pavedwave distance skateboarding distance skateboarding, flatland pumping, cross-country adventuring, boardwalk cruising, and all things skateboarding and good times
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject: OH MY G-G-GALAC!!! ( The Galac LDP Review )
The "Galac GTCPLDP"
(Glide, Turn, Carve, Pump - LDP)
If you ever consider picking up a board from John Galac - a.k.a. "samhell" on silverfish -- prepare to be blown away.
I had been eagerly awaiting this package to arrive at my work for a couple months, the time it takes a Galac board to be cut and shaped, and then painted, and coated, sanded, and painted again, cured, sanded, painted, coated, sanded, cured?? painted??? Then treated with images on the top and bottom with perfection that only a graphic artist can pull off -- and using methods that still elude me.
I really don't understand all the magic that John puts into his decks -- what I do understand and appreciate now is the WOW factor when you unwrap his board and your jaw hits the floor.
Another thing John has dialed is, hands down, the most effective clear-coated grip tape treatment I've ever set barefoot and shoed foot upon. The minute I got this board set up with a Bennett front, Splitfire rear, and cushy purple 75mm Avilas all around, it was already nightfall, just enough light to snap a couple pictures, then hop on board and cruise on my neighborhood streets a short while.
To top it all off are the little rubber nose and tailguards, that give a soft 'thump' when you stand the board on end.
The overwhelming impression I got from this board right away was how SMOOOTH it feels. The dampening of the birch, the perfectly flat top, combined with my softest set of big wheels, took me mentally out of my neighborhood and straight to the boardwalk at Alki beach. But my short little ride last night was just a preview for today's commute.
Setting off around 6:30 a.m. this morning, I think the vibrant orange of the deck woke up a few passing cyclists on the trail. At least one time in motion I heard "sweet board!" and at one of the stoplights near the UW, a biker commented how it looked like I was riding a surfboard down the path!
The ride was a very familiar feel -- and everything I'd been hoping for. The board design is simple and the birch is lively. I love the feel of a pure wood board like my "old" Flexdex Pro60. The difference was, the Galac LDP was the perfect length, width, shape, and grip, straight out of the box. John and I had gone back and forth about this design months prior, and he really nailed it in the end.
Have to admit, on those parts of my commute where I zing through a construction zone just after the Fremont bridge, flying off the asphalt and over a few patches of gravel for 20 feet or so, I was a little wary of the damage I was already going to expose this beautiful board to. But it's a skateboard, and as much as it looks like a museum piece, my intention is to give it the love it demands. Actually, the flying rocks and crap along the ride didn't do any damage on this maiden voyage into work, nor on the return surf home.
After a 25-mile first day on the board, I've gotten some instant feedback as to where to take this baby next.
First, I'm going to add one or possibly two longer wheelbases, to give it a flexier option, and a slightly longer stride. I could also see setting this up also with my slightly smaller, harder yellow 84a Bennetts, or 82a green Avalons -- a couple other wheel sets I already have that would fit this board perfectly. Last, I left off the toestop for looks and an experiment in simplicity, but with the flat top, and my habit of zoning deeply into what's on the mp3 and diving off the nose, I'm better off painting a toestop orange and mounting it on. Not sure where I'll find this "construction zone" orange paint though!
This board is destined to be my Long Distance Cruise Pumper, the board that goes to Greenlake, to Alki, and on trips.
Truly, Galac has created an incredible looking board by focusing on the beauty of simple curves and a detailed finish.
Being a part of this board is dangerous for my wallet!
THAT BOARD IS BEAUTIFUL.
Waiting on a Pulse to come in the mail....and now the heart yearns for one of these. Not to mention the foot that longs for a board meant for barefoot riding.
Is the grip rough or grippy like Hamboards? Also, I'm curious about the flex. It looks (judging my the pics alone) that is is on the stiff side and may work well with carver cx trucks?
James, Thank you man.. I really appreciate it.
I look forward to your post on silverfish.
Thanks guys. This is an extremely fun board to ride.
On all future decks, I will be drilling extra holes for
longer wheelbases. It will have 26 1/2", 27", 28", and 28 3/4"
wheelbase holes.
The grip is nothing like Hamboards grip, it's very rough and coarse,
more like Edger grip used in slalom. It's very grippy and lasts.
This board is somewhat stiff, but not a rock at all.
But it's definately no noodle either, that is why I'll be including
a range of wheelbase holes.
These are available now, anyone interested in on, just shoot me an email at: galacsurf@gmail.com
Thanks,
John _________________ San Diego Pump Society
galaclandsurfing dot com
i looove the look of the board..i like the shape.
The problem is, i need to gain more weight to ride it as i want it. Not a big deal though..
I might be needing longer rear truck for this one board..
Hm, i guess i'll wait until i got my seismic in.
For this board, otangs aren't my wheels of choice..
gotta look for something...different.
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