Hayden Shapes HYPTO KRYPTO at Pioneers!!!

Yesterday Hayden Cox of Hayden Shapes rolled through the shop to say hello, give some hi fives, and talk about what he's going on!  Steve and I were very impressed, Hayden knows his craft very well and to put it simply... he gets it. He's got a great line up and we're super stoked on his board the Hypto Krypto and the Psychedelic germ, one of the first production boards to feature sidecut!  Remember we like sidecut...

The Hypto Krypto is the most versatile shape in the Haydenshapes range, enabling it to be ridden in waves from 1ft to 8ft. It paddles like a dream due to the volume and flatter rocker. You ride the Hypto Krypto on the open face, drawing fast, flowing lines with all the speed it provides.

The outline resembles an old school twin fin in the nose, yet pulls into a rounded pin tail which will give you plenty of hold in the bigger stuff, and provide a lot of curve around the back foot. You can use the wider, straighter outline forward on the board to give you speed down the line and the rounded pintail to draw tighter arcs in the pocket.

Although the rocker of the Hypto Krypto is flat, Hayden has snuck in a little extra lift in the entry to add some curve up front; this helps taking off late, or turning in the steeper sections of the wave. The design of the rocker has been focused around speed, and more speed! The Hypto has never been shaped as a quad because it is too fast already, you’ll find yourself making sections down the line that you would never expect to make.

The foil has plenty of volume around the chest and center area of the board, yet it refines out to a thinner, more pinched rail to keep the board connected to the wave. The concave runs from a rolled vee in the entry, to a slight single transitioning into a vee double out the tail, which gives the board great speed and control from rail to rail.

The Hypto Krypto and most of Hayden's Shapes are created using Future Flex. FutureFlex represents the very latest in surfboard technology and design. The construction process combines a stringerless, high-density custom shaped EPS core laminated with biaxial fiberglass, epoxy resin and a parabolic carbon fiber frame. The carbon fiber frame within the laminate is the key to the performance of these boards. Designed to maximize speed and drive while minimizing twisting, FutureFlex boards essentially store and release energy as the surfer transitions through a turn. The result is a fast and lively, highly responsive surfboard that's perfectly geared for high performance surfing.



DIMENSIONS
LENGTH   WIDTH   THICK   VOLUME
5'4''              19 1/2''     2 1/4''      27.08 ltr    
5'6''              19 3/4''     2 3/8''      29.7 ltr
5'8''              20''           2 1/2''      31 ltr
5'10''            20 1/4''     2 5/8''      33.79 ltr
6'0''              20 1/2''     2 3/4''      36.56 ltr

Volcom Pro 2012 Fiji/Tavarua Preview

The first contest held at the ICONIC Cloudbreak for the first time since 2008 is getting set to kick off!!! We've really got to give it up for Volcom for bringing this stop back to the tour, it's been far to long since we've seen the top 36 go head to head at the best left in the World.  Even better news is it going to be firing at 8 to 10 feet on the first day of the waiting period and then stay at a steady 6 to 8 foot for the next few days! I am pretty damn excited to sit back and watch this one over the upcoming week!

At smaller sizes it definitely favors the goofy footers but when it's bigger (like it's forecasted to be) it's really anyone game! Cloudbreak itself is a challenging wave with three sections that can either pinch off or just lineup all the way through. Restaurants is just about as perfect as a wave can be with 10 to 12 second barrel rides the standard when conditions are right.

That being said let's talk about the Fantasy Team and who to think about adding for the Volcom Pro.  First off experience and time spent in the water here is really going to pay off so picking veterans who've competed here before is a solid idea.  Secondly the judges are going to be looking for the longest deepest barrels so make sure if you've got guys with air game on your team they can thread a barrel or two also.

Slater: pretty much a sure thing here and the fact that he's already there means he's ready to compete. He's spent as much time at the place as anyone and know's it on a locals only level.

The Brothers Hobgood: These two have set the standard on how goofy footers ride Cloudbreak. They have spent so much time there that they too have a locals only level of knowledge of the wave. Damo has won here twice and CJ has two seconds.  CJ is cheap too, worth it in my opinion!

John John: What should I say here.... hot off a win, lives in the tube, could easily win here...

Owen Wright: Can go left as good as anyone and if you look back at Teahupoo when it was massive Owen made it to the finals! Owen likes big barrels!!!

Michel Bourez: Super powerful and can muscle his way through the largest of pits!

Freddy P: Hasn't had the best start but he's at home in powerful barreling lefts.  A good investment at for his price!

Josh Kerr: Can get pitted with the best of them and he's having a hell of a year so far!!!

Travis Logie, Ace Buchan, Kai Otton: All can hold there own in the forecasted surf and know there way around the tube!!!

The usual suspects are always solid bets here too. Mick, Parko, Taj, & Jordy.

The contest starts on the 3rd so get your Fantasy Team in order!!! Got a rad prize pack of Volcom and Electric gear for the winner!!!

