A few years back at a trade show I was involved in a conversation where we counted between the three of us where each manufacturer made their snowboards. Considering the size, marketing campaigns and different images it wasn't a very long list. Snowboard manufacturers have long been consolidated and cut several brands out of one factory.Often you'll find brands that own their own factory cutting boards for others. Hey, you gotta pay for all those marketing campaigns somehow.
So it was pretty funny when this latest snowboard from Volcom landed in my inbox. Passed along by a friendly face up North. There was a short note that accompanied the graphics. Lets just go to the note, shall we?
"So I won an auction for a Seth Huot Volcom snowboard (size 158) through a charity auction (tax deduction what what). Got it in the mail a few days ago...
It came in a box listed with NHS logos (santa cruz) and a bunch of logos from Santa Cruz's various companies (same distribution?)...
It came in a box listed with NHS logos (santa cruz) and a bunch of logos from Santa Cruz's various companies (same distribution?)...
Graphics are prettty tight. On the board, it appears to have a 250ish WW, 158 length, with a twinish shape and has some significant meaty sidewalls. There's a sticker on it with Structurn base and I know from the original description that it was built at GST in Austria (manfacturer of Rome, Elan, Capita, Santa Cruz, etc....) I'm pretty sure they built his Santa Cruz board and just plopped on Volcom graphics... Wonder if they're doing the same for Gigi, Elena, etc. for their snow team.. All in all, excited to try it as I always respected Huot as a rider and thought his boards would be worth a spin...."
So apparently, I need to track down Billy (Volcom's Snow Brand Manager) and shoot him a quick note about who is cutting the Volcom boards. I will say this I've always had a damn fine time with decks out of GST and to be honest Santa Cruz decks have always been fun. Hey, if they were sitting on a ton of leftover blanks and those boards were going to be nothing but tossed why shouldn't Vee-Co scoop 'em up and let Seth keep riding? More importantly when will we see thse decks up clos and personal.
So apparently, I need to track down Billy (Volcom's Snow Brand Manager) and shoot him a quick note about who is cutting the Volcom boards. I will say this I've always had a damn fine time with decks out of GST and to be honest Santa Cruz decks have always been fun. Hey, if they were sitting on a ton of leftover blanks and those boards were going to be nothing but tossed why shouldn't Vee-Co scoop 'em up and let Seth keep riding? More importantly when will we see thse decks up clos and personal.
word. be curious to see what billy says.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, GST does not produce Capita, Elan or Rome. Those decks are produced in the Elan factory.
ReplyDeleteIn fact the GST factory is suffering big time right now. Brands are dropping like flys out of there. Arbor just pulled out of there and moved to Elan. Stepchilds looking for a home as will Santa Cruz and the others.
I held one of these decks last week and got to say that I'm completely unimpressed with the effort. It looks like some shitty half ass graphics thrown on a random deck. Comply sidewalls and structure turn. Ohhhh. The board is heavy as hell too.
What ever though, you can be assured WHEN and IF Volcom decides to enter the hardgoods market they'll do it in typical Volcom fashion. With something unique and sick.
Yeah, volcom boards are only for team riders.
ReplyDeleteI remember lib-tech making a volcom board awhile ago.
As of Summer 08, I know GST produced:
ReplyDeleteFlow, Forum, Arbor, Stepchild, Bataleon, Rome, Santa Cruz, Fanatic, Sapient, Northwave/Drake, Volcom, Gray, F2 (note: F2 is going out of business)