Thursday, February 16, 2012

42 degree's

Spring is in the air…….well it felt like it today. A balmy 42 degrees at Street Swell world headquarters. We are located on a quiet gently sloped road that is long and straight. Sloped enough to make the kick up quite painful with winter legs. On nice winter days when the snow has melted, the local governing authority has the street sweepers out cleaning up all of the debris a winter town acquires. Today was one such day. 42 degrees……clean streets….I’m out and kicking. Boy do I look forward to the first turns of the year, bluebird sky not a vehicle around and just the sound of the Seismic’s breaking a little loose at the apex of the turns. Sure you could straight this hill but straight is not why I love it…..its the carve. Well anyway that was the highlight of my day, one I look forward to repeating tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Custom Boards

The process of making a custom board has a lot of different elements. We do not want to simply be.. “Sign Makers”.. although we have fallen victim to that in the past. We want to create something that first and foremost represents our clients but secondly shows a bit of our souls……and we have many. Joel puts my crazy thoughts into a format that is much improved and can be produced, while mixing a lot of his own crazy thoughts in the process. Alex takes that information and makes it three dimensional and real. Fernando brings it all to life through the mastery of his finishing talents and John, my dad, delivers it…..every time!

When the BoardLife mentioned “The Gov” project, I was both terrified and excited at the prospect and the challenge. Man I wanted to do this project…..but how to make a longboard worthy of the office of Governor was intimidating to say the least. So I came up with the state seal concept…..much to Joel’s dismay. We had incorporated inlaying in our new line of decks for several months but inlaying the Colorado state seal was enough to drive everyone to drink. This was to be a surprise so calling the capital and asking for an esp. file of the seal was not an option. Joel had to recreate it from scratch. I think it was worth the effort.

4 router bits ……..and some blood sweat and tears later we came up with what I think is a pretty cool inlay and board design. The woods incorporated in the board where all hand picked at our hard wood supplier in San Diego. Walnut, Lace Wood, and Curly Maple coming to life in something that gives pleasure not only visually but also physically. This board is totally rip-able. It was an honor and a privilege to create something commissioned by a great client for an honorable office. We look forward to the next great challenge…….and building another great longboard.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

We like Wood!!

So last November a dear friend of mine said I should check out this company that makes wood bikes..........I always do what my friend says. Renovo Bikes is what I found. I gave Ken a call and said i want something kind of one-off for Street Swell. He was more than willing to accommodate. What I now have is the first bike I've ever had that will never be for sale...take a look and tell me what you think.

When building the bike up I enlisted my long time friend and bike shop owner Frank Mitchell of Moontime Cycles in Edwards Coloarado I told Frank I wanted to make this thing the coolest bike around and I had to have gold parts. Together we came up with parts from Chris King, Formula, Exotic, Phil Wood and Ergon to name a few.

What I ended up with is one of the sweetest looking 21lbs Single speeds around......and it rides like a dream. I am blown away at how responsive and comfortable it is.

Now we have a bike to take to shows that totally compliments our longboards and again proves its hard to improve on nature.

Well done Renovo....well done!

All Photos shot by my bro Joel, check him out at Joel Cummins Photography

Sunday, October 9, 2011

2012 Street Swell Rocket Marathon


You want a board that you can kick to work........go rip a hill and then compete in a 26 mile push race..........you got it!!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Breast Cancer Awareness


Once in a while you get to do something that is about others and not yourself. We spend a majority of our time trying to create boards that do one of two things….give us esthetic pleasure or create revenue . This board is beyond those things…..it was just the right thing to do. In 2010 breast cancer was diagnosed in over 200,000 Americans with a portion of those being men. Our little longboard will not change that….but if we all give a little maybe someday we will find a cure. Building this board was an honor and a privilege.

To bid on this board come to the Breast Cancer Awareness event at the Gore Range Brewery on Monday October 10th, 2011 at the Gore Range Brewery from 6 to 9. Together in small efforts we can make a difference.

Monday, October 3, 2011

2012 Street Swell Cruise Zulu



Here is a quick little video highlighting some of the features on the 2012 Cruise Zulu

Monday, June 7, 2010

Rock'n at Teva Mountain Games




Street Swell riders rip at Teva. Courtney Gregory takes first in men’s single speed, Lisa Poole and Sarah Baskins take 2nd and 3rd in women’s single speed. Great showings by Alex Colman 4th single speed and Paul Gorbold 4th men’s expert…….I’m so dammed proud. Both Ryan Cantrell and Jason Platt did the 4 event mountai...n challenge with great results. The Irishmen Ronan Murray had a strong showing in mens masters. Well done!!