Isurus Wetsuits at Pioneers Board Shop in New Hampshire

We at Pioneers are all about progression and new technology that helps to push progression.  We are stoked to tell you about a new wetsuit company that we have brought into the shop called Isurus Wetsuits that is doing just that, pushing the boundaries.

Isurus isn't your average wetsuit and the price of an Isurus wetsuit starts where most top out. In the end it's money well spent on arguably the best wetsuit on the market.  The only way to get a better wetsuit is to have one custom made for your body. Steve has been wearing a hooded 4/3/4 Evade for a few months now and he is loving it, here are his comments "Super light, dries incredibly fast, amazing fit, and an incredible hood".

To sum it up these suits are amazing because:
100% Japanese rubber-super light, doesn't absorb water, dries fast
Fit- 20 points of measure are used when building the suit, most wetsuit companies use 11
Designed to move- Panels w/ compression technology are shaped with the natural movement of the body in mind equaling less fatigue/more waves.

If you're not sold yet or for further info continue reading below as I go deeper into the hows and whys of Isurus Wetsuits.

Anatomically Engineered Wetsuit Technology

The objective was to design a wetsuit that did not inhibit the natural range of motion of the athlete’s body. The process led us to research tri-athlete wetsuit designs where unrestricted range of motion is critical to fast swim times. ISURUS consulted with biomechanical experts to engineer proven tri-athlete wetsuit innovations to the special requirements of big wave, coldwater surfing.

By studying how the human musculo-skeletal structure works, the panels were cut to match the natural movement of the human body. Each panel synergistically works with the adjacent panels to provide the maximum free range of motion to be found in a wetsuit.

What thats means.... MORE PADDLING POWER, LESS FATIGUE

It is each panel designed working in unison with body that results in a higher elbow position and increased power during the catch phase of the stroke. More power and less wetsuit resistance results in more distance per stroke and reduced muscle output.

COMPRESSION WETSUIT

Compression Knit Construction, laminated to Anatomically Engineered Wetsuit Panels engineered to match the musculature of the surfers body, delivers an evenly distributed 360° stretch compression for increased performance.

ISURUS BioRx Compression Technology

Compression >> Anatomical Design
     Perform Better
     Recover Faster
Anatomical Design >> Muscle Oxygenation
     Optimizes Delivery of Oxygen
     Increases Power and Endurance
Precision Fit >> BMI (Body Mass Index)
     Fits Like a Second Skin
     Focuses Muscle Power
     Facilitates Lactic Acid Removal

Advanced Materials

DESIGNING A WORLD CLASS WETSUIT BEGINS WITH THE WORLD’S BEST NEOPRENE; TWO KEY POINTS IN THE RESEARCH

Great wetsuit performance begins with superior neoprene.
Not all neoprene is the same.
During our research it became evident that Yamamoto neoprene, is widely recognized as the most advanced neoprene available. Yamamoto neoprene dominates the market for high end triathlete wetsuits with 90% marketshare where lightweight and ultra flexible warm material is critical for competitive swim times. No serious triathlete uses a wetsuit that is not made from Yamamoto.

A SUPERIOR NEOPRENE

Yamamoto is made entirely from closed-cell neoprene using a proprietary manufacturing process that makes the material out of limestone and not petroleum. The material is 98% hydrophobic, meaning it doesn’t absorb water. Yamamoto’s closed-structure possesses elasticity or the ability of the material to return to its original shape after repeated wearings (that is not found in open-cell neoprene). It also makes it super warm, lightweight, thin and quick drying.

THE ISSUE WITH TRADITIONAL NEOPRENE

For the last 50 years, neoprene wetsuits have been made from petroleum-based rubber that is injected with nitrogen to create an “open cell” thermal barrier against the cold.

The problem with open-cell neoprene is:

It absorbs up to 80% of its weight in H2O. Think of a kitchen sponge. Water absorption which adds weight and requires additional body heat to warm the excess water. Open cell neoprene deteriorates quite rapidly compared to closed-cell neoprene primarily due the inherent weakness in the cell structure. The cell walls are connected to other cells by thin walls that weaken after repeated usage and the neoprene loses its thermal and hydrophobic properties (ability to not absorb H2O).

Body Mass Index for an Anatomically Correct Fit

BMI AND 20 POINTS OF MEASURE FOR A PRECISE FIT

ISURUS uses BMI (Body Mass Index) to size and shape the panels for a more anatomically precise fit. The company mapped the anatomies of over 300 athletes. Took more than 6,000 measurements of the different body types.

From these measurements, ISURUS developed over 20 Points of Measure to design and size the new series for an off-the-rack fit that compares to a custom wetsuit.

BMI

BMI is a statistical measure of body weight based on a person’s weight and height. Athletes searching for a performance edge have used BMI to design gear where a precise fit is critical to gaining a performance edge.

BMI IN SPORTS

Speedsuits in swimming, skiing, cycling and speed skating have been designed using BMI principles where a precise fit is critical for performance. The research ISURUS conducted shows BMI to be an excellent technology for designing a correct anatomically fitted wetsuit.

