Hoyte Designs Website and Blog - It's official!

We are moving our blog onto our website.

So from now on it can be viewed at

www.hoytedesigns.com

Wahoo!!

Sidenote - I got a little surf session in this morning:) ....

So Happy (whatever day it is that you're this viewing on) to everyone!

How to Noseride

Hoyte Designs presents you with it's first surfing tutorial:

... from a 5 year old's perspective.

1. Paddle

2. Stand Up

3. Run to the end of the board.

 This is Merrick's first time on a surfboard.

(Mini Simmons - perfect for kids to learn on:)

Showing off her sweet technique at the AB3 last Saturday.

And she's hooked. It's all over. Forget anything else. She only wants to go to the beach.

(OK, so it's a 5 second clip and yes, her board hits the sand and momentum sends her running....

but still, we couldn't be prouder!)

Time for Dad to make her her first board.



San Onofre State Beach

After Saturday's AB3, we headed to San Onofre State Beach for a day of surfing and to hang out with old and new friends.

 There is nothing quite like this place....

 

A historical surf break.

Community of ocean lovers.

 

 Picnics, families and surfboards ABOUND!

(Russell and Merrick)

Where else in California can you surf and then head into one of many bamboo and succulent groves that are beautifully cared for and take a fresh water shower ?

This is the backyard I dream of!

Happy Thursday all and I hope you got to surf yesterday on National Surfing Day and the longest day of the year.

 (In the Northern Hemisphere that is)

For all you Southern Hemis, December is only 6 months away:)

Hoyte Designs at the AB3 - Anything But 3

Saturday at 5:30am saw us leaving Ventura for Oceanside to represent Hoyte Designs at the AB3 Board Show .

One mini-van. Two adults. Two kids. Buddy the dog.

About 13 boards. Including 3 longboards on the roof.

 Overnight bags. Wetsuits. Towels. Umbrellas

And Two very strong cups of coffee!

Russell had shaped, airbrushed, glassed, and sanded till late every night the previous week to get ready for this show and with about 2 hours of sleep between us, we headed to North Jetty.

The idea of the AB3 is,  in their words,

"Shape it, buy it, borrow it, bring it, show up and ride it."

"a gathering of alternative board riders and craftsman.

Think of it as a hot rod show where you get to take the cars around the block for a spin."

And that is exactly what we did:)

We had a fun time meeting with fellow craftsmen and surfers, who could grab a board, demo it and bring it back with honest feedback.

The weather was perfect, the waves consistent and the company friendly.

Everyone was there to have a good time and to do what they love to do.

Surf. And talk surf. 

Thanks to all who rode our boards and we hope to see you in September at the next AB3!

Happy Tuesday all!

Hoyte Designs in HomeGrown Surf Shop

Nestled in Midtown Ventura, just an hour north of LA, is a creative and community orientated surfshop called HomeGrown.

 It's personally run by husband and wife team, Walter and Veronica Winters, who cater to the local underground surf and skate scene.

They and their employees are warm, inviting and genuinely care for their community.

 

 Pop in if you are in the neighborhood or take a drive into Ventura one day to say hi and look around.

We want to support our local businesses and this store is a treat!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

May the wind die down, the waves keep a-rollin' and the sun stay

a-shinin'!

 

This Too Can Be You - Russell Hoyte shaping with Harrison

Here at Hoyte Designs, we like to invite clients in to watch the shaping of their board.

It's personal.

It's informative.

And Russell enjoys the company.

After more than 30 years of shaping he doesn't feel the need to be secretive about his craft.

Sure, there are tricks Russ has up his sleeve that will stay there:)...

...but,  in general, he's happy to show you

the process and answer your questions.

This is Harrison Adler.

He's a local, surfing as a pro junior.

This is his second custom board and it's been fun working with him as a test pilot.

He's also stoked with his new board!!

It's amazing to see a blank transformed into a beauty.

Happy Tuesday.

It's gorgeous outside.

There's surf.

So....

Have a b-e-a-u-tiful day

Hoyte Designs Simster 'Symster'

5'2  x 20 1/4 x 2  1/4

EPS Resin-X

Hoyte 'Symster' Model

One of my favorite aspects of this board is the color work.

Painted by Justice Hoyte, 7 years old.*

Artist Extraordinaire

 

* We welcome custom art works by mini-artists.

Your children are always welcome to come paint your boards for you.

Happy June.

Russell Hoyte: Proud Dad of a Marine

We are so proud of you Josiah!

Happy Memorial Day to all!

And we are forever grateful to the brave and selfless men and women who serve our country and guard our freedom.

R. Hoyte for ....

                                           ^

 ...your name here.

Paul C. , a friend and Customer, shot these photos as Russell Hoyte

shaped and glassed his board.

This....

....plus this....

...equals THIS!

Spitfire II

6'0    20    2  5/8

Resin Pigment

Have a glorious weekend everyone!

Russell Hoyte: Happy Shaper

We here at Hoyte Designs believe that it's always good to be, well, .... happy while you work.

It helps make an excellent surfboard.

I snuck up on Russell while he was shaping.

This is a side of him you won't see unless you sneak in a video cam.

Happy Thursday everyone.

