LF and Obrien done?

wakeriderof87 · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 2:39 pm Post subject:

I can't imagine them stopping obrien, they sell alot of skis and stuff, I can't back this or anything but i'm guessing that they sell more skis and anybody else

y2kp · Soul Rider Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 265 City: Austin, TX

I believe that Bender reps all the companies in his tag line...

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

RUSSIAN, you talkin' to me? My posts?

RUSSIAN · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 2:48 pm Post subject:

I think I had some threads mixed up, by the time I realized it was to late to pull it. Sorry Joe Very Happy

LickerPig · Criminal Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 62 City: Orlando, FL

LF IS OUT OF BUSINESS!

eyecon · Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 5 City: Socal

Don't be so sure! Things are about to get interesting!!!! Sorry for picking on ya Bender.... I thought you were someone else.... no harm no foul!

MackDaddyWake1 · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 3:21 pm Post subject:

Obrien AND LF are now shut down.
EOS is/was owned by a venture capital firm. They all woke up yesterday, realized that oth Obrien, and LF have made no money in years, and shut them both down. Obrien was closed before LF. This whole "LF is just moving" crap... Nice try. OK, if LF is just moving, when they settle in to their new "corporate headquarters" who's going to build their boards? Do you think that Hyperlite will step up and buy the presses to make their boards... CWB...
Hyperlite and CWB stand to kill it right now.

MackDaddyWake1 · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 3:24 pm Post subject:

If someones going to reply with..
"Tony and Jimmy are going to start their own wakeboard company now."
Save it.

Benz · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

I called them today and they said that they have gotten a lot of calls about it and its not true.

MackDaddyWake1 · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 3:34 pm Post subject:

Oh yeah?
Whew! Boy that was close. I can't think of a better place to call to find the truth.
Alright everyone, back to business. LF says they're still rockin.

Magellan · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 255 City: AZ

Anyone want to buy an 02 Subjekt with some warantee issues?

Sean_Brinston · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 4:41 pm Post subject:

OK i must not of seen the earlier thread , any one care to explain what exactly is going on?or was?

whynot · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 4:43 pm Post subject:

i guess you can say i was right. you guys want the word on lf? first you have to say sorry you were right!

eyecon · Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 5 City: Socal

Dear P Diddy Pontoon Lover, They did not just wake up and decide to close the business because neither hadn't turned a profit in years. As a matter of fact (which seem to be few and far between on this website!) LF had the best year in its existence last season. Unfortunately EOS squandered the funds and ruined things for both companies. Something good is going to come from all of this...it may not be what you want to hear but we need these companies around to keep our "sport" headed forward. Don't hate what you obviously do not comprehend. Alot of people who sacrificed alot for the love of riding.. are now unemployed and looking for work because some big corporation saw skiboarding on the E.S.P.N. and wanted to make a quick buck,and when that didn't pan out...well!

LF R.I.P.

Watarski · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 4:56 pm Post subject:

It was bound to happen sooner or later...
In my opinion, Hyperlite is becoming the Microsoft of wakeboarding; what don't they produce?

craig

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

I think thats terrible to only have one company to provide all the gear...pretty soon Hyperlite is going to dictate the market just like Microsoft dictates the computer market...Its going to end up being a monopoly. Good business thrives on healthy competition where you try to produce a product thats better than your competitions.....with no competition....the quality of wakeboarding products will go down....since everyone who wants to wakeboard will have to buy hyperlite anyway.... Crying or Very sad

derrick lenz · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 5:21 pm Post subject:

jeff- just to verify i called liquid force and asked them about it too. the guy i talked to said yes they went down today and as of right now liquid force is done. however they expect it to be up and running again as soon as a new buyer buys the company. also if you really need to hear it like me i recommend that you don't call liquid force. that's what i did and talking to someone about it that just got fired along with 150 other people make you fell like a complete @$#% head.

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

Lets hope someone buys them soon....we should start a collection pot...and buy LF ourselves....hell I would pay lots for that

Wakbordzer · Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 3

LF is over. Be prepared to see LF gear at blow out prices. Maybe you will see LF at your local wholesale store. It is very unlikely that LF will get back in again. The doors are locked, they do not have the keys any longer. The riders are looking for new companies already.

I agree that Hyperlite will take over the market unless we start supporting the smaller companies out there. Does everybody really want to ride a Hyperlite? There are some other options out there. Personally, I'm throwing away my LF and going to get back on the old school. Burn those LF boards they are worthless! What a joke.