As surfers, we understand that a correct fit is critical to maintain body warmth and for maximum unrestricted range of motion when paddling.

The Rio Pro Recap, John John Florence Wins

Get used to the sight of John John being carried up the beach

Say what you want about the waves in Rio but for a second year in a row the Rio Pro delivered!!! By no means were the waves epic but as far as watching and following a contest goes it was as good as it gets! Insane barrels, ridiculous airs, good judging, and intense battles in the line-up!!!

John John finally found what he's been looking for, a World Tour Victory!!!!  Man did he earn it too! Pretty much just steam rolled through the contest comboing his competitors at the drop of a hat. He had Joel up against the ropes six minutes into the final so bad that Joel hardly made it out of combo land by heats end.

What's crazy is that out of all the contest on tour this year this is the one I would least expect John John to do well at. The fact that he won here says a lot about what we're going to see for the rest of the year.  Looking forward to the coming months there are five, yes FIVE, events that John John will be heavily favored to make quarters, semis, and finals. Tavarua, Teahupoo, France, Portugal, and Pipe are all going to be barrel shoot outs and it's no secret that John John is the BEST barrel rider on the tour, maybe the planet.  If John John maintains his current form the title race will be coming down to two names this year...

JOHN JOHN FLORENCE & KELLY SLATER.....

As far as the rest of the field went Josh Kerr, Julian Wilson, Joel Parko, Mick Fanning, and Alejo Muniz all looked amazingly in form and surfed so well.  The wonder boy, Gabriel Medina, who came in riding his recent Trestles win absolutely flopped losing in the opening round... Big surprise for a lot of people... Not so surprising, Taylor Knox earned his 3rd 25th finish of the year, how stoked is he that they did away with the mid year cut off this year???

Now looking at the Pioneers Fantasy Surfer Club we've seen some places change hand!  Coming in as the club winner for the Rio Pro,  Sialylphllx did it with his team earning him 955 points!!!  Well done!! Swing by the shop some day this weekend and we'll hook it up with a little prize pack!!!  Now the big story is Jon Mackin, club leader for the past two events, has been dethroned and sent back to sixth place. Our new leader is non other than MUD DUCK!!!  I've personally had a hard start this year but after being mid pack I'm finally starting to inch my way toward the top ten.  Log into your account and see where you're at, and don't forget to start thinking about your barreling left handed team for Tavi/Teahupoo!

We'll see you in the water!!!

FCS & Future Fins at Pioneers in New Hampshire

It's time to talk fins. First off fins make a difference, in fact fins can make all the difference.  Choosing a fin that suites your style of surfing and the type of waves you surf is just as important as choosing the correct size board.  If you have a board that has never really felt correct it could be as simple as switching the fins and your least favorite board could end up being your magic board.

Think of it this way... If you bought a Porsche would you go to Walmart to get tires for it??? No, of course not, there is no sense spend mega bucks on a sports car and then having it drive like a Kia because you put cheap tires on it.  Same is true for your surfboard. If your going to drop some money on a new board think about investing a little more in a set of fins so that you are truly getting the most out of your board and your surfing.

Both FCS and Future Fins offer great explanations of their fins as well as a tool that will help you research which fins would work best for you.  For me, based on my style of surfing and the waves I generally surf I swear by my FCS K2.1 quads.  Lots of drive but still very loose and playful. I ride them in my Lost Motivator, my Lost Rocket, and my Lost Mini Driver. They are my go to fins.  That being said I still try other fins when I get the chance because as fin technology increases you never know what you're going to find next that will work even better.

I ordered a bunch of fins lately so I'm gonna throw a few different ones up to give you and idea of what we've got in stock.  If you've got questions or you want to see the fins in person we've got about 50 different fins in stock at the moment from little grom fins, to thruster sets, to quad sets, to longboard fins.

Mick Fanning's signature fin with Tricoil Technology. Provides maximum drive; ideal for power surfers who like to snap hard off the top and carve long roundhouse cutbacks.















Jeremy Flores' signature fin featuring a long base and narrow tip. Perfect for driving hard off the bottom and snapping vertically off the top. Subtle tip flex provides smooth transitions between turns.













Kelly Slater's signature quad set with K2.1 PC in the side and Q-1000 in the rear. Produces incredible start-up acceleration and speed while maintaining manoeuvrability in tight sections. (MY PERSONAL FAVORITES)















Simon Anderson's medium size quad set. Identical template across all fins. Suited to lighter surfers who like to drive hard off their fins, draw a longer line and accelerate through turns.












This is Clay Marzo's next fin incarnation featuring an updated template and built in our Techflex construction for powerful surfing. The large base provides drive off the bottom while the small tip allows you to release the fins.















The WCT has a unique upright template making the fin very fast and pivoty. Designed for tight vertical snaps and critical surfing.

One of our most popular templates available as a quad setup. The F4 is a great for template medium sized riders looking for a fin that is a little looser or for smaller sized riders looking for a setup with a little more drive.







