It all started with the fish when the innovative shapers and board builders out there decided to revisit the past for some inspiration. In doing so they brought back some lost skills such as resin tints and hand foiled fins.The Fish Fry has been a place for these fine craftsmen to showcase their skills. We have seen some amazing boards as shapers have pushed the boundaries over the last few years. As this new look at the fish has evolved to its many forms, it has influenced other shapes and designs along the way.This has spawned a renewed interest in other board forms by this same group and a wider following.Notably the Mini Simmons, Hulls, old school Logs and Pigs. It is pleasing to note that there are an increasing number of people building their own boards as well.All of this is to be applauded and celebrated as a positive for surfing.So it is only natural that these shapers and board builders continue to share their skills with us and include these other shapes at the Fish Fry.It has truly become a melting pot of ideas for like minded people.

Fish Fry Japan 2009



If you are thinking of going to the Fish Fry in Japan in June here are some details :

Fishfry 2009 Japan -by Blue Magazine.-

“Fishfry started among the shapers and some maniac surfers in California years ago, its rumor spread around the alternative boarder lovers in the world. Fishfry was held in Australia and England the year before and in New York City , Florida and Portugal , and Japan last year. Fishfry is the uncommercial event where the shapers and lovers who have rare chance meeting, gather, try bording and deepen friendship each other. The 2 nd Fishfry will be held with continuous excitement from the last meeting.”
DATE  Jun 6 th Saturday 8am~Sunset *no rain check
PLACE  Shizunami beach in Shizuoka
PRESENTED BY  Neko publishing limited, Blue. magazine
NAME  Fish Fry Japan 2009 Presented by Blue. Magazine
THEME  Free Trial of Fish board, communication with users and shapers
CHARGE  Free presentation, Free entry
CONDITION 
Only surfboard brand following Fish Fry gist, should be Fish or Alternativeboards. Mold board permitted. Fin board are welcomed but must be followed by Fish Fry gist.
REGISTRATION: All shapers, brands and board builders to be entered from 8 to 9am at main booth.
REGULATION  Bring your own tents, teepee, tables, and chairs. The numbers of tents or place will be within the bounds of common sense. No commercial actgivities permitted at the booth. No regulation of the board numbers and display. In case of excess display of one brand, follow the host advice.
TRIAL BOARD  Should be ready for the users. Registration and regulation should be responsible for each brand. Any accident, trouble should be responsible for the brand and users, not be taken care of by the host.
USERS  Some be expected to bring their own. Active communication desired.
PROMOTION  No commercial event, No sales permitted at the booths. Free catalogue, stickers, and sample permitted.
CONTACT  blue@neko.co.jp 

The many faces of the Alley

Yesterday at 6am - a long paddle in the sweep is rewarded.

Cyclone Hamish a couple of weeks ago

1988 - classic Alley by Marty Tullimans

Rasta at Sunset on finless Alaia.

Check this out, is this not the ultimate in extreme sports ? Dave Rastavich taking the drop at Sunset on his Alaia. I don't think any ancient Hawaiians would mind their early adventures being the inspiration for this little piece of history.

John's new cherry






John Cherry , master craftsman just sent me these shots of his new craft. John is the guy who built the 10ft Bob Simmons replica balsa board. From this experience he has taken the elements of the simmons to create his new ride. That original Simmons replica has spurned a whole wave of activity with all sorts of mini simmons.

The Sun has set on another Alley Fish Fry

Yes another great day at the beach with a bunch a talented , innovative and passionate shapers , board builders and craftsmen. A good vibe and some nice waves. To all that came , a big thanks go to you. A number of shapers made boards just for the day and that is a real compliment to the day. The shapers that were there on the day are the thinkers and innovators in the industry that will be the survivors of the tough times. Lots of them are hand shapers and make a whole range of boards , and have been doing it for along time. This has proven to be a great forum for them to get together and show case their skills and ideas. I don't know of a better way of meeting such a great bunch of guys with this much talent in this non competitive and non commercial environment.

If you have pics to share send them to post on the blog. If you think we should do it again or have any ideas to put forward email me.

Remember lets keep it simple and it is for Fish Boards only and not a trade show ( Brands or logos) but a show of skill and innovation that is thriving and will continue to .

Thanks guys , it would be good to see you in the park again next year.

Great photo by Lincoln Williams of the Alley looking North to Surfers Paradise.  

Fish Fish and more fish.

Local back yard shaper Sam Yoon  loves his fishes short or long and surfs everything with his own style.
Wayne Davenport all the way from Wales with some nice boards he shaped. He said he could get used to this warmer water.
Very fishy Chris Garrett flex tail .
Local wood craftsman , David Franks had some great looking boards. These are Western Red and Queensland Cedar over styrene. Very nice.
Someone admiring Dam Mac Donalds chambered Balsa fish. There were some great wooden boards on show.

 These pics are taken by Chris and Ilona O'Hearn. chrisoh56@optusnet.com.au

Click here for more Fish Fry pics

Yes just click on the link above to view a great selection of shots from Micro

Fishy fellows

A fair line up of talented buggers  -  Left to right - Tom Wegener , Billy Tolhurst, PT  Peter Townend , Simon Anderson ( behind )  , Jim Banks , Dick Van Straalen , Darryl Von Weirdo and David Franks

Paul Joske and I admiring one of his great shapes.

80 year old timber board builder and surfer Barry Regan from Balina with Kiwi Roger Hall .

Tom Wegener showing the Sea Cell boys from Byron the finer points of whittling.

Matt Waite and Mike Cunningham from New Zealand kicking back.

Fish Bits

PT's Dick Van Straalen Pink Quad
Now this is a Bat Tail - A  DHD one at that.
Bill a local in the line up at The Alley 80 this year and still on a 5ft 6" fish. There is hope for all of us. Great to see surfing keeps you young at heart.
Me , Tadashi from Blue mag and Daniel Thomson from Lennox Heads, just enjoying the day.
Sergio Gomez from France had some pretty special boards. This one had quotes and stories about fishes that he printed on silk , even the fins. Very nice job. Great to see guys coming from all over with boards made especially for the Fry .

Fish Allsorts and sizes

Paolo Bianchinotti came up from Sydney for the day with a very different board.It has all sorts of things going on.
Sean Wilde up from Sydney as well with some nice Simmons and fish.

Chris Garrett with the glove box fish / handbag fish , great for those windy off shore days when you have a long walk back up the beach into a stiff breeze. Tuck it in you back pocket.
Jamie with one of Daves bigger Simmons.

A Sea of colourful quads

Dain and the boys from Sea Cell in Byron sure know how to splash that colour around.



Ronnie Goddard Bat Tail quad.

Ronnie Goddard shapes and others

Ronnie Goddard from Coffs Harbour has this sweet little stringerless quad. Clean simple design and as light as a feather.




Not sure where this one came from or fitted in ?

More fish and things

PT and Simon Anderson checking PT's Dick Van quad
Daniel Thomson from