The Nineplus Blog

Inspiration

Richard — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:11:56 +0000

Received an email this morning from the Finisterre Crew and was really inspired by this small clip. They say a picture paints a thousand words, well this should speak immeasurably. Enjoy

Jake Bevan

Richard — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:27:11 +0000

Heres an image of young Jake Bevan from Cronulla in Australia. A really beautiful photo taken by his Dad. Enjoy.

Failure

Richard — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:03:42 +0000

Probably the most difficult thing as a company we have had to deal with in 15 years has been the problem that our wetsuits have caused us. We never meant to even make the things - see, back in 2000 we started the program just to give the employees some black wetsuits which didn’t feel like huge adverts and also used high quality Japanese rubber which we had heard kept you warmer in cold water. After 5 years we were selling around 1000 per year and we started thinking, yeah lets keep the program going. By 2007 we were working with what one might refer to as the ‘avant guard’ of the wetsuit market working with a triathlon based manufacturer that had been in business since 1964 and was an absolute expert in smooth-skin production using Japanese glue & neoprene and keeping everyone they suited both warm and toasty. Yes we had some small issues with zipper heads pulling off but we moved from PK zip heads to YKK and never saw another issue. What we didn’t realise is working with smooth-skin and having only a single side to blind-stitch is a masters game.

In 2008 we were contacted by a very well known producer from Taiwan and they helped re-design the range, they were good – but not the same nice homely lightweight, quick drying, warm and supple neoprene that we had been enjoying from Yamamoto. 1 season in and we were ready to move back and by chance we were met with another supplier who claimed to work closely with Yamamoto and would deliver great suits again. This was the beginning of the learning curve tht has taken 3 years to work on. I write this personally and to travel the coastlines picking up arm fulls of wetsuits that were ripping open almost made me quit, it was at some stages a 20% return rate. One weekend, a few years back we were at a trade show and after breaking the stand down we travelled to LAX, slept for 3 hours and took the next available flight to Shanghai followed by a deep trek into China to find the source of the issues. For the next year we had to manage returns, help with issues, find out and understand all the various glues that are used, reactive components in wetsuits and understand how temperamental working with smooth-skin really is. Even our competitors had started to stop using it – but us, me – we stubbornly refused to quit.

This has led us to working with the best people in the wetsuit market again for 2011. This has made us memorise the whole Yamamoto catalogues, this has led us to test every stage of the suit manufacturing process, this has led us to test the glues and their origination and this has led us to spend whole nights thinking about how we can get back to making the warmest, understated, comfortable and stylish suits on the market while avoiding heartache at times we have felt. How can we actually do this? By failing. How? Beacuse failure creates either 3 things, bitterness, defeat or experience. Failure that costs means you start measuring twice & cutting once, receiving emails from around the world from upset people helps your customer service skills better than any outside mentor, understanding the qualities of the neoprene, stitching and glue is priceless and how exactly does one learn those skills held by decades of understanding of older generations – through failure? It is always agreed that those who bear the scars are the only ones who can accuratly describe the battle. As the UK’s World War 2 – Prime Minister ’Winston Churchill’ famously once said, ‘Success is never final, Failure is never fatal, it is courage to continue that counts. Behind the scenes we continued and we have worked very hard to learn from a steep learning curve and early indications is that our new wetsuits are ‘the bomb’ – how?

Failure, embrace it.

Ingredients !!!

Follow the heart……..and your brand will follow.

Richard — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:50:55 +0000

So after what has now been 15 years this year since we started we thought it might be nice to share the vision of where we are going and take a little time to explain the direction Nineplus is heading in. Since 2008 when the company changed its direction following the release from its shareholding responsibilities and also headed towards the heavy CA. influence within the brand it has been increasing its following and this year will see the divide as Nineplus heads of towards a more original, vintage style and HASU takes over the more simplistic, subtle and modern approach. Why? Because on one side we have an existing nostalgic and retro image and on the other we have been holding some of the best materials & technology in our hands for a while now and are desperate to get to the forefront of design and development and take surfing products to the next level. Think a VW a 66 Split Screen & a ’11 VW Sport line Transporter – or an Aston Martin DB9 & a Jaguar E-Type. Sometimes both ends are appealing and so using the same ‘lotus flower’ logo we will unite both Nineplus & HASU as these projects continue to develop.

Scan across the surfing and sporting goods horizon and its not hard to see it gets a little blurry when watching the major players. Bulk numbers are done through major discounters, (yes honestly) while the smaller shops set the trend. Its all sell, sell, sell – and one can be forgiven to be left thinking ‘where has all the soul gone, and what happened to the style? Well it started rewarding brand shareholders who sit back and earn money for nothing other than having it to lend and then got lost trying to keep it up.

Many people take a guess and will say we are a Californian company, which is cool, but we are actually from the UK. We have a base now in CA and also Australia but most of the ideas are born at our offices deep in the Countryside of Cornwall which is in the southern west tip of the United Kingdom. Travel and an open mind mean that Nineplus & soon to be HASU pulls from travel, books, music, poetry, film and other ideas to create a its own interpretation of how surfing is seen and also felt. This then translates into products which are used and in turn make the brand take a tangible form. Over the past few years its been interesting how these areas of self expression within music and the alternative surfing scene have moved in similar currents. Maybe its the heart speaking but if you take surfing’s anti corporate following and sit it next to the same within the music industry things start looking very similar. People dress in a way that is unique which is then copied and filtered down to something that becomes a trend later on. Large companies spend huge amounts of money trying to find these trends and designers earn lots to discover them? Why – because they flow fromthe heart of creativity and money cannot make it, while the average joe wants to replicate it.

Interesting stuff – but how does this relate to Nineplus? Well firstly we only do things that we feel fit our style. Second we work from the heart. That has actually made the journey quite difficult as there has been a learning curve of trial and error which in our case has been both expensive and at times frustrating. But for what we lost we have also kept the ‘heart’ and at the end of it all and finances dismissed its the point that makes us know we wouldn’t chose to do anything else. Using this we have been looking at where the brand goes and thought after all these words we might include the pictures of the mood board that adorns the back wall of the office. Before you look through the images, the descriptive is: ‘looking back before looking forward’, using ‘British culture to a global audience’ and ‘creating nostalgic appeal through modern media’. Follow the heart……………hope you can feel it.

Mark Neville

Richard — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:04:36 +0000

On Friday 4th February 2011, our friend Mark Neville went missing. On Tuesday the 22nd February 2011 our fears were confirmed regarding Marks wellbeing and the confirmation of his passing was made known.

Mark, a world renowned surfboard shaper and the man behind producing the whole Nineplus surfboard offering for the last 10 years has been a person we have spent hours too numerous to count with.

Mark brought much happiness to many people including those whom have and still do ride the hand crafted surfboards his skilful hands created. ‘Nev’ as he was also known was a true gentleman and the hours we spent together creating the various surfboard models were filled with kindness, intrigue, philosophy, interest, creativity, inspiration, understanding and mutual respect. Marks hands built surfboards using words and ideas and made them into reality and he is the main reason so many people write to us and claim how much better they have become at surfing – it is due to his input and ability; the ability of Mark Neville.

Always resistant to the shaping machine and with talent to be able to truly resist the precision a machine can offer, Mark was exact and he was his own machine. Often the only car left at the Seabase factory each evening and always free to talk and show interest to whoever wanted to have a word. His encouragement was infectious and each time I drove up for meetings I would also see him first and wax lyrical about whatever was on our hearts.

It is with deep sorrow I have learnt of your early departure Mark, Bless you and your family and I pray the works of your hands become even more treasured in the hands of those fortunate to own one.