Co-designed with one of the world's best free surfers, this V2 quad set was created for high performance surfing. These fins are made with renewable bamboo, which provides a lively flex pattern, and are wrapped in symbolic art provided by Rasta. A medium sized template that performs in a variety of conditions. The Quad set up with a medium base and tip allow you to generate more drive and stay on rail. A portion of the proceed from sales of the Rasta Quad will be donated to the Dave's non-profit organization, Surfers For Cetaceans.

Plenty more options here at the shop, so swing by and take a look and see what FCS or Future with a little help from Pioneers can do for your surfing.

Lib Tech Waterboards / Surfboards Coming Soon @ Pioneers in New Hampshire

So stoked to get our first glimpse of the Lib Tech Waterboard and that glimpse is coming soon!!! I found this amazing interview that I wanted to share with you. In it Mike Olsen the mad scientist behind all thing Lib-Tech talks about the creation of Lib Tech so many years ago and how the waterboard came about.

All the technology deep inside the waterboard...

Shapes and dimensions soon to be available...

Olson shows off the concave top which not only makes the board more responsive, but also doesn't hit your sternum while you're paddling.

“Every material in these has never been used in a surf or snowboard before, except for the [fin] screws,” says Olson of the boards. Olson began shaping surf boards in the early 80s and actually funded the launch of Lib Tech snowboards with his efforts. “It has been a dream forever to bring surf back in the mix,” he says.

The line includes three different series with 14 distinct shapes, all of which include grab rails, honeycomb construction, rubberized elastomer sidewalls, and concave tops. They also feature a non-absorptive foam, so even if you get a ding you don’t have to get out of the water. That said, following two years of protos being ridden around the world, dropped on rock beaches, and other pummeling conditions, riders have only been able to get two dings. Lib’s calling the boards “2D to D” or Dang Difficult to Ding.

As with all its other products, Olson and his crew have focused on the environmental impacts of the boards, as well as their toxicity for the shapers, and the lay-up process uses no brushes or sand paper. The honeycomb weave you can see on the boards is the result of a process called Isotropic Fusion, a one-step reaction that bonds all of the board’s materials incredibly fast. ”You can make a board at six in the morning and surf it by noon,” adds Olson. The honey comb construction also adds strength to the boards, whose flex Olson describes simply as “awesome.”

Lib is also building its own fins, but the fin boxes are FCS compatible. “FCS fins are available anywhere in the world,” explains Olson about the design.

So far only Olson and Jeff Henderson have seen the entire design process, but the duo is working on training others at the company’s headquarters in Washington, where all of the boards and fins will be made. The plan is to ramp up to full production in the next month for deliveries to hit retail, where they’ll sell for $696.96, in late spring.

The anticipation is killing me... WATERBOARDS!!!!

Board art that will be available!

Matt Biolis of Lost Surfboards interview w/ Stab Mag

KOLOHE AND MAYHEM IN NUMBERS

A breakfast with Matt ‘Mayhem’ Biolos in which the unusually specific nature of Kolohe Andino’s boards are discussed; Stab’s theory that Mayhem succeeds because his surfboards are designed for average surfers first and then filter upwards rather than vice-versa; and the discovery that Kolohe’s pops Dino and his speed runs at Uppers were responsible for creating the outline of surfboards ridden by every monster airing kid…

It is a gloomier than usual Sydney summer morn when I scoop up California’s Matt Biolos at the Sydney factory of his shaper pal and occasional biz associate Mr James ‘Chilli” Cheal. In an industrial zone a few clicks from the beach, we see Biolos a fittish man of middle age, unshaven but not derelict, Jewish but not orthodox, grinding out boards for punters who’ve paid $80 over retail to taste his meats.

Can y’believe it? Taj Burrow and Kolohe’s personal craftsman ruining his lungs for surfers who may or may not’ve ever loosed a fin in their lives? Considering not one of those 100 sleds has my name on it, I don’t know whether to be stunned or jealous. “Every name on the order form is someone you wouldn’t know,” he says thirty mins later when we’re socking javas at the Armchair Collective in Mona Vale. “But, that’s what we’re here for! That’s what pays the bills!”

It’s a pet theme of Mr Biolos’, the importance of looking after the lil man first and believing rewards will follow. “That’s what makes surfboards so special. It’s the only piece of equipment made the way we do it.” I lay out my theory that his success is strongly related to his ability to make stable platforms for average surfers and that once pro’s get a taste of it, they want it. Therefore, his designs filter upwards whereas most shapers get their feedback from a professional and let it filter downwards, often to no one’s benefit.

“The Sub Scorcher was an average guy’s board that Kolohe rode and then it trickled up and now you’ve got Drivers and all those higher-volumed boards being ridden by the hot shots. I’m shaping high-volume boards for Julian Wilson and thinking, whoa, how did that happen?” Mick Fanning is another surfer who believes in the high-volume mantra. He was riding boards of around 24 cubic litres, often to radical success, but last year he was kinda feeling that there was more to life than a six-o by 18 3/8”. After riding a Kolohe board at Trestles he upped his cubic litres to 26 (Taj is a 23.5, if you’re wondering). “Put that volume into one of Darren Handley’s already amazing boards and they’re unbelievable,” says Matt.

