistent but waist high waves, a pod of dolphins hanging out the whole time, just past the impact zone, with pelican hell divers, and me. There is nothing like dragging your paddle across the top of the lip, and that's all I have to say about that. Never really told you how stoked I am. Sea ya ~ GB (Cambria, CA) 6/25/08 Subject: New SUP girl in Shell Beach! Hi, Wardog! Thank you, again, to you & Debbie for taking the time to show me the tricks of the trade on a SUP board and making sure I got something that I'll be happy with! I couldn't wait to try it when I got home, so I took it to Avila on Sunday afternoon. The beach was packed, but I was the only one with a SUP, so it was fun, but I was a bit nervous because I didn't want to fall in front of everyone. Of course, the board balanced beautifully and I had no problems! The 10'6" didn't feel much different than the board I did the demo on. It was all so fun and can't wait to take it out again! Ciao, Charity R***** Shell Beach, CA 6/23/08 Subject: Starboard "Big Easy" SUP WD, Had a nice, early morning paddle on the lake... What a great way to start the day! Thanks for your great service and kindness. Have a great one. Craig Hoyt (North Carolina) 6/19/08 Subject: Starboard Evo 90 Mr. Wardog, That was a fast order. It has been only 24 hours since my phone call and I am putting the straps on and heading for Waddell. Thanks again, S.West (Santa Cruz, CA) 6/19/08 Subject: Naish stand up paddle board Warren, I just wanted to share with you the Naish stand-up board was well received. He was on the lake all weekend, moving fluidly through the water. The board is beautiful. Thanks for all your help. Best, Trish W********* Carmel, NY 6/17/08 Subject: Bassett board Hi Warren, Just wanted to let you know that the board got to Chester VA just fine. It looks scary fast. My son can't wait to give it a go. Looks like a 6.5 would be about the biggest sail for that board. I do have a NP 7.4 Diablo that might be interesting to try. Thanks again, Rob Hulem (Midlothian, VA) 6/16/08 Subject: SUP update Hello! My wife was absolutely floored when I pulled up with the new Naish on the top of my truck. She was a little apprehensive since during the 2 demo sessions I took her to she had a lot of trouble standing. We went out on Saturday and despite a little wind chop she stood up and started paddling away. Success! I could tell she was totally stoked and I was proud that she did not give up. Anyway she now wants a t- shirt so I'm going to have to stop by and pick one up. see you soon, Stuart S*** (Santa Barbara, CA) 6/15/08 Subject: SUP Fishing in FL Wardog, Just want to tell you how happy I am with my big green Sean Ordonez SUP board. Even here in the panhandle of FL I am able to put it to good use. On a good swell day I'll be the only SUPer in the lineup of about a hundred, with guys cheering me on as I pull into a wave. Most of the time I use it to fish in a bay near my house and get a good workout in. Other than prayer there are few things in my life that bring me greater peace than being out on the water as the sun comes up and 'walking on water'. This pic was taken from where I launch on the day I caught my first fish! Almost every time I go out people ask what the heck I'm doing, so the word is spreading quickly how sweet SUP is! Stoked for Life, Ben Mulloy (Pensacola, FL) 5/30/08 Subject: 10'6" Ron House Hi Warren- Thanks for shipping the board- it got here on time and in perfect condition. The people at ConWay were really helpful. The board looks great. UPDATE: - the RH board is awesome!!! Had it out on Sunday and had an absolute blast. Turns nice, stable all around amazing. Thanks again for your help. Best, Lee Graves (Carrboro, NC) 5/29/08 Subject: Thank You! Aloha- Thank you for all your help with the 3 standup boards and paddles for Michael S*****. We really appreciate your awesome customer service! Mahalo and hopefully we'll see you in the water! Best, Ginger Coon (Malibu, CA) 5/28/08 Subject: Colorado standup Wardog, We've had our boards on our reservoir a couple of times and have been having a blast. The water is still around 51 degrees, so we've been wearing full wetsuits. I'll send you pics once it warms up a bit, so we're not wearing wetsuits. Thanks, Parker M****** (Ridgeway, CO) 5/27/08 Subject: Montana standup Hi Wardog! We love the paddle boards! I went just the other day and there is still snow on the mountain! It was pretty rough the day we tried. Such a great sport! I hope all is well in sunny California. Thank you, Lindsey M******** (Whitefish Lake, MT) 5/27/08 Subject: New Naish 10'6" standup board Hi Warren, I just want to thank you so much for the board and I'm having so much fun. I went out this morning early at Leadbetter and I was the only one out and it was beautiful and I TOTALLY got the hang of it! I'm completely stable and I can power and that's great so I just want to thank you. Of course lots of people stopped by as I was loading my board and they want to find out more and are interested in them and stuff like that, so I'll do my best to promote your business... Thanks so much for everything... I'd love to get out there with you and Debbie sometime, I'm just gonna keep the board in my car...;-) Take care, Laura F****** (Santa Barbara, CA) 5/5/08 Subject: SUP Big Green warren, love my new board, took her out for a 3mi paddle saturday in the bay and it was great! I think the length is perfect for my situation, getting up and down the stairs and fun on the water. i can't believe how insanely light that paddle is. you'll be hearing from more of our friends up here, seems like the whole windsurf crew wants to get into SUP. thanks, steph h (San Francisco, CA) 4/26/08 Subject: New Starboard 9'8" SUP Wardog, Saturday the 26th and out on the new Starboard 9'8"! Conway came through, everything in perfect shape, and it was in the water today. As you said, much more stable than the JL 10' and was also more forgiving on the OBX waves. Best news was that my bride SUP'd for the first time in the sound. Did not fall at all and it was a bit choppy! Next stop the big ocean. Hope to sail the Starboard tomorrow. Thanks for the great service and recommendations. Is this the greatest new sport or what? Aloha, Rob M..... (Outer Banks, NC) 4/18/08 Subject: Starboard 11'2 Ultimate Blend Camo Aloha Wardog, All I have to say is "WOW"! I am very psyched with my new board. I've been on it four days now, from lake-like flatness to head+ this morning, and I am very impressed with the performance and learning curve. My arms feel a burn I have never felt from regular surfing, and my abs feel like a did a million sit ups. I cant believe how much farther out I can take off, and then pull out where the other guys are sitting, or take a 300yd ride all the way into the beach! Super stoked, and wanted to let you know I am very pleased with this board. As soon as I can get some pics, I'll send them to you. Many Mahalos, and offshore breezes!~ ~Shawn from NH 3/31/08 Subject: Jimmy Lewis 11' SUP Wardog, Just received my Jimmy Lewis 11' and it arrived in great shape due to the excellent packaging along with the fast service and communication. You can't ask for more than that, customer service at it's finest. Also, thanks for the dealio and t-shirt, much gracias. Can't wait to get it on Nantucket Sound, Cape Cod, catching some ferry wakes when they come in from Nantucket. I'll send some pictures this summer. Thanks again, Warren, for the great service. Eddie D aka Weedfin Cape Cod, MA 3/30/08 Subject: Starboard Evo 70 Warren, So, thanks for sending the board. I just got it today at the DHL in Brisbane. I got it in one piece and in perfect condition. Board looks great. I'll be stoked to take it out and do some good turns on it. Thanks again for the great service. Chris C. US68 San Francisco, CA 2/23/08 Subject: Blair 10'6" SUP Wardog: I recently got back from California with a session on the Blair. That board, once getting used to in the surf, ROCKS! I could not believe the speed and manuverability once I stepped back over the fins. I cannot wait to try Baja Points on it. When out here I tend to paddle the Big Red for speed, direction and glide, unless I bring a friend. Thank you for everything! DK (Henderson, NV) 2/22/08 Subject: Blair 5 fin SUP Hey Warren, I received the board this afternoon, WOW. Looks great, can't wait to hop on that puppy. Though I might have to wait a few days as we are expecting a strong southerly with lots of rain. Looks like such a multi purpose board with lots of volume to surf and sail. Can't wait to experiment with different fin configurations. Thanks, Gary G. (Crescent City, CA) 2/12/08 Subject: Starboard Kombat Hi Warren, I received the board with no problem. Thank for your consideration. regards Juan Eduardo Cespedes(Santiago, Chile) 1/27/08 Subject: Sup paddleboard Warren- The board is in the house and it looks great! Thank you for everything you've done to make this happen. The tshirt was a nice touch. Thank you!! Best, Mark G. (Austin, TX) 1/19/08 Subject: Big Blue SUP Hey Wardog, I got the board last week and it was in perfect shape... can't wait to get this thing on the water... thank you so much for all of your help and advice! Jody H. (Hahira, GA) 12/22/07 Subject: 9.25" FreeWeed Fin Testimonial I purchased the 9.25 freeweed from surfingsports .com and I must say its time to put the original weedfin back with the coal. The 9.25 freeweed excelled in all aspects of sailing on a 102 litre board,the fin leaves you in full control all the time ,no upwind problem ,no weed problem, and yes it lets you go as fast as you want ,once again surfingsports comes up with another winner. PS, you can use your old weed fins as a straight edge. steve probert (corpus christi, texas) 12/18/07 Subject: Testimonial Warren, I just wanted to send a quick note to you and Deb to thank you for the SUP demo day on Dec 4th at Leadbetter. As you know I have been waiting to purchase a SUP for some time now and have tried various boards, but was waiting for the 2008 boards before I made a decision. Once again your recommendation on the Bill Foote 11 Footer was spot on. During the demo I knew within 30 seconds this was the board to buy. The board paddles great, and the pulled in tail makes it surf better than the other boards I have tried to date. Thanks for taking the time to customize the pad and the Sawyer paddle...it's these little things that make the difference in my opinion, and I will not hesitate to send new customers and inquiries your way. Took the board out this past Sunday at Carpinteria State Beach. Perfect winter session...warm and sunny, pods of dolphins everywhere, couple of seals and some nice waist to shoulder high waves to surf down at Tar Pits. Thanks again for recommendation, demo, service and swag, and hope to see you in the water. Lars Olson (Carpinteria, CA) 12/2/07 Subject: Blair Quad SUP Hey Warren! I was plannig on getting about a dozen good seshes before I gave you my opinion about my board so I could speak from experience, but here is what I think so far. After the first two small crap wave seshes in the C.C. harbor,the wind came up a couple of days laterfor sailing. I got there and the tide was too low and the wind was up and down 5.0. I thought I'd just go out and screw around in the small swells for a bit-OH MY GOD! The Big Red is great in side off but doesn't perform that well in onshore. The minute I got on the Blair I slid across shallow water too shallow for regular sailing fins. The thing is that that is where the "lanes" between the swells are-beautiful smooth water between lines of soup. I