Sorry, about to have a bit of a rant. I've read, commented on, and supported posts on here banging on about supporting local kite shops. They do give good service and advice, no argument.
I am sad to say that I have just bought my last Australian made Cardboard kiteboard. Not because they're no good, they're excellent. Not because I don't want to pay $100 more than the imported boards, I'd pay more. But because they're no longer available. I don't claim to know the exact reasons why, as the owner of the company is a good guy who doesn't have a whinge, so I am making some assumptions. I am assuming that shops sell cheaper imported boards that give them a bigger margin and therefore they don't push Cardboards. If they say they push other brands as they're better, I'd have to strongly disagree. I have tried numerous brands and styles and for overall performance and quality of build I find it really hard to go past the value of Cardboards.
So, that said, I will make this point: Why should I support local kite shops when they don't support locals?
I can buy what they sell for less. I can demo whatever I want and then order what I want with a few taps of the keyboard.
I know there is probably a lot more to this than I am carrying on about and I am sure that retailers will have a bit to say. I guess I am just trying to sum up my disappointment and frustration.
Agreed the tempo and the wave were exceptional boards. Cardboard farqed up with their footstraps though, they were out and out bloody terrible. Infact at times dangerous, my bro and i continually slipped out of those damn things.
If all you do is do boards you have to get this absolutely right. it's not an Aussie made thing here I don't think..maybe a bit of that, but the footstraps and pads were below the standard expected by users.
Interesting. I've been happy with all but the 2011 pads, bit too stiff. Haven't had an issue with coming out though. Maybe that's because I'm not overly adventurous with my moves?? Take your point though eppo.
What makes you think cardboards are no longer available?
I bought a new one a few months ago - yes the footpads were slippery to begin with but after a few hours they became grippy and normal.
Otherwise spray a bit of hairspray on them...
Select to expand quotemattyjee said..
What makes you think cardboards are no longer available?
Sorry to say that the owner has told me that they are no longer in production. I am just guessing as to the reason, admittedly a slightly educated guess due to past conversations.
Select to expand quotemattyjee said..
What makes you think cardboards are no longer available?
I bought a new one a few months ago - yes the footpads were slippery to begin with but after a few hours they became grippy and normal.
Otherwise spray a bit of hairspray on them...
They are currently closing the doors, this is fact.
We could never get the straps to be tight enough. Have heard the same comment from a few crew as well as I was wondering if it was only me. No the foot straps compared to what I use now were very inferior.
without appropriate import tariffs it is impossible to compete with boards made in countries with super low labour rates, it's also a very unhealthy business to be in if u are exposed to epoxy fumes/ glass dust on regular basis - even if you use masks/ventilate etc... If you start spending on a better solution to much less exposure to dust/ chemicals - the prices go way up from high already.. I manufactured boards at home , then made overseas - the complete boards from overseas cost less than the materials I was buying previously.
It's a shame because even if you only break even with a small wage manufacturing locally, you are helping out sooooo many other local companies that you buy all sorts of materials and services from. But no one really knows or cares too much about that, so many that talk the talk about buying local often see the price and say next time maybe...
Web site is still up, all looks normal there. I certainly hope they are still trading, had a freeride some time back and loved it.
If graphics on boards are shabby, then the mainstream wont be interested.
Would you buy a gunmetal grey BMW 5 series?? or a yellow, blue and red stripe BMW 5 series?
If you make a board with the latter, then dont be suprised if they sit on the shop floor gathering dust and then need to be heavily discounted in order to move em.
Just saw this post. Sad news for the industry.
A very well respected manufacturer of kiteboards.
With the Aussie $ so high local manufacturing gets killed.
It is the same in New Zealand.
We become import based economies.
Underground and Axis are not made in NZ... China now I think.
Maybe we will see Carboards pop back up from a new base.
It's a good brand with great designs.. no matter where you make it.
For everyone outside of Australia, it's an imported brand anyway.