We talk for a while about how Taj, when he was on the brink of leaving his board sponsor Firewire, made Matt promise he’d be there for him, surfboard-wise; about judges scoring flow more than ever before (Taj beats Adriano!); and in a scenic tour away from surfboard design talk about how Matt initially viewed the presidency of Barack Obama with suspicion (high taxes!) but now he digs on the guy. But, what stuck most in the conversation is the obsessive care taken in the building of Kolohe’s boards.

“(Kolohe’s pops) Dino’s a better version of Dr Frankenstein. He’s the ultimate grinder. He’s fanatical. I’ll be in a meeting and he’ll pace back and forth outside the door just waiting for it to end and then he’ll storm troop in and throw nine boards on the floor. Dino pushes and pushes. We get 30 blanks and we weigh ‘em all and write the weight on the order form. Then we weigh ‘em after they’ve been cut and then after they’ve been glassed. Dino personally drives ‘em to the glasser and paces back and forth at the glass shop making sure the laps aren’t too short, making sure the laps aren’t too long, weighing ‘em after they’re glassed, checking the fin angles and if the fin angles aren’t right he cuts ‘em off and puts ‘em back on again. He came to Australia, called up (shaper) Lee Stacey and said, ‘Fuck it, these waves are so sucky. I want more angles on the fins.’ So they fucking cut the fins off five boards and fucking put them back on. It’s… intense.”

Dino is more than just the meticulous father of a prodigy, howevs. Back when he was owning the US domestic circuit, Dino’s speed runs at Trestles helped create the forward outline that now, accidentally, has become the ideal shape for every hi-fi kid.

“Dino and I developed that forward outline nearly 20 years ago. Dino wasn’t using it for finners but it transitioned over nicely. Dino was always surfing Trestles, surfing Uppers, and he needed that forward outline to get down the line to do those floaters and now Kolohe uses those templates and those rockers to build a strong foundation. They force you to put it on a rail. They force you to draw out your turns. And, almost by default, they give you a much better platform for nose picks and landing backwards.”
Back at the factory, Matt stomps back into the shaping bay, the whip of Mr Cheal grazing his ample cheek. A dozen more boards to hack; a dozen more dreams to realise.

– Derek Rielly @ STAB Magazine (the most entertaining mag in the game)

Celebrate the Start of Snowboard Season with Pioneers and a 20% Sale!!!

WINTER, a word that evokes disdain in some and pure stoke in others... Well my friends if you fall into the later category the rejoice, Killington & Sunday River have opened for the season, snow is on the way as well as some NE surf. In honor of this monumental occasion Steve and I want to share our stoke. So for this weekend ONLY, that means from now til 5pm on Sunday, EVERY PIECE OF SNOWBOARD OUTERWEAR (jackets & pants) IS 20% OFF!!!!

Full Killington update HERE. And not to be outdone, Sunday River's lifts are also turning! Both of these snow updates bring a little east coast pride to my heart. I've been seeing "first turn" photos for a couple weeks now of folks getting theirs out West. Well Check us out, the East is in business!

Winter Wetsuit Guide for New England

It's that time of year again, time for flannels, puffy jackets, and yes.... winter suits!!! As the air and water temps begin to drop I wanted to do a quick preview and update on our winter suit line-up for this year. We've currently got the following four suits in stock and well have em' here all season long.

O'neill Psycho RG8 5.5/4mm Hooded Wetsuit

The Psycho RG8 5.5/4mm Hooded Wetsuit is bound to keep you warm in cold conditions. It offers added warmth from the RG8-Air Firewall without sacrificing flexibility and has been tested by O'Neill's most intense team riders in the most frigid waters across the globe.

MSRP: $430
Max Thickness: 5.5mm
Zipper: Chest
Sleeves: Long-sleeve
Hood: Fixed Hood
Thermal Lining: Chest, Back
Seams: Single Fluid Seam Weld
Material: Limestone-based neoprene and recycled plastics on the inner and outer layers
Chest and Back, Lining: RG8-Air Firewall is an Eco-Friendly version of the XDS-Air Ultra stretch neoprene

Neck Facing: Glideskin
Details: Plasma Wrist and Ankle Seals
Krypto Knee Pads
F.U.Z.E. closure system
Dual drain holes in the arm and back
Code red zipper
Exterior single fluid seam weld
Super minimal seam design
LSD - lumbar seamless design
External key pocket with loop

O'neill Heat 6/5/4mm Hooded Wetsuit

The Heat 6/5/4mm Hooded Wetsuit from O'neill. The updated Heat for 2010 comes with many of O'neills high end features.

