Astrodeck team rider Makua Rothman and Ian Walsh (sharing the last wave with Makua) riding some big ones at Jaws in Maui. Video by Joel Guy. So what now bitches?!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MsTb1DJw0A

Check this out. Some surf stores up in San Francisco ran out of all their Astrodeck Traction pads, Wave Warriors t-shirts, Christian Fletcher t-shirts and Christian Fletcher Reefers sandals. Herbie, ever the consumate professional, didn’t want those guys to wait around forever in getting their new shipment so he raced on up there to deliver the goods. Needless to say, Herbie ran past a red light. But could you blame the guy? When people want their Astrodeck and Christian Fletcher swag, they want it NOW!!!

PART 1 of our series interview with ex-NFL New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kyle Turley. While on tour with Hank 3, Kyle stopped by the Astrodeck headquarters and did an interview with Dibi Fletcher. Yeah, my mom. This interview, among many others yet to come, will be featured on www.christianfletchersurf.com and will be called “The D-Side”. Man, there’s just too much talent stuffed into one person. Gifted motherfucker; Football player, musician, surfer…ladies and gentleman, check it out. Kyle Fucking Turley!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3zRt5htWrA

Check out Volcom’s Pipe series featuring my dad, Herbie Fletcher, and Gerry Lopez. The original Pipe House owners, back when my dad started the whole Wave Warriors. The next Volcom series will feature my brother Nathan and I back when we were groms.

http://volcom.com/news/article.asp?sid=&articleID=4384

It’s probably a conservative assumption to say that you probably know a little somethin’ somethin’ about Herbie Fletcher.

Legendary surfer, superior waterman, raging jet skier, surf traction pad mogul, crafty shaper, Wave Warriors film magnate, husband to the fiercely creative and independent Dibi (Hoffman) Fletcher, father to flying alchemists Christian and Nathan Fletcher. Blah, blah, blah, the list goes on. And on and on. Seriously, if it involves innovation, water, and surf, it probably has Herbie’s scent on it. And it would take an extra two days to even slightly dwell on his past involvements with the wakeboarding world, the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, modeling with Versace, and his friendship with Julian Schnabel, Bruce Weber and Ingrid Sischy of Interview Magazine. Just to name a few of Herbie’s list of accomplishments and contacts, mind you. But, no. No, no, no. We’re not going to get into all of that.

Because whether you may have known a lot about all of this or only a little bit of some of this, what most of you probably didn’t acknowledge or realize is that Herbie Fletcher is also a talented and gifted artist. What started as a faint teenage hobby has grown into a gradual and passionate adult persuasion. (More about Herbie and Julian Schnabel and the Blind Girl Surf series artboards in another blog.)

Whether it’s on surfboards or on canvas - whatever type of medium and style - the ever-expressive Herbie splashes it. And let’s not kid ourselves, he always makes a big splash. So much so that now Herbie and his artwork will be featured at the Whitney Museum under the direction and presentation of Vito Schnabel (Julian’s son).

Brucennial 2010: Miseducation will have it’s gala opening on Thursday, February 25th. The event will premiere at 6 PM and is expected to last until 2 AM. Obviously, those New York art types know how to party until the wee hours of the morning. This first night is open to the public and will run until April 4th, 2010.

Herbie is one of a few select artists who will present his lauded pieces up for viewing and purchase. So if you’re in the New York area, take a go at it. And if you see Herbie, say “hi”. We hear it’s going to be snowing big-time while Herb’s in NY; we hope he puts on a little more than just a pair of Astrodeck sandals.

Below is the official press release. Have yourself a gander and then check it out in person.

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PRESS RELEASE FOR BRUCENNIAL 2010: MISEDUCATION

I think the Brucennial is like—in the life of the people—it’s like an anniversary in the life of people. The people, they need moments to celebrate themselves and that’s what a Brucennial is. The Brucennial happens every two years, or really, you know, whenever we feel like it, and it’s a moment of celebration of the history of the people—of the reason why the people exist, of the nature of the people. Again, it’s like a person. If not there would be a flux of time without an interruption and I think that as people, people are live entities and they need to have some moments where they recognize this liveliness of their existence.

