When Clark Foam closed its doors on Monday, December 5, 2005, shockwaves were sent through the surf industry as the main supplier of foam blanks (the template on which the vast majority of surfboards are hand shaped) suddenly stopped its production. The day quickly went down in infamy as Black Monday, the day that blank prices shot through the roof and shapers, surfers, and industry vendors were left looking for alternatives, either overseas or in other technologies.
It was at this point that Reef Brazil was left with an option, not whether to help or not, but whether to help nationally or to help locally. The company decided that “rather than spreading its assistance and not making much difference,” it would focus its efforts “locally, making a big difference,” according to Bob Tanner, strategic marketing manager. In that vein, Reef will open its warehouse doors on June 28th to 35 San Diego shapers who will now have access to 700 foam blanks at Pre-Black Monday prices.