MSRP: $380
Max Thickness: 6mm
Zipper: Chest
Sleeves: Long-sleeve
Hood: Fixed Hood
Seams: SuperSeam Stitchless Weld
Thermal Lining: Chest, Back
Neoprene: Ultraflex DS
Lining: Firewall Insulation
Product Features:
Strategic Seamless Paddle Zones
Double Super Seal Neck
Krypto knees
Covert red zipper (high end zipper stands up to salt and abuse)
External key pocket with loop

Ripcurl Flash Bomb 5/4 Hooded Wetsuit

The Flash-Bomb is the next generation in Bomb technology, resulting in the world's lightest, warmest, most flexible AND FASTEST drying wetsuit.

Dry in a flash-Flash Dry is an exclusive New Wave Technology with 2 Engineered Layers. The first layer is designed so the water passes through it directly into the 2nd layer. The 2nd layer then funnels the water rapidly out of the suit once it is hung up.

MSRP: $440
Flash Dry lining is one of the warmest, most comfortable linings available.
Stitchless Technology for a strechier and warmer suit
E3 Tape plus Aquaban Combo provides the ultimate waterproof seal
Aqualock Waterproof Zipper
4 Wat Stretch Panels
Hydro Lock Collar
Drainage System
S Flex Knees
Stash Pocket
E3 Plus Action Panel Hood - Reduces hood snap back
Engineered Chin Cup - To be comfortable as possible
Cord Lock Down
Improved Peripheral Vision

Rip Curl E-Bomb 5.5/4.5mm Hooded Wetsuit

The E-Bomb hooded full suit is the ultimate performance hooded suit for the Surfer who wants to stay warm in exteme cold conditions but also wants to be as flexible as possible...... It's true that the thickness of the neoprene dictates the warmth of a wetsuit. Rip Curl has upped the thickness an extra 1/2 millimeter to allow maximum warth as well as maximum flexibility! Designed for water temperatures under 50 degrees.

MSRP: $340
Elastomax 3 Neoprene
4 way back stretchBluesteel Zipper
E3+ Tape
External GBS
Chest Zip
Lock slide design zipper
Bluesteel Zipper
Drainage system
Seamless underarms and shoulders
S Flex knee pads

The most flexible wintersuit for the money on the market!

We've got an insane lineup of boots and gloves too. 3mil to 7 mil in round toe/split toe and five finger/3 finger/mittens. Want to be warm? Stop in and we'll make it happen for you!!!

Time for an UPGRADE: The Ripcurl FLASH-BOMB IS IT!!!

You might not guess it but ESPN has one of the best surf blogs going staffed by some telented writers and surfers. This blog comes to you from Jake Howard and this dude knows his sh*t!!!

"This fall you could wear your wetsuit from last year. You could. You could dig it out from the back of the garage, dust it off, check the sleeves for black widows, and you'd be good to go. Oh, but the glory of a new wetsuit. It's hard to resist.
Coincidentally, Rip Curl reached out to us a couple of weeks ago to see if we'd be interested in "field testing" their new Flash Bomb wetsuit -- a solicitation that just so happen to coincide with a dramatic drop in the Pacific Ocean's temperature. Due diligence in mind, we entertained the offer and went surfing. The result: think furry convention meets Mick Fanning.

The immediate reaction upon first climbing into the fuzz-lined 3-mil: "Mmm, cozy." It's like putting on a pair of fleece pajamas, or maybe a mink coat, or maybe if you're Matt Wilkinson a cheetah costume you can surf in. It's got all the flex and comfort of a normal top-of-the-line suit, but thanks to Rip Curl's "Flash Dry" lining, it has an extra little tickle in it. The claim to fame is that the Flash Bomb dries in 30 minutes or less. The selling point is that you won't ever have to sling on a soggy suit again. Does Rip Curl pull either off? Pretty much, yep.

"The Flash Dry lining is what we call a double-layer knit fabric." says P.J. Elbing, Rip Curl's Director of Technical Products. "When water hits the top layer it wicks to the second layer of the material. When the water hits the second layer, gravity allows it to drip down and out the bottom of the panel. The result is a lining that is dry and warm to the touch within 30 minutes."

Why it rules:
The idea of never putting on a wet wetsuit is pretty dang enticing. As Taylor Knox says, "I used to have to have a quiver of wetsuits, but not any more." Because you can take the suit off, and literally in 30 minutes it will be dry to the touch (I timed it, mine took 18 minutes in the sun before it was good to go again), the worry of cold dawn patrols and shocker lunch sessions is severely mitigated.

"Our development team spent over two years testing and refining the new Flash Dry material," says Elbing. "We went through six versions to arrive at a point where drying time, flexibility, weight, and durability were up to our highest standards. We performed both in-field and lab tests on new developments to quantify key variables such as stretch, weight, warmth and durability. Once we fine-tuned these attributes, we were ready to release the suit."

