drift, perspectives in surfing

For years, our little group has been plugging away here in Maine, doing all we can to be better and better at what we do, trying to find ever more ways to share it with as many people as we can.

But beyond those who actually work here, there is this fantastic community of people that has grown around us, all of you critical to motivating us and keeping us going.

Lucky we are to have all of you out there – from those of you interested enough even to read our newsletters, to all of the people that have offered us the gifts of their time and energy. Whether it’s been the artistic talents of Joe, Scott, Ty, Andrew and Nathan, laser-burned coolness from Sue and Michael, a whole engine rebuild from Tom, tools from Trigger and Bill, shop-building help from Power Mike and Randy, Pug-painting by Molly, couches to sleep on made up for us by dozens of others… unbelievable.

© Grain

© Grain

© Grain

All of them came to us, offering their time, their talents, and in a one case, donations of green money (thanks, Bob!) – all so that we can continue to build what we’ve built. But for the first time ever, we’re actually gonna ask our friends for their help. We’d never consider it but for the ultra-cool Kickstarter site that gives folks an easy way to be a part of something great.

So we’ve set up a Kickstarter project that will allow us to find and customize a truck and trailer for the West coast. For the east, we have the Pug – with all its mechanical oddities and age, a gamble on long trips, but awesome just the same. Still, out west we’ve got nothing. So instead of dumping money into crappy motels, we’ll set up the new truck for life on the road, camper-style, fitting our beds in amongst the board racks. In the trailer, a small mobile shop with room to cram in shaping stands, tools and class-gear so that we can stop anywhere and set up a class.

© Grain

© Grain

© Grain

Our goal? To share what we do with more people. To make opportunities to reach out to youth and talk with them about sustainability, craftsmanship, and the tremendous rewards we’ve gained from pursuing the values Grain has been built on. We’ve got plans for the west… and we’re inviting you to be part of it. So if you like the idea, check out the project and all the cool rewards we set up for it. Or, just pass the word along on your Facebook or social-net of choice. If you just want to watch the progress of the project, that’s cool too – stay in touch by checking the periodic updates we’ll be posting on Kickstarter and in Facebook. And, to all of you: thanks for everything.

© Grain