Bluecoil

Bob Miller — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:18:16 +0000

Last Spring I took a week and headed over to mainland Mexico near Puerta Vallarta with my girl friend for a little sun and surf. I’ve said before you can’t miss with mainland Mex, there is always surf there. We surfed a little reef near Punta Mita on Banderas bay. It was small and clean and uncrowded. It was one of those sessions that was a break through day for my girl. Coming more from a skiing background she likened the conditions to skiing powder. For her it was an Epiphany. Break through days keep you going in life. Later that day as we had a cocktail on the veranda of a restaurant in Sayulita, I reflected on Mexico and the freedom I always seem to feel there. In the main square in Sayulita a truck drove by with 8 people in the back of the bed, adults and kids all laughin, lovin life. In america you can’t do that anymore. We decided to walk into the main square and decided to bring our Margarita with us, the waiter poured it into a to-go cup and off we went. In America you can’t do that anymore. Later we walked over to a corner taco vendor, they were grilling fresh shrimp and chopping condiments all in the open air. In America you can’t do that. By the time I was ready to go back home I honestly didn’t want to go. We are so burdened by rules and regulations in America by a government that frankly doesn’t trust its citizens anymore. Its sad…. In the seventies we would drive up and down the coast camping overnight on beaches with out a care, now there is always a Ranger or Sheriff telling you no. Our freedom seems to be slipping away and surfing and the ocean are the last refuge it seems. We all take care of ourselves and look out for others out there. We all find a way to make it work without intervention from the law. I like it that way.

The DT5 coming of age

Bob Miller — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:40:56 +0000

Years ago we started to make our quads capable of becoming a tri fin thruster set up. It was some work in finding the right placement so that the Tri setup would work with the Quad set up. In board design, you often find compromise, giving something up to get something is the name of the game. Often times what you find is there is a lot to learn from compromises. Actually the fin placement when riding the DT5 as a thruster is looser than most thrusters. Its a little further forward than a standard thruster but, it doesn’t seem to give up that drive off the bottom that thrusters are so well known for. As a quad its capable of down the line speed and looseness that is mind blowing. It all really comes down to the conditions your surfing in, and, the types of waves you surf if a board will work optimally.

Modern boards are so good and modern surfers are doing things we could only dream about 25 years ago. Whats really gratifying to see as a shaper is all the top “names”……..you know the Als the Rusty’s etc, well they all have this design in their lineup of boards now and you know why? Because it works! and, it works well for a lot of everyday surfers. Its nice to see things moving in the direction of the everyday guy.

New “Devo” Line up, New Devo Construction….

Bob Miller — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:44:49 +0000

The soon arriving New “Devolution” line from Bluecoil will show some big changes to our ” back to the basics…naked truth” surfboards.

For the first time Bluecoil Devos will mirror the shapes of our PVC and Bamboo Construction boards. And the biggest change of all we are bringing back by popular demand the performance of PU and Polyester. The flex/performance preferred by many surfers only found in traditional materials and construction is now an option in Bob Miller’s/Bluecoil designs. And as always at remarkable prices!

Coming early December!

Pleasure Point Here We Are!

Lance Eppard — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:29:19 +0000

3700 Portola Drive at the corner of 37th. Santa Cruz. Bluecoil Surfboard warehouse comes to you! Look for us Saturday 9/4

SUP?

Bob Miller — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:57:43 +0000

For quite a long time now the SUP/stand up paddle board has been something that a lot of people in the industry have pushed real hard to promote. Most industry people just want to sell product. I have seen some real pieces of Sh*$#t out there that are passing for SUP’s. Many, me included, have feared the inevitable over crowding of wave zones by them and the eventual conflict between surfers. I have been working on designs for sometime now and although enjoy it, I personally have a little trouble with them. Here is why….its cheating! It is just to easy to out position surfers and get the best waves….. With that said, I have chosen to not ride in established wave zones. Instead I have opted for lesser surfed spots/ crappy waves and also, utilizing them as pleasure craft/cruising. Cruising, I can actually get behind because there is a huge amount of ocean, rivers, and lakes out there but very few surf zones. It allows many people the opportunity to get involved in water sports. I feel the more people that get out and do things on the water the more likely they will become conscientious and care for this amazing resource. The people who care most about the ocean are the ones using it.