The seams are taped on the inside and out, so not a drop of water leaks through, which makes the suit all the more toasty. And with the chest zip version you don't get any seepage from the zipper. (A back zip model is available for $30 less, and I'm sure it works fine.) All told, it's a very warm, very well designed suit that feels like it'd would keep you warm even when the water temps start to dance in the low 50s.

In about a dozen sessions the suit was never once rash inducing, which is nice. It moved well in the water, although to be fair, I'm deathly scared of peeing in it. Growing up in colder water I'm a huge proponent of the sacred ritual, but this double-knit fabric and water tight fit has me worried. Otherwise, stoked, it's a great suit that I'd recommend to any one of my gainfully employed friends. At $400 it's not cheap, but then can you really put a price on creature comforts?"

Where to find it:
Support your local surf shop. Buy it here at Pioneers, 3/2s and 4/3s in stock with 5/4s on the way!!! We are your number one resource for Surf, Skate, and Snow on the Seacoast!!!!

Hampton Bowl Update!!!

Friends of The Hampton Skatepark gift to you on Go Skateboarding Day

Well it's getting real close! The Who Skates crew has been busting their asses the project and it's looking so good! It's fitting that the final pour of the bowl is taking place on Go Skateboarding Day!!! I rolled by this morning while the crew was working on the decks. I fired off a ton of photos and figured I would post them up here for all to see. The flat bottom is still in the curing process and the decks will be for the next 24 hours. Please resist the temptation to skate. We're so close to having a flawless bowl in Hampton.

Friends of The Hampton Skate Park are still looking for donations. Please support if you can and haven't already!!! We still need to raise some serious coin to get this bowl finished right. Please call for details on how you can help. Friends of The Hampton Skate Park are still selling bricks and will be for about one more week. Please help us make it happen!!!

Making it happen. Getting them decks done!!

Team effort here. This bowl is gonna rock!!! I can't believe it's down the street from my house!!!

The lady of the Crete!!! Michelle is making it happen for us... Beyond stoked she's on this project!!!

Father's Day Present Ideas from Pioneers in NH

What to get the ol' man, that's the question on everyones mind. Father's day is in two weeks and I've got my top five gift ideas to get the ball rolling. So in no special order here we go...

1. Watches!!!!

If your dad spends anytime near or on the sea I bet he would be SO STOKED with a new Ripcurl or Nixon tidewatch!!! Or maybe he'd prefer something a little more dress casual, no worries we got those too.

2. Sandals!!!

We've got a really solid selection of Reef and Ripcurl flip flops but the one I got in mind is the Reef Fanning. It's the most badass of all for two reasons, one it's as comfortable as slaps get and two is has a bottle opener built into the sole. Your dad will never again be left wandering aimlessly looking for the disappearing opener.

3. Sunglasses!!!

Oakley, Electric, Von Zipper all available in polarized!!! We've got a style of shade for every dad! From the chilled out Electric Knoxville to the Speed ready Oakley Jaw Bone.

4. Trunks!!!

We've got so many good trunks its hard to explain! We just got two new styles in today from Volcom and they are rad. We've got board shorts from O'neill, Ripcurl, Vans, Matix, Reef, and more. Seamless with 4 way stretch is the way to go, swing by and make we'll make sure your dad gets just what he needs!

5. Stand Up Paddle Boards!!!

There are so many good things about S.U.P.s. They'll get your dad outside and they are a great form of exercise. He can tour the coast, explore the marshes and inlets, and cruise freshwater lakes and rivers. They're awesome to fish off and a fun way to see what the coastline has to offer. Boards sizes range from 7'11 to 11'6 and the prices start at $725. Swing by the shop or give us a call for more info.

DVS RICO SANDBAR SERIES

Well here it is, THE DVS RICO SANDBAR SERIES has arrived and it's pretty much the best summer/ocean shoe ever... For real!! Your eyes are not lying to you that shoe really has a full highly breathable and water-friendly mesh uppers. The shoe is lined with lycra for next-to-skin comfort on bare feet and has a lightly padded footbed for all day comfort. The Rico also features vulcanized construction for a slimmed-down look and crazy traction.

This shoe is perfect for tons of water activities both on the ocean and inland. Salt water, fresh water, mud, marsh it don't mater it's pretty much the perfect fishing shoe and or the boating shoe. It would make a great SUP shoe or just a shoe to kick it on the beach in. If you really tried to skate the Rico you would destroy it and bloody your feet but for riding a longboard or cruising the wall on your skate, it couldn't be better. Or perhaps you're like me and you don't do the sandal thing, well the Rico is just what you need. It's perfect for keeping your feet cool and fresh all summer long. The possibilities are endless but are supply of Ricos is not, so get on it while they last!

Grab some Ricos get em wet and don't stress it!

Donald Takayama Hawaiian Pro Design and Stretch Surfboards at Pioneers in NH, MA, ME

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!!!