- Francesco Bonami

SoHo: The Bruce High Quality Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of The BRUCENNIAL 2010: Miseducation on February 25th at 6pm.

Since its founding, the BRUCENNIAL has evolved into The Bruce High Quality Foundation’s signature public program, as well as the most important survey of contemporary art in the world ever. Following the triumphant successes of BRUCENNIAL08: Doing it Again (Bushwick) and BRUCENNIAL09: Smithumenta (Carol Gardens), BRUCENNIAL2010: Miseducation brings together 420 artists from 911 countries working in 666 discrete disciplines to reclaim education as part of an artist’s ongoing practice beyond the principals of any one institution or experience.

The BRUCENNIAL will be housed at 350 West Broadway. Additionally, BHQFU projects will be on view at RECESS at 41 Grand Street.

The BRUCENNIAL is presented by The Bruce High Quality Foundation in collaboration with Vito Schnabel. 350 West Broadway is provided courtesy of Aby Rosen.

First came the t-shirts, now here are the much-awaited sandals.

And, come on, you knew something like this was bound to happen. Been working hard here at the ‘Deck, creating a new sandal line under my revitalized Christian Fletcher brand name. And if I do say so myself, I’m pretty stoked on how these things are looking.

Currently, the Reefers line has three different styles. We’ve got the Master Kush (RM1), the OG Kush (RM2) and the Reefer Madness (RM3). All of these sandals are super soft to the touch. They don’t feel like you’ve slipped your feet into a pair of coarse sandpaper. They are brushed EVA patterns with EVA art straps. The foot bed features leafy patterns (Hey, don’t worry about it. Just tell your mom that the prints are Aloe Vera plants.) that are quick-drying so you won’t have to fret about getting them soaked and walking around with heavy water-logged flip-flops that make you feel like you’re dragging your feet.

These are going for a limited run so we won’t carry much in stock. And it’s perfect timing ’cause Spring Break and Summer are just around the corner. These will look so sick on your feet when you’re doing that keg stand.

And as far as other Christian Fletcher merchandise goes, this is just the mere beginning. We’re bringing back Christian Fletcher surfboards, as well as a whole slew of new thermals, hoodies, belts and some other stuff. So patience, my pretties, patience. All good things will come for those who wait.

But in the meantime, check out the new CF Reefers Sandal line and order yourself a pair or two or three or ten. You can be someone who wears Crocs. Or you can bring out the green-eyed monster and envy from all your friends when you strut your stuff walking around in a pair of CF Reefers.

To order yours now, go back to the home page of www.christianfletchersurf.com and navigate up to where it says SHOP ONLINE. Then do your thang.

I woke up with these things that look like peach-flavored Nerds Candy on my wang. What’s up with that?
- Gabe Harwell

Dibi: What’s up with not wearing a rubber???

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Hi Dibi, you are great. What do you think is your biggest accomplishment so far?
- Tracy Shanahan

Dibi: Keeping my sense of humor!!!

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Dear Dibi, who was more naughty? Christian, Nathan or Herbie?
- Barb Montgomery

Dibi: Christian, for sure!!!

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Hey Dibi, love the sites. So question. I know you are an artist and someone with a strong creative background. Do you surf? And if you do, which medium do you prefer?
- Brice Aaron

Dibi: No, I don’t surf, my dad (Walter Hoffman) and sister (Joyce Hoffman) were Champions, you might know of them, so of course I tried it when I was young. But I never kept it up…boys and drugs occupied my time, you know. As far as art, whatever medium I’m working with at the time is what I like best. Writing, dancing, shaping artistic surfboards, sculpting rocks, etc. I’m very compulsive and do things to the max.

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Hey Dibi, will you leave Herbie for me?!?
- Shawn Gregory

Dibi: How much money you got?!?

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Dear Dibi, what happened to the brands Think Fast and Standing Island? I always thought Standing Island featured such classy artwork.
- Sal Ortiz

Dibi: Thanks for that. It was too much work for just Herb and I. Silly us thought CF and Nathan were ready to help and work, so we made some decisions on what we could do without going broke and crazy. I still have the original art work from Standing Island that I run across occasionally. And it gives me a good laugh at how crazy Herb and I have been with all our ventures.