Anyone got updates if anything happening with the brand since 2013?
Select to expand quoteFalcon said..
With the Aussie $ so high....
This is really no longer the case, aussie dollar started eating sh!t a year ago and is down really low 
Falcon said.. With the Aussie $ so high....
Charl dv said ..... This is really no longer the case, aussie dollar started eating sh!t a year ago and is down really low
Rubbish, 0.90c US is still very high. I manufacture (not kite related) and export but not until the dollar is down under 85c thats the problem, manufacturing in the current climate is doomed.
Question: should an innovative local manufacturing operation fold because of possibly inferior foot pads?
No... This is insulting to anyone emotionally attached to the concept of supporting locally owned or manufactured produce (hopefully most).
(As an aside, am quite happy for pumps and straps to be made in factory and inferior product to disappear. Not a lot of future R&D required, me thinks).
The following deserve more support (please add without associated pimping):
Sugarcube
Griffin
Local shop and kite lesson operators (with one exception, who shall remain nameless!!!)
Kite Safari (far North Queensland)
State Kiteboarding Associations
It might be too late for Cardboard operation, but if we are not more careful the only locally owned operators will be Ozone, Axis and local shops pushing highest margin mass built pop outs. Be scared!
Last thought bubble:
What if offshore built product, that employ a poorly unionised workforce, are underpricing product for us Westerners at the expense of worker health? I would rather pay a premium and sleep better at night...
Rant break... Thanks to BourkeyBoy for in sighting some passion and debate. Wake up you tight gen-young consumers!
My first board was a Cardboard, I still love it. Footpads wore out, I replaced them with Axis beauties, still going strong.
Supporting locals shops, and supporting local products are two different things. Both contribute to the economy in different ways, different jobs, and different third party suppliers. If a local shop only sells OS made gear, it is still a great thing to take your custom there. The owners and workers spend their hard earned in Australia. So I disagree that just because a local shop doesnt sell Aussie gear, it doesn't warrant your custom. I'm willing to pay a little more, and give a little back to the country that gives me so much.
Select to expand quoteSlashrockson said..
Falcon said.. With the Aussie $ so high....
Charl dv said ..... This is really no longer the case, aussie dollar started eating sh!t a year ago and is down really low
Rubbish, 0.90c US is still very high. I manufacture (not kite related) and export but not until the dollar is down under 85c thats the problem, manufacturing in the current climate is doomed.
I say that comparing to EUR and GBP... I mean a drop from 85c/1aud to 65c/1aud in euro is pretty significant in less than a year's time.
15c drop between USD and AUD is also significant. at 90c it's still bearable with US but in terms of Europe its shiiityyyy
Select to expand quoteBurkeyBoy said..
Sorry, about to have a bit of a rant. I've read, commented on, and supported posts on here banging on about supporting local kite shops. They do give good service and advice, no argument.
I am sad to say that I have just bought my last Australian made Cardboard kiteboard. Not because they're no good, they're excellent. Not because I don't want to pay $100 more than the imported boards, I'd pay more. But because they're no longer available. I don't claim to know the exact reasons why, as the owner of the company is a good guy who doesn't have a whinge, so I am making some assumptions. I am assuming that shops sell cheaper imported boards that give them a bigger margin and therefore they don't push Cardboards. If they say they push other brands as they're better, I'd have to strongly disagree. I have tried numerous brands and styles and for overall performance and quality of build I find it really hard to go past the value of Cardboards.
So, that said, I will make this point: Why should I support local kite shops when they don't support locals?
I can buy what they sell for less. I can demo whatever I want and then order what I want with a few taps of the keyboard.
I know there is probably a lot more to this than I am carrying on about and I am sure that retailers will have a bit to say. I guess I am just trying to sum up my disappointment and frustration.
why fly quantas, why use Telstra, why use comm bank, why shop at coles or woolworths, why drive a holden, all of these companies and many more don't give a f88k about supporting Australians so why do we keep supporting them,