felt like I was riding a skateboard the way I just relaxed in the harness and did backside roller coasters on ankle sized waves. Also, I've never really been that good jibing on the face of the same wave I wanted to ride-wow-the volume of the Blair was so great at carrying me through the jibe and then being so surfy allowing me to drop into that same wave with a little pumping and end up jamming down face. The pad is so comfortable I'm going to get my pad back on my Big Red. I am so lazy/busy I never got around to it. I've been out SUP surfin' only about 4 times at South Beach in waves I would consider decent. The Blair is not a Big Red. I was ready for that. I can't get the same glide( as you mentioned) and at time spin around when I dig too hard trying to paddle into waves I've spun around at the last moment to try and catch. I guess that is the directionality you were talking about. Thing is that it really doesn't matter. The fact that a board that light and short paddles pretty fast seems like a miracle of design. My buddies thought I'd never be able to paddle it. I love the way the nose spears right through whitewater. Wave riding is just to good to believe. I haven't talked up the board to my buddies cuz when I talked about the Big Red they gave me blank stares-until they had time to actually be there on days when they were prone surfing or sitting in their cars while I was catching the tons of waves SUPs get. I've had three people who are out there alot sit on the inside with stunned looks on their faces as I fly by shortboard surf style on waist high waves most people are just cruising on. Its different having to use my legs to generate speed again-I rode single fin for about ten years after switching to longboards. The only con I can think of is that there was chipping of the finish the first day I got it. I am a wellknown surfgear abuser so it may have been some bumps on the rocks getting it down to the beach. My brother said he heard Rhyn Noll is going to make wood paddles. I've noticed him checking us out when we are out at South Beach-there are three of us-one other Big Red and a 12'6 Starboard rider. Thanks Warren! John C. (Crescent City, CA) 11/18/07 Subject: Re: Saturday Visit to Buy SUP board------------ Wardog, Took the SOS Green out today. Initially I just planned a short session, next thing I know I'm starting to get hungry because it's four hours later and just past noon! Had fun. I can't understand how a bigger board would be that much better, especially in the surf, even the green board feels enormous! Anyway. Good stuff. Good luck with your official opening on the 1st. Maybe see you up there again soon. Regards, Mark B (Malibu, CA) 11/15/07 Subject: Blair SUP: Got it! Hey Warren! Wow I love it! It was crappy and stormy but I caught some small waves that made me want more. I'll get back to you when we get a fun south beach day. Thanks! John C (Crescent City, CA) 11/14/07 Subject: SOS Big Green hey warren. i got my board. i love it!! thanks so much for installing the pad and cutting the paddle. thanks for the shirt too. the big green looks very cool matching my green car and my green kayak. take care. scarlett o (Sacramento, CA) 11/07/07 Subject: Testimonial fron New England Wardog: Just letting you know how satisfied I am with my 4.1 Aerotech Phantom and Wardog 8.75" Freeweed wave fin. It was the perfect combo sailing the remnants of Hurricane Noel. I'm airborne in the picture below around noon on 11/3/07 when the wind was sustained at about 45mph. Thanks to a fellow sailor for posting this pic on iwindsurf. AR (Duxbury, MA) 9/20/07 Subject: Hola from Miami Hey Warren, The Big Blue SUP board has changed my life; I never go to the beach without it. Yesterday we got the first decent swell, and I was able to catch some nice waves. I had tried surfing it before in choppy conditions, but yesterday was incredible. I'm planning on going to Mexico in November... I am interested in the paddle that Sean is working on which is a three piece adjustable. I wonder if you will have it when it's finally done. My family could really benefit since my paddle is too long for them. also here are some pics of my sister and me on the board. Thanks Jose (Miami, FL), pura vida 9/5/07 Subject: Pescetto's on the StandUp Hi Wardog!!! I hope that you remember us!!! I ordered a Standup Paddle board from you back in February for my husband Dave for his 30th Bday! We LOVE IT! We use it in the Ocean, take it on our boat and paddle in the bay...it is great! We have lots of friends that are interested! We took pics this weekend of us using the board...thought you would enjoy.... Hope that all is well!!! Janine Pescetto (New York, NY) 8/11/07 Subject: Samols: much thanks and checking in on more stuff Warren, The SUPing has been great. Oddly, I was nervous if we could balance after reading so many stories on the web about people having trouble but we both took off paddling happily right away. We've had several fun paddle sessions on flat water (Richardson Bay is 2 minutes from our house) and I sailed pretty powered on my 5.4...this was really way more fun than I ever imagined possible. I can tell that the rocker line is more for surfing than windsurfing and that's very, very much the way I'd want it. I'm super anxious to get in the waves but Susan broke her finger in the boom clamp last Saturday so we're being a bit mellow (eg, she was ripping it up windsurfing today on her 3.3 under the Golden Gate). When she heals we'll hit the coast... I find the 10 10 plenty big. I tried Susan's 10' and also felt pretty comfortable and thought it was noticeably more maneuverable. I'm curious to see whether over time I'll decide I want a 10' instead for the waves ;-) These boards are really going to extend our time on the water and it's just awesome to have your support/web site/tips etc to get us going. THANK YOU! All the best, Big Mahalos, Big Thanks, Michael Samols (Sausilito, CA) 8/9/07 Subject: Duck NC SUP! Wardog, Package arrived right at 4:30! Had just enough time to hot glue the grip and go out for a quick session before the thunder came. Board is great...much looser nose and tail than the heavier longer board I used in Hawaii. However, the lateral stability is very good so I didn't have too much trouble staying afloat amidst some cross swells. Spear paddle is very easy to use and I look forward to comparing it with the more conventional design. Offshore wind this morning with low tide at about noon. Hope to catch a few waves today! Michele "the boss" took a few photos to document the first ever SUP off of Duck, NC (to our knowledge). Folks on the beach applauded when I 'landed'....so now they know the answer to What'sup? Thanks again for the great service and perfect equipment. Our surfing daughter plans to try it out today. BTW, she loved the orange T-shirt and "stoked for life" logo. Aloha, Rob (Duck, NC) 6/23/07 Subject: Exocet Cross 118 Hi WarDog, The Exocet Cross II 118 is the answer to my midlife crisis. It arrived on Thursday in time for the weekend (thanks) and it fit in my Mazda Tribute so now I can put a board on top and the Cross inside! On Friday my friend and opened the box and first what I can say is great packaging. Exocet took great care in protecting the board. Secondly I love the color! and the shape. My first thought was I'm going to be turning this baby. We assembled everything - the footstraps, fin and then we rigged up for what else, a 5.0 day. Since my purpose in getting the board was to make the change from a 90cm guy to a "freemover" I followed your advice to go with the 118 based on my abilities. I'm glad you stuck to your guns and kept me away from anything shorter because: THIS BOARD ROCKS!!! I took off in huge rollers with an exhilaration I liken to a steep powder run at Heavenly Valley. The first run out I took my first serious air! I'd hit each roller and the board lifted and landed perfectly. Not bad for a guy's first time on a "short (to me)" board but the board has just that little extra width for confidence. Since it's a hair shorter than most I was able to "feel" the terrain and move and cut like never before. Thanks for the recommendation for this board for me! The true test came when my friend Paul got on it. Of course he, being an expert, took off like a rocket and all I saw was him way leaning back and launching huge air. On his way back he executed a classic jibe at high speed and he rocketed back out. When he finally got back in I asked him, "Well"?, he said, "Sweet"! He then when on to say he wishes a board like this was available when he made the plunge to a "medium board"! He said I did everything right in buying the equipment WarDog recommended - from the HPL Carbon boom to the Chinook Euro One Button system to the Hot Rod RDM Masts and lastly the Exocet Cross II 118. I'm stoked for life now! Thanks Mark Chatwin (Syracuse, NY) 6/8/07 Subject: Exocet Cross 118 dear mr. president, i got the cross 118 a few days ago with no problem (thank you). it has been too windy for the last two days to check it out. (bummer huh?) i got to sail it today for the first time in about 16 to 18 mph winds at waddell. the waves were good at about chest high, with a few head high sets.... and, THAT BOARD ROCKS!!! after reading all about it on your web site and seeing the pics, i knew that it would be somewhat more wave oriented than last years 117, but i had no idea that the new 118 would be just like a big evo on steroids. i have sailed so many boards over the years (since 1980 at waddell), but the cross 118 is THE best big floaty wave board that i have ever ridden.... no shit. i can't believe what a difference it is. i had the 117 for two seasons and it was cool that i had a loose, big board that i could ride in the waves when the wind was light. i really liked that board... then i had a rrd freestyle wave 110 that i just got this year, that i used as a light air wave board. same thing with the rrd, i liked that board as well.. but, the new 118 feels at least 15 liters smaller than both those boards once you are on a wave. like i said before, it feels like a pure wave board with all the float of a big free style wave board. it is just perfect for what i am going to use it for. anyway, you might be able to tell that i am way stoked with this new board. thanks again, s.west (Santa Cruz, CA) 5/28/07 Subject: 11' Jimmy Lewis SUP Wardog Had my first surf session on the JL11. Westport Washington, mostly shoulder with a few head high sets. Tough to stand up in the white water, but easy to paddle out on my knees. On the outside the board handled great. Made the drops well and trimmed out just great. I'm very stoked. Thought you might want some feedback on the JL11. Gary Martin (Seattle, WA) 5/23/07 Subject: Hot Sails Hi Warren, I've been sailing the 4.7 SF almost every time I go out. It's a really great feeling sail. It easily sails down to 4.0 conditions; Although, I finally managed to get out on a day when it felt overpowered (guys weighing 220 were getting blown off the water on 4.0s). I tried out the 5.3 Smack yesterday. It has a ton of power and depowers pretty well on the waves. But, the wind was kind of wierd and gusty; so, I missed that mellow SuperFreak feel. It will probably work great once the real Summer 5.0 days start rolling in. Just stoked to finally have a normal spring- plenty of wind and waves to go around. Thanks, Phil S. (Santa Cruz, CA) 5/23/07 Subject: Exocet SCross140 board Hi Warren, I have the board! The board was in perfect condition. It is a beautiful looking board. Can't wait to get out on it (this weekend). Hoping for