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Ted the Kiwi said..
I dream of a day when turn up with no boards at my destination and have my file loaded n a board is 'printed out' similar to what Roy is doing. After I am finished my trip it's recylced and helps to reproduce the next blokes. I honestly believe this is the future
I love technology and applaud what RS is doing. Surfing has been devoid of innovation for too long - compared to other industries of a similar scale. What other industry is still using the same technology 50yrs later for a vast proportion of the volumes? Not many.
In terms of tuff light - they may not have taken off with the hArdcore surfer but in terms of units sold I reckon they have done wonders.
A few years ago Ted I was doing some work with the Australian Surf Craft Industry Association. With family in Education and having recently completed some Training and Assessing quals I was helping them at that time on the development of formal trade qualifications for surfboard manufacturers.
The benefits were many, creating a credible qual for little Johnny to see some kind of career path by linking it to Composites Tech qualifications and pathways to advanced applications outside of the Surfing Industry.
The largest win I believed was that as part of any trade qualification in this day and age would be to teach apprentices about other techniques instead of just the old PU and Poly standards.
Just imagine if you will an industry full of people with skills to mould, vacuum bag, explore other materials and generally not be afraid to experiment. Throw in youth, excitement and competition and where would we end up??
To cut a long story short the "experts" at that time could see no sense in teaching anyone anything other than the standard materials... Opportunity lost.