Chris Ruddy Surfboards & The Tubesock

Innovation is a word that's thrown around a lot these days and in the surf industry I think that there are perhaps only a handful of true innovators. Sure, every shaper tries new things as every hand shaped board is different but I am talking about guys really thinking outside the box.

Today I would like to draw your attention to a shaper that has captivated us with his imagination and Innovation for a while with boards that look as cool as this:

Yep, thats right, its a longboard with keel twin fins. And it is selling like wildfire. The amazing thing about this is that I just can't imagine how it works but it obviously does.

Chis Ruddy has been shaping boards since...well forever. He has clocked up over 30,000 boards and had the advantage of learning from some of the professions greats including Skip Frye, John Holly, Joe Roper, Hank Warner...the list goes on.

So back to the coolest looking board I have seen this year which is called the 'Tube sock'. How do I get one, what inspired it etc? Luckily for us Chris (himself) was able to answer a few questions for us.

(First a noted misconception in the opening; Tubesock isn't a glass on twin. I purposefully made it a fin box only design, with the fins removable and replaceable, thus separating itself from the really retro Mini Simmons and Maxi Simmons you will see on occasion).

SB: Hey Chris, thanks for your time, how have the waves been over on the West side of the Statesrecently, do you get a chance to surf often?

Chris: The waves have been great, Today its 4-6ft. I Surf about 2 times per week. I Surf even more when summer comes along and we get those glassy afternoons. I find it essential to stay in tune with the ocean and the people I meet every time I paddle out. I can't be in this business and not surf.

SB: So down to brass tacks, what inspired the Tube Sock and what is the idea behind it?

Chris:The inspiration truly came from two places.

First when I was watching a documentary video on the life of The Meistrell brothers who founded Body Glove. One shot of Bill or Bob (identical twins) surfing the Hermosa pier, shot from above, shows him banking a clean cutback only inches from the tail, feet side by side on a Simmons Sled. I said to myself, "this is not what I'm used to seeing." I recognized how the boards we surf can make even certain maneuvers or styles possible or difficult.

Second, I was watching Joel say in his Vans Ductumentary,"If you are surfing a two plus one,you probably wont get invited to the contest." I know he was implying that single fins are the norm. So, the rebel inside me says," can I make a board that is classic, yet not a single fin?"

I know he's an Iconic surfer, but how do rebel against a single fin movement,?" With something more classic". So with that in mind, I set out to make a board designed to throw a wrench in that philosophy, you know make something very old and classic, yet brand new, Change the style of surfing just a little. I always ask why not when making a concept board. In this case, "wide" was not off limits. Nothing was off limits. The results after the first version of the Tubesock were amazing to me. The Team riders were invited to test it out last summer with me. We paddled out on a 2-3 ft clean glassy morning at tower 19 (Pipes) as they call it." Fast" " Loose", Wow, It Nose rides insane! Neither JT or Tucker wanted to give it back.

SB: Was there a lot of experimentation to get the final design right or is the shape still evolving?

Chris: I went through several phases to end up with the fine tuned 9'-9'6" models, but as of last week I started shaping the very first midsize versions. I did a 7'10". This is where I have a clear advantage over the Asia based manufactured boards. I never put down the drawing board. For example, the SUP's or Slater boards everyone is so excited about are very nice boards. They were designed 18 months ago if you are getting your delivery now. That's not to say, they aren't great designs. They just need to travel far and make a gazillion of them. If I want to change anything about my design, I just do it. and by next week its in a store, or a customer's hands. That includes colors and everything. Asia cant do that.

SB: You have shaped a lot of boards, what would you say was your proudest achievement from a surfboard design aspect?

Chris: I often see an old board that I made in the line up, so I say hi to the owner and we talk about all of my children (meaning the boards). I love them all. I do favor the Tubesock Deluxe because it has been the most original shape to come out of my head. I also am very humbled by the wide acceptance and success of the Shovel-tail Drifter, AKA the Drifter, which was designed in the 90's and continues to be a mainstay performance longboard . So there it is Drifter, Tubesock.

SB: How much would a Tube Sock with all the extras set me back and what is the waiting time if I ordered today?

Chris: the cost is $1175. and the wait time is 3-4 weeks. Shipping time varies.

SB: Are your boards available all over the world? How much would it cost to ship one to Australia or Europe?

Chris: The distribution is fully domestic with shipping capabilities to UK, Europe, and Australia, and Japan. The cost varies from $140- $500 depending on the port and customs fees etc. So if there are any distributors reading this, I'm planning on working with you.

SB: It seems you have worked with a lot of Californian shaping legends, which of them would you say inspired your boards the most?

Chris: John Holly of Sunset Cliffs, Ocean Beach. He took me aside to teach me a lot about production techniques and design theory. He comes from the old G&S factory that dozens of shapers came from in San Diego. When he slipped off to get a refreshment, I hurried into his shaping room and swept and bagged the dust. ( I must have done that hundreds of times) so he repaid the favor with allowing me to shape my first boards with his tools and templates. He's quite a teacher.

SB: If you could give some advice to a young shaper starting out now what would it be?

Chris: Start as young as you can. Stop messing around and focus on learning every skill you can. Do not worry about what you are being paid or if you are being paid at all. Work as many hours as you can so you can get good at the trade, It pays off. Avoid drugs and alcohol and you will have a clear advantage over your competitors.

SB: Some sublime stuff there. It is true that building boards for surfers and how different cultures interpret our obsession with moving water and how to ride it is never ending in its wonder. To put it another way, there is always someone, somewhere dreaming up a new way to ride a wave, perhaps they are just inspired in a different way or by a different thing.

I can't speak for the reader but after listening to Chris talk about his boards my pallet is a little moist and the Tubesock just went very near to the top of my 'to do' list. Thanks Chris, keep pushing the boundaries and making real boards for real people.