Love Richard.

Mark choosing his blank - photo David Harris

Califor-ni-a

Richard — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:59:31 +0000

So, 15 years later and I find myself doing the same job I was doing at 19 years of age across the United Kingdom only now Im doing it up and down the coast of California. Many people think we are a big company with lots of people and although combined we do quite well and we call upon some great people whom I call friends along with colleagues. I also have enjoyed the things that Nineplus has enabled me to do which one might call ’the donkey work’ – the hard initial slog of building a brand. Of course this does have its perks; This past weekend for instance having been in Mexico surfing some awesome waves at Baja Malibu & San Miguel (albeit without some hassle from Mexican learners) we have enjoyed both sun and surf and after staying on a vineyard close to Ensenada where we are trialing a holiday which we will be offering for people who want to come and surf California and Baja where they can surf, wine taste and sample the cuisine all cared for and using surfboards and wetsuits that we have based here.

Pleasure Point Board Meeting, Santa Cruz with Alex Thompson

All enjoyable stuff although coming on the back of travelling the whole California coastline in the last week as we continue to establish the Nineplus brand in the 25 carefully selected retailers within the sunshine state, 1200 miles with early mornings and late evenings as we drive PCH and the 1 North does get you tired. As the owner of the brand and the primary responsible party when things go wrong it has been a privilege to go back to the same job I was doing 15 years ago and that is literally filling the car with samples, products and catalogues and head out into the sunrise and building relationships with the people I am beginning to call friends. Why? because we enjoy the fact we don’t have the budget of a corporate machine and well…..I am of the opinion you don’t cook brands in microwaves but instead build them over time, listening to the retailers and learning from the very people who meet and understand the customer. Behind most surfing companies are shareholders demanding growth and profitability which dictates the brands stratergy. Ours is the same as the mission statement: Grow in line with a demand for products that appeal to the core surfing market, if you make a living doing it then you are fortunate, if you start making alot of money, reduce your prices. No Nordstroms, No JC Penny, No Rosses & No Target. We are surfers and we work with surfers whom work with surfers to help surfers surf. Its been enjoyable to ‘Pop the trunk’ and allow the customer to chose some in-fill, select some fins, tell me about their shop and how its been getting through the problems the recession has placed upon them. I enjoy it and as we slowly start working with the sales people whom will take the pressure of the relentless schdule my trips place upon me in doing the job that others invest thousands in doing by standing in a tradeshow booth, I wanted to publicly on the site say thanks to everyone who has bought anything with ‘Nineplus’ attached to it. It is a privaledge to serve you. I would also like to think that over time the investment of an owner on the road was the right decision and its been great doing the same things as I had to did right back at the beginning – finding the customers and building freindships, what first attracted me to ditch school and chase the surfing industry. Isn’t that why the surf industry is so attractive, as its way of living the dream and making waves part of our daily lifestyle. Now here in CA and with being based close to San Onofre, a warehouse close to Rincon and the first sales person based at Santa Cruz linking the dots have never seemed like so fun. Oh yeah Robbie at Esteem, Pismo – it was great to meet you. Thanks for the shirt !!!

Links

Richard — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:03:41 +0000

Here’s a first, surfers cuff links. Cast with silver plating and the ‘Joplin’ logo displayed in enamel these cuff links are the sure way to make the drudgery of a suit a little more interesting while showing that the surfer is present while the professional is on display. At the moment there has only been 50 sets made and are extremely limited in their production but sometime in the New Year we will start to make them available to those who want to remain retro while responsible

Looking for wrists

Heres to you folks – thank you

Richard — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:40:36 +0000

This is to say thank you for all your support, custom, supply and encouragement throughout 2010. Everything we do is only possible with our customers and suppliers and we thank you on both sides and wish you a very Happy Christmas and the best heading towards 2011.

Its Christmas Time !!!

Richard — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:14:56 +0000

Surf Clothing Sale at the Tubestation in Polzeath.

On December 21^st/22^nd & 23^rd there will be a sale of Surfing & Skateboard clothing stocks that have been provided by Nineplus, Volcom, RVCA, Wavehunters and Vestal watches that will be held at ‘The Tubestation’ in Polzeath Beach. The Church which actually has a half-pipe for a pulpit will over these dates be holding a sale in order raise funds further help the local community. There will be mince pies and hot drinks over the three days while on the third day, much of the remaining stock will be gifted to people in aid of helping those who do not have much to give or receive this Christmas. If you feel you might be one of these then please feel free to join us at ‘The Tubestation’ on the 23^rd where things left will be free of charge once the first two sale days have taken place. We really hope that people will feel generously blessed this Christmas and hope this contributes to the Christmas spirit of giving. Please note for the best goods it will start on the 21^st so it will be what is left that remains to be gifted. Everyone is welcome.

Sale on !!!

Happy Feet !!

Richard — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:07:45 +0000

So there’s so good news and some bad news. The good is we have created a new wetsuit boot over the past couple of years which is lined in a water resistant thermal fleece which based upon our samples are so warm and toasty that it might actually be more fun hanging five in these than without – hmmm….’nah maybe not, but still if cold water is unavoidable then so should these boots be. The styling is quite nice too being covered with little lotus flowers and featuring a surface strap to pull the boot into the contours of your foot and minimise any slack in the neoprene. So with all this good news, whats the bad. Well the material is so new that it wont be available as a product until July 2011. Sorry, just have to tell your toes that there on the waiting list.

November Rain – Sorry Snow !!!

Richard — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:33:50 +0000

Here’s a sight, the Nineplus office in the UK during November getting covered in snow. While we are looking to get on a flight this weekend to the sunny state and escape the -5 temperature that has been brought in over the past week from the antarctic winds we are quietly hoping for a white Christmas. It is tempting to test the wetsuits in the current temperature to make sure the new suits are really as warm as we proclaim they are so if the swells arrives we will let you know how well they do being worn in temperatures lower than an eskimos socks at bath time.

Brrrrrrrr....................

Does ‘HASU no HANA’ smell good to you?

Richard — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:32:49 +0000

So as we continue to build our new brand ‘HASU’ taken from ‘HASU no HANA’ meaning the ‘Lotus Flower’ in its Japanese tongue we were made aware of a fragrance, apparently started in 1888 and keeping its users aware of a new brand that would emerge from the Nineplus camp in over a hundred years since the perfumes conception. We knew that HASU is becoming as awaited as Dre’s ‘Detox’ album but this takes it to a new level, not sure what smelling of a lotus might be like?

No Lotus Flowers were actually damaged in this process !!! we think?

