Dave Seehafer

By: Tobin Bennison

Article Category: 20 Questions 1 Comment

With today’s diversity and complexity of surfboards, foam, and fins, as well as the sheer number of choices out there, Dave Seehafer thought the consumer needed more information before buying a new board — especially at today’s prices.

His solution? The highly-anticipated Boards & Waves Expo, which will allow consumers a unique educational opportunity to talk face-to-face with surfing’s top shapers, fin designers, foam manufacturers, local surf retailers, and both pro and amateur surfers, in a fun, friendly, and informative environment. A grass-roots alternative to the highly-corporatized and industry-centric Surf Expo in Orlando, Boards & Waves gives a portion of its proceeds to the Surfrider Foundation, giving back to the East Coast’s favorite sport, while supporting the local roots of the industry.

As one of the main brains behind this surfer-friendly showcase, Seehafer helped organize two days to touch, feel, and inspect the latest surfboards, fins, blanks, and accessories from the surf industry’s top shapers and manufacturers. Attendees can inspect the newest foam blanks, review the latest fin designs, watch shaping demos, and sit in on how-to seminars.

We asked Seehafer about the origins of the Boards & Waves Expo and which kind of fruit he’d want to wear on his noggin…

How did the idea for the Boards & Waves Expo come about?

As an action sports industry analyst, I was tracking the flat trend in surfboard sales. Based on the success of the West Coast surfboard show, I realized that today’s surfer was incredibly confused and overwhelmed about the variety of board shapes, styles, and other factors. Ricky Carroll and I were chatting in his factory (R&D Surf) last November, and decided that we needed to have a surfboard show open to the public here on the East Coast.

What makes Boards & Waves different from the Surf Expo in Orlando?

The Boards & Waves Expo is unique in that it’s the first of its kind on the East Coast which is open to the public, unlike the Surf Expo. This will give surfers an opportunity to talk with shapers, blank manufacturers, fin designers, and and others in the industry about the incredible diversity of boards. Hopefully this will give today’s surfer the information and knowledge to buy a new surfboard with confidence, knowing that it will perform for his/her surfing ability in the waves that they’re riding.

What are some of the activities planned for the event?

Surfboard shaping demonstrations throughout both days, surfboard painting by one of the industry’s top artists Drew Brophy, Q&A seminars with top shapers, a seminar with Surfline’s Mike Watson on how to predict waves, a StandUpPaddle demo, a collection of vintage surfboards from the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame, lots of product giveaways, surfboard raffles, free Lost Energy Drink, and an “after Expo” party on Saturday and Sunday night at the Ocean Deck.

What kind of companies will be exhibiting?

There will be over 60 exhibits featuring surfboards from Rusty, Firewire, Ricky Carroll, Wooster, Orion, and Viking, foam blanks from Ice9 and HomeBlown, fins from FCS and Rainbow, surf art by Damien Share, The Surf Gallery, and Hunter Glass, as well as Kicker Audio Products featuring the new iKick for iPods, surf accessories, local surf shops, and much more.

What do you think the average person would gain from attending this expo?

It is my hope that all Expo attendees will leave with a deep admiration and respect for today’s shapers, be stoked about today’s new shapes and designs, and then go to their local surf shop and buy a new
board!

Do you think this has the potential to become an annual event?

I’m already working on the 2009 Expo details; I’ll let you know as soon as everything’s confirmed…

How has the response been thus far?

The industry has been supportive of the Boards and Waves Expo since they first heard about it. The economy and soft surfboard sales have made it more challenging, but it’s going to be a great success, setting the stage for an even bigger Expo next year. I invite surfers of all ages to come to the Expo, touch the boards, talk to the shapers, and find out about your next new board — maybe even win one!

Are there plans for a similar event in other regions of the country?

I’ve looked into venues in Virginia Beach and Ocean City, MD. But for now, I’m focusing on Florida.

You’ve lived in Hawaii and California for some time. How does it feel to be back in the south?

Many of my closest friends — and longtime surf partners — live here in Florida, so it’s good to be back here, surfing the waves together when we get them, and planning our next surf adventure somewhere in the world.

If you could bring any aspect of Hawaii back with you, what would it be?

Excluding waves, I miss the killer Hawaiian, Korean, and Vietnamese food, along with the rainbows that would come after the daily rain shower.

What was your biggest beef with California living?

The high cost of buying a house close to the beach!

Among your wide travels, which place would you say is the most beautiful?

I’ve been fortunate to travel to many, many spots around the world in search of waves, but I’m partial to the Caribbean with its multiple shades of turquoise and blue.

If you could dine with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

JFK. I’d want to find out how he had so much fun as a young President while handling the Cuban missile crisis.

What quality do you most admire in a friend?

Trust.

What’s the last book you read?

Jimmy Buffett’s “A Pirate Looks at Fifty.”

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

“Endless Summer.” It’s what started my life as a surfer!

Have you ever punched anyone in the face?

Once, in high school.

If you had to wear a hat made of fruit, what fruit would you choose?

Pineapple. That way, I’d have my own source of pineapple juice for my rum drink.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Protect the environment, save the waves, and travel the world. Mahalo!

The Boards & Waves Expo will be held Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, 13th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center (2700 N. Atlantic Ave.; 386-672-3770) in Daytona Beach. Admission cost is $5 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Surfrider Foundation. Ages 12 and under enjoy free entry. The Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Club nearby will hold an “after Expo” party on Saturday and Sunday nights. Wear your Expo wristband to enter the surfboard raffle each evening. Enjoy specials on Landshark and Red Stripe beer and see some of the many exhibitors, including Wooster Surfboards, R&D Surf, Inc., Orion Surfboards, Lucas Surfboards, Vision Surfboards, Coyle Surfboards, Glenn Klugel Surfboards, Maui Nix Surf Shop, Surfari Surf Shop & School, and Island Trader Surf Shop. Kicker Audio Products will have a booth featuring their brand new iKICK audio speakers for iPods. Also, Drew Brophy’s new DVD on how to paint surfboards will be debuting at the Expo. He’ll be on hand to share his painting skills during his 1 p.m. seminar on both days. Visit www.boardsandwaves.com to read detailed information on exhibitors and scheduled events. You can also call the Expo’s Florida office at (904) 242-9792.

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