some good wind! Thanks very much, Victoria S. (SF Bay Area) 5/1/07 Subject: Paddle Hi Warren, Just a mail to thank you for your speedy and excellent service! My paddle arrived here (in the Netherlands) yesterday looking great! Also a big thank you for preparing the paddle already (mastic tape) and the T-shirt. Stoked! I'll let you know how S.U.P. surfing is going in the Netherlands. Mahalos, Robin Maas (The Netherlands) 4/21/07 Subject: S.O.S. Killer Board WArDOG, Love The Big Red!!!! Works so GOOOD!!!!!!!!!! Attached couple small kine Texas surf. Ready for some huricane surf. I am converting one of my old longboards into an SUP for my kids, and I need another pad. Figured I will be adding to the quiver pretty soon too, so may as well get 2 for 1. If you still have my credit info will you also send me one of those leashes?, Please. Mahalo, Aloha Nui, Kito (Tejas) 4/11/07 Subject: Big Blue SUP Dear Warren, My husband got a board from you for my birthday-- I just wanted to say thank you so much! I took it out to Leadbetter's over the weekend and I love it! (And Chris loves it too--I think we'll be getting another board soon :) Hope you're doing well, Cameron (Santa Barbara, CA) 4/4/07 Subject: Fins work great! Hi Wardog... JD Motes on this end. Just wanted to send a note to let you know Deb and I have been using the new fins (9.25" & 10" FreeWeeds) on our Cross' and loving em.... Steve and Marty "should" be getting down to crunch time about now, moving in to the new "mack daddy" store... New Aerotech/Exocet/Epic Warehouse & Retail Store It has taken me 3 trips down to Daytona getting that behemoth wired for telephone and network... It's 2 stories and each story is so tall you have to use a scissor- lift to reach the ceilings... It is going to be "bad-ass" once it's finished though. You'll have to bring your Deb and come see it.... Well I have to go back to work now. Just wanted to give you some positive feedback on the fins.... Later, JD Motes aka:(Florida Surfdog) 4/2/07 Subject: Wardog wave fin Hi Warren FYI - fin received today...7 calendar days door2door! And thanks for the T! Will let you know how I find it in Morocco over the next 2 weeks (flying Thurs) Cheers, Steve N. (Pembrokeshire, Wales UK) 3/30/07 Subject: Big Red SUP Hey Warren! I've been experiencing quite a bit of stoke with my board. I went out at Pebble again in sick 5.2 conditions and caught tons of waves .I keep thinking of people I know that like to distance run-they don't feel quite right in the head if without a "fix"-my SUP has done this to me. After 35 years of surfing I didn't lose my stoke for riding waves, just crowded crap with no reward of that feeling of "wave dreams" after a sesh. Now I find myself out enjoying myself in crap waves by myself like I used to surf in '72 when I was in junior high school-the point is that I don't care-I'm getting waves and am learning a new skill. I was out today in 2 ft low tide totally grey glassy waves out at south beach all alone and it was mind blowing. I kept finding myself standing there tripping out on the ocean and mountains in between waves. Also I'm gathering funds for my next board-what should I be planning on?...hmmmmmmm...the Big Blue, or is the Big Green the next step? I'm going to switch from ******* to you for my equipment needs. I'll be ordering a skinny mast for my 6.5 soon. I'm going to need a Chinnok Carbon Boom in June for my annual ass kicking at Pistol. Thanks! John C. (Behind the Redwood Curtain) 3/27/07 Subject: Exocet Cross 117 Hi Warren , I picked up the board last night. Perfect , thank you so much. Hope to be able to meet you some day. Great doing business with you, take care. F. Francischetti (San Francisco, CA) 3/22/07 Subject: Huckleberry Happiness Hey Wardog, I just wanted to let you know that Cameron is stoked with her SOS Big Blue board. Thank you for bringing such a quality product to SB. Cheers, and thanks again, it was great to meet you. -Chris Cottrell (Santa Barbara, CA) 3/16/07 Subject: Joanna's New Big Red Thank you Wardog for your excellent customer service and especially going the extra mile to organize and stay current on the extras like shipping. If anyone needs a board shipped anywhere, Wardog has my highest endorsement. The new Big Red has been christened. Thanks for the t-shirts and hat. Many mahalos, Dolf Daam (Victoria Canada / Haiku Maui) 3/16/07 Subject: Starboard Kombat 95 Wardog, The Kombat 95 arrived and it looks great! I can't wait to get it on the water. Thanks for everything, Chris J***** (Maryland) 3/15/07 Subject: Big Red SUP Hey Warren! I guess a good thing came out of losing my paddle-Yesterday I fulfilled a dream-wave sailing at a surf spot a one minute from my house (Pebble Beach)-for 10 years I've looked out over this spot and saw holes in the wind way too big for a regular board- I went out yesterday and schlogged but didn't have to worry for long - I found myself going fast enough to pump into tons of awesome waist high green waves- I was so stoked! Thanks! John Caster (Crescent City, CA) 3/13/07 Subject: Big Red Hey Warren - WE GOT IT!!!! It is big and BEAUTIFUL!!! My husband could not be happier.... Thanks Janine Pescetto NYC, New York 3/11/07 Subject: Thanks! Wardog, Finally got to unpack the SOS standup board. Killer,Killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mahalo for the T's. I'll send some pics when we get some surf. Mahalo again, Kito (South Padre, TX) 3/5/07 Subject: Standup Hi Mindblowing website!! Could you please tell me, who is the artist who sings the first song on your standup paddle helcam video. It kills me!! I try to initiate stand up paddling on a lake in Switzerland. Hope someday I will own a SOS SUP-board. Peace an a lot of respect Dani (Switzerland) 3/5/07 Subject: SUP Day 1 Hey Wardog- Finally got a shot at getting Big Red into the water Sunday morning 7am- after getting the paddle cut down and wrapped (that mastic stuff is great- hard to believe it stays on in the water). SUP: was able to cruise around, fell a bunch of times but had a great time- an unexpected leg workout! All in all- I'm stoked on this thing! Can't wait to get it back into the water after school tommorrow- no surf to speak of so I wasn't able to surf the thing yet but that's okay- I'm finding I'll need the time to build skills. Looks like this'll be a daily thing for me- enjoyed the work out. Also, glad I went with the larger board. Nice meeting and talking with the two of you- thanks for everything and keep me posted on new stuff! John A***** (San Diego) PS: the boys are already yakking about the board. I'll send them your way if they get serious. 3/3/07 Subject: Keep the stoke going! Warren Hi! I just wanted to say thanks for the great fin and T-shirt. I wanted to share this picture of a reclaimed Mistral Super light that had been sitting in a neighbor's yard most likely destined to the garbage dump...but, after some repairs and sanding the board it got a paint job and pad... The Paddle I made from a broken carbon boom (two piece shaft) and shaped the blade from glued up blank of cedar mahogany and teak wrapped in 4oz glass and epoxy. My two kids love playing on the board and it's been great paddling in the Gulf of Mexico. I even had the Florida Fish and game guy ask me about Stand-up Paddling. I've been passing the word on about your web site and your SOS boards. Keep the stoke going! Thanks Michael Thiel (Florida) 3/2/07 Subject: Thanks again Thanks again Warren!!!! Thank you so much for your extra attention this a.m. I am VERY excited. I am about to wax my new baby "Big Blue" and get her ready for a morning paddle. Please give my regards to Deb. 3/3/07: I hope your board pick up craziness went well. I had a great paddle this a.m. Your fin design really worked well I played in the thick kelp and tried to get stuck. No luck. Thanks again, Mahalo Heather S****** Kai Wahine (Santa Barbara, CA) 3/1/07 Subject: Cross 84 Picked it up this morning and set it up. Looks SWEET!! The stock fin and the one you sold me fit perfect, no adjustment needed, that's a first! Just waiting for a good 5.0 day to rip it up now! Thanks Warren!! Avery (Bodega Bay, CA) 2/25/07 Subject: Cross 117..Still Rocks Wardog: We had crazy up (30+) down (unable to waterstart at times) conditions on the lake yesterday. Big thanks to Exocet and you for the Cross 117. Definitely, one of the greatest big boy boards of all time. I could not have asked for a better set-up in those crazy conditions. Hope you had fun in Mexico. Mark (Austin, TX) 2/2/07 Subject: STOKED! Hello Warren! Just wanted to thank you for so many free videos and music. I've watched your SUP videos about 5 times now and finally decided to watch your Maui helmetcam videos. I was thinkin that "wow, this is getting me as stoked to sail as those surf movies I saw back in junior high (1972) - remember 5 summer stories? My Friday night was spent trippin out on sailing, SUP and awesome music. Thanks Again! John Crescent City, CA 1/19/07 Subject: Western Australia fin shipment Hi Wardog, I got the fins that I ordered today. They look very nice. You were right about the 9.25" being the right size for the Kombat 97. The 10" would have been too big. Thanks for the tee shirt and stickers. If you're ever going to come to WA let me know. I would be happy to show you around some great sailing spots as long as you don't mind doing some long distances in the car. Regards, Andrew S******* Port Denison, WA 1/17/07 Subject: Exocet Cross 117 Hi Warren! I got the board today and the 10" FreeWeed fin (looks gorgeous) yesterday. Everything is in tact. I'm really impressed with how fast you were able to ship and deliver it! Not sure if I'll be able to try it this weekend, but I'd let you know as soon as I will. Thanks again, Alex (New Jersey) 1/7/07 Subject: SOS Rocket 92 Yo Wardog, Thanks again for the excellent service you provide me everytime I get stuff from you. I can't get over how "so" sweet my new Rocket looks. Its "so" lite! We had a little wind yesterday but not even to put it to test so I laid out the Rocket & showed it off to all my buddies. They were all amazed and signed up for a test ride- humm-no way, its mine!!! We are suppose to get strong winds tomorrow so hopefully the Rocket will get wet. Mucho Mahalos, George (Chesapeake, VA) 1/4/07 Subject: Exocet Cross 117 Yo Wardog, The Board arrived today even before the fin from the Post Office. Nobody ships quicker than Surfingsports!!! JT (Islamorada, FL) 12/23/06 Subject: 12" FreeWeed Tuttle First go today on the new fin you sent me - amazing the difference a good fin can make. Awesome Sailing a Starboard Aero 117L, with 6.9m sail. No spin-out, but still loose. Have a good Christmas. JM (Melbourne, Australia) 12/6/06 Warren, I just wanted to drop you another note regarding my purchase of the Exocet UW2. You really were able to put me on the perfect board and fin combo (Wardog A.T.X). Sailed in the Long Island sound today and had an awesome time. After the session, my friend commented on how quickly the UW2 seemed to turn and how I was able to "surf" the chop. This board is great, but there is no way I am letting anybody try it. It is my secret that this board makes me look a lot better than I am! Also, the new Hot Sails Maui RDM extension is sweet. Johan Newtown CT 9/28/06 Subject: exo wave 85 Wardog, Received my board today(thanks for getting it to me so quickly) and even managed to get in a session on it this afternoon. Great board! it looks and sails better than I expected by far the easiest & best board I have ever sailed. Thanks for your help, excellent advice and incredible service. Best