Good luck to those who lost their jobs today.

I wish you well.

Disgruntled Rider

Loose_Cannon · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 104 City: Florida

C-DUB all the way man (CWB) for the ones who didnt understand me Twisted Evil

derrick lenz · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 5:58 pm Post subject:

how bout C-DUB for collin wright wakeboards. wright wakeboards should be getting pressed at the end of this month with collin's 142 signiture board out then shortly after. support a company that's run by riders. i'll post more info about wright wakeboards when i get some.

Magellan · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 255 City: AZ

How in the hell can you say there's only one company left. CWB is the fastest growing brand right now, even before LF collapsed. The shops are starting to support it, as well as riders. I rode Hyperlite until every door knob on my lake had one. I then bought an Absolute, and it is the best riding board I've been on. Don't have tunnel vision!

JJ Bauman · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 6:01 pm Post subject:

Blindside has a new site up and running, if you are stuck with some LF gear you might want to check out the new BS site. Good luck to everyone

Magellan · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 255 City: AZ

FYI, in my earlier post, I did not type jerk. I said every a$$hole on my lake. I don't think I've called someone a jerk since grade school.

Watarski · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 6:23 pm Post subject:

I'm surprised that more people didn't see it coming. All I've heard from several dealers about LF are problems - whether it be warranty issues or quality of boards. Our local shop couldn't move them. I'm all for more board company competition, but the truth is Hyperlite makes, IMO, quality products. Unfortunately rider owned companies don't have the backing to advertise or produce their product as much as companies such as Hyperlite and CWB. CWB comes from old ski money. Yes, it may be a monopoly, but I've never had problems with any of my equipment...and it's all Hyperlite. My 2 cents...

craig

NAW · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 6:48 pm Post subject:

This whole situation (true or not) blows!

Magellan · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 255 City: AZ

Hyperlite/HO Skis.
Connelly/CWB.
They both come from ski money. Maybe we should be thankful for skiing.... Naa! It's gay!

Watarski · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 7:10 pm Post subject:

It's kind of entertaining really...A couple of the main companies have ski heritage. Decline of the Waterski Monopoly??? That's funny...

craig

wssx2 · Criminal Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 85 City: ga

watarski i agree i work at a wakeboard shop and we have not sold a single piece of 03 liquid force gear/board/binding/anything!!!! yet
EVERYONE just go by a joyrice or origin board in my opinion you cant buy a tougher or more reliable board

FacePlant2Blind · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 8:18 pm Post subject:

Get ready for the year of THE GATOR!!!! Mark my words. The ONLY rider owned and operated board company!!!! I mean come on, only Scott Byerly (if anyone) has anything on Gator. With the signing of the Vandal and the big shake up at both O'Brien and LF, Gator Boards will thrive. Look for more big names on Gator Boards in the VERY near future.

Watarski · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 8:23 pm Post subject:

Don't call it a comeback...

derrick lenz · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 8:24 pm Post subject:

i don't know about that. isn't origin owned by a guy named steve that rides(just not pro) and also collin wright's company is coming out soon. i do agree though GB is going to blow up

w$r az style · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 384 City: Arizona

can someone honestly come on here rightr now and say for sure what is hapening? no rumers, no "i just heard" nothing made up! the real truth!!!!!! asap.alos in laymeens terms so it is understandable.

Watarski · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 8:41 pm Post subject:

They just posted an "unofficial" snippet on the main page.

FacePlant2Blind · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 8:42 pm Post subject:

www.gatorboards.com
Welcome to
GATOR BOARDS

Thank you for stopping by our site! We have been working hard developing the best poroduct line ever! This site is designed to give you a look at all of our products we currently have as well as introduce you to our team. So have a look around and remember to support rider owned companies!

We are the only rider owned and operated wakeboard company!

As for Orgin, I travel down to Austin a few times a year and know Steve. I wouldn't say that just because you ride or have ridden a wakeboard and you own a WB company that your company is a rider owned company and Steve has never claimed that Orgin is a rider owned company. On that note, I'm not even 100% sure Steve still owns Orgin.

I'm all for Collin's company and hope he can pull it off better than the Serum project, but Gator has the background and most important in this day and age the money to compete with Hyperlite. I can't wait for the Gator bus to come rollin into my town so I can check out all of the boards. I bet we see many more big names jumping to GB, maybe even some of the Hyperlite stable. Twisted Evil