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Well this is a very cool idea to have your mom answering questions, Christian. But are there any off topics Dibi will never talk about?
- Steve Metal

Dibi: DUDE, I’m Christian’s mom, what do you think?!?

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This is great! Love hearing the input from CF’s mom! So I have a question for you then Mrs. Fletcher. Having raised surf stars yourself what advice do you have for parents who want their kids to be the next big thing, whether it’s in show biz or surfing?
- Devon Jameson

Dibi: Tell them to get a great education. They’ll spend a lot more time in their life working then doing either of the other things you mentioned.

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When Moses parted the Red Sea, did Christian and Nathan see?
- Gill Isaac Kaufman

Dibi: They were waiting for the tide to change.

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Hey Dibi, should I sell my ex-patriot life here in Hoi-an, (book store, house, motorbike, friends, etc., etc., etc.) and move to the Gili’s or just hang in and make the money? Of course selling the shit would make money as well.
- Randy Slocum

Dibi: Wow, tough question, honey. Friends, job, place to live, what’s the deal in the Gili’s? I need to know more before I throw my two cents in, and you know what that’s worth anyway!

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Dear Dibi, I loved your advice, ‘don’t buy, just rent’ on an earlier post. I’m a 48-year-old mother of two amazing children (19 & 22). I’ve done everything, including return to college, move 600 miles away to find my own identity, pursuing passions, etc…now that my kids have “grown up” and are hell bent on not needing me, I support and understand that. But no matter what I do, I’m still in love with them and can’t seem to get through a whole sentence without mentioning their names. Do you have any suggestions for how to pull out of the “empty nest” syndrome? (Thanks Christian for loaning us your madre.)
- Julie Buteyn

Dibi: Julie, I think you sound like you’re on the right track in establishing your own identity. That “Mom” you’re trying to distance yourself from took years of caring, worry and loving to develop. Give yourself some time and the relationship with the kids will mature into a friendship and that “Mom” will still be called on once in a while, she’s a part of you that you’ll always know of as your best. Sincerely, Dibi

Back from the tradeshow in Florida and already back to the grind here at Astrodeck. Uploaded another Q&A session I had with my mom. So check that out. Part 3 in a series. Gotta hand it to Dibi, she asks some pretty good questions.

Watch it here: Christian Fletcher: The Pipeline Prowler

And speaking of questions, I’m throwing the suggestion out there, anyone who wants to ask me anything and everything…well, you can. Either comment and write here or write me on my Fan Page Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Christian-Fletcher/195488988687) and ask away. If I dig your question, I might include it in my video blogs. Should be pretty sick. And now that I’m back, I can really concentrate and focus on doing my own little man-on-the-street type of interviews with random people, all walks of life.

Like, if I come across some trophy wife/soccer mom from the OC, I wouldn’t hesitate in asking her some gnarly things. For instance, “Would you drink the after-birth liquid of a hyena for $100,000?” I love seeing reactions. Love the unexpected answers. Being caught off guard. Fuck, yeah. I want to see the grimace on her face.

Yeah. You’re done here. Go check out the video now.

A World You Can\’t Imagine

Been going through a bunch of archival photos we’ve had. They’ve just been sitting here at Astrodeck headquarters. A lot of you have been asking for some updates on pics; old rare stuff, surf and skate photos, random things from when I used to be in a band, etc.

It’s interesting and funny. Weird, too. And I don’t mean that in a negative way. But why is it that most of us like looking at other people’s pics? We like to check ‘em out, crack-up, make fun of the terrible fashion styles and haircuts. Man, I have some gnarly pics of myself at 19 with a mohawk that’s like three-feet spiked up in the air. Haha, I even found some pics of a photo shoot I did with myself in a tuxedo. A. Fucking. Tuxedo.

I went through a box here and found pictures from my gromhood, too. Pretty cool. There’s a pic of when I won my first surf contest. I think I was five-years-old amongst a bunch of eight-year-olds.

Anyway, just rolling along here. Working on the site every day to make it look better and to feed your need.

Thanks for checking it out.