I have to admit that I was skeptical about Turtle Pads. Online it looked like just another rubber-on-woodlike-surface pad, and there are literally thousands of those out there already.
That's why I never spent the money to buy one.
But then, following a discussion about rubber pads, a fellow named Matt offered to buy me a Turtle pad, he was SO certain that I'd love it and he's practically a professional fan of the things. He then put me in touch with Andrew Morris, founder, designer and maker of Turtle pads, to set me up.
Here are some bits from my discussion with Andrew:
AM: Hey
Beth! I hope you're doing well. My friend Matt mentioned setting you up
with a pad. Do you have any particular image or design in mind that I
can make a mock-up for you? 
Let me know if I can do anything else for you as well!
BH: I
think I'd like you to surprise me. Make an image that speaks to your
mission. Tell me how your work supports animal preservation. How did you
and the animal org find each other? What was your inspiration? I'm
always fascinated by origin stories, especially when they talk about
environmental preservation. So surprise me. Thank you for your offer. I look forward to trying it out.
AM: So,
right now I'm partnered with an organization called 'See Turtles' and
the biologist who runs it. Their biggest mission is to provide support
and especially education for coasts all around the gulf of Mexico, not
just the US. My favorite bit he does is helping to start up local
organizations that help provide support for their own turtle nesting
sites along the coast. One off projects are one thing, but I like
long-term sustainability wherever I can. As for how I found the org, it
was just quite a bit of research into other contributing organizations,
auditing their taxes to see where the money's going, and reaching out to
whomever was in charge.
It started with the Turtle Pad backpacks though. Teaching at band camp,
it started to rain so I moved the drumline inside and told the kids to
bust out their pads so we could drum until lunch. Half of them said they
didn't have one. But as any good drumline we had lined up equipment,
harnesses, jugs, and backpacks. So I figured if the pad was attached to
the bag they would have had a pad to play on.
I ended up doing the Galapagos Pad because so many people loved the feel
of the pads and the mission. Every pad sold helps save 10 baby turtles.
That's what the Turtle conservation organization determined.
But really I just like blending every day life and nature. And drumming
and turtles just go together very well. Haha.
BH: And
since I'm such a pad geek, Tell me what materials you use to make your
pads and why they are awesome. If you send me a pad, I'll take it
through its paces and write up an honest review of the design and its
performance.
AM: The
Galapagos pad is made from synthetic MDF. It's not Valchromat like
Beetle does, but it's similar! The topside is gum rubber with a vinyl
laminate, so it's softer and the more quiet side with good, with good
rebound. The bottom is recycled rubber, thinner than the gum rubber. The
side is more articulate, louder, and has slightly less rebound, for
chopping out.
****
So we agreed that this was happening, and I waited. A few weeks later, the pad arrived in the mail. I unwrapped it, and took a good long look at it before I started chopping on it.
The materials feel solid and are applied well. (NOTE: There appears to be a small air pocket under part of the pad. It's near the edge and I won't squawk, but full disclosure means full disclosure.)
The graphics on the top side are clear and crisp, a soft laminate bonded to a thin layer of gum rubber (I can't tell for certain if it's recessed but I think it is. Even so this is a pretty thin layer of rubber). The combination of the soft laminate on thin rubber makes for a refreshingly different feel than on any other laminated pad I've tried, and I must say I like playing on it.
The other side of the pad features a thin layer of recycled rubber that, while harder than the top, isn't as hard and Formica-like as some other alternatives I've tried (like the recycled rubber on a Prologix pad, for example). I cannot stand playing on Formica, and the Galapagos recycled rubber gives just enough rebound for me to be happy.
The base is a synthetic MDF that looks and feels solid and stable. The overall appearance is understated and clean.
Below are photos and a video of the Galapagos pad. (FYI, I'm using Ingrained 1S sticks in hickory.) The Galapagos pad retails for $80.00 (with discounts for group orders) from the Turtle Pads web site. Each pad is made in the USA.
Overall, this is a pad I will keep and will enjoy playing. It seems solid enough to stand up to daily use, if not abuse. The sound and feel are satisfying to practice on and that right there is a draw. While it's really meant for marching drummers, a beginner would not have difficulty learning on the soft side of this pad.
(Disclaimer: Turtle Pads does NOT pay money for endorsements, and I am NOT an official Turtle Pads roster Artist. This review is independent and as free of bias as humanly possible.)
