rek-luh-mey-shuhn ("Daedalus project")

[Schmaltz]

We are going to document the "Daedalus project" from it's inception to ... ? ... redemption!

Dae·da·lus n. Greek Mythology A renowned craftsman, sculptor, and inventor and builder of the Labyrinth. He fashioned the wings with which he and his son Icarus escaped from Crete after their imprisonment by Minos. "the cunning worker," from daidallein "to work artfully."

The Daedalus project is the culmination of my life's lessons... and everything I have learned from building wake products and being involved in the wake/action sports industry... almost 22 years now !!! This project is going to allow myself & Integrity the freedom to produce products without any interference or problems associated with out-sourcing & or OEM (original equipment manufacturing). This past year has tested us & almost put us in ruins... due to some people/companies we were reliant upon to deliver goods and services. Money talks... and it's hard to compete against larger players without wads of cash. You just get yanked off even if the cash is flowing... it better keep flowing. Once you become established, better not stick all your eggs in that basket... cause they will hit you with inflated pricing and force you to meet demands without warning. (at least in my case) Over the barrel and treated like the red headed step child. Maybe if you pray hard enough and kiss that ass just right you just might get your goods... late and shoddy... so far into the season you can't actually sell what you invested into. It just makes you look ill prepared and amateurish to buyers, retailers, and to distributors. It's hard to be taken serious and run a business when you are forced to push ship dates every 3 weeks for 4-5 months straight... and it's completely out of your hands and at their mercy. So due to these circumstance were trust and contracts hold little weight... past experiences has proved to me "ne plus ultra" to never again trust anyone to make or break my goals/dreams. Skeptical and preparing for this eminent situation, We pooled all our resources and reinvented our business plan... To build our very own factory and find a worthy investor who is like minded... and just so happens... He is a wakeboard/wakeskater that has competed in the sport "back in the day" and can attest to the shade of bruised colored blue. The plan is paying off... finally... as we are now building a factory... and it just so happens to be on a private lake! Hells yes... Pressing decks and testing 30 yards away... Truly a dream come true!

Check out the view from the shop in the photo posted...

One of the reasons why we named our wakeskate line "Integrity", was do to the lack of it around me... not only in the action sports industry but, everywhere in general. It just seems no one does what they say, fake hand shakes, and smiles... with mal-intent or lack of intent. Being completely independent of the Industry... fueled only by the love for this sport alongside friends & family. This is what it was originally about... an art to share... an epitaph to prepare. This dream has been a long struggle & thee hardest thing I have ever fought for in my life. Many times over I almost gave up... lost everything... gone into deep debt... worked 2-3 jobs at a time... just to dump my everything into this sport/dream. Perseverance is the heaviest weight to bare when all around... you feel the constant gravity of mediocrity pulling you down.

All of this might not be much but, it's mine/ours... and we never gave in or sold out to get here! Sorry if that comes off cocky or too rich... it's far from it... it's confidence, hard work, passion, and the support of many good and true friends & family over the years. You are the Epoxy behind it all. Many THANKS to those involved and to those who support our products.

I have a Blog on MySpace (myspace.com/integritywake) just to keep everyone informed on what's happening as we build the factory, new products, art, riding, information, & ... what have you. Watch out for archives, randomness, & ratings to come. I'm also going to break down everyone involved, and most friends who have been there form the beginning ... trick & thin, all my stormy weather Friends. Hopefully a Podcast or 2... maybe even a shop camera to check out the action 24/7.

Think of this Blog as the ingredients to every deck Integrity produces... the history, the passion, the lifestyle, the Love... the unseen meaning, the symbology, the art of living with Integrity. It's going to be one big open house for all to view into and see what we are really about. Hopefully we won't be giving away too many trade secretes in the process... yet just enough information to keep people informed on why/how we make the best and most durable wakeskate on the market.

We are even going to have guest pressings by Nick and Ryan as they get ready to unveil their new limited pro models... hand made by them, and signed.

Oh, and watch out for some new Mutiny Wakeboards in 2008 !!!

2008 is going to be Sick !!!

Much Respect,
Erich Schmaltz

[tad]

<3 Integrity <3
<3 Wakeskating <3

[DRAGON88]

Erich, I am stoked to see what looms on the bright horizon for you guys. I'm not going to be coy about it, I have an immense amount of respect for you and what you have endured. Come up and get your shredd on sometime, next summer.

Onto brighter horizons!

[goride]

Schmaltz, sounds like ill be buying an integrity this year.
also didn't Action Sports Int'l buy up mutiny?

[scott a]

Hells yes...

[senorbueno]

Schmaltz, congrats on the factory... can't wait to see/ride the new decks soon

[OverEasy]

Right on!
Schmaltz, Congratulations and thank you.
Can't wait for '08!

[nate_]

Schmaltz, yay

[Greg T]

Amazing.

[tahoe]

congrats and welcome back

[dylo]

why cant the world be full of schmaltzes

[mono]

congrats!! hopefully you are looking for distributors/importers in europe, I'd love to ride one of your boards, but unfortunatelly, seems like I can't get them in Italy!

[Evan71]

YA!!!!!! I love INTEGRITY

[Michael Manzer]

props erich, the Industry needs a few more like you.

[-=AlexXx=-]

wow. i <3 shmaltz

[One_Wadey]

Thanks you for that....that just made my week

[chriscut]

This is f***ng sick! Can't wait man.... I am so stoked ! Integ for life!

[The Bug]

So what now?
Where do we go from here?
The damage is so severe
and what you've done will never f*cking be repaired
But whats done is done, son
You'll never understand,
but here we are again, yeah here i am again
And what the f*ck is it gonna take?
How am I ever gonna make myself a man again
and bring myself to stand again?
On my own two f*cking feet
You better tell me what to do cus its you this time that failed me
You failed me
You failed us all
Nothing left for us to say
Nothing more between you and me
All my trust is gone
But never my vindication, vindication
So what the f*ck?
Where do we go from here?
The damage is done so bite your tongue
because your words will never be sincere
Whats done is done, son
You'll never understand
Blood on my hands again
Thats what its gonna f*cking take
And you can bet you’re @ss im gonna make you pay
The time has come for you to see
What you've done, what 'ive become and how you failed me
You failed me
You failed us all
Nothing left for us to say
Nothing more between you and me
All my trust is gone
But never my vindication
You cant take my pride away from me
The one thing you'll never take away
You cant take my pride away from me and thats all there is to say
YOU CANT KILL INTEGRITY
And thats all there is to say
You cant take my pride from me
But i have one thing left to say
Pay your debt to me

[word]

[wakemitch]

gotta love throwdown