Arbor Has A Big Wednesday
by Kurt Hoy
(9-2-98)

The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was packed on, of course, Wednesday, August 26, for a twentieth-year reunion screening of the classic surf film Big Wednesday.

Arbor Owner Bob Carlson with new boards.

Arbor Snowboards joined in promoting the event, which was a benefit for the Malibu chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, and raffled off a snowboard as a door-prize.

Ties between the surf and snow run deep, according to Arbor's Owner Bob Carlson. He grew up surfing in the area and has always been interested in helping the Surfrider Foundation improve the coastal environment. "Arbor has always been involved with environmental causes," says Carlson, "usually giving back to groups working to save old growth forests."

He admits that Big Wednesday and the Surfrider Foundation were a natural extension for the snowboard company known for its beautiful wood topsheets. "Arbor's really interested in the heritage of surfing, being that surfing is the forefather of all board sports, and that snowboarding can trace its roots back to surfing," Carlson explains.

The Big Wednesday cast- twenty years later.

Connecting with the surf culture proved popular as filmgoers ogled the Koa (and other types of exotic wood) boards on display, reminiscent of yesteryear's surfboards. They had no problem appreciating the fine craftsmanship and clean lines of the unique snowboards. Attending the event were some of the movie's original cast members including Gary Busey (Leroy) and Jan Michael Vincent (Matt), as well as generations of Malibu surfers.

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