Everyone of us at Bluecoil don’t care what you’re on out there. Be it surfboard, SUP, kayak, boogie board, wind surfboard, kiteboard, sailboat, dinghy, whatever! We do care that you optimize the experience and we think our boards do that best. That is why we make what we make. Enjoy yourself out there, that’s why you do it, right?

Pleasure Point Here We Come.

Bob Miller — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:21:51 +0000

Be looking out for the new Bluecoil Surfshop @ Pleasure Point! Not like many surf shops you will have ever seen. Boards boards and only boards..Well ok some wax, leashes bags and fins. Come and get to know the most knowledgeable, engaged and committed team of board builders, designers anywhere. Stay tuned for Opening Dates, and exact location!

Development and Design Changing the Blue Coil Line Up.

Bob Miller — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:33:21 +0000

With an ever present desire to improve the Bluecoil line up (and therefore your surfing experience). We Going to be bringing some new shapes to our Epoxy/Bamboo/XTR Surfboard line.

For the past 5 years I have been working on what many call the best surfing “Log/Traditional style Longboard ever. While that is a kinda hard thing to swallow. (blush) But, I kinda do think so myself. We are going to be offering in limited numbers the Bob Miller Rambler in our Bamboo construction. The Bamboo sandwich is a great way to get more of the flex and therefore feel of a poly type construction. The bamboo boards have a more “familiar flex pattern” that reminds many of the traditional polyester resin and polyurethane foam boards.

The Rambler with its unique “scalloped” square tail, pivots, glides and yet carves like a true combo of a wide square tailed nose rider and round pin “point break trim machine”. Check back for more new developments for Bluecoil.

Bringing an old idea back with Greater/Greener purpose.

Bob Miller — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:06:43 +0000

Back in the early 1980’s Bob Miller was involved (along with his own company ASD,) a new sailboard company Woodwinds. Woodwinds with Bob’s “Sandwich” construction knowledge created the first of the XPS Wood veneer laminated sailboards. These were strong and beautiful creations blending natural and manufactured materials. Step now into the year 2010, Bluecoil and Bob Miller have brought together the strength, beauty, sustainability and the possibility of recycling, XPS foam, Bamboo veneer and Epoxy resin. Surfboards and SUPs that will stun you with their beauty, strength and ride-ability.

Stay tuned to The Bluecoil Web page for pictures and details of the the Newest Bluecoil offering. Value in strength. Value in innovation. Value in pricing. Value in experience. Value in fun!

Getting through a cold rainy winter

Bob Miller — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:22:28 +0000

Well here it is the winter of 2010! I decided last fall that this winter I would spend time traveling to warm places. With Lance here at Bluecoil, my opportunity to step out for a few weeks at a time is an opportunity I have not had for a while so I decided to take full advantage. In Oct/Nov I spent 2 weeks in southern Baja. Driving the full length of the Baja peninsula is a travel experience not to be missed by any California surfer. The 1000 miles of surfable coastline is a surfers dream. From cool water to warm water, reefs, beach breaks, and some of the best points in the world. In December I flew to the eastern caribbean to stay with friend and surf, dive and fish for 2 weeks. If you have never been to that part of the Atlantic I would say check it out. The Islands are amazing! Next time I hope to have the opportunity to sail and surf between Islands, but, for sure I will need more time to explore….such a big planet so little time! Last week I was in mainland Mexico. I haven’t been there for 3 years and I will never let that happen again! There is so much good warm water surf in Mexico, thousands of miles of beaches, clear water, great food, nice people, amazing! Mexico is really producing some good surfer these days and they are fun to share waves with. In this business the opportunity to surf travel is the trade off for lower income and less possessions, its a lifestyle choice I made a long time ago. For me I think I did the right thing.

Same As It Ever Was; Back To The Future #2

Bob Miller — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:21:16 +0000

What an amazing thing this surf lifestyle/business is. We have had such wonderful friendships and kinships developed over the last 30ish years.

A few days back I had a couple of guys come in to check out some boards. These 40+ year olds were just stoked as all get out to be buying new boards.

We walked through what they needed and I explained Bob’s thoughts on the boards they were looking at. One of the the men said they were so happy to find us because their first surfboards were shaped by Bob in the 80’s. They said the bought them at a surf shop owned by a guy named Lance! “That would be me” I said. We laughed and talked about their old boards, which as my twisted mind works I remembered the boards, but not them.

They each bought full foiled Devolutions, that although are longer have very similar characteristics to the first generation thrusters they bought back in 1983!