The First Floor

A slice of heaven

So far Spring Quarter hasn't been disappointing with the surf.  I mean it could be a whole lot better, but I'm happy it's not any worse.  Coming soon to an ocean near you is the great and seasonal Lake Pacific; great for Bros, Hos, and everything not surfing.  Fortunately, I've made a one of a kind friend, a special friend with mystical powers.  What kind of wizardry is this, you may say?  Well, co-worker and amigo Jeff Svoboda is going to shape me a surfboard.  Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to his lair underneath The Men's Center (that he dug out with his own hands) to check out the First Floor.  So I show up and poke my head through a small door leading to a very dimly lit room full of long boards.  Opposite me was the outline of another door, light emanating between every crack.   Whatever lay beyond that door, I thought to myself, is the black magic I need we all need  to set out on insane future surf quests.

I've never been in a room where shapers do their thang, but I felt like I was in an issue of Surfing Mag.  It was dreamlike. Pinch me bro!  The chi was there, it was palpable or maybe that was the dust from sanding the board.  Whatever.  The first thing that came to my mind when I walked through the pearly gates was, "wow, this looks like a goddamn photoshoot!"  I mean the lighting was beautiful, but not because it was special.  It was f#$%!&g beautiful because it made the surfboard on the shaping rack look like the best stick I'd ever seen.  Jeff was putting the final touches on his latest endeavor, a 7 something fun board, when I interrupted.  So we sat down, cracked a few brews, and went to talking about his operation. 

The First Floor is recent renovation and a sanctuary for Jeff.  From what we've discussed, this guy's got some solid plans for the near future and is set to shape myself and my amigo, Gabe Leoni, a board that'll hopefully tickle our fancies for many years to come.  Something that struck me most throughout my visit was the passion that Jeff had for surfing.  It was evident from the mixture of art on the walls to the organization of tools and the well-shaped board that lay unfinished on the rack.  They say the best job is doing something you love, and boy, I want this kid to shape my board because you can tell he's devoted to the art and craftsmanship part of putting a board together.  He loves it, man.  So far, I'm pretty sold on buying a First Floor board and I can't wait to get wet with one under my feet.

Fast forward a week of stiff negotiations (not) about dimensions and shapes when I suddenly get this picture message from Jeff:

Courting the bride to be

Dear 8 pounds, 6 ounces, new born infant baby Jesus!  The process had started and progressed so quickly that before I knew it, I was receiving the following image a couple of days later.

I've got butterflies in my tum tum

I am stoooked to get this puppy into the ocean, but I have to wait two weeks while it is getting glassed in the shop.  So to hold you over until we see the final product keep checking back here for more sweet tunes and other fun stuff.  A big shout out to Jeff for shaping me this board, thanks brah!  Happy surfing kiddos. 


-gonz