rek-luh-mey-shuhn ("Daedalus project")

Schmaltz · Outlaw Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Posts: 100 City: SD

We are going to document the "Daedalus project" from it's inception to ... ? ... redemption!

Dae·da·lus n. Greek Mythology A renowned craftsman, sculptor, and inventor and builder of the Labyrinth. He fashioned the wings with which he and his son Icarus escaped from Crete after their imprisonment by Minos. "the cunning worker," from daidallein "to work artfully."

The Daedalus project is the culmination of my life's lessons... and everything I have learned from building wake products and being involved in the wake/action sports industry... almost 22 years now !!! This project is going to allow myself & Integrity the freedom to produce products without any interference or problems associated with out-sourcing & or OEM (original equipment manufacturing). This past year has tested us & almost put us in ruins... due to some people/companies we were reliant upon to deliver goods and services. Money talks... and it's hard to compete against larger players without wads of cash. You just get yanked off even if the cash is flowing... it better keep flowing. Once you become established, better not stick all your eggs in that basket... cause they will hit you with inflated pricing and force you to meet demands without warning. (at least in my case) Over the barrel and treated like the red headed step child. Maybe if you pray hard enough and kiss that ass just right you just might get your goods... late and shoddy... so far into the season you can't actually sell what you invested into. It just makes you look ill prepared and amateurish to buyers, retailers, and to distributors. It's hard to be taken serious and run a business when you are forced to push ship dates every 3 weeks for 4-5 months straight... and it's completely out of your hands and at their mercy. So due to these circumstance were trust and contracts hold little weight... past experiences has proved to me "ne plus ultra" to never again trust anyone to make or break my goals/dreams. Skeptical and preparing for this eminent situation, We pooled all our resources and reinvented our business plan... To build our very own factory and find a worthy investor who is like minded... and just so happens... He is a wakeboard/wakeskater that has competed in the sport "back in the day" and can attest to the shade of bruised colored blue. The plan is paying off... finally... as we are now building a factory... and it just so happens to be on a private lake! Hells yes... Pressing decks and testing 30 yards away... Truly a dream come true!

Check out the view from the shop in the photo posted...

One of the reasons why we named our wakeskate line "Integrity", was do to the lack of it around me... not only in the action sports industry but, everywhere in general. It just seems no one does what they say, fake hand shakes, and smiles... with mal-intent or lack of intent. Being completely independent of the Industry... fueled only by the love for this sport alongside friends & family. This is what it was originally about... an art to share... an epitaph to prepare. This dream has been a long struggle & thee hardest thing I have ever fought for in my life. Many times over I almost gave up... lost everything... gone into deep debt... worked 2-3 jobs at a time... just to dump my everything into this sport/dream. Perseverance is the heaviest weight to bare when all around... you feel the constant gravity of mediocrity pulling you down.

All of this might not be much but, it's mine/ours... and we never gave in or sold out to get here! Sorry if that comes off cocky or too rich... it's far from it... it's confidence, hard work, passion, and the support of many good and true friends & family over the years. You are the Epoxy behind it all. Many THANKS to those involved and to those who support our products.

I have a Blog on MySpace (myspace.com/integritywake) just to keep everyone informed on what's happening as we build the factory, new products, art, riding, information, & ... what have you. Watch out for archives, randomness, & ratings to come. I'm also going to break down everyone involved, and most friends who have been there form the beginning ... trick & thin, all my stormy weather Friends. Hopefully a Podcast or 2... maybe even a shop camera to check out the action 24/7.

Think of this Blog as the ingredients to every deck Integrity produces... the history, the passion, the lifestyle, the Love... the unseen meaning, the symbology, the art of living with Integrity. It's going to be one big open house for all to view into and see what we are really about. Hopefully we won't be giving away too many trade secretes in the process... yet just enough information to keep people informed on why/how we make the best and most durable wakeskate on the market.

We are even going to have guest pressings by Nick and Ryan as they get ready to unveil their new limited pro models... hand made by them, and signed.

Oh, and watch out for some new Mutiny Wakeboards in 2008 !!!

2008 is going to be Sick !!!

Much Respect,
Erich Schmaltz

Ctipping · Posted: Sep 18, 2007 3:57 am Post subject:

nickl011 · Posted: Sep 18, 2007 3:21 pm Post subject:

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

Schmaltz,

As always let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Wakeboarder.com, Wakeskating.com, and Boardstop.com are here to help you.

Ed

8824 · Posted: Sep 19, 2007 5:27 am Post subject:

Schmaltz, When will you start taking orders?

I wish you and the Familia continued success!

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

Stay Gold Schmaltz!

Schmaltz · Outlaw Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Posts: 100 City: SD

Yeah K-Dub...

Hows JR. ?

Holla...

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

Schmaltz, he's like a little man now.

Been getting him comfortable behind the boat this summer. Cool

Beaver · Posted: Sep 19, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject:

Oh yes

much love

Damon · Posted: Sep 19, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject:

Would you guys be interested in an internship? Next summer I'll be halfway through my Plastics Engineering degree at Western Washington.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

I need to win the lottery so I can finance you guys.

Kento911 · Addict Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 958 City: Devore

thats whats really good Schmaltz congratulations man I have felt those same woes through the whole Piratewinch Omen experience its a terrible state of affairs where the small innovators are cut down It makes me swell with pride to see somebody who embodies the same ideals as myself achieve so much from so little through so much turmoil I cant wait to see where you take it as always respect

Schmaltz · Outlaw Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Posts: 100 City: SD

We might have some use for an intern. You would be put thru a rigirous and painful hazing ritual... then flogged with a hot batch of epoxy and chopped fiberglass. Submitted to unprovoked verbal abuse, and lots of sweeping the floor. After that it's just one big beer fest. Seriously... Email me in June and I'll see if we are in a position to do that.

Jt09... I need to win the lotto just get out of Debt.

K-Dub... i'm giving you a shout soon to check in.

muckmeistuer... We should be pressing mid to late October. Then R&D'ing the new stuff... so i'm hoping we are rdy to ship in December some time.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

Me too bud, me too!

Damon · Posted: Sep 21, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

Schmaltz, sounds like fun! Better then what Hyperlite has their guys doing, last time I went through their factory, the intern was stuck in the printing room cutting topsheets, he wasn't looking too happy.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

Schmaltz, hit me up.

you still have my number?? If not, p.m. me.....

8824 · Posted: Sep 22, 2007 12:48 pm Post subject:

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

muckmeister, close....

1888 Fuc-kker.