The Absence of Light: a chronicle of surfing

Troy Mothershead — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:59:56 +0000

Photo: Bryce Johnson, http://www.brycejohnson.com/blog/

It’s amazing what the absence of light does to your senses. I think we often take for granted the ability to sense visually. If you get deep enough, it’s incredible how we see the world through our eyes and process with our brain and make thoughts and judgments and ideas out of our sight. I’m not sure why I never experienced this before, I can hypothesize it was due to the peculiar lighting we experienced tonight before sunset. Although, the sun never did set, well it did, but we never saw it. It was one of those times when the waves melded with the sky. You could barely see the coming swell, and so you almost guessed the time to turn around and paddle. But, so bizarre it was that when you turned around and began riding toward the oh so wonderful continent of North America, and more specifically the Sunset Cliffs of San Diego, which are a part of San Diego County, which is a county of California, which is a state in the United States of America and has a star on the flag, the visibility became more clear, and you were able to slide along the Pacific, which borders North America, fairly normally, but I guess maybe not so normally. My brain knew it wasn’t able to see well, and so it told my eyes to focus, and such allowed me to lose worry about what was in my peripherals and centralize on the wave ahead. I felt as though I was in some sort of twilight zone. My senses were off, or not even off, but focused differently than I would normally recognize. And that was actually the biggest difference – I recognized my senses. After a few waves time of analyzing what was happening to my ability to concept my surroundings, I realized it all had to do with the absence of light. The hazy, foggy, gray smitten sky disabled, although maybe not disabled, more altered, my vision, and from there my hearing and touch, and I assume my smell as well but I am still recovering from a recent cold, were all enhanced. And as the darkness crept further towards the horizon, my alternative senses (I say alternative in that I believe our sight is most significant) took even stronger control. I could hear my hand penetrate the water. I could hear the movement of liquid as I stroked my arm behind me propelling the tablet of resin and foam beneath me. I could hear the glide of my board across the ocean. I could hear the waves fold ahead, and crash behind. And it’s not that I have never heard this before, I surf almost every day, but this was so different. It was comforting, it was soothing, it was pure, I was alone and free, yet warm and consoled. That warmth had a lot to do with the magnificently crafted wetsuit I was wearing -so smooth and stretchy and warm. Oh how I love those Nineplus wetsuits. Ha-ha, it wouldn’t be fair not to plug that in. But it all came together at that moment and it inspired me to write how I felt. So there it is. Go surfing when things are weird and different and abnormal, you never know what you might discover.

Where Floral Sheets and Resin Meets

Richard — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:01:32 +0000

So next years production for 2011 is underway and we are receiving the pictures of production as it happens. What many people do not know about Nineplus is that we manage and monitor every manufacturing process as it happens for the brand, nothing is left to chance and through learning from past experiences along with keeping a tight control on anything that bears our brand name (nothing is under license) we focus on trying to create better and better products season upon season. Here are the fin sheets for 2011 being produced, first we select the material and make sure it lays up correctly. We then work out the amount we are going to produce and limit them so that they remain exclusive in their production numbers. We then make sure the foil is right and the template is followed as they are cut - they become complete around January and ready for sale in February 2011. Enjoy, as long as you manage to find them as there is only 10 per colour, per fin template :)

Side A lookin good

And Side B - Good to go.

Bill & Steves excellent adventure

Richard — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:01:54 +0000

We received this from Troys dad, Steve Mothershead yesterday – taken on the 31st October and just an absolute classic. Steve & Cheryl have helped Nineplus so much over the past few years and Steve is a ‘most excellent chap’ his comrade is non other than Mr Bill Stewart, whose shop in San Clemente is among one of our supporters. Great shot guys !!!

Steve, are you Bill or Mason?

Care of Clovis with no other info?

Richard — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:39:45 +0000

Mr. Mothershead in HI

Troy Mothershead — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:21:06 +0000

I ventured off to Hawaii to surf in the 15^th annual Rabbit Kekai Longboard Classic. For 13 years they held the event in Costa Rica, but for the last two years they posted up in Waikiki to coincide with the Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival and reconnect with Rabbit’s roots. This may sound arrogant but I wasn’t all that stoked to go to Hawaii. I had been to Honolulu a number of times before, and in comparison to what the rest of Hawaii has to offer, it’s not so up to par. It’s just a bit of a presentation, but I am sure that other people love that about it. However, I was pretty stoked this time because my parents were going to be with me as my Dad was rocking out on a business trip.

The contest went reasonably well. I have had mediocre success in Hawaii in the past, so I was hoping to break the mold and work my way into a really good result. On day one I won my first heat over Tony Silvagni with a solid heat total around 15 points. I had some momentum, and I was riding a different board than a lot of the other guys, a single fin high performance noserider rather than the standard tri-fin high performance pintail, so I felt pretty good heading into day two. On day two I lost in the quarter finals. It was one of those things, a usual alleby for me, I couldn’t get a good wave. It was a fairly close heat, I just wasn’t in synch with mother nature and I bowed out of the contest. But I was able to have a good time with my mother and father, hang out in Hawaii, and vacation a little. So here are some photos to show just how much fun we had.

On the way there, I was upgraded to first class. Don’t ask me why or how because I have no idea. All I know is I got to eat an epic three dish dinner with a beer, and topped it off with bailey’s and coffee and mocha ice cream topped with hot fudge and caramel. Ridiculous.

Got a glimpse of a DOUBLE RAINBOW!!!

Me and the Duke hanging loose, shakas.

As classic as they come.

Getting artsy with the hipstomatic.

Yep, that’s a dolphin jumping out of the water. Not sure how I feel about captivating dolphins, but he poses well for photos.

Nice Hawaiin airport decorating . . .

Homeward bound (not the movie about dogs).

Good Will (has been) Hunting.

Nineplus — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:26:04 +0000

So as we travel around the the global spots something that gets asked quite often is that ‘England, theres no surf in England’ to which to say nah, its flat mate – dont bother.

Ha ha – Will ‘The Ferral’ Brawn on a standard day somewhere in a land where the waves dont break

Nice one Will, schhhhh.......

Those French get everywhere.

Nineplus — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:42:33 +0000

This is a big up to a young French surfers namely Steven Dunn Videau, whom got in contact via a shop we work with France called ‘Tamarindo’. Steven, so we have heard is on the heels of Clovis and is another styler across the beach breaks that grace the South West of France. Last week we were surprised to see the new Insight advert with Steven stylin it on the advert lookin good in a Long John which we guess is helping him paddle into those September peelers. Thanks Steven & Thanks Insight.

Nineplus or I cant look at you.

California Haze

Nineplus — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:18:27 +0000

This is a short film clip by Eric Hires from Florida who is now living in California working as a film technician at Point Loma university. Eric who works with his friend Dustin Miller are noteworthy of their work with longboard flick ‘Picturesque’ along with other films including the greats in surfing at various locations which can be viewed at www.fleshprofitsnothing.com.

Eric filmed this with Troy, Corina and Richard in August 2010 as a taster of things to come – Enjoy.

Happy Autumn !!! P.S. The West Coast of Europe is pumping day.

