This is the first in a series of weekly rants by our creative director Cyrus Sutton.

The Korduroy crew decided that I should write out some of the rants that I routinely go on because A: you may find them slightly entertaining and B: they are cheaper than seeing a shrink. I promise nothing more than it will be honest, somewhat sporadic, and I will shamelessly contradict myself.

Founding Korduroy…

The seeds of Korduroy were planted a few years back after a series of apocalyptic nightmares. Fending for myself amidst the imaginary doomsday chaos, it was soberingly apparent that my 80’s consumerist upbringing had taught me nothing about survival. I always awoke after starving or having been savagely slaughtered with the realization that I was a total wimp who’s only skills were buying and selling crap I didn’t need. After a few nights of this I resolved to augment my pathetic existence with some basics that would serve me if it all hit the fan. I picked up a copy of Bill Mollison’s definitive Introduction to Permaculture, started a veggie garden in my backyard, got some old tools and started playing around with building stuff. I totally botched the first few projects and I still do but the more I got my hands dirty and starting making stuff, the better I felt.

At the same time I was finishing up my last documentary “Under the Sun.” The
film explored the origins of the surf industry and its metamorphosis into
the fashion and image driven business we know today. The catharsis I¹d been
undergoing with my self-education combined an increasing disillusionment
with the current state of surfing led me to create Korduroy. A place that
provided a home for surfers to reclaim their surfing experience through
making stuff in the same little way I’d reclaimed my life- if only to help
me sleep better at night.

Photo: Dan Llano


13 Responses to “Cy Rant: Founding Korduroy”

  1. PranaGlider Says:

    Love the rant. Great stuff on Korduroy always top drawer! Rant on!

  2. Cher Pendarvis Says:

    Hey, Cyrus,
    We love your creativity and appreciate your honesty. Thanks for all that you are sharing. You and Korduroy are great!
    Looking forward!
    Love and Aloha, Cher (and Steve)

  3. Ryan Says:

    yeah Cy right on.

    Kava Kava works pretty good too.

    Cheers.

  4. Ian D Says:

    …dig

  5. Jamie Says:

    Hey Cy,

    Maybe you or someone in your camp can help. I need a DIY tip.
    I got a new springsuit that doesn’t have anywhere to stash my carkey.
    Any thoughts on how to rig something up?
    All I’ve come up with so far is cutting the little key pocket out of my old 3/2 and carefully re-sewing. Better ideas?

  6. Cy Says:

    Hi Jamie, I always pull the key up the zipper string then tie a knot around it at the base of string near the zipper… Anyone else have any better ideas?

  7. Jamie Says:

    Hey Cy. Thought about that actually. It’s a short john, so no zipper, just the velcro on left shoulder. Back to the drawing board…

  8. Chris Says:

    Nice idea with the zipper string! If you’re wearing a zipperless but you surf with a leash, most have a keystash in them somewhere or it’s real easy to cut one in the end of the strap where the neoprene meets the webbing. Once it’s round your leg it is tucked up nice and safely…hope this helps!

  9. Jamie Says:

    No leashes on my trashbags… it’s gotta be attached somewhere to the suit. Probably gonna have to break out the sewing kit. Thanks though

  10. andrew Says:

    I always wear my key around my neck on a string. So easy and makes mid-session board switches a snap.

    Cyrus- I really dig Korduroy and the DIY Aesthetic. Thanks.

  11. cy Says:

    thanks guys i’m excited about doing this

  12. ry Says:

    read ken wilber’s “up from eden”

  13. Korduroy Admin Says:

    ry- just picked got it used on amazon! looks good :)

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