regards Mike Moran (Syracuse, NY) 9/18/06 Hi Warren, I got the carbon RDM extensions delivered today. I just wish I had this kind of service in my country. Thanks for the T-shirt (size is perfect), did you know our national soccer team jersey is yellow? Next time I'm in the US and in need of any windsurf related stuff you will have my business. Thanks again and as we say in Brazil : Bons ventos !!! Márcio Moritz (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) 9/3/06 Subject: Thank you Warren Warren, just wanted to drop you a quick note regarding the great customer service and knowledgeable advice I received from you. When I first contacted you I described what I was looking for: A wave board suitable for less than perfect conditions. Since you have actually sailed most boards, and own them, you were able to give me a nice summary and present some options. After I made my decision I also wanted you to suggest a suitable Wardog Fin. My new board arrived quickly, as promised, a very painless procedure. Yesterday was my first time on my new board. You were right on, the board is perfect for what I wanted. I was able to ride and bottom turn on some less than stellar waves. The fin, Wardog A.T.X, worked great with the board. I am really STOKED with my purchase! Thank you Warren! Johan Newtown CT. 8/23/06 Subject: Wave board for Los Angeles Hi Warren I sailed the Aero 117 on both Saturday and Sunday at Cabrillo beach. The board felt great, I can't wait to get it in some waves. I think the volume is going to be perfect for me as it floated me nicely through the lulls. Jibing it was a pleasure too, it kept the speed nicely through the jibe. If I do sail freeride I'll definitely put a second strap at the back, as my foot was out of the strap on the rail at speed. The stock fin was horrible and the difference changing to your FreeWeed giant wave fin was very noticable. I am so glad you talked me into getting it, it improved the ride immensely. It feels so good to be sailing again after so many years out of the water. All the best Philip (Los Angeles, CA) 8/13/06 Had the Exocet Cross 102 out today w/ 6.2 Aerotech Phantom on Powerex Z Free. Best damn 100 ltr board I have ever owned. Planes early enuff, good top end, jumps like a mother, and is so easy to control in a variety of conditions. Ideal bay board. Tony S*** (Berkeley, CA) 8/10/06 Hi Warren, I hope your summer has been a good one. I have had a good summer so far. I took more time off work than usual...;-) I had my first taste of wave sailing, working on paddle boarding, and I am really stoked that my boys seem to have a renewed interest in windsurfing. Also, my wife has been tolerant to my obsessions...;-) Life has been good. My family and I camped at Lake Tahoe for a week. The windsurfing was poor except for a side trip to Washoe Lake. However, paddle boarding on Tahoe was pretty good. We would go out early in the morning flat conditions and also out in the afternoon big chop. Unless paddling into the wind, the Kona seems as efficient as our sit-on kayaks. I believe that the time spent paddle boarding has really helped with my windsurfing balance. It was a good walk from our camp to the lake. The Kona trailed very well with a simple hitch and some kayak wheels. I have got a couple of sessions on the 5.0 Super Freak. It is a sweet sail, light and nicely balanced. I got many smiles from other sailors with the color scheme. I am grossly color coordinated now with my most used Delta kit...;-) Thanks again for setting me up with the great gear. Take care, Alan McCutchen (Northern California) 8/9/06 Hi, I broke a Powerex Zspeed mast last Tues. This is the first Powerex that I have ever broken. I went through my distributor (SurfingSports) as the warranty directed. My new mast arrived Mon. less than a week after my mast broke. That is simply amazing. You guys are the BEST! I will certainly continue to sail and race Powerex masts in the future. Thanks, Gary Peer US008 (San Francisco, CA) 7/31/06 Subject: Thanks again Wardog That 10" weedfin is the biggest 10" fin I have ever seen! The quality is really good and the foam pad seal was a treat as I usually have to make my own. I finally got to try out the 10" freeweed fin on Fri. 7-29-06. It worked as expected , no weed problems and shallow water sailing is back in my life. With the Kona and that fin , LIFE IS GOOD. The Tee shirt is beautiful. Thanks for the personal touch Wardog...your professionalism and care is outstanding. I highly recomend Surfing Sports. Rod Perry in Miami, FL 7/31/06 Subject: Hot Sails Diva Hi Wardog Sail and mast arrived yesterday in great condition, today arrived extension and mast foot that looks great also... I have to say thanks for the nice products, Hot Sails Maui is manufacturing with amazing skilful details.. hey, and Thanks also for cool t-shirts! (my wife really liked her's). FINAL CONCLUSION: It breaks all! (as we said in my country, breaks rules, breaks believings... all) We got the collar, we used the sail... when the guys were claiming for 5.5 (on eternally 6.5 Palo Alto spot, yesterday was strong) there was my wife with her new 5.8 diva... and she was completely happy... at the end of day when everybody was finished, she was still practicing in much lighter winds, and the sail still providing power.. amazing range. And she is just learning to waterstart, still getting comfortable with harness and straps.. Well, thought Hot sails rule, and going to ask you for some superfreak at end of month :) Thanks Wardog! Best regards and strong winds! Mario (Chile...now, San Francisco) 7/11/06 Subject: Cuben 6.8 Hi Warren, Here is Wifey (Star) on her 6.8 Phantom on the Naish Titan 125L: And here, just because she does not like the Titan at all, we tried it on the Exocet Cross 90, with a 10 year old Rainbow 12.5" swept blade... She liked this combo much better! She was the only one planing out there. Markus Marschall Photography Sacramento, CA 6/22/06 Subject: FreeWeed Fins Warren, Just got back from a few days of sailing in the OBX (Hatteras). those freeweeds worked great. My son liked the 10" with Ezzy Wave 5.2 and Hot Stealth 6.0 and I liked the 12" with Ezzy Infinity 7.2 The fin worked well on my AHD GT 85 and felt great on my Protech 275 ATC. I'll probably but another 10" in power box for my Naish Enduro 9.2. Thanks, Rob H**** (Virginia) 6/12/06 Subject: 8.75" FreeWeed Fin Hi Warren, I got the fin the other day and I had it out yesterday at Rio Vista in 24mph winds. The fin was great; it really improved the performance of my HiFly board! Thanks Ben P (SF, CA) 6/10/06 Subject: Cross 117 Warren, The Exocet Cross 117 is a dream. This board is quick to plane, turns smooth and consistent (like a much smaller board), jumps well (for the size) and is very, very comfortable. The 117 has proven its ability in the conditions that we so often receive on the Great Lakes but which were previously not very enjoyable: light wind with leftover onshore waves. The lowend for a fun ride in these conditions is 12 mph on a 7.0. I am planing, passing the kiters and finding the remaining waves/swell. Some people think that I'm crazy for using such a large board considering my size (130lbs) but I'm able to very comfortably maneuver in close where the waves are better and the wind shadow is much worse. I've ridden the Cross 117 on a 5.8 in 18 mph but at that point with my size it’s better to drop down to a wave board. I'll be honest. The Cross 117 has improved my sailing experience exponentially. Thanks, Jon M****** (Ohio) 6/9/06 Subject: Kona report Hi Warren, I received the paddle, Freeweed 10", and tee shirts last week. Thank you for the shirts. We really like the soft colors and the silver accent on your logo. Kudos to your marketing staff. We tried the Kona for the first time at Woodward Reservoir Sunday. We had warm, fairly steady wind about 12-18 mph. Woodward is about half the size of Lake Isabella, East of Stockton at the base of the Sierra foothills. First we tried paddle mode. Per your advice, it was best to go onto knees when paddling into the wind. Paddling down wind was fun and fast. It was possible to kind of ride on little swells generated by wind and powerboats. It was a harder than Laird makes it look. I think we need more practice before we try the surf. For sailing mode I rigged an 8.0 m2, 10" Freeweed, mast base about 1/3 forward from the back of the track, foot straps max forward and in, and no centerboard (we didn't have the brackets then). I let Trevor, my older son take the virgin run. He beach started and within 10 yards he was up on a plane and blasting away. He sailed for about half an hour, mostly with a big smile. I sailed it and also was overcome with a big smile. The board seemed well balanced hydroplaning and schloging. The foot straps were in the right spots. I did learn to shift my weight back when going through voodoo powerboat chop to avoid pearling while schloging. The ride when planing was not bad on my bum knees, maybe because of the mass and length? Tacking was easy, just like a long board. Jibing was kind of like the GO, I have to step heavy on the rail to get it around. We like this board a lot so far. I believe the 10" Freeweed was a perfect choice for us. My initial impression is that it's going to take the place of the GO in our quiver. I am exited about letting my 9 year old son try it with the centerboard and a tiny sail. Also, it will be interesting to see how it does powered up with smaller sails. I did receive the fin and centerboard brackets last Tuesday. So we are ready to do more testing this weekend. With regards, Alan M******** (Stockton, CA) 6/02/06 Subject: Exocet UW 88 Hi Wardog, Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that my new board absolutely rips. I have been using it about 4-5 times and yesterday in some really good south swell at the landing. The volume is perfect and I am still getting used to how fast and tight this thing can bottom turn. My only issue is it is hard to transition to my O Wave 105 as the timing is so different ; ) I think I can deal with it. Getting some buzz on the beach too so you may see some interest. Regards, Patrick J (Santa Cruz, CA) 6/02/06 Subject: Thanks Warren, The fin and t-shirt arrived yesterday and I wanted to give you a big "thank you". The fin is going on a new-to-me Doyle which will be here next week. I can't wait for the wind to come back up so I can give it a workout. I hadn't seen one of the freeweeds in person but now that I have, I think it is going to be perfect. I was concerned about not being able to put a big enough fin on the Doyle, or if I did, breaking the box out. With so much of the area of your freeweed fin close to the box, I no longer worry about that. Love the T-shirt. It's good looking plus it has that great feel of quality that is so hard to find. Thank you, Bob Thompson (Corpus Christi, TX) 5/30/06 Subject: SUP Hi Warren OK so I beleive I've pioneered Hubbard Creek and Battle Rock stand up paddling. Also longboard sailed Hubbard on a light SW breeze. Too cool. I'm starting to get my rhythm with the SUP. I'm still looking kinda kooky probably and not exactly dominating out there BUT. It is getting better all the time. I'm pretty stoked really. It seems to be in the foot work from side by side to surfer stance while turning in front of the wave then stroken deep and stepping forward then surf it. I bet you are ripping it by now. The paddle was the key. Thanks for that. Looks like your getting the wind these days. I hope your diggin it. Jeff (Oregon Coast) 5/30/06 Subject: AEROTECH CUBEN 6.8M2 PHANTOM Hi Warren, Wifey