Mike Olson & The Lib Tech Waterboard Story

by The Editors on January 30, 2012

Mervin Manufacturing co-founder Mike Olson has been weird sciencing the snowboard world for nearly three decades. Some would argue (us included) that Olson (along with partner Peter Saari and Steven Cobb) responsible for more design advancements in snowboard and ski technology than any other living person. Beginning with the carving snowboard, parabolic sidecut, and cap construction, and continuing on with reverse camber, and augmented snowboard edge shapes, Olson has been going against conventional wisdom for his entire career. For the past two years Olson has been working exclusively on a new project involving what he calls “waterboards” or what the rest of us call surfboards.

Libtech Surf
Jeff Henderson, Mike Olson, Pete Saari and the new Lib Tech waterboards.

We’ve been hearing about these new surfboards for a while but we’d never seen any, most likely because he’s purposefully been keeping them out of the line-ups of Southern California breaks. Then during the Agenda Show in Long Beach we got into a late-night elevator at the Hyatt and ran into a crew from Mervin Manufacturing. They had four of the new surfboards and were taking them up to their room. We were so blown away by the boards and so interested in feeling, squeezing, and holding them that we forgot to even take a picture. We didn’t know it at the time, but in typical Mervin Manufacturing strategy Mike decided to present the surfboards to the world at the Snowsports Industries of America Show in Denver, Colorado last week where very few of the attendees would even know enough about surfing to be impressed.

We couldn’t believe what we were seeing, it’s game-changing. As much as we can say from only holding them, the boards live up to the hype. They are light, well-shaped, and (after seeing four knocked to the floor) unbelievable durable. We had some questions, and luckily Mike Olson was there to answer them in excruciating detail.

Halfway through our interview PR maven Lora Bodmer cut in to make sure Olson wasn’t giving away any trade secrets, but other than that we got 28 minutes of the straight scoop.

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

JoeShred January 30, 2012 at 4:08 pm

Wow! Leave it to a ‘snowboarder’ to create a game-changer in surfboard construction. The surf industry has been stuck in the mud when it comes to building a more ecologically friendly surfboard, shame on them for being so slow to change. Thank you Mike Olson for opening your mind to new ideas and construction processes. The true litmus test will be how they ride, but for now, Olson and Liberace Technologies should be praised for embracing risk and innovation over saving a buck.

yo-k January 31, 2012 at 6:36 am

what are the prices like on these things… and will other shapers come on board like surftech?..

@yo-k January 31, 2012 at 9:07 am

He said same price as Banana Magic 696.96.

Pretty cool stuff.

only issue January 31, 2012 at 9:12 am

Not to knock this board but i’ve had the pleasure of being given boards with new technology that someone rode 1 time and hated. I suck so it makes no difference to me.

This will be a niche item for sure. But i’m hesitant to think top level mainstream types will change up.

Doodoo Brown February 1, 2012 at 7:38 am

I agree with JoeShred (although it looks like they are saving bucks too). I really love surfing but hate surfers. I have never met a group of people so change averse. And it is really funny that a sport that prides itself on earthyness and greenery makes boards out of awful chemicals.

Can’t wait to get on one with magnetraction. I definitely need more edge hold on those cold winter surf sessions! A rocker/camber combo would be nice too for more pop on my airs…

Simon February 1, 2012 at 10:38 am

Saw these boards in pavones during christmas overhead swell. The boards were looking really good.

Richie C February 2, 2012 at 12:53 pm

I’ll take all four! Sign me up. This board tech might actually make you a better surfer. Imagine that. With all that has gone into this project and this stellar finished product it looks like Mervin is well on its way to taking over the surfing and snowboarding industry in a good way. I moved to Washington to ride Mt Baker in 94′ and new right away that I was in good hands riding anything from Mervin. With the gnarliest terrain and breaks as your proving grounds its no wonder that the best products continue to arrive from Mervin mfg. This is really great news.

Reality check February 16, 2012 at 10:30 pm

tuflite 2, oh wait we already have that. The prius of surfboards had arrived!

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