General

The Pinball Wizard...

Aug 12, 2013

Welcome folks to the wonder filled world of Rich Pavel. Rich has been well on his way to being a semi permanent fixture around The Temple. Shaping boards as well as dropping a bit of knowledge to any who take the time out of their day to listen. But please take a look for your selves with this impromptu interview, enjoy, I know we do…

Us. Name and zodiac sign?

Him. My name is baby, but don’t call me baby. I am a Leo. Us. Ok, that’s a bit odd, that’s not your name and a Leo is an astrological sign. Us. Why did you start shaping? Him. I like working with concepts, ideas and processes. I was most fascinated with feeling and finding out how things worked and why. Us. Skip Frye was recently inducted into the surfing hall of fame; can you describe him in one word? Him. Moses. Us. Where do you see Deus surfboards/brand in 5 years? Him. I believe Deus will continue to meet the demand for individuality, expression and freedom of expression. Us. Kiss ass… Us. Of all the shapers that you have seen come though The Temple, Garret, Warren, Thomas, NPJR, Mactavish, Ellis, Burch and all the others legends, who would you choose to shape you a board as well as travel with? Him. NPJR if I was traveling through Australia and Ryan Burch if I was traveling in California Us. Where do you see boards going now days? Him. Today’s boards for todays surfers. Today’s board riders are more sophisticated than ever and there seeing complete combonations of integrated surf designs that are being brought forward and current for the current era. Us. You a Black Sabbath man? Him. (Laughing) No, more physical than metaphysical. Us. Tell us why you pushed for getting all those blanks and materials from the U.S. compared to what you can get locally? Him. Well there are several components to it. After speaking with Dare and Dhump and seeing that theses guys have there sights set on something that is highly defined by utilizing materials that are at the panicle of the surf industry. The professional and vernacular result is the most attainable. What brought me to Deus in part was Monty, Andy-6-Strings and you Tyler. Its all part of “The Australia Greenroom Tour” without those things, I’m not here. It’s part of an ongoing lifestyle commitment and an exponent of all things involved in the Greenroom philosophy. This is part of the Greenrooms “Corporate Social Responsibility” or C.S.R. quality built boards that are well cared for as well as well ridden that last in relationship and time. Us. Wow… Us. You have been working with Harrison Roach while he was here on different concepts of boards for Deus, can you elaborate on that experience along with your colabs for us? Him. Yes I will elaborate on that for you. Harrison is a very multi faceted surfer, in the since that there really isn’t one style of board or wave he solely rides. One week he can be in Noosa logging, and the next traveling to the outermost limits of Java and finding himself in double overhead pits on a channel bottom single fin. Then over to Japan for another log comp as he grows so does his wants and needs, so we worked together on a bunch of shapes from logs to 7’6 single fin pipe cleaners all the way down to fishes and shorter style single fins for a more faster beach break or smaller hollow reef point. Of course as he travels we tête-à-tête (deliberate) on what works and what needs to be improved on. I then transfer that new knowledge in to the boards I shape for the racks of all the Deus locations so multiple surfers with different needs find what they want in this brand… Us. Again, kiss ass… Him. Laughing Us. Hardest person you ever shaped for and why? Him. Tyler fucking Mars, he’s like a grandmother, just hen pecking me to death about this and that and why this works and why it wont and Mickey ”the cat” Dora… Us. Wow, legendary company, thanx for that baby… I think? Us. What should your tombstone read? Him. Find what you love, and let it kill you… Sursum Corda… Well, there you have it, Rich, (wait for it baby) Pavel. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down with Rich and picking his brain. I have had a few opportunities to watch Rich shape and he is one of the most meticulous and passionate shapers I have ever watched (well they all area in there own ways). I have 2 of his sleds and stoked on both, so if your curious about the man covered in dust that lurks the Back Bay stop in and say "Hi" and check out his crafts of his trade on The Temple floor…

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!