Indo Jax Surf School, Wilmington, NC | 910.274.3565

This will probably be the last post of our 2008 season.  I’d like to take this time to wish all of our students, supporters, and staff a Merry christmas and Happy New Year!  I hope you all are having a great holiday and enjoying yourselves.  I had a blast delivering all the boards that were ordered.  I felt a little like Santa Claus.  I hope those boards get lots of use.  I’d like to thank all of those involved with Indo Jax, especially our instructors.  You made the season the success it was.  Kevin, Liz, Dave H., Dave G., Billy Boy, Chris, Drew, Leeanna, Dmitri, you all did an awesome job and we look forward to having you back next year.  It was great getting involved in the surfing community here in the Wilmington area.  We had fun and were impressed by all the fun events, fundraising, and charity that this surf town supports, Life Rolls On, Surfer’s Healing, Hope From Helen, Mustaches for Kids, East Coast Wahines, Lyme Disease Benefit Surf Contest, the list goes on.  We were honored to be part of these wonderful events and feel we have made some lasting friendships along the way.  We definitely look forward to an even better 2009 season, and to supporting these and more events next year.

On a personal note, I have much to be thankful for.  Our new son Finn is happy and healthy and approaches his first birthday in a few days.  Our daughter is enjoying Kindergarten and our new neighborhood, she is growing up to be a happy and healthy “Beach Girl.”  And my wife Aileen and I have realized our dream of building a “Green Home” in the beautiful subdivision of Sagewood at Plantation Landing.  We recently moved in to this home, and although we are still working out the kinks, we are getting settled.  This house is Energy Star certified and as well is NC’s first LEED certified home.  It comes equipped with Isonene insulation, solar tubes, dual flush toilets, low flow water, recycled countertops and carpets, high efficiency fans and HVAC, and tankless water heaters to name a portion of the features.  The outside has rain barrels and a rain garden.  We are loving our new home and neighborhood.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year!  We look forward to seeing you in 2009. 

Jack

I have been getting many inquiries and lots of orders for surfboards in recent weeks, so felt compelled to write about board purchasing.  Indo Jax does sell surfboards, but more importantly we happily give advice for buying boards, even if you don’t buy from us.  More than anything we want you to make a smart purchase!  Most people who buy boards from us are beginners, so the following advice is for beginners.

When buying surfboards for a beginner, safety should be the number one factor.  There are 3 basic boards out there to consider.  1.  hard boards-these boards are fiberglass, epoxy, or hard plastic.  We do NOT recommend these for beginners.  While these types of boards are durable, they can easily hurt you, your child, or others in the water.   2. soft top boards-  these are boards with a hard core and a thin soft coat over the top.  This type of board is hardly safer than a hard board, if at all.  Again, although durable, these are not the safest boards for beginners.  We do NOT recommend these for beginners either.  Riding a heavy, hard board is like riding a bicycle without a helmet!  3. Soft boards-these are boards that have a foam core and foam outer skin.  They are soft on top and bottom.  These kind of boards are the safest and what we recommend for beginners.  Soft foam boards are also lighter and much easier for smaller children to handle.  We at Indo Jax only use and sell completely soft boards.  There are many brands out there, so whatever you buy for the beginner, make sure it is soft on top and on the bottom.  Soft boards are generally a little less durable, but if properly cared for will last plenty long enough to progress to the next level.   When buying a board you should also make sure the fins are soft and flexible, not sharp and hard.  You will need a leash as well.  The leash should be as long as the board or very close to it.  If you have further questions about board purchasing please e-mail or call us, we will be happy to assist.

After safety, you should consider performance.  This is often the “You get what you pay for!”  part of soft board purchasing.  Nonetheless, a beginner should be looking to buy an 8 foot board or longer, depending on their weight.  Rarely do we recommend boards shorter than that.  Longer boards, float better, paddle better, and catch small waves better than shorter boards.  A  longer board makes for a more enjoyable learning experience.   You should look for a board with a wide “longboard” shaped nose, rather than a ”pulled in” or sharp nose.  A wide nose makes a board easier to paddle and more stable.  Shorter, narrower boards are much harder to paddle and far less stable.  They make learning more difficult and discouraging.  A long board with a wide nose is more forgiving as you improve your balance, increase your paddle strength, and improve your surfing ability.   Again, if you have any questions at all, please give us a shout.  We are more than happy to assist.

Jack

This is just an update on the various charity events that the  Indo Jax Surf and Kiteboard School  is taking part in.

  Although it was very cold, the World Aids Day event warmed our hearts.  Kevin, Billy, and I attended the ceremony and it was very touching.  We are proud of our affiliation with CARE, and look forward to many more surf camps for children afflicted with AIDS.

 Hope From Helen is tonight from 6:30-9:30 at the Blackade Runner!  Indo Jax Surf and Kiteboard School donated a surfboard and lesson package worth over $1,000!  We hope to see you all there.  The money goes for good causes so make a bid!

The “Stache Bash” is next Friday at Kefi from 7:30 on.  The Indo Jax crew will be there in force, sportin there fuzzy lips and fantastic costumes.  The Mustaches For Kids charity event has been loads of fun and we’ve raised a few bucks doing it.  I’m guessing the Indo Jax instructors  have raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $500+.  The money goes to various charities such as “The Make a Wish Foundation” and “CHOICES” (an after school program for at-risk children).  

For those of you who have taken part in these charities, and those of you who have donated time and money, Thank You!