It's no secret that we're on the hustle to scrape together some money to fund the construction of a killer concrete bowl in Hampton. Thus far we've had car washes, hosted the B-Ball Shoot out, and sold some baked goods! We're doing well with the fundraising effort but tonight is the night we expect to really RALLY. We're going to be PARTYING at THE FLATBREAD PIZZA COMPANY in AMESBURY, MA from 5-10pm. It's gonna be AWESOME!!!! Live music from everyones favorite NH group, TODO BIEN, a 50/50 raffle, we've got a 6'0 Aloha Bean we'll be raffling off, and we'll be selling BRICKS!!! As you can see there will be lots happening and EVERYONE is going to be there!!! Flatbread will be donating $$ from every pie bought so make sure you come HUNGRY.

After you purchase your BRICK you'll be given a sticker just like this one to wear around for the night so that everyone knows you're DOWN FOR THE CAUSE!!!! In case you need a reminder what buying a brick for the skatepark is all about check it HERE!

This is the board that will be up for raffle tonight! It's a 6'0 Aloha Bean. It has carbon fiber rails and is stringerless! It's the type of board you can surf in any kind of wave! There will be 25 raffle tickets available at $25 a piece which means you have a pretty good chance at winning this beauty. Every cent raised through this raffle will go directly to the skatepark. Our good buddy Ed at GLOBAL SURF INDUSTRIES is down for the cause and hooked us up with this board at no charge! What a guy!

In other news.... WE HAVE WAVES THIS MORNING!!! And I'm not talking about knee high slop waves like the past two weeks, I'm talking about chest high sets and relatively clean too! I was so stoked to surf that I was in the water at 5:30 this morning. I surfed for 3 hours and got tons of waves. I'm in love with my new PLACEBO ROCKET and I'm pretty sure I did the best turn of my life today on it. In my head I looked like a goofy footed Joel Parkinson out there for a split second! I'm confident that Joel would agree!

We had a late arrival yesterday and 6 beautiful STRETCH F4s showed up as well as 6 Hawaiian Pro longboards from the Legendary Donald Takayama.

First up is the In The Pink model from Takayama. This board features a 2 + 1 fin set up with a 60/40 rail. With a harder rail by the tail this board will really turn but through it's design will nose ride with the best of them. The In The Pink is one of the most well rounded longboards on the planet! In addition to the In The Pink we also got a really nice 9'2 DT-2 and an 8'6 Scorpion.

Now here is the Stretch F4. The design of the nose and tail is fuller which straightens out the mid-section, thus inducing speed. The fuller template also affords riders to go about 2″ shorter than their normal short board. The 4 fin configuration is such that it rides like a tri-fin yet pro­duces even more drive and acceleration. A “fishy” feel that surfs off the tail; this design is quick turning, ultra-responsive, and fast! From small beach breaks to Tahit­ian death tubes to monster Mavericks, Nathan, as well as many other team riders, are riding this design in any size, in any condition, and in any location! We've got them in sizes 6'0, 6'2, 6'4, 6'8, 7'0, and 7'6 in all white, they all come with a bag and fins at a great price.

Both the weather and the wave forecasts have potential! Keep the stoke ALIVE and we'll see you tonight!!!

Vans Chukka Lows @ Pioneers in NH

The final day of the Billabong Rio Pro is LIVE right HERE in two-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Barra da Tijuca and today’s action will begin with Round 5 and eventually crown a champion by day’s end. After some massive upsets in round 3 and 4 the boys remaining are onto the quarters. Slater, Jordy, and Mick all went down early leaving the door open for some changes on the leader board. I'm thinking we'll see a Taj v.s. Adriano fianl today even though Adriano just took out Owen Wright in a not so clear cut win. Adriano received an excellent score for a one maneuver wave and Owen surfed a great wave right at the buzzer falling a tenth of a point shy of Adriano. Owen was very gracious in his defeat but clearly stated his point in the after heat interview. It was really close but have a look at the heat highlights HERE and make your own opinion.

Pioneers is VERY WELL STOCKED with VANS CHUKKA LOWS!!!! Get after em'.

The Pro-Tec Pool Party is pretty much the most prestigious skateboard contest going. Win here and your pretty much a legend FOREVER!!! Our boy NOLAN MONROE placed 5th last year and we have high hopes for a top 3 finish for the young gun this year! There is some big news just out, Bucky Lasek is out with a serious ankle break but stepping in to fill the void.... legendary Tony Hawk.

Tony has never competed at the bowl and it will be cool to see the birdman back at it. The big question will be does Tony have what it takes to keep up with the young guns of skateboarding??? "I've been wanting to skate the Pro-tec event for a while, but I was either out of town or hurt over the last few years. To me, the Pool Party event symbolizes how far skating has come, where legends and modern skaters ride together in an iconic pool. Just hoping I can still do my Upland lines..." Live webcast of the whole contest tomorrow right HERE starting at 6pm.

Don't forget!!!! Tuesday, Flatbread Pizza Company in Amesbury from 5-10!!!!

SUPPORT!!!!!

I'm not sure how much longer I can take this weather!!!! At least we got some little messy waves in the water today and some cleaner knee high ones for tomorrow, fingers crossed.