Nineplus — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:59:48 +0000

Matthew Upsher

Richard — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:49:29 +0000

Matt Upsher, Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Poet, Song Writer, Singer, Musician, Teacher, and Dear, Dear Friend passed away on Monday 13th September 2010 while surfing Perranporth in Cornwall on the South West Tip of the United Kingdom. Matt or ‘Mupsher’ as he was known to his friends was only 31 and a natural, easy going, fun natured guy who loved his Family firstly and then music and surfing with equal measure. He turned up in Cornwall at my door in early 2000 with Alex More while I was living in St Agnes. Two guys 21 years old and in love with surfing. Matt bought a new board, a Kevin Connelly longboard that never left him and was reshaped through the years ending up only 6ft in the end. We sank a few jars one night back in 2000 and a month later Matt was back in his Ford Escort and along with Alex and working silver service (something Matt loathed) in Newquay ended up staying in a brand new house I had bought only weeks after initially moving in. It did not take long for Matt to take up root and move to Cornwall for good in 2001/02 and after my Dad sorted a new mortgage for him accross the lawn where I lived he also became a neighbour. During what I would refer to as the ‘Fairy Tale’ years from Nineplus, Matt became a staple diet on the scene with the crew that made up the brand, surfing together, eating, partying and generally enjoying life. I remember vividly being with Steve Skinner from Skinners Brewery and ending up late at night back at his place on many occasions. Steve wanting to carry on through the nights would beg our friends to stay up with him, I would sneak of to bed and in the morning come down to Matt still up with the expression of ‘Rich, why did you leave me here again’ in his eyes. Two work colleagues ‘Adam Cotgreave’ and ‘Gordon Blake’ lived with Matt at the Retreat Court Address and it was here that Matt and Adam became great friends, inspired by their love for surfing but especially music. The Beatles, Ryan Adams, Counting Crows, Bruce Springsteen and many many more, the two of them would stay up for hours listening to tunes and I would leave them to it when the night drew to a close. Through the relationship with Adam, Matt met Adams sister Kate Cotgreave who would join us all and Matt fell in love almost immediately with her with they married in 2005. Also in recent years Matt’s Brother Tom and his wife Rhea followed setting up home in Perranporth and I know how much it meant to Matt to have his brother whom he loved so much to be near to him. Matt was what I would call a true friend and we laughed, cried, spoke lots, didn’t speak, drank, surfed, travelled and jested together and I honestly thought that our true friendship would be spoken of at the time I might marry rather than this page which is in memory to him. The stories I could write would fill hundreds of pages and involve so many tears of laughter and sadness that it is something at this time I couldn’t do. One of the most recent I will share was having a new style of wetsuit we have been working on which Matt saw at the factory and immediately knowing there was only two of them fancied himself in this new style. Something neither of us knew was the factory intended it to be a prototype and had not stitched any of the seams and only glued them. Matt stoked with his new suit, threw it on and paddled out only the have all the seams open up and have to get home with open seams all over. He calls me up and says ‘Balding, I am not happy’. Ha Ha, Matt I love you man. You never judged, never and I will miss your hugs for always. You knew my deepest pain in recent years and those people were few. You wondered life’s path and drank deep of its joys, You were unique and an individual and I will miss you so, so much. Rest in Peace my Brother.

Matt - You Rocked it.

Matt in the Nineplus Shop 2002

September is the month of France,

Richard — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:55:53 +0000

Just a small post to show some pictures of our French ambassador Clovis Donazetti styling the shores of of his native Biarritz. As its September and Clovis is the man on all things single in the land of the tastiest bread and wine, here are some sliding shots of the Basque local with postcard that we receive a little while ago prior to his arrival.

Grande Plage or Cote de Basque?

Thanks for the heads up !!!

Arrhh Francais, on my way.

Sage Joske joins Nineplus Team

Richard — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:04:24 +0000

Nineplus has recently signed up Sage Joske to surf for their wetsuits. Sage whom has used the suits for the past few years on various trips and explorations will now officially represent the brand and we are stoked to have such a genuine and soulful surfer, so completely in love with riding waves associated with Nineplus and Hasu. Sage surfs all types of equipment including shortboards, fish, longboards and along with his father Paul Joske has been the key orchestrator towards the recent Alaia movement. Sage and his Father have for years bought the pneumonia trees from up around Byron Bay and after getting them back to Nambucca, the home of their Valla Surfboards label, slice and shape the wood into works of art. Nineplus has also tried to look a little deeper into their surfers and have genuine people in love with the sport of surfing to represent the brand, Sage is this and much more and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a key Australian surfer.

Sage Joske and Richard from Nineplus in Nambucca, Australia, Aug 2010 trading shirts

Heres your new ride, just give me a couple of hours !!!

Von Dutch

Richard — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:51:03 +0000

Rob, you clean up well !!!

Nineplus would like to congratulate Rob Donker and also the now Mrs Donker aka Marja on their wedding in August in their native Holland. Rob and Marja are wonderful people and have helped Nineplus in many ways and wish them the best in their wedded bliss. Rob and Marja also run a surfing event each year called the ‘Groovy Classic’ where contestants have to surf while dressed in funky outfits, to enjoy their work check out the link below.

Love your enemies, be good to those who sell against you ;)

Richard — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:55:50 +0000

The Rising Sun

So after so many years and travels that take us round most of the shops we work with the same 2 names whom we see next to us and whom customers mention in the conversations, Matuse and Patagonia wetsuits. I guess we have all used or use Yamamoto, we all prefer Japanese warmth over Chinese and we all have a message to tell the surfing masses that there is an alternate to the brand popping, logo adorning alternative that many a surf shop sells globally.

Well for a start, personally I think they are both doing an amazing job, Matuse with its more 2010 message, bang up to date use of materials and advertising concepts along with a suit that appeals to a modern mind and a hip vibe. Supported by a solid team of mature sliders and flyer’s its a solid rep in the making. Patagonia, by comparison are the dependable, honest ambassadors of the indispensable and mentors of the necessary. Personally I have eaten and spoken with many of their employees up on main street, Ventura and its a privilege when in town for the annual ‘Sacred Craft’ show at the fairgrounds. Patagonia’s wetsuits are the bomb and although cost it are also strong enough to withstand one.

So in repy to how do we all differ, well Nineplus is a little company, built with fewer hands and probably looks back a little more than forward and focuses more on the ‘morning of the earth’ than ‘a new day is dawning’ We are old school with a modern twist, where smoothskin still reigns supreme and it will most likely take us 10 years to get to where others take 1 in business terms. That said we love our job and thank anyone that chooses us, although if you are looking for a wetsuit try 1 of us as its like I said when I have met the people involved, we are in competition with the big guys and all of us have an honest message for you, we can keep you warmer and make surfing more enjoyable for you. Japanese culture shows us that less can actually be more, when using Japanese rubber this certainly fits the culture that we want you to enjoy.

In love – Nineplus Group.

P.S. Eric at Axxe, I had not met you before this but thanks for your kindness and good to see you at Malibu, I wore one of your suits at Santa Cruz and it was great. Wore Patagonia’s at Bells and it was solid.

Stewart & Nineplus

Richard — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:01:49 +0000

Driving through San Clemente and you will see some signs that signal the increased passing of the lotus logo next time you are surfing Trestles and San Onofre in the OC. Nineplus wetsuits and fins are available from Stewart, Icons of Surf and Hobie in the San Clemente, Doheny & Dana Point areas. Large beautiful artistic images adorn the windows and in contrast to the logo driven rider advertisements we might be used to Nineplus has instead concentrating on simply making a great wetsuit. In all suits now returns have been virtually wiped out and our bid ‘to keep California warmer’ is becoming a reality. Nineplus use only a single logo that attribute the actual suits true success to the Yamamoto Japanese rubber that the brand promotes through its whole offering.

Thanks Stewart, Thanks Icons, Thanks Hobie.

The British Lady arrives on Californian soil

A cover of a French LB

Richard — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:19:35 +0000

Nineplus is stoked that Troy Mothershead has received the cover photo of French Surfing magazine ‘Surf Session’. The magazine which goes out across Europe features also a surf trip which included Holly Beck, Mark Osborne and Wingnut as they traveled earlier this year to Taiwan surfing the waves that the island has to offer. With warm waters and a east facing coastline Taiwan can rock. Here’s Troy hanging in the curl and launching above it taken from this recent publication.

Troy having fun

Front Cover Spot

Circa 1950

Richard — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 07:51:22 +0000

On the 19th August 2010 Nineplus was busy shooting their new advertising campaign for the USA at Surfer Magazine HQ in San Clemente, CA. Shot by JP Van Swae with Troy Mothershead and Corina Barnick in the new 2010 wetsuit models using 100% Yamamoto but with the new adjustments which makes the suits 10 times more durable, warm, comfortable and stylish. To match this style the images were shot against a 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket. A few behind the scene images are below.

Surfer HQ

Troy and his ride !!!

