What's it all about? - Or 'Form Follows Function'

[sinistapenguin]

I have a bit of a question - well sort of - I already know how a lot of people on this forum think about this, but I thought I'd ask anyway:

I have a Rip Curl wetsuit - I have it because it was only £80 brand new from a stock liquidators. I have an animal board bag because it offered the best protection for my board. I can't even tell you what my board is ie. who shaped it etc.

The thing is, I don't care about what it is as long as it does the job well. When I went to buy my board, I looked at shape, size etc. When I looked for my suit I went for one that fitted properly and would keep me warm. When I went for a bag, I went for the one that would protect my board best.

Does anyone else not give a damn about anything other than how something performs?

Lots of people seem to say - I've got a <insert brand name here> board. When in effect what they have is a board that has been shaped by someone, who has then been paid by a corporate company to put their logo on it.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't have a branded board/ suit etc. because I do, but not because of the brand.

This is turning into a bit of a rant, but I seem to be getting wound up by this this morning.

I went surfing with a friend of a friend once. He pulled his pristine Aloha mini-mal from his pristine board bag. He got suited up in his pristine top of the range billabong wetsuit.

I pulled on my 15 year old quicksilver wetsuit with all the holes in it, and took my battered shortboard with repaired dings everywhere out of my old knackered bag.

I had a great session ripping it up while he actually walked up and down the beach posing - no really - when I got out he wasn't even wet!

WHY?

(sorry for ranting!)

[PapaW]

As long as it does the job at the cheapest price I don't give a xxxxx who its made by!
Authought say that I do sway towards companys suport bodyboarding.

[tomcat360]

i guess thats just what happens when surfing is such a sought after "pop" sport. everyone wants to surf, to think they surf. so IMO they just get what they think they need to look like a surfer, talk like surfer, act like a surfer. of course, everytime i said surfer right there, i meant the blown outta proportion stereotype. all of my gear is cheap, yea i do include the brand in there for people to get a better idea of what it is, but everything for surfing ive ever bought is less than 150 bucks(for me).

[drowningbitbybit]

After paying for my flat, most of my money goes on toys and surfing, so I dont really mind spending the money... but I dont buy stuff because its expensive or got a label, only if I think its worth the extra cash.

Wetsuits are a good example - after years of cheap suits/boots/gloves Ive finally bought some expensive kit (but I didnt care who made it. Happened to buy a RipCurl suit, as it fit me best) and it was a revelation

Paddling is soooooo much easier in this new stretchy suit compared to my £100 bodyglove suit that I had 'til recently.

But as for style... my t-shirts come from tescos...

So, in a nutshell, Im not spending money on a label, but I will on quality

[sinistapenguin]

I will buy a label if the quality is there.

I have a Rip Curl Ultimate Elasto Slickskin wetsuit - retails at £220, but I got it for £80.

I don't mind paying for it if it's going to do what I want/ need and I won't rule out brands. Just saying that I won't NOT buy a board/ suit etc because it doesn't have a brand on it!

[PapaW]

Speaking of your sut sinista, how are the seams it holding up. In particualr the glueing around the inside ankles, wrists, and crotch?

[Phil]

my ripcurl is falling apart only a year old, gonna get some of that liquid neoprene stuff try and patch it up so i can get another winter out of it

[sinistapenguin]

My suit's fine - I'm guessing this is a problem though?

Need to get me a winter suit now though!

[Phil]

it seams to be (pun intended)

there are quite a few people on magicseaweed that have had alot of problems with there ripcurl suits i wont be geting another one thats for sure, looking to get a sungg next year

[k mac]

i do sort of care what stuff i have but its all money which being 15 and i rarely take cash of the folks im a little down on ! but i try and sway towards english made surf gear ,i have alder board bag(cheapdoes the job) ,alder wetsuit (uk made) and local shaped board and a t iki board bag ...uk made ..and free minimal (from japan ok ...but still ) then again if somthings cheap and good qaulity id go for it ! and the only surf type clothes i own have been presents of people a couple of t shirts an a hoody....£20 for a quicksilver t-shirt?..... flesh off !

[PapaW]

I only got mine cause I didn't have the money for another custom winter (my secondskin custom afyter 5 years has been retired to a summer suit) so ended up having to get a small ultima elasto which ewas the only one that fited withthe least pooling on my back. still not total skin huggin esp when sponging cause of the arched back.

So yeah I'll be getting another custom again once this one dies. which will be soon i reckon. My makes it being taken back allready an donly 2 months old. Mines showing some signs of sticking comeing away so we'll see. got a years guarantee and I only paid 110 for A 200quid suit so not too bad i guess.
Gotta love westcoast surf for friend deals :D

[scatman]

I have to say that IMO surfing in a battered wetsuit and old board is way cooler that having it all brand new and expensive.

When your on the beach and some guy comes out with his hundreds of pounds gear, it makes me laugh, coz he wont even stand up on one wave. All my stuff is second hand, small brand stuff. But at least i can stand up, and i at least know why im in the water.

Let them pose! Fannys!