sailed her new sail on Saturday for the first time. She loved it!! The winds were picking up from sub planing to a little overpowered. She was on a ('04) Naish Titan 125L. I rigged my Aerotech VMG 6.7 and used the Exocet '05 S3. I was plenty powered, and Wifey still held on to her rig! Amazing!!! Now I have to start thinking about replacing her Titan. She does not like this board at all. I don't know what to look for yet, but it will probably be an Exocet. Requirements: Light, early planing, up to 7.0m, good upwind and of course smooth in chop. I might even end up with a bigger Cross (she's got the 90L and loves it). But the new Exocet Istyle 104 should be an early planer, too. We will see.... Have a good one! Markus M******** (Sacramento, CA) 5/29/06 Subject: Longboards Rule Hi Warren, I rode the Exocet Kona yesterday - fantastic. Perfect for the Berkeley Marina: 10 knots at the dock and 16 outside. I was planing easily on my 6.2. That waterline is key. At the end of the day, we are all schlogging back. But the Kona just glides, and there's no question of making it back upwind. I am a very happy camper. Thanks very much. Mike Y******** (San Francisco, CA) 5/25/06 Subject: Severne 10.0m2 Overdrive Hey WD, Got to try out the 10.0 Overdrive yesterday. Winds started out at 0-5, then built to 10-15 with occasional higher gusts. That's plenty of wind for a 10.0 :-) The sail is exactly what I'd hoped for. Easy to rig, light for its size, racy yet with good cam rotation. It has good low end power (of course), but handled gusts in the upper teens really well. Outhaul adjustments made a significant difference in power equation. Perfect for Jordan Lake! Dr. Charles L******** (North Carolina) 5/21/06 Subject: Exocet EW105 a success Hola, Wardog: Bill Burke, from PSC Baja, Mexico. Had a chance to try the EW105 yesterday. Performed as advertised: faster, turnier, more stable, and More responsive!!!! Hard to get used to the Ezzy 6.3, it feels VERY awkward after using SF's. Board bottom turns very easily, grips well even when well powered. Now I have to unpack the Evo 83. UPDATE: Had a great Evo 83 session a few days back. It bottomturned so much I had to more assertively initiate a cutback to avoid leaving the wave. Very easy to sail overall. Used the SF5.3 as wind built in strength. No problem on the low end or the high. Great jibes off the wave faces with plenty of speed. Saw a Californian named Treve using a tandem surf board and paddle for standup surfing and he was out there all day, mostly by himself and catching mucho waves. If, at some point, you definitely decide to come down here, could I have some non windsurfing items shipped to your address for you to bring down? We are in for some rockin sailing, starting yesterday. Used the 7.5 inch weed wave yesterday on the AHD 8/4 with the Super freak 4.7 flat. Swell from 4-8 feet. Forecast looks windy and wavy for the next week or two. Cheers, Bill 5/19/06 Subject: Exocet Cross 117 Warren: Good news! The board arrived today and is in great shape. It looks great too! Now just need to get it on the water. That fin looks killer and I can hardly wait to give it a go on the Cross. Also received the two bags. Thanks again and I will let you know what I think after I get my first session on it. This weekend looks like it might be a little light on wind but we shall see. Take care and hope your Ocean sailing winds return. Chuck R***** (Virginia) 5/12/06 Subject: speed Warren, I went 31.1 yesterday on the Exocet 140 S Cross w/6.5 Gator! I think it jibes better than my Carve. Totally stoked. Thomas Dabney (Santa Barbara,CA) 5/10/06 Subject: STOKED!! Got the sails and Sean's custom board. I am vibrating right now. Wind in the forecast out east tomorrow. Going camping at Roosevelt with the family. Will be ripping Arlington tomorrow until my hands bleed. Thanks Wardog for the help!!!! Bob Riviello (Hood River, OR) 5/8/06 The Wardog Freeweed fins worked great!. I ordered two 10 inch weed fins for my 165 and 135 liter HI fly Madd boards for an upcoming windsurfing trip to South Padre Island. They were received in a timely manner and I was very pleased. They were used in the following set- ups: I weigh 190 lbs. 165 liter Madd with 9.0 sail 165 liter Madd with 8.0 sail 135 liter Madd with 6.9 sail 135 liter Madd with 6.5 sail 135 liter Madd with 5.8 sail 103 liter screamer with 6.5 sail 103 liter screamer with 5.8 sail I was very surprised that these fins worked in all the above situations. I sailed most everyday for two weeks and only had one spin out. In one situation I was overpowered a lot and being driven up wind so I came back to shore and exchanged the Hi-Fly Madd 135 with 5.8 sail for the 103 liter screamer (same sail). And Surprise, Surprise, the one 10 inch fin worked great on the small board just as you said. Maybe one could have put different fins on each board and set of conditions and then had better performance, I wouldn't know. All I know is that I saved substantially with one pair of fins that worked great for me. Chuck Taylor (Houston, TX) 4/29/06 Hi Warren; one more fin and the collection should be complete; please send 9.25 Freeweed A-base. don't actually have board for it yet, but might, and plan to demo it among friends who keep spinning out crappy fin that comes with Mistral syncro 83 with 5.7-5.8 sails. thanks for heads up re: 10in instead of 12 with 6.9 and 102l board. still planes up great and brings life back to the board. 12 looks to be relegated now to 7.7. Paul F****** (New England) 4/29/06 Warren, The HPL head makes the boom solid like a rock the way I thought it would have come from the factory. Made the mistake of listening to NOAA report from 1.5 hours before sailing (13 to 15 knots) and rigged the 8.5 on the Z-27 and 16.5 TA SB Weed Fin in 18 to 21 knots (sometimes it looks windier than it is but not this time) and topped off at 24.8mph. Then rigged the 7.5 Aerotech, same board and fin for new personal record of 26.4mph. The wind was still 19 to 21 knots so still being overpowered I rigged the 6.5 Rapid Fire on the S-Type 115 with a 14.5 TA Weed Blade thinking it still did not seem as windy as it was and hit 28.6mph. Decide to add 1/4" downhaul and the 10" WD Free Weed to test the theory that it is a fast a fin as the TA and when I could get close to a Key or could slide downwind between the chop I hit 29.4mph before calling it a day. Could have easily started with the Charge 5.8 if I did not look at NOAA. Once again the Free Weed kicks ass can't wait to use more sizes. Our season is practically over but hope we can get a few more days in. Thanks Jere (Key Largo, FL) 4/24/06 Hi Warren, I received all the gear I ordered in good order. Thank you for the great service. I installed the Packasport: The color is very close to the van's. It's going to be a nice setup. Please remember to save a Kona for me. I am looking forward to having a good long board for the family again. Alan Mc******* (Sac Delta, Calif.) 4/21/06 Warren Just wanted to let you know I got the paddle and took it out on the lake. It was much better than what I had been using. Today I hope to go out at Battle Rock to try and catch some waves before the wind comes up. Thanks for the prompt delivery and service. Jeff (Oregon Coast) 4/17/06 Fin for Carve 99 Wow - called you on Thurs. I got the new fin on Saturday! Thanks getting it out so fast. Fin is a perfect fit in the board - nice. Now I just need the right conditions! Cheers, Gerry (Chicago) 4/11/06 The Cross 90 is good down to 4.5 and probably beyond. Had it out in a storm sesh today off Alameda blowin' 22-28kts with big swell. I went with the C90 as it was my first day and I thought I'd like a bit of extra float rather than the UW 78. Even with a big fin, it was really easy to control and turn and did not feel big at all in the turns. I am in awe. If this board is getting discontinued at the end of this season, please let me know, I would like a backup. Tony (SF Bay) 3/23/06 I absolutely love my Exocet OW 85 that I bought from W. three years ago. Perhaps I have a photo somewhere of me on it with the 6.2. That's a sweet combo. When I made a West Coast trip a couple of years ago I brought three boards along: a custom Fox 90 liters, a Naish Floater, and the OW 85. In the three weeks I sailed Jalama, Cambria, Dport, Pistol, Bandon and The Gorge, I ONLY used the OW 85. I still have it and plan on using it tomorrow in Wilmington, NC ( Forecast N @ 25 ). Here I'm on a 4.0: Alan White (CHARLOTTE, NC) 3/8/06 Hi Warren, Thanks for everything. I picked up the Cross 117 yesterday and it looks great. The 10" FreeWeed fin I got from you fits better than the fin that comes with the board...lol.. Jason Voss wrote back and gave me some tips on getting more speed out of the board. Can't wait to try it out. This will be my general purpose board in the Gorge until I have to drop down to my 83liter JP RWW... Thanks Bob N*** (Seattle) 3/6/06 Howdy Warren, What an impressive Website! Hope you have wintered well and that everything is good for you guys. We have been surfing alot but not much sailing...that's about to change!!!! Would like to order one Freeweed power box for the 85 liter - 5.0 range....think that would be the 8.75 incher. VERY interested in this KONA thing that is happening. Like everyone else am interested in keeping the weight down, rails thin, surfboard rocker line, etc. so not just sure the KONA will be just surfy enough, but please definitely count us in on anything that comes through with the right stuff. Had the Cross 117 out at Cowells Beach (a very unlikey surfsailing spot) yesterday, not an "A" session but the board is damn good. Figured a way to get to go to Maui for 4 weeks March/April so starting to worry about the gear aspect and was thinking you might just have some solutions to suggest. Will followup with a call...take care, Tom Poore (Santa Cruz) 2/18/06 Hi Warren, I received the 10" and 8.75" freeweeds a couple of weeks ago. 5 working days to Western Australia, if anyone else wants to know. These are bloody brilliant fins! The 10 works a treat with my 6.5 - gets going quick, manoeuvrable and points upwind really well. But the 8.75 is amazing in up to 5.8 conds. It's incredibly loose and fast but holds like it's on rails. I thought my 87L FSW was turny and jumpy before, but it's a completely new board now! My father-in-law tried the fins yesterday. He wants both the 8.75 and 10 in powerbox (same as mine), and he won't give my 8.75 back until they get here, so I'm putting in an order for him. Regards, D***** Jones (Western Australia) 2/13/06 Subject: Carve 111 fins Thanks for the fins that arrived today, 4 days to come half way around the world. Wind is due tomorrow so happy days...:-) When I got my hands on the 10" freeweed I put it straight on the board where it will stay. Its simply a work of art, I can't forsee the need of any other fin; even the 13.5 atx which is such a high quality piece of engineering work. Delighted with excellent goods and service. Phil Mc******* (Belfast, Northern Ireland) 2/5/06 Subject: Thanks Wardog: Maiden Voyage on the ExoWave 105 today... Average 30mph...gusting 38mph... At 111kgs, I had my 5.2m2 Ezzy and Exowave 105 and it was a perfect combo for me. In a word: Perfect Thanks for helping me get my gear wired. Mark (Austin, TX) 1/25/06 Subject: cross 117 Aloha, really appreciate the great service. The bag is very nice and the fin looks awesome, can't wait to try it. It's been very squally windy here w/ rain but I can't get out because of work. Looking forward to this weekend. Thanks Wardog, George (Oahu) 1/22/06 Subject: cross 117 Aloha