Donate here.
Now VALs and/or post-Covid converts may not understand what actually goes into building a surfboard, as many and/or most are hard for softops, but we, you and me, know that the business is closer to art than commerce. Shapers, finishers, glassers, laminators etc. each toil at razor thin margins in order to allow us to dance upon the waves and those razor thin margins are no joke.
Surfers are generally, let’s be honest, cheap and do not like to pay anymore than absolutely necessary for our lollipops. All fine and good, capitalism gonna capitalize, but most of the aforementioned work without a safety net. No robust savings accounts. No trust funds.
Mike Delaney, anyhow, is a fixture of the art class, laminating boards for Matt Biolos, Panda, Doc, Cordell, Patterson, etc. and so many others for years upon years but his fortunes have changed, his family in need and I’ll let him pick up the story.
With a sad heart, I’m sharing with you that my dad, Richard, has been diagnosed with advanced Parkinson’s Disease. Being an only child, I need to make the move back to South Carolina to help my mom with the day-to-day care of my dad.
My decision was not easy, but I need to leave the surf industry I love to care for my family. It’s been an emotional decision, but it’s the right one to make.
This GoFundMe account is primarily to cover the expenses of my cross-country move. It will also give me some time to find a new profession outside of the surfboard industry.
Please pray for all of us as we adjust to this new reality. My family & I thank you for your help and appreciate your generous donation.
So?
Dip in and feel good when you lay your head on that pillow tonight.
Thanks Chas for the kind words. And thank all of you for helping out whether through donation, prayers, or sharing. Have been a Beachgrit follower long enough to know there’s a ton of shit talking in the comments. So good on you for sharing your thoughts 🤙
The only reason they are being called illicit lovers and cheaters is because he is black and she is white. If he were white and she was black they would still have their jobs. They are not the first people to leave their marriages for much much more happiness nor are they the last. The white male supremacists should get over it and stop trying to prevent white women from loving the black men they love so much.
Might as well, as it sounds like you wouldn’t buy anyone else one anyway.
Go fuck yourself @disqus_OG9Ia3VEql:disqus
Not a mod-worthy reply mate.
Badge-boy is my title. Mod implies more responsibility than I’m prepared to take on.
What are these badges of which you speak?!
You asked, I deliver.
Don’t wanna be too cruel but he’ll only be there 12 months then back to the surf industry.
What kind of relationship must he have with his boss, who wont spot him 500 bucks for an airfare.
Yea, not sure why he needs to find a new profession.
Who says he won’t become a framer or drywaller? Lets not pigeonhole him.
Not saying he won’t but there’s going to come a time, probably soon, when he doesn’t have to care for his dad anymore. At that point, his choices are go back to the industry where he’s made a name for himself, or keep doing his new job, from the bottom of the totem pole.
Good luck to him and the truth is if he’s a gun at spraying surfboards but still can’t rub two quarters together, then he’s probably better off doing something else (and probably should have changed jobs sooner).
Word. My mom has the same thing. Parkinson’s is a bitch. I wasn’t trying to stir anything up LWSS.
No worries at all mate. Hope your mums doing ok.