Wax Buddy has now got some wetsuit buddies

Richard — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:08:30 +0000

Situated in Rhode Island, on the East Coast of the USA there is a shop called ‘Endless wave’ Its a new place catering to the heart of a true surfer and also the home of the ‘Wax Buddy’ – a tool for helping to clean, re-grip and keep your stick in order. Well over the past few months we have been receiving emails asking for wetsuits and then revealing nothing about where they will be hung and sold until today when we were presented with what was already our, their first customer – Crystal in a Baby Minx – thanks Crystal and also some images of Greg sent us today show casing the soul surfers secluded setup that is the Endless Wave. Cant help but wonder if there is a wave there somewhere that might bear the same name?

Smooth........

Yep, this is a shop - cool eh?

Rock out with your fin out.

Richard — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:05:42 +0000

Rosa Rizzitelli from Spain recently wrote to us saying she was so happy with her new longboard fin that she laid it in a bed of plectrums, stood back and gave it a full on model shoot fit for the cover of ‘Rolling Stones Magazine’ So 10″ Resin Keel Longboard Fin, this is your moment – Enjoy.

Touring Soon.

Thats Gotta Hurt !!!

Richard — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:09:47 +0000

We received these pictures of central cal surfer ‘Scott Kam’ who had been sliced while surfing. We have been in 2 minds to put this up on here but as he is smilin and the shock factor is kinda ‘bam’ we thought we would share it. Scott – hope your okay and I’m about to mail you about the new suits.

Richard.

Rubber Soul & Wear a Suit

Richard — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:50:08 +0000

The new t-shirts have arrived in California for the 2010 season. The boxes of shirts which feature triple needle stitching on all seams, rainbow ‘resin tint’ stitching on the shoulders and have such prints as ‘Rubber Soul’ ‘Wear a Suit’ and the classic Ninepus round ‘Joplin’ logo all set on Organic cotton in 170 gram. The t-shirts available at various retail stores in California including Hobie in Dana Point are some of the nicest we have made. Enjoy.

Classic White T-Shirts

Rubber Soul T-Shirts ready to be worn

Nineplus goes vintage at Ventura, CA.

Richard — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:11:19 +0000

Over the weekend of 10th & 11th of April Nineplus exhibited at ‘The Sacred Craft’ show held at the ‘Ventura Fairgrounds’ show area in Ventura, above LA. Spending the previous days raiding the Thrift stores on Main Street the stand featured a used wardrobe, coffe table, lamp, 1920′s sewing machine and other old nostalgic items that were found during the hunt. Nineplus were showing their 11 peice retro wetsuit line which is now carried in more than 30 stores within the US and also their apparel range of boardshorts, t-shirts and surfing fins.

Sacred Craft 2010

A Mellow Yellow Fellow

Richard — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:23:48 +0000

Troy surfing Trestles and Rincon in the new colourful Nineplus option coming Fall 2010

Yellow from Surf Media on Vimeo.

New Shop Opens in Australia

Richard — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:41:54 +0000

This weekend in Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches a new unique lifestyle retail store will open its doors called ‘The Sugarmill’ Based opposite the Sands hotel at Narrabeen the store will support all sorts of alternative mainstream brands including the Nineplus wetsuit collection. It will also support a music, art, film offering. Well done Chris and the crew from ‘Misfit Shapes’ and thanks for your support.

Sugarmill Press Release

A Baby Beaver !!!

Richard — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:18:45 +0000

Our friends recently came by the office and asked if we had any old wetsuits in smooth-skin that we could offer for the cutting room as they had a plan. We did our best and looked around for a couple of suits that we didn’t mind passing on and didn’t think to much more about it. A few weeks later Rob and Ulrika sent us some pictures of their new born ‘Martin’ wrapped in swaddling neoprene and resting in a beaver tail.

Here is the outfit and the yound childs salt water blessing, retro style.

Hung out to dry

Son, youre gonna be a surfer !!!

First USA online order hand delivered.

Richard — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:47:55 +0000

Amanda Rigney was the first person to order from our US online order system in the USA and received her wetsuit in Encinitas by Richard, flying to California to hand deliver the order into her hands as seen below. Amanda whom has owned her current ‘Ladies Catsuit’ model for the past 2 years ordered the new suit as she loved the last one but it had been surfed just a few too many times. She bought the new SCS coated version. Amanda is involved in ‘Surf Siren’ a ladies surfboard company based in Encinitas and hopefully now she will remain warm through the winter season. Thanks Amanda.

Amandas view of the wetsuit can be found at: http://www.sirensurf.blogspot.com/

The coolest board art in town, Amanda and her tools.

Troy Mothershead – 9th in the world and on a mission

Richard — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:42:45 +0000

Troy Mothershead from California whom has been surfing with Nineplus for the past 2 years and just placed equal 9th in the World longboard Championship in the Maldives this week has also started to become quite involved in the companies sales and management recently building upon his University course in business and economics at Nazarene University, Point Loma, San Diego. Seen here with his sales rail and 2010 range of samples of wetsuits and apparel Troy has been busy taking orders and spreading the lotus’ flower power across the Golden State. If you are looking to purchase Nineplus for your store please contact Troy at troy.mothershead@nineplus.com

Troy at the 'Mollusk Venice' store

Nineplus exhibits at Scared Craft in Del Mar. CA

Richard — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:41:41 +0000

Over the weekend of the 10th & 11th of October Nineplus exhibited their new product line at the Sacred Craft show held in Del Mar, California. Both Troy and Richard had on hand the new line in the latest Japanese rubber by Yamamoto. The new clothing line was also on show which features the new ‘Hasu’ branding. Troy has now left for the Maldives where he will be competing in the World Longboard Championships this coming week.

Del Mar 2009

60s Surfing Pioneer - LJ Richards

Corina & Troy - USA Team Riders

Nineplus USA Update.

Richard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:44:19 +0000

Wetsuit stocks have finally arrived into California, today the new improved fall line of wetsuits in Yamamoto SCS coating have arrived into San Clemente, CA. Available from leading stores including, Icons of Surf, Thalia Street, Mollusk, Surfride and other stores located on the store section of the US website which is now available at www.nineplususa.com – this also allows you to purchase online within the USA and offers a better service for US customers. The US also is focused on its own Team Rider program and development including products and surfboards being produced within the USA. The new US site will update as the company evolves.

Troy Testing Stateside !!!

Welcome Hector !!!

Richard — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:08:18 +0000

Hector testing the water with his toes

Nineplus would like to welcome Hector Fernandez Barrero to the Nineplus Group. Hector whom is an accomplished photographer and film maker and resides on the North Coast of Spain will be managing the Spanish market and be the companies ambassador for the Spanish market.

Hector can be contacted on (0034) 636 217 008 or on hector@nineplus.com

Thanks Hector

Coming to help you feel the stoke of true style

New Website this weekend :)

Richard — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:33:20 +0000

Just a small update but on Friday this week Nineplus will release their newly updated website featuring all the new products that take us into Fall 2009. There will be jackets, hoods, fleece, t-shirts, wetsuits, new boards and details of our new Hasu concept. Then over the next 30 days there will be new sites for Asia Pacific (Australia) and the USA featuring additional Team surfers and details of stockists etc.

Enjoy.

Ladies Winter knit and Denims

Nineplus France

Richard — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:35:42 +0000

Nineplus Group would like to welcome Alex Ponot to the family as the newly appointed company representative for France. Alex whom has worked with both Vonzipper and up until recently Oxbow will be representing both ‘Nineplus’ & ‘Hasu’ across wetsuits, textiles and accessories. Nineplus surfboards that are produced in partnership with Seabase for the French market will continue to be provided by them from their offices in Hossegor.