Wardog, I finally got out on the cross (almost wardog setup = 6.8 phantom minus the freeweed fin) in 15-18 mph wind in Kailua bay and it rocks- I am very impressed @ how fast the board pops on a plane and stays on it. The best part is how well it jibes. Several local folks were slogging and some thought it was to lite to sail while I was ripping around. Overall, the cross was definitely another excellent recommendation by you and can't wait to have it fully set up as the "Wardog rig" (fin). BTW, Al, my friend is very stoked w/ your service. Don't know if he has sailed the Starboard S-Type 104 that he got from you yet. 12/9/05 Subject: thanks! Aloha Wardog, thank you for your excellent customer service and product rec's. The Phantom 6.8 is an awesome sail and thanks to you the Phantom may have made 2 sails go into the dustroom. Blasted around Kailua Bay a couple of days ago w/ it in ~ 16-19 mph wind on my Z-29 protech and it handled the conditions well. It powered up quickly and never felt overpowered eventhough no one else was on anything bigger than a 6.0, & was very lite and easy to do sail flips. I love to do high speed tacks and this sail make that very easy. It is always a pleasure to chat w/ you & hope to meet you in Maui next year. Now, I just need to free up some room in my quiver for your other recommendations. Cheers and warm winds. George, Oahu 11/30/05 Hello Warren! I just received the Streamlined head today! That came fast! That's cool! So that's perfect! Thanks a lot! Arthur (Quebec, Canada) 11/22/05 Aloha, My new HPL boom arrived on the doorstep this afternoon. They survived the shipping just fine. The new color/graphics look good too. Thanks again for making these as reasonable as carbon booms can be shipped over here. Now we just need some breeze to test em out. Sean Brosseau (Kailua, Hawaii) 11/21/05 Satisfied Customer Hi Warren "WARDOG", The fins are of good quality and work great. I just want to tell you how pleased I am with the service and support that I received from you and your website. I look forward to doing business with you again. Thanks for the T-shirt ... good fit. Arnold Shimabukuro (Oahu, Hawaii) 10/17/05 Hey Wardog (a.k.a. Warren) Man I can't thank you enough for all your help and advice!!!!!! :>) You are the bomb in the business of doing pleasure in extreme water sports. Like I said, I got the new Go and the Carve today and the only problem is I haven't got the rest of the gear yet. I have a serious itch to be scratched this weekend up at Cochiti Lake with all the toys. I'll report back later on how they performed (rather how I performed on them). I expect to seriously increase my learning curve with the vast improvement of gear quality. Warm winds to you and yours and may the wind always be at your back! Sincerely, Michael P. Albuquerque, NM 10/16/05 Hey Wardog, It was really cool to have you all here on Maui again! Please pass along my Aloha to you and the gang! I love the 8.25" WARDOG Wave fin...sailed mast high waves on Thursday which was the first wave riding test of the fin...it's perfect for me! Super reliable on the bottom turn and snappy off the top. Don't know what else to say but thank you! Hope the conditions are firing for you this weekend! Glenn Haslbeck Manager Hot Sails Maui 10/16/05 Hey Wardog, Been meaning to send you another note about how much I LOVE the Cross 117. The other day I was out on a 6.2 and was zipping around the shorebreak when everyone was having a hard time. Then the wind picked up to solid 5.3 conditions. The waves were big ass mushy oneshore crap and I was having some much friggen fun with the gear to come in. I easily could have been dialed in with a 5.3 and my Evo 80 but (mostly due to your fin I think) the Cross was just a blast. Carving and jumping all day! Thanks. That fin rocks! Brook C***Y (New York) 10/7/05 Subject: Freeweed and ATX are excellent. Looking for another fin. Hi Warren, The Freeweed and ATX are excellent compared with the fins provided with the Kombat 105 and Aero 117. The performance of the Freeweed is incredible. Our weed problem lasts about three months and is basically over now. For the rest of the year I would like to use a fin that does not extend beyond the tail of the board as I use carbon booms. The freeride fin that came with the Aero 117 works well when well powered up but I find it hard to get the board to plane by stepping back in marginal conditions. Is there any possibility that you will design a bigger ATX type fin, that would bring boards like the Aero to life, the way the Freeweed does. Happy designing, John (Ireland) 9/26/05 Subject: First Ride on Madd/8.75 Freeweed Fins! Wardog: Just wanted to write and say thanks again for the great fins. Got my first sail on my MADD 135 with your Wardog Freeweed 8.75's and my 6.8 Aerotech Phantom in 14-18 knots ENE here in the Norfolk, VA area at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. I was amazed at the way the fins loosened up the board and made turning down wind, swell and wave riding easy for a board of that size, and yet still allowed the board to go upwind enough to keep me upwind when I wanted. Plus I was able to keep up and/or pass a bunch other guys out on 100 - 130 liter boards. Not only that the MADD kept me planing in the lulls while the other guys slogged. Occasionally if I really tried to push the board upwind I could feel the fins give way and start to spin out but just a slight variation back down wind a bit, and/or lightening up on my rear foot pressure, and they quickly engaged again. Perhaps one fin would start to spin out but the other kept doing its job? The board/fin combo makes jumping easy too and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it felt jumping a board of this volume. I was not getting any super air or anything but it felt better flying than my 2002 JP 115 Freestyle board. Overall I am very pleased and can hardly wait to get more time in on this combination. Chuck R***** Chesapeake, VA 9/24/05 Subject: Very happy with my Wardog Weedwave 8.75" Warren, Today there was finally enough wind for a 5.8 on a weekend. So I tried my new Wardog Weedwave 8.75". I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first whether this would work as the wind was really just enough for the 5.8 and the fin looks quite small at first sight. In 5.8 conditions, I have used a Gsport weedwave 9" so far which I never liked that much. It feels quite stiff and is prone to spinouts particularly when going upwind. Interestingly, your 8.75" worked like a charm. And I can report the same I said about your weedwave 10". Planes early, goes upwind well and is very loose. Strangely enough, comparing the Gsport 9" to your 8.75" weedwave it looks as if the Gsport has significantly more surface area. Nevertheless, I never experienced the spinout problems of the Gsport. Also, your 8.75" is much nicer through jibes. Maybe it has to do with the fact that your 8.75" has quite some flex in the tip (the Gsport has no flex) Whatever it is, I am VERY happy with your weedwave 8.75" and another one of my fins will hit ebay soon... Cheers, Chris (New York) 9/21/05 Subject:wardog fin size 8.25" Just received the fin, it looks great, can't wait to take it in the water. As usual it's a pleasure buying things from you. Bernardo (Mexico City) 9/19/05 Hi Warren! Yeah it's me the most annoying customer ever again...;-) High winds last weekend so I put the original (225-drake) fin under my evo since I could use a smaller sail and it was just awesome. The SO is certainly the best to handle sail, I've ever used with enough power to do everything I want. I was completely stoked (and still am). The board is just amazing. I would have never believed that the design of windurfboards has improved that much within 5 years (I was coming from a Tiga Wave, which was a great board - 5years ago!). I've also made a new cutomer for you. R*** will contact you soon, after I told him about your excellent service and prices!! cheers Johannes (San Francisco) 9/19/05 Subject: Lovin' the New Chinook EuroPin Base Got the new Chinook base and I love it. Fantastic system, and a MAJOR upgrade. No more spinning in the Fiberspar uni, and you can't even compare the construction. Fits the posilock extensions perfectly. Thanks for a sweet piece of equipment. Gerry (Chicago) 9/6/05 Hi Wardog, I was sailing the Exocet TB62 for the last 3 week-ends at Rio Vista, and one word sums it up: Schweeeeeeet!!!!!! I love that thing. Hope, you had a great time in Maui! Thank you for your services. Markus M******** (Sacramento, CA) 9/5/05 Subject: Wardog Weedwave 10": A happy customer! Warren, Thought you might appreciate feedback from a very happy customer. I tried your weedwave 10" today on a 6.5 and I am very impressed! Helps planing very early. Goes upwind VERY well and is really loose. It's going to be the only fin I'll use with a 6.5 going forward. I will in fact sell my other fins for that sail size (a Trueames Convert and an Orca weed). Can't wait to try the 8.75", which I also recently got. (It shouldn't be much longer as the wind typically starts with the Fall here in NY) Chris (New York) 8/29/05 Warren The 10" is by far the best weed fin I have ever used. Given its versatility, I was thinking about getting your smaller freeweed fin, 8.75", for sail sizes 4.2 - 5.4. With all the hot weather we've been getting here, we are seeing more weeds than usual. Do you have it in a A box? Let me know, because if you have one in stock, I would like to grab one. Thanks. Greg B****** (New York) 8/12/05 Hey WD, Thought I'd let you know how happy I am with the new Cross 117. It rides a lot smaller than it is. Nice and loose. Haven't had a chance to get in anything other than mushy 3" waves but it worked well sailing the 6.6 charge at Rio Vista. Came off the water for a break feeling good, board was slappin' just a bit. Then I checked the meter they have at the launch and it was 22 average. Nice!! Put on a 5.2 ezzy wave just to see and didn't come back for almost an hour. Also handles ocean chop very well and feels light in the air. So you're batting a thousand in my book. One thing tho, I've got to order a 12" freeweed asap! Should have taken that advice. Man, my old fin is like a seaweed magnet. Oh, the Charge (which is a freaking nice sail) really wants a skinny mast. Good thing, cuz my current 460 is pretty old. thx a lot, rob (Redondo Beach, Cali) 8/9/05 Hi Warren, The fins and t-shirt arived today. They were unopened but posibly X-Rayed by customs. The t-shirt is a perfect fit and the fins (10" Freeweed and 11.5" ATX) are a perfect fit with only the most minor sanding. The finish is excellent and they are made of the best material. This week will be almost windless. Testing will have to wait...even for the Aero 117. I sat for about a half hour rubbing my finger tips over them when they arrived. I cant wait for the real test. Thanks, John Herlihy (Cork City, Ireland) 8/9/05 Hey Warren - 8.5 Rapid Fire arrived yesterday. Looks sweet - can't wait to try it out. My compliments to the folks at aerotech for a great looking, well constructed sail - if it's anywhere near as bullet-proof as it looks, I'm sure I'll be using it for years! Gerry (Chicago) 8/8/05 Subject: Stoked on the Cross 90 Hey Dog, Had the Exocet 90 Cross out off Treasure Island in about 22-28 kts with some major bump action. Simply the best air time session I have ever had. The short wide designs make for some very lofty, easy-to control air. And I could turn it like a wave board at will, anywhere. Very impressed. I think any 200 lb guy looking for an all-around design should consider