Jay Watson Photo Shoot James Durbin Surfboard build week

Here are some photos from the James Durbin surfboard build week taken by Jay Watson. Because I am a over achiever or crazy mofo. Along with trying to build a surfboard for the Durbin Day in record time. I also wanted to document the build with all the people involved. When all bets were called off on Thursday I tried to postpone one of the two shoots I had set up. I didn't want to but figured since the board didn't need to be done in record time we could slow down to a normal pace. This was after American Idol informed Hilary Bryant and Ryan Coonerty they wouldn't let James come to Santa Cruz on Saturday the scheduled Durbin Day. I called Jay who told me he had already rented photo equipment from San Francisco. Since I had Hilary, Ryan, Doug Haut, Keith Meek, Josh Mulcoy, Kevin Walsh and a few others lined up anyway we went for it and good thing as I was texted that we were back on mid morning. A big thank you to the Digital Media Factory for letting use their studio short notice. It was a perfect location right up the street from the Haut Surf Shop and close to the artist Kevin Walsh and skateboard Slasher Keith Meek. Jay does amazing portraits and action photography and he had always wanted to shoot Doug Haut. The shoot would fit perfectly with Jay's other shots of Santa Cruz Big Wave legends Richard Schimdt, John Hunter, Zach Wormhoudt a portrait series of surfers photographed for the book titled Cold Water Souls by author Chris Nelson.

We didn't have the finished surfboard for the shoot with Ryan Coonerty the Mayor and City Council Woman Hilary Bryant but we did have the two Santa Cruz Skateboard completes that were going to be given to James at the Santa Cruz Teen Center courtesy of NHS (Haut is the H) so we did the shoot anyway. Some great head shots and some great memories. Early in the day Jay got some shots of Doug working in his shop and in later at the studio. I asked Doug to give me an I'm over it pissed off look.

If you want to read further details a few blogs back about the board build and all the people it took to get it done and all the great passion our community it is their to dig through. Go back to Tuesday, May 17, 2011. I had Hilgard Muller of Springbok Designs as the only person with the press pass to get the shot of the board hand off at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Durbin Day event.


Doug Haut


Ryan Coonerty


Hilary Bryant


Keith Meek

Sacred Craft Surf Expo Santa Cruz March 19 & 20

WHO: Surfers, Shapers, Designers, Craftsman, Manufacturers
WHAT: Surfboards and the culture that flows from them.
WHEN: Saturday March 19 10am-6pm & Sunday March 20 10am-4pm
WHERE: Rittenhouse Building – Downtown Santa Cruz
WHY: Because surfers really only care about two things; waves and the equipment to ride them with.
HOW: $10 at the door includes SURFER Magazine subscription and door prizes including surfboards…

It is all about the surfboard; has always been about the surfboard. We at the SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surf Expo feel it is time to reassert that philosophy. To put the surfboard-and the modern-day kahunas who craft them-back at the forefront of surf culture. To place that influence, that importance, that responsibility, back in the hands of the artisans, surfers, and shapers who design our sacred crafts-and ultimately our future.

ATTRACTIONS / EXHIBITS / FESTIVITIES

* Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoring Doug Haut presented by US Blanks
* Billabong XXL Exxperience
* Shapers For Humanity live shaping presented by Surf Aid International
* Great deals on surfboards, wetsuits, boardbags and other surf industry goods
* Collect-able surfboard ‘Antique Road Show’
* Korduroy TV Short Films Lounge
* “Best of Show” Award
* Surfboard demo Sunday morning 7am-10am open to the public
* Surfers Playing Music for Surfers on the music stage
* Art Grotto featuring surfer artists and friends.
* Food and Beverage featuring PRIMO Beer


Hotline Wetsuits will be at Booth 14

Amgen Stage 3 Haut Surfboard

Met my dad at Doug Hauts shop so he could take some photos of the finished board. Was happy to meet Matt there. Cycling and art two of my favorite combinations next to skate and surf and snow...it's all good.

Santa Cruz Amgen Stage 3 first place prize.
I feel lucky and don't take any project for granted. Graphic design and sports is a fun combo.

Don't forget to check out The Museum of Art & History
Surf City Santa Cruz: A Wave of Inspiration while your in Santa Cruz.