Welcome Alex and it is a pleasure to know you, here’s to a bottle of bordeaux’s finest when we next meet.

Alex is available on 0033 (0) 67 06 74 27 7 within France.

Richard & Alex

Sunny Sunday Session at Byron

The Don - Nineplus Blog Admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:41:52 +0000

Leesa and Lars decided to catch up with a few friends for a late arvo sesion at the pass (Bryon Bay) Some local surfers Yoko and Ben captured a few moments check it out inbyronbaytoday.com

Nineplus SS2010

Richard — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:29:46 +0000

So where are we going?

We thought it would be a good idea to write down the plans of the brand for everyone to get an idea of where we are going and whats going on in the world of Nineplus. As of today we have now successfuly set up an office in California in San Clemente as well as on the Gold Coast in Australia at Tweed Heads. If you are a store reading this interested in working with us in either Australia or the USA please feel free to mail us. On August 1st we are releasing new websites that cover each country so that the Australian office has its own site, news and product listing as will the USA and then Europe. Each site will also feature articles on our team of surfers along with where our goods can be purchased.

In Europe we have agents in place for Holland, Germany, France, Spain & Italy as well as the UK. We are primarily focusing on stores that are cool in their offering to the core surfers we aim our products towards. We are not a corporate fashion company, we are a group of people who love what they do and hopefully get people stoked on the products we bring to the table.

Below are two new adverts we have had produced to capture the brands love of art and surfing, two prints hand drawn that showcase a connection between the heart and flow of the ocean. Also in case anyone is wondering what the name ‘HASU’ means. It means ‘Lotus’ in Japanese; its motherstounge and you will be seeing it a little more often. After all the Lotus Flower is a simple of rebirth and we like this simple word so much we registered it globally so if you think our logo is being used twice, it is only still by ourselves

Thanks for your time, Nineplus.

Hand drawn in Chinese Inks

Troy Mothershead Rocks

Richard — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:38:17 +0000

Nineplus Team Surfer from San Clemente in California ‘Troy Mothershead’ has been featured on a small promo video for his surfbord sponsor ‘Stewart Surfboards’ Troy who rips on all size equipment also helps with the company stateside so look out for him.

Troy at San Onofre

9’4 California Noserider – Troy Mothershead – San Onofre.

Sideways Surfshop Opening

Richard — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:17:15 +0000

On May bank holiday weekend a small surfshop was quietly opened in Polzeath called ‘Sideways’. Managed by Will Brawn (the carpenter from Truro) the shop is attached & forms part of the building that has become ‘The Tubestation’ in central Polzeath. The Tubestation was created 2 years ago by Kris Lannen & Henry Cavender as a Christian based cafe and church which features a skateboard ramp in the place of the pulpit. The shop which was a Midland Bank come HSBC until a few years ago and is surrounded in solid concrete within the ceilings and walls has now become a retro shop stocking Nineplus, Shortstraw, Ranbow Sandals, Rhythm and other similar styled surfing brands. The style is vintage and includes a sewing machine on display from 1895 and a mirror circa 1920′s.

Both Richard and Will at Nineplus have done their best to create a relaxed environment with features like a large wall mural, a showcase of Magic Carpets built in California and a resin tinted road sign. The shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday and if closed is due to Will testing rubber and fibreglass on the doorstep in the Polzeath peelers.

Inside Shop Veiw

Will Brawn & Kris Lannen

Nineplus Wetsuits at Sacred Craft in Ventura, California.

Richard — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:14:34 +0000

The weekend of the 16th & 17th of May saw Nineplus display their wetsuits in the new smooth skin by Yamamoto at the Scared Craft (www.surfboardshow.com) trade show at Ventura, north of LA in California. Nineplus whom supply approx 30 stores on the Americas West Coast including Thalia Street, Mollusk & Icons of Surf were on hand to educate the public on the new #40 neoprene and the advantages of using smooth skin wetsuits.

The company has set up their offices in San Clemente and are working across their surfboards & wetsuits divisions in the USA with goods coming in direct for the US market. Nineplus has brought forward their plans to use SCS smooth skin neoprene with ultra stretch nylon lining to their all their suits will will be available from June onwards.

The trade show featured a large 10ft x 10ft visual display by Spanish artist Javier Aramburu with thanks to the Spanish magazine ‘Glide’

Mitch Abshere, Tsutomu Kishida, Mason Dyer, Richard Balding.

Magic Carpet Syndrome

Richard — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:42:39 +0000

So is the Magic Carpet one of the most popular surfboards available now, I know its definitely one of the most fun to ride and its probably one of the most copied so with this in mind thought the following might make a few smile.

I want to be a Magic Carpet, not a slipper, disk or doormat !!!

Here at Nineplus we are called daily by people looking to understand how one of our surfboards might improve their surfing and what it is that makes a Nineplus surfboard different to that of the competition. Its a pleasure explaining this and also seeing our customers surfing evolving and getting feedback that reflects this care towards their surfing rather than simply taking the money and leaving them to struggle for years until eventually they meet people whom listen to their circumstances and help them settle onto equipment that enables them to enjoy surfing once more.

After listening to a gentleman last week I thought it interesting to compare the experiences that the man had with an alternative supplier of our esteemed Magic Carpet surfboard. One would have thought that one might try harder when selling a counterfeit product, obviously not.

Original Phone Call;

Phone Rings, and rings and a message must be left, a few days later and after repeated retries the customer connects to the , factory owner, rider etc.

Customer: Hi, I am inquiring about a Magic Carpet style surfboard and saw that you produce them.

Imposter: Yeah sure mate, look Ill get back to you – just shopping at the moment and kids are yelling, if you don’t hear from me by a week Sunday, give me a few days to call you back.

Customer: Eventually; Hi, I called about the Magic Carpet.

Imposter: Oh yeah, of course mate – no problem, look ours cannot officially be called the ‘Magic Carpet’ as Nineplus own the trademark but its practically the same and rides even better, lighter, more magic etc. Its all in the shape and is basically a mini-mal and yeah, no problem – can have it done for you once my account is open again with the blank supplier or another arrival gets in from China.

Customer: Right okay – can you supply a bag and the correct fin?

Imposter: Um – no but if you get hold of Nineplus they sell those and they will work just as good in our version of the board. Dont tell them its not for an actual Magic Carpet as I heard they sell out of the bags and fins really quickly to people like us.

Customer: Okay, sounds alright – thanks I look forward to getting my board, one day.

The phone call to Nineplus goes like this;

Customer: Hi Nineplus, I wonder if you can help me. I bought a board a few years ago called ‘The Magic Floor Mat’ and its great but it just seems a little different from what I thought it might be like. You mention being able to nose ride yours into cheater 5′s through the pocket and how easy they are in small surf and stable in bigger waves and mine is – well okay if the surf is perfect but otherwise, well its not that magic.

Nineplus: thanks for the call and we are sorry to hear about that. Tell us where you normally surf, your weight and your ideal way of surfing and then maybe we can try and help you, by the way was your ‘Magic Carpet’ made from a larger 8ft blank and then cut down in order to get a flat rocker which makes the board surf so fast, was it produced using the old Clark templates now used by US Foam, the only foam Nineplus uses? Does it have 3″ core with the volume kept up to the nose and rail to maximize flotation?

Nineplus: Does it have longboard measurements without the core 2ft centre that reduces the length?

Customer: Ummmm?