this one. I need a fin for 5.7/6.3, erring on the big side. Can you send me one of your freeweed/wave designs?? Powerbox, of course. Tony (San Francisco Bay) 7/29/05 Warren: I tried out the new WARDOG 9.0" fin last night at Leo. It is a significant improvement. I can't believe I sailed over two years with that dick head of a fin I was using?! What an idiot. -Austin 7/28/05 not kosher... but! Hey Warren, I hope your summer is going well. It's been a pretty windy one out here (in the Gorge): a little cooler, more wind out east, but that's just a question of fossil fuels, right? Well, I know it's not kosher to leave the same fin in (both) my boards all summer long... but I love your latest tiny wardogwave (7.5" FreeWeed). I've got one in my small glass board (US box), and the other one (PB) in my epoxy board. No, I haven't taken them out yet: I love those fins! Nice job, and many thanks. All well wishes to you, Deb and Annie-May, Margaret Margaret Nold and Olaf Podehl The Avon Sailhouse 7/25/05 The Superfreak 5.8 all black, aka Lord Vader Wow! I have never gotten so many comments on a new piece of gear. Even the formula racer crowd had to inspect it. Friday night I sailed until 8pm in marginal winds, but still ripping; then Saturday it cranked up to 26 under the North Tower of the Golden Gate. I left the beach to the jeers of everyone saying that I'd last for 12 minutes on a 5.8, as everyone else was down-rigging to smaller gear (mind you I only weigh 160 too.) Well, not only did I last the 12 minutes, but I was able to sail at least an hour and twelve minutes longer than every else as the wind backed off at the end of the day, making it an epic four hour session. Everyone at Crissy was shocked, some even proclaimed that I had to be struggling the entire time as they were being overpowered on their 5.0s, but a friend I was sailing with under the bridge said, "no, he wasn't, he was absoluting blasting out there." I am really stoked, it equated it to sailing a down pillow crossed with a slingshot, soft and powerful...I am sold and I will soon be flushing out rest of the quiver, but anxious to see what the '06s are like. Let me know as soon as they are available, I am in! It is funny, but there are only one or two others on the bay with the SF's, Kenny and someone else, but I think the all black sail made more of a statement and caused more of a stir than their "colored" sails. Every time I turned around when I was on the beach, people were hovering over it in groups of twos and threes. Even kiters were curious...go figure. My hats off to Hot, from construction and materials to control and presence on the water I give the Superfreak a solid 10. -Hardy (San Francisco) 7/22/05 Hi Wardog, I received the 10" Freeweed for PB today. Thank you. It looks good. The 10" and 8.25" should cover me for what I need around here. Also, thank you the little piece of foam to fill the gap after I sand as necessary to get some relief between leading portion of fin and board bottom. Nice touch. Regards, Bill (San Diego) 7/20/05 Just got back to mexico. as usual, its a pleasure to buy from a guy like you. keep in touch, as soon as you get the 8.25 wardog fin contact me to send it. thanks. bernardo (Mexico) 7/19/05 Warren Just wanted to thank you for the unbelievable turnaround time. 10" WARDOG FreeWeed Fin arrived today and it looks great. Less than 24 hours to the East Coast... Can't wait to give a try. Also, many thanks for the t-shirt. It is supposed to blow 5.4 - 6.2 today on Lake Erie. Hopefully, I will get a chance to get out of this monkey suit and try the fin and wear the t-shirt afterwards. Thanks again. Greg (Rochester, NY) 7/11/05 Super Freak addiction WARDOG - I am trying to sell my 2004 Simmer X-Flex and my (2) 2003 Sailworks Revolutions so I can buy an entire Super Freak quiver. I am looking to buy a 4.5, 5.0, and 6.3 Super Freak. Also is there a 6.0 super freak? Now that I have used my 5.5 SF I can't stand sailing any other sails, I am totally addicted to the Super Freak feel. Thanks Wardog. Brandon (Huntington Beach) 6/23/05 Wardog, Things have played out nicely here in Michigan. I've had 15 or so days on my 6.0 or smaller, and a few days on my 7.5 to boot. As you might recall, I scored a nice RDM from ya this past spring, a couple of extensions and bases, and a solid Freeweed (12.0"). First thing's first: DOOOOOOD, this fin rocks. I was thinking it would be draggy and slow to plane up, but it planes just as fast as the pointer I USED to have for that board before it broke. Super powerful, and almost "unspinnable"....and it definitely likes smoooooooooth carves. Perfect for Lake Michigan conditions. I did manage to get er' to spin a bit, but that was a direct result of my poor tuning. The T-shirt: Daaaaaaaaamnnnn dawg, my style rating is through the roooof! The Hat: Just adds to my blingage. Dooood, I even match! I'm a walking surfingsports.com promo, and that's great with me. Cheers, Kyle (Michigan) 6/20/05 Warren, thank you for your wonderful service. I received the Starboard GO, 180 Friday, June 17; and the mast base the day before. Everything is A-Okay. Sailed at Lake Pleasant Saturday afternoon in a 10-15mph breeze and was planing nicely. Thank you Richard M...... (Phoenix, AZ) 6/14/05 SUBJECT: : great fin! Hey Warren, Hope all is well with you and yours. We are back in the Gorge, now. Windfest this last week-end turned into a "Wall-fest" as that was where it was blowing (raining in town). I stuck that new 7.5" WDWave in my small glass board, over-powered 3.0; some of the best swell we've seen in a long time, and it was love at first ride! Great fin, did everything exceptionally, the last thing I had to even think about.... thank-you once again for making such sweet fins! I can't wait to ride it more. All well wishes, Margaret Margaret Nold and Olaf Podehl The Avon Sailhouse (Avon , NC) 6/2/05 WARDOGG - YOU'RE THE TOP DOGG!!! Thanks for making it happen and getting me the 5.5m2 Super Freak so damn fast. I was there during the inception of surfingsports.com I think before you even had the site and you have never let me down. You have always been honest and supportive of my habit with great prices and customer service. I don't know where I would go if I did not have Surfing Sports. Keep up the great work. Your customer for life, Brandon von Guenthner (Huntington Beach, Cali) 5/31/05 Hi warren Just can't tell you enough how I like the SEVERNE S1 comp waves. They act just like I wanted them to act. Light rigidish and so responsive. Yesterday was perfect (for the cape anyway) 4.7 head to logo. My sailing has improved immensely all of a sudden. Not sure it's the sails but they are definitely not in the way. Just like I like it. It took me 3 or four sessions to get the tuning dialed but now it's automatic. Maybe not the best for low end grunt but that doesn't seem to be much of a factor. I really like the rdm sleeve for it's backwinding ability on upwind hits. Instant recovery. I'm stoked. Jeff (Oregon Coast) 5/31/05 Got to test the low end of the Cross 117 (w 6.8) yesterday. AWESOME!!!! M****** was reading 10-14 on the beach, but I think it was maybe 12-15 on the water (soundside Hatteras). The board stayed planning through the holes which was nice! I did have to "ooooch" the board board onto a plane as it was so light. I was very impressed. Fin was GREAT, those little strands of sea grass never stood a chance of trying to hitch a ride! The Cross is fully baptised and I'm LOVING life with it! Man, I was missing the lighter side of life! Brian (North Carolina) 5/26/05 Hey guys just wanted to tell you that I had an awesome session on the Cross 117 recently. Just wanted to give some feedback on the Cross 117. I was out in small B&J conditions yesterday. I had rigged up a 5.3 and my Evo 80, hoping there was enough wind. All my buddies were on 6.0s with 90 liter wave-ish board and having a so-so time. I came back in and went to get my "Wardog setup" (the Cross 117 and a 6.8 Aerotech Phantom). I decided to try out the stock fin and put the straps in slalom mode. Being lazy, I ended up keeping the 5.3. What happened next blew me away. I weigh 165lbs for what it's worth. Before I could get my back foot in the strap I had rocketed onto a plane and was airborne over a nice piece of swell. Next, I went into a dedicated slalom stance, locked down the sail and loaded up the fin. The board raced into another gear and just blew past everything! Having spent most of my time on wave boards, I couldn’t believe how well this went upwind. Then I turned off the wind and the thing screamed away. I was always in 100% control in the chop and just keep on busting the biggest grin! I was truly impressed with the speed despite some board reviews saying that the Cross boards are not that fast. For my tastes, this thing is plenty fast. On the way back in I wanted to test out how maneuverable this was on a swell face. I thought the stock fin would have made turning hard. Once again, I just kept busting the biggest smile as I carved up and down on the swell. It just kept getting better and better. Oh yea, did I mention that jumping this is a hoot! I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this board! It rocks! I was able to use a smaller sail than everyone else and ended up going faster and having more fun. Who would have thought that a 5.3 would have worked on this? What a blast. Thanks Wardog. This board totally rocks!! What was a marginal b&j day turned into a super fun day. Brook C.... (New York) 5/25/05 Hey Wardog I just got my exocet 117 cross this afternoon. It looks like a fun board and I hope to sail tomorrow after I set up the footstraps tonight. I'm stoked to get the board and can't wait to sail it so fin or no fin I'll try to put it in the water tomorrow. I can't believe how light the board feels. I'm suspecting my old board has taken on water over the last year. Thanks for taking care of everything I'm sure I'll be ordering more gear from you. I like to support people who sail in the local area and have real knowledge of the equipment they sell. Thanks Andy!!!! (California) 5/23/05 Hey WarDog - I just wanted to let you know that I FINALLY got a chance to try out the 2003 Speed Slider 67 that I got from you over the winter, and I am VERY happy with it. Used a 6.5 Retro and the stock fin in gusty conditions. It was my first time on the board, and within an hour I had set a new personal speed record - 29.1 mph on the GPS! The board felt great and is way comfortable at speed; I am sure I'll be able to break 30 soon. Thanks for a GREAT recommendation and a great deal--can't wait to get more time on that Exocet!! Gerry Chicago 5/18/05 Warren; I got the board (Starboard GO 180) yesterday and all was present and in good shape. Took it out for a test run and AM LOVIN IT! It handles effortlessly, is so stable and looks great on the water. I put the starblizers on because it was kind of calm, and had no trouble heading upwind. Can't wait for some real wind to get that thing planing! Tim G (Michigan) 5/14/05 Wardog, Got to try out the 10" freeweed Friday in ENE 22 knots with the 5.75 2004 Rapid Fire on the old Protech 273 convertible. Started on a 7.5 and the Z-27 but the gusts were real strong. Probably should have just rigged the 2005 6.5 Rapid Fire but after loosening the outhaul, to neutral/slight negative, the 5.75 once on plane was great. Nice feel and stable draft. The 10" freeweed was extremely loose like a wave fin and pointed well and could take some good pressure. The fin was considerable harder to recover when it let loose than the 12.5" True Ames Blade Weed but more