The latest FLOW magazine has been released.
(Bruce is on the cover)
It includes an interview that Yuki conducted with Mayhem when they visited Japan recently.
The contents are like this.
5 minutes talk with matt biolos
Five Minutes with Lost Shaper Matt Biolos
Photo by snowy / Text by yuki
Matt Biolos, aka Mayhem, is the shaper and leader of Lost, the American dream that has spread from San Clemente to the world. Lost is known in the American industry as a somewhat controversial brand, but its leader, Matt, is actually far from being controversial; he's actually a very intelligent and clever person. People don't study much these days. If there's something they don't understand, they can solve it with a Google search. They don't need dictionaries or books or anything. They don't need to memorize things. But he's the kind of person who can point out the distortions in the world today and say, "That's strange, isn't it?" I believe the success of Lost is due to Matt's intelligence and his ability to calmly analyze the market.
When asked about the secret to growing from a small, small-group brand into such a huge brand, Matt replied: "First of all, satisfying the average user. Not the pros or team riders. Pros and riders are like tools to satisfy the average user, like files and rulers. We take their feedback and create boards that will satisfy the average user even more. Lost's advertising strategy may be silly, but the boards' performance is outstanding. You can tell they're the real deal when you ride them. That's one thing we stick to." Even as he spoke, he continued shaping the blanks in front of him. It takes about 45 minutes to shape one board, and he shapes 10 a day. He draws the Swallow tail end line freehand, and even though it's a small detail, he uses an electric file in one go. His boldness is so great it almost makes you worry. Watching the boards being made so effortlessly while we were talking, it's easy to believe he can see things the average person can't. Whatever the process, the finished boards have beautiful curves.
It's easy. It's like a third-grade craft project. I've been doing it forever. I used to get really nervous about it when I was younger, but now, it's not like that anymore.
The shaper signs it, writes the size, and finally writes "Made in Japan." When I asked, "Eh, Made in Japan?" Matt proudly replied, "Yes, it's not made in China. It's proof that it's a custom board that I shaped in Japan."
His current goal is to create a shortboard for surfers in their 30s and 40s who don't want to ride a longboard. A board that makes it easy to catch waves even with a weak paddle. This is sure to satisfy the average surfer.
Lost is actively working on new concepts and materials such as Fiberflex and Parabolic Stringers, and starting next year, Firewire Lost surfboards will finally be available.
Before that, the second DVD of previously released performances on short fish-style boards is scheduled to be released. Kelly will also be appearing on a 5'6" board. I'd like to see Corey Lopez and Chris Ward take to the pipe or Teahupoo on boards in the 5' range.
Tomorrow is my day off, so I'm going to Tokyo. I've already decided to have shabu-shabu for lunch and yakiniku for dinner. I'd also like to check out the girls in Harajuku and do some shopping, Matt said, laughing happily as he continued to move his hands.
We are currently distributing FLOW in-store, so please come to Love Surf to get your copy.
(Bruce is on the cover)
It includes an interview that Yuki conducted with Mayhem when they visited Japan recently.
The contents are like this.
5 minutes talk with matt biolos
Five Minutes with Lost Shaper Matt Biolos
Photo by snowy / Text by yuki
Matt Biolos, aka Mayhem, is the shaper and leader of Lost, the American dream that has spread from San Clemente to the world. Lost is known in the American industry as a somewhat controversial brand, but its leader, Matt, is actually far from being controversial; he's actually a very intelligent and clever person. People don't study much these days. If there's something they don't understand, they can solve it with a Google search. They don't need dictionaries or books or anything. They don't need to memorize things. But he's the kind of person who can point out the distortions in the world today and say, "That's strange, isn't it?" I believe the success of Lost is due to Matt's intelligence and his ability to calmly analyze the market.
When asked about the secret to growing from a small, small-group brand into such a huge brand, Matt replied: "First of all, satisfying the average user. Not the pros or team riders. Pros and riders are like tools to satisfy the average user, like files and rulers. We take their feedback and create boards that will satisfy the average user even more. Lost's advertising strategy may be silly, but the boards' performance is outstanding. You can tell they're the real deal when you ride them. That's one thing we stick to." Even as he spoke, he continued shaping the blanks in front of him. It takes about 45 minutes to shape one board, and he shapes 10 a day. He draws the Swallow tail end line freehand, and even though it's a small detail, he uses an electric file in one go. His boldness is so great it almost makes you worry. Watching the boards being made so effortlessly while we were talking, it's easy to believe he can see things the average person can't. Whatever the process, the finished boards have beautiful curves.
It's easy. It's like a third-grade craft project. I've been doing it forever. I used to get really nervous about it when I was younger, but now, it's not like that anymore.
The shaper signs it, writes the size, and finally writes "Made in Japan." When I asked, "Eh, Made in Japan?" Matt proudly replied, "Yes, it's not made in China. It's proof that it's a custom board that I shaped in Japan."
His current goal is to create a shortboard for surfers in their 30s and 40s who don't want to ride a longboard. A board that makes it easy to catch waves even with a weak paddle. This is sure to satisfy the average surfer.
Lost is actively working on new concepts and materials such as Fiberflex and Parabolic Stringers, and starting next year, Firewire Lost surfboards will finally be available.
Before that, the second DVD of previously released performances on short fish-style boards is scheduled to be released. Kelly will also be appearing on a 5'6" board. I'd like to see Corey Lopez and Chris Ward take to the pipe or Teahupoo on boards in the 5' range.
Tomorrow is my day off, so I'm going to Tokyo. I've already decided to have shabu-shabu for lunch and yakiniku for dinner. I'd also like to check out the girls in Harajuku and do some shopping, Matt said, laughing happily as he continued to move his hands.
We are currently distributing FLOW in-store, so please come to Love Surf to get your copy.