Nineplus: Okay would you like that in an acid wash, marble or tiger tint? In translucent or opaque and with pastels or primaries? Would you like metallic flake or fabric layers, double pin-lines or single, resin panels or pigment splashes? Maybe you might like to try out a ‘Double Dee’ fish as an alternative?

Nineplus: Yeah sure we have fins and bags to go with all the boards, yep 12mm thick and made exactly to the shape of our boards. Yep free repair if dropped off for 3 months and an exchange program.

Nineplus: Yes we own the Magic Carpet brand name and yes we are committed to keeping it Magic and hopefully your experience if we do our job correctly, if not let us know and we will do our best to make it up to you.

Thats the difference and after what must be 1000 times of explaining it thought it was worth making our giggles shared.

Nineplus April 2009.

P.S. Magic Carpets are going to be shortly available in 6’4, 6’6 & 6’8 sizes.

Strong Cornish Cedar.

Richard — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:55:21 +0000

Meet Will Brawn, a young surfer from Cornwall who has impressed us all very much. Many will note the emergence of the ‘Alaia’ surfboards produced mainly in Australia but also Hawaii and New Zealand. Normally these were originally produced from Hawaiian ‘Koa’ wood but recently have been produced using paulownia which grows native to Australia.

The surfboard is basically carved out of hard wood and very little is done to the board apart from using a sander, hand tools and then oil to treat the wood in the final stages. Surfing them can be difficult but as most will express, also fun in learning how to ride a solid piece of wood with no fin.

Adding to this renewed form of surfing is the sustainable aspect, made from a tree, little harm is added in producing the surfboard which only adds to the rawness of the experience. Of course importing the board maybe cancels out this aspect but it is still a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that can be enjoyed and up until now it has only been a handful of shapers that have built this style of riding equipment, mainly Australian. The new film by Thomas Campbell ‘The Present’ will probably change this as there is a focus by David Rastavich riding one of these boards at Sunset Beach on quite sizable waves. Also the new film ‘Musica Surfica’ which features Derek Hynd, Tom Carroll, Sage Joske along with others showcases the essence of surfing these wooden pieces of equipment with the contrast of classical music.

All well and good you might say but how does this connect?

Well Will has started to produce these surfboards from Cedar wood, flawless and each one taking around 12 hours work with only hand tools and a sander. He has found a sustainable and beautiful way of bringing this stoke to British shores and also focusing on the environment at the same time. The board (picture featured is 7’0 and 2″ thick rather than the standard 1″ which makes it better for British waves) is made from 2 pieces of Cornish Cedar – the tree when felled is replaced by the planting of 20 new trees and even the sawdust is recycled.

Adding to this Will has also presented us with some skateboard decks made from Walnut, Beech, Birch & Cedar. There are glue ups and also a resin tinted version, all made in Cornwall in his workshop. We have the samples and anyone is welcome to try the board out should they wish.

All made by hand with only hand powered tools.

If you are interested in these surfboard please feel free to write to us and we will try and help you feel the ‘aloha’ these ‘alaias’ bring. Most likely the ‘Alaia’ will retail approx £495 and the skateboards ’£150 complete’

Will, Boards & Tools

The finished Surfboard

Surfica Musica

Nineplus Group Update

Richard — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:27:43 +0000

Hi, This is Richard and I thought it was worth adding a blog entry to confirm a few things. I have recently returned from a global trip which took me across the USA and Australia, into China and Hong Kong and home. Nineplus in the USA and Australia are now operated and owned by myself and our team and although I am a little unsure how to manage this growth I’m sure it will be an interesting continuation to the last 10 years since Nineplus was created (and an increased workload !!!). The purpose of the recent adventure was to visit every stockiest we will be operating from and although it has been our intention to add each store and a photo to the blog, it quickly became a daunting prospect with over 50 independent visits. Nineplus will shortly be operating through 75 stores globally and these images and addresses will be online throughour ‘stockiest’ section shortly, forgive me for not updating the blog as often as I had intended but I do hope you will support them as they are all genuine supporters of the surfing sport.

Recently I read the book ‘Business Stripped Bare’ by Richard Branson and it inspired me, especially a comment made on page 212 in the ‘Learning from mistakes and setbacks’ chapter. It says, Assuming you’re not burning others peoples money in their faces, you could always perform the hardest trick in the book of business tricks: get very small, very specialised and very expensive. He continues, I would absolutely count this as innovation, and of the highest calibre: you’re taking a large operation and finding ways to scale it down, re-target it and re-market it, all the while adding bucket loads of value to justify the hike in price. And it’s very hard to do – not least because you’re in so much pain as you’re doing it. (Indeed, your old business is dying around you)

I enjoyed reading that paragraph, one can resemble that to our symbol of rebirth, the lotus flower; but also it stands for what I am now embarking on delivering. A niche company that makes outstanding products in a market hungry for change. I was delighted travelling throughout California and Australia clocking up 3000 miles in a little over a month discovering shops that arenow considered as friends. There is a movement within surfing and after 10 years I am excited with what I see, smallish independent retailers whom make or break is the difference of their families being supported. Whose love for surfing has seen them risk their own securities to try and capture the heart of surfing again stoking those whom grace their stores. Something that got lost when the quest for capitalism and stock markets proved too big a carrot for ourstaple surf companies to ignore and the message got tainted of where the market actually is. How ironic that the image of freedom and anti corporate lifestyles are so entrenched in wall street reporting. I consider it an advantage this has occurred as it has opened an emerging market of surfing’s core.With anticipation I look forward to working with the people we have yet to meet, both customers and also along side like minded businesses within this ‘neculous’ market that feel this wind of change and move with it.

We have recently moved back to using ‘Yamamoto’ neoprene from Japan, in most opinions, the best and warmest neoprene on the market with no exceptions. We will be chasing the best materials (not the cheapest) to supply the best surfing accessories and create clothing that is both strong and functional standing behind each product we make. I would like to thank all of you that enjoy this little company which has recently become 3 little companies both now in Europe, The USA and Australia and look forward to supplying products to both our trading partners and consumers that will be used for enjoyment on future waves yet to be ridden. While we are both getting very small and very specialised in line with Sir Richard Branson’s comments I will ensure we do not become very expensive, as always we will always add our own twist.

Thank you for being part of Nineplus.

Richard Balding.

Going to San Francisco – We have lotus flowers in our hair

Richard — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:44:48 +0000

If you are living on the west coast rather than back East then Mollusk San Francisco have Nineplus wetsuits also in stock ready to go. Mollusk SF is a beautiful shop full of an interesting mix of surfboards, clothing, wetsuits as well as books, music and framed work and is a really refreshing alternative to an age of forced progression in the surfing market. Owned my John pictured here with Richard a few days ago outside the SF store and both committed to making your surfing a warmer and a more enjoyable experience. Feel free to check it out or online at www.mollusksurf.com

9+ by a hands up vote.

Nineplus Available at Mollusk NYC

Richard — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:09:45 +0000

Depending if you are heading of for a little winter warmth or just crazy for a little cold water experience the store known as Mollusk in Brooklyn, NYC has stocks available to make your surfing that little bit more enjoyable. There are Jackets, Vests, Long Johns and other choice peices. Both Mike & Joseph are on hand to help out (seen here) and look forward to helping you whereever possible.

Joe & Mike Flexin'

Congratulations Obama

Richard — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:15:47 +0000

Here at Nineplus we have been watching the inauguration of the new US President with interest as Mr Obama seems to the quite a leader but we have to say that he has dramatically climbed in our assumptions with this picture of his attempting to ride a wave whilst on holiday in Hawaii. We here have all decided that should he make a second term we will treat Barack to a Magic Carpet so maybe he can take his wave riding skills to a fresh new level.