RHD Twynzer Review

This is a board review Paul C. put on his Facebook page and we wanted to show you guys.

I'ts word for word.

No edits:)

"This came to me as a loaner, and I quickly decided it was meant to be!

Whilst waiting for my custom Hoyte "Spitfire 2" to be shaped, Russell (Hoyte Designs) told me to give this rig a go. At 5'9", it's the shortest board I've ridden in decades.

My first outing was at PH during a strong south we had a few weeks back.

I was shocked how it handled the punchy 4-6 foot beach break with ease.

 Staying in the pocket and then accelerating smoothly through turns with tight arcs. This Twinzer feels more like an extension of my leg than it does a board under my feet. It's quick all around and very stable in "face chop".

 My only surprise is when I took it out in some weak, yet well formed, two foot waves. It didn't go. Nope, this puppy is power hungry! All the better I say!

As mentioned, not only has this Twinzer made it to the front of my quiver, the Spitfire 2 I was waiting on, is now waiting for me."

 

When Paul gets his Spitfire II we'll do a post on it. 

We're loving this Southern Cali weather and hope you are all getting some good waves.
If landlocked, here's to some ocean therapy soon!

Happy Thursday all!

New Hoyte Designs Model - the DART

Over the last couple of months Russell has been working on some new summer boards.

One of these new designs is the Dart!

This particular board is a custom and Russell is going to Twinzer it.

EPS/Resin-X

5'10  x  20  1/4  x  2  3/8

Hoyte Designs RFT Twynzer

I love this picture.

It speaks volumes to me.

1. The rainbow promising an amazing board and surf experience.

2. The warmth of the Hawaiin sun and water resonating from the picture.

3. The question: why the heck am I not in Hawaii at this very instant photographing our own boards in the warm sun and water?

Again, volumes.

Happy Monday All.

and Happy Spring.

Here's to warm sun and warmer water.

Hoyte Designs Builds Something Different

This is a follow-up blog to the pictures we previously posted of the Wave Arrow.

We have been working with Hawaii's Gus Acosta on his brainchild.

A modern day paipo.

We have built the prototype and are excited to produce them on the mainland.

This thing is a BEAUTY!

Fast and lean...and waiting to make it's mark!

Poly Construction

50" x 23 7/8

Hoyte Designs Special Reminder

This is just a reminder that you have until the end of March to receive $100 off any board ... if you have already purchased a board before!

The offer ends March 31st.

Happy Spring to everyone!

Hoyte Designs working with Ed Vickery

We at Hoyte Designs continue to have the pleasure and privilege of meeting and working with some fine people.

Ed is one of those people.

He is passionate about his boards and it's always a treat when he pops in with a project.  

  

This is Ed in his workshop.

And this is Ed's board in our workshop.

Getting glassed at Hoyte Designs - UFO.

Hoyte Designs and U.F.O. working with Tom Swift

Local surfer and designer, Tom Swift, has been living in Oxnard his whole life.

We were fortunate enough to meet and work with him, glassing his hand-crafted SUP, built out of

red wood, walnut and bamboo.*

Deck view in full glory with abalone inlay logo.



Gloss and Polish - hence the fine reflection in the photo:)

Notice the Malcolm Campbell Bonzer logos.

You know you're somebody when Malcolm gives you permission to use this.

Congrats Tom! (you're the man!:)

A stoked customer.

If you see this guy, make sure to say hi!

Thanks Tom, had fun working with you.

Looking forward to board review.

*UFO Glassing is the glassing shop that is part of Hoyte Designs.

(Underground Fiberglass Ops)

Hoyte Custom Wave Arrow

This fun project came about due to a good friend of mine, Gus Acosta,  from Hawaii.

He has conceptualized a modern day Paipo, having

the bottom contours that follow the premise of a catamaran with modern day bodyboard function.

At 4'4 x 23 x 2 3/4 (before deck concave added), this looks more like a space vehicle than an aquatic one.

This bottom view shows the arrow in full glory.

Speed. Elegance. And Unique Design.



This view from the tail highlights the catamaran style channel and chimes.

Completed Wave Arrow photos to follow.

Stay tuned for next photo adventure.

Hoyte's High Performance Single Fin

Hoyte Designs SER Model

'Single Edge Razor'

For Doug

6'0 x 19 3/4 x 2 3/8
Poly

 

Hoyte Designs Family and a New Year!

Dislaimer: Todays blog has nothing to do with surfing or surfboards:)

But everything to do with what else we love!

The Hoyte family started off 2012 with a fun filled bang!

Some of our family flew in from England and South Africa and we filled up our home with meals and laughter for three weeks!

Parents, brother, sister-in-love and nephew.

We are all spread across the globe and sharing life together was...

Glorious!

This was immeditely followed by Josiah's Marine Bootcamp graduation.

Yup, we have a Marine in the family.

To say we're proud of him is an understatement!

Russell enjoying our favorite brew at a local microbrewery we've been visiting for years.

Unfiltered Double Barrel from Firestone.

CHEERS to everyone in 2012!!

We look forward to getting to know you more,

blogging daily,

releasing our brand new website,

making you excellent surfboards

and living life abundantly!:)