fun to ride. Nice fin and fit perfect in the Tuttle Box. Thanks Again Jere Islamorada, FL 5/9/05 SUBJECT: Impression of Starboard S-type 104 Warren, Board bag came, fits nice. Thanks. Got the board out this weekend. Not much wind, and gusty (2-17mph). So, I rigged for the lulls and to head upwind: 7.5 Ezzy and your 12" weed-wave. I installed the straps outboard to do the speed freak thing. I do have to get used to the rounded front: a mini barge? Without any wind, the board felt corky, probably because of the thick deck. Standing on the centerline is the call here. But it planed up quicker than anything that I've sailed in the 100 liter size. The release was very crisp and simply astounding. One minute, you're bobbing, then you see a windline/gust, you set the sail, head down a tiny bit and pump twice; and you're off blasting away! At that time, the wind was 12-13 mph. I weighed 165 lb (had steak the night before). This board was really smooth, and seemed to get smoother the faster you go. The cross chop didn't seem to bother it. I didn't have the big swells to play with, so no comment on its behavior there. But the short length is definitely a plus in that situation. Except for a couple of lite-no wind tacks, the nose never went under water. I finally read some of the reviews, and I'm perplexed by the comments (6.5 max sail and not so easy jibing?). This board easily took my 7.5 size sail. I could've used the 10" weed-wave too, but was too lazy to head back to shore. A caveat is that although floaty, there isn't much real estate on board. So light feet is definitely required. Now, onto jibing. If you are carrying speed, this board jibes really well. It seemed like the harder I cranked, the more it'd carve. The trick is to apply what all us married guys are supposed to have: COMMITMENT. So, I can only guess that none of the reviewers are married? The rails set firmly and the board carried enough momentum to keep planing out. BTW, this is the only board that I've sailed outside of the FW/Hypersonics that maintains tremendous momentum through the lulls. So what's not to like? Well the board side profile is a bit chunky, and the red paint is garish to some. But then it's not meant to be a display on the car rack. Once on the water, all ugliness disappears and only the guys in front of you would see red, as you gain and pass them. This is a keeper. Peter 5/4/05 Warren I received the T-shirt and extra washers and my Madd 165 package is complete. Thanks again for the prompt service. The board arrived in perfect condition as did both sets of fins. Can't ask for more. I look forward to doing more business with you in the future, specifically an additional set of fins in a couple of months. I finally got my act together and got a chance to test the new board. The Madd 165 goes a lot better than my old Xantos 300. It goes faster, turns very easily and I can't spin out the stock fins, despite my weight, no matter how hard I push with the back foot. The wide width of the board makes it very easy to sail. Now if I can get the rest of my equipment through the spring shakeout and performing well, I'll be good to go. I ran into Andy Brandt of ABK when they were doing their clinic this past weekend at Dewey Beach, DE. Even though he uses BIC boards he had seen and liked the Madd boards. Several of his instructors spoke highly of them as well. As is always the case Andy took the time to give me several tips on getting the most from the board. Hope all is well at Surfing Sports. Look forward to talking to you soon about more fins. Pat (Maryland) 5/3/05 W. Dog: Returned from New Orleans to your upsized fins. Thank you very much, appreciate your service. Big Air Jer (Portland, OR) 5/1/05 Warren, Hey! Thanks for the prompt delivery of my 2004 Phantom 4.6. and the follow-up tee shirt and cool stickers and stuff! The sail is beautiful and can't wait to get it wet. It was nice speaking with you the other day and I hope the "Sara McLachlan" concert was dynamite! Les H.... (NYC) 4/27/05 Hi Warren, I have some customers drooling over your 10" Freeweeds. Do you have any available in US Box? Same for 12". Thanks, Margaret Margaret Nold and Olaf Podehl The Avon Sailhouse (Hatteras) 4/21/05 Hi Warren, Wow, my boom got here yesterday morning - that was fast! Thank you very much for the great price, harness lines, T-Shirt and hat. It was like Christmas! I owe Debbie a call tonight - I've just been swamped. Thanks and take care, Lori (San Francisco) 4/17/05 Hi Wardog; The 7.5 Freeweed is a winner for sure. I'm not sure how or why it sails calmer than a 7.75 Enduro, but my wife was absolutely stoked to keep her 3.7 and 3.3 under control on the 66l board with NO board problems at all. First time she has actually had some fun high wind sailing instead of just surviving. The 10 and 12 worked as hoped as well. The 12 is not too big for me at 210# to use on the lightwind end of a 6.9 on 120l board instead of rigging bigger. Keep this in mind if big guys ask about it for the Carve 121. Thanks again for the great service(the Priority Mail made it East in 2 days) and the T-shirts also. Paul (New England) 4/15/05 SUBJECT: 4-Stroke: WooHoo. Hey Warren- For the last 3 days I've finally gotten the Drops 4-Stroke you sold me last year out on the water ( I've been using my bigger board till I got my legs back ). It's awesome. Dropping down from my Carve 111 to the Drops is like night and day, absolutely insane ( something like a 25-30 liter diff...I've been told the advertised 87L is more like 82L ). I thought I'd have trouble moving down, but it was actually a huge release. Jumping the thing is just fantastic and although it's doesn't have the rails/rocker of the 2 stroke, compared to the C 111, it turns on dime. Very cool. There was even another 4-Stroke tooling around at Davenport yesterday along with Alex's 2-stroke. I can't wait to try something even looser like an Evo or Acid. Anyway, thanks for the help picking it out last year. Looks like it's going to be another rocking afternoon, so I better go get all my crap done, I just wanted to let you know how much I digged the board....Thanks again. Kevin- 4/13/05 Hey Brah, Over the past 5 years or so that we've been sailing together, you have had access to just about all types of windsurf gear out there - and tried out all of them as well - giving me the chance to try out lots of gear too! Well, once again you nailed it with EXOCET's CROSS 117 as my light/med. air wave/B&J board! I have sailed it now with a 7.4 and 6.8 Aerotech Phantoms, 6.1 Simmer X-Flex, 5.7 and 5.3 SEVERNE BLADES - all of them work very, very well on this board! As you know, at my 250lbs weight, it's hard at times to find a combo that will let me "go off" to the best of my abilities - and this gear really allows me to "air it out" and "go down the line" whenever conditions present themselves - I am totally stoked! We knew that SIMMER made awesome sails, but I gotta tell you that the SEVERNE BLADES are a significant notch better - they just feel so light and responsive - never felt "heavy" or "draggy" - and they give me so much confidence to bust big airs - they really "feather" in the air so well - and never "yank" at you - wow. I can't wait to get some real wave-time on them. Lastly, can't say enough about your fin designs - I am so stoked with your 10" Freeweed/wave fin - fast, turny, jumpable, goes upwind as hard as you can push it, and flys off the wind....really a "perfect" fin for that board - if there is such a thing.... Great job Wardog!!!! Thanks for all the advice and great gear, which clearly is making me a better sailor, in a shorter period of time - which equates to BIG smiles :)) -WillV- Santa Barbara, CA 4/12/05 I took part in a speed competition Saturday at Bird Island Basin in Corpus Christi, TX. Used a ST-104 (Starboard S-Type 104) with a 5.2 Ezzy wave sail, and your 10" Freeweed fin. Placed 4th with a GPS best of 34.0 mph. Your fin may look big but definitely isn't slow. Even more impressive was the turns. Going for max speed, I was pushing very far into the North end of the island, which required a very hard turn at the end. Miss it and you hit a sandbar. Your fin held in through the fastest, tightest, laydown jibes I've ever done. Jamming into a hard turn at 30+ is a surefire recipe for spinout. The fin never bobbled. IMPRESSIVE! Tom S*****r Portland, TX 4/12/05 Hey Warren- I'm loving my new rdms (Powerex)....just fantastic. Again, the masts are working great...rdms were definitely the way to go. I don't know if it's psychosomatic or what, but they just feel so nimble. Great stuff. Kevin- UCSC (Santa Cruz) 4/12/05 Dude, got out today on a 5.5 on the Kombat 105. Heck of a board - too much sail for it, but it kicked ass. Handled great, turned nice and handle freestyle moves with easy .... almost slided like the Freesex, but faster. Had some bad forwards, but it's tail width and short length saved the day and she came around easily. The wind died off a bit and I sailed a 6.5 on it and it was nice with that as well. I was still on the small fin, and it didn't really care. I think the bigger fin would only be needed if you tried a 7.0 or bigger on the Kombat. Rail to rail turns were nice, but not as snappy as an EVO or Acid, but that's to be expected. She jumped nice, and the only negative was that it didn't seem as fast as it could be, but I didn't have anyone else to judge my speed by, and I was concentrating more on freestyle moves. I would be interested to see how the 85 handles... David (Great Lakes) 4/11/05 Wardog, Finally got out on the new gear. (Aerotech Phantom 6.8m2/Exocet Cross 117/ Epic 460 RDM /WARDOG 10" Freeweed) Was too light to get going but managed to get out through some shoulder to head high sets in 10-13 knots. So far so good. Great gear! I thought there was a misprint on the 6.8 as it felt much lighter than my Gaastra 6.2 Poison! Couldn't believe it was a 6.8! Yea, this combo rocks. Even Mustang who's says he'll never sail on anything bigger than a 5.8 and 90 liter board was looking interested. Maybe we can get you some more customers here!" ___________________________ B**** C**** New York, NY 4/8/05 STOKED!!! Hey Dawg, Been out twice this past week and to put it briefly, I am STOKED. The Aerotech gear you sold me is just outstanding. I'd say anyone who just wants to blast and maneuver and is tired of that spongy X-ply feeling, the Phantom is a great option. The Epic masts are absolutely stunning!! Light, great reflex, nice finish. I was on the 5.7 yesterday in 4.7 conditions in big swell at 3rd Ave. No problem holding it down. The S type 115 was actually better than I thought maybe because it's so compact for 115 ltrs... People who complain this board can't jibe don't know how to jibe. It's not a wave board for crissake. Went with the stock fin, which wasn't too bad. I'll try your weedfin when I get the right screws. Tony S. San Francisco, CA 4/4/05 New sails arrived Wardog, The Severne Blade 6.2. arrived today. An absolutely gorgeous looking sail. Can't wait to try it. Same goes for the Aerotech, which arrived Friday. Thanks again for your help. H. (Vermont) 11/5/04 Hi wardog, Sofia loves her new Blair board. Again, I wanted to say thank you for getting it done in a rush at the end. It was nice to be able to come home with it. Meanwhile, we are just waiting for the surf to pick up. I haven't been here for a full on winter since I started surfing, from what I have heard it is going to be crazy. Thank you again for your patience. And if I like her board as much as I think I will, I will be in contact soon again. yours, peter (Bahamas).