Custom Wetsuits

Richard — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:28:33 +0000

Over the past year it has been obvious that our customers are looking for the option to have custom made wetsuits. Well now that is possible as we are offering both the 3/2mm Steamer and also the 5/3mm Steamer as a custom option. Produced using Yamamoto smoothskin neoprene material #39 and a custom measuring chart the wetsuit is custom tailored to fit your exact measurements. The style is generic and will be shown on our website soon. A custom order and prcing details form can be obtained by mailing info@nineplus.com.

Yamamoto #39 - so warm even penguins choose it.

Nineplus at USA Tradeshow

Richard — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:11:20 +0000

During October 2009 Nineplus exhibited at the tradeshow called ‘Sacred Craft’ held in the ‘Del Mar’ show grounds in Southern California. The tradeshow was dedicated to the ‘Surfboards and Wetsuit’ industry and it was only companies that specalise in these products that were invited to the show.

The Nineplus trade stand was completly covered in Neoprene and even the floor was laid in spongy black cushioned material to give an overwhelming feeling that ‘Black Smoothskin rubber is all Nineplus care about.

The show was attended by the likes of Greg Noll and Gerry Lopez and had guest shaping by such surfing personalities as Brad Gerlach & Rob Machado.

Richard, Alex, Troy & Dave.

Talking with Ernie Higgins (Waterlines Glassing)

During the evening on the Saturday night we held a private party in ‘Santa Fe’ Ranch at Alex’s home and were entained by Ashley and her band and enjoyed ‘Cervezas’ into the night with friends such as ‘Bing Copeland’ whose birthday it was in honour of.

New Wetsuits available to pre-order!

Dan Streeter — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:26:02 +0000

Nineplus Winter Wetsuit Range

The new wetsuits are now available to pre order online now.

Head over to our website and order yours now to be one of the first to get them

Mens – Ladies

There is a limited stock, so hurry up!

Traveling Surfers Tomas & Michaela on Tour

Richard — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:54:41 +0000

Fellow Europeans and Nineplus devotees Tomas & Michaela recently stopped by the company HQ and picked up a couple of new surfboards. Great people and armed with a VW camper they were of to Ireland in search of waves. Looking forward to hearing in from their trip we received an assortment of images from their travels including Sweden, Ireland, France etc etc and were intriged with seeing images of them surfing in the Baltic Sea. Thanks Tomas & Michaela for keep the stoke alive out there and look forward to seeing you again soon.

: New model Femme

Nineplus Ladies Australia Team Rider Wins

Richard — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:46:45 +0000

Lisa in action

Lisa Nicholson who surfs for Nineplus within Austraila recently won the Over 35 Women’s division at the Australian Titles in the new Ecoprene Retro Jacket.

Well Done Lisa from all at Nineplus.

Germany Distributors Think Alternative!!

The Don - Nineplus Blog Admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:29:02 +0000

Check out the moves of Jan and the guys from Germany – thats one way to beat the flat spells

: Busting one out!!

Troy Mothershead finishes 3rd in new USA PLA Event

Richard — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:32:28 +0000

Troy Stylin in Southern Cal.

The 3rd Newly re-established Professional Longboard Association event was held at Tourmaline, in San Diego. last weekend over the 23rd/24th & 25th August. Results were

1:Colin McPhillips, 2: Steve Newton, 3: Tory Mothershead, 4: Brett Robbins

Board Stocklist Update

Dan Streeter — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:57:12 +0000

Hey, all…

The board stocklist has been updated, with a few new boards. 3 New Magic Carpets, 2 Double Dee’s, 3 Trim King 2′s, 2 Trim Kings and a Triple Stringer Don.

The latest board stocklist

If you have any questions or would like to purchase one of the boards, please speak to Luke on 01872 573 120 or email him here.

Thanks

Dan

New Ecoprene Ladies Wetsuit Jackets

Richard — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:27:20 +0000

Ready for the new summer season in Australia we have launched the new ladies retro jacket produced in Ecoprene and made in a super-stretch material to be worn with boardshorts. Images to follow as they are today on the cutting floors of Hong Kong awaiting stitching, shipping, buying and wearing at which point we will send you some wall adorning images of bikinis and the jackets placed on location.

Ladies Retro Jacket Pink

Ladies Retro Jacket Blue

Ecoprene

Richard — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:20:08 +0000

Ecoprene Wetsuit

Nineplus has developed a new neoprene which will be coming through on its new AW2008 collection shortly. The range uses limestone based neoprene and will be exclusvly used through all the new models including the W3 – The Worlds Waremest Wetsuit. A 6/5/4mm hooded wetsuits with more barriers against the cold water than any other wetsuit on the market. The new wetsuits will be available starting September 2008.

New Products – Beach Cruiser

Richard — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:13:15 +0000

Just thought I would post a couple of new concept ideas we have been working on. Schwinn the US bike maker and the original beach cruiser have inspired Nineplus to create a replica beach cruiser (complete with pedal back brakes) The bike will most likely come into production towards the end of 2009 but is being produced in the highest quality within the same walls as Schwinn. It will retail for around £249 and as shown displays the retro attributes of the Nineplus brand.

Nineplus concept Bike

MC-For Your Wave Riding Pleasure……….

The Don - Nineplus Blog Admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:35:23 +0000

Just landed at Nine Plus HQ,four exquisite US hand crafted Magic Carpets complete with to die for resin tints,double pin lines and resin tail patch.These boards are straight out of Gordon & Smith, San Diego, California, where the guys down at Waterlines are working so hard to produce such fine watercraft.The attention to detail on these boards is second to none,coupled with a gloss and polish finish which in our minds is unrivalled.

Available now direct from us at £599,these boards won’t hang around,Luke and myself already have are eyes on one!!!

For more info or to arrange a viewing of these limited edition boards call Dave 01872 573120.

6'10 Spearmint Acid Wash

Insane Resin Work

: 7’0 Peach Melba/Red Double resin Tint

Subtle Red Acid Wash

7'2 Aqua Resin Tint

: Electric Acid wash

7'4 Aqua/Turquoise Double Resin Tint

Deepest Turquoise Resin Tint

Snoop looking good for the ladies!!!

The Don - Nineplus Blog Admin — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:27:35 +0000

Yo lady,easy on the eyes eh!

Long serving team member and Nine Plus guard dog Snoop likes to keep himself looking sharp for the odd passing lady pooch here at HQ Goonhavern.

Dad,get me out of here man!

: Lookin Sweeeeeeeeeeeet Snoop Dog!!!

Cyprus-No surf,no problem!!

The Don - Nineplus Blog Admin — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:08:02 +0000

: Dave updating his board riding skills!

Welcome to the Nineplus Blog

Richard — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:30:17 +0000

I would like to welcome you to the new blog that we here at Nineplus have created for the brand. Over the next weeks & months hopefully you will enjoy reading the things that we get up to in the world of Nineplus. Each of the employees of the company has access to these pages and they are enabled to update things they want to communicate including surfing, ideas, products, links and anything else that they might like to share with everyone. We have been very busy over the past year developing the company and new products that are yet to come to market, new wetsuits and textiles that push the brand further off on its own unique path. Personally I have very happy with the path we are taking – products with a relevance and a brand that is heartfelt. I trust that you enjoy watching the company evolve and welcome any comments you might have. If you passing always feel free to come by and say hello to us in person. As much as I am enjoying the cyberspace communication, a nice cup of tea and a conversation is always nicer – just as long as I can leave the computer long enough to chat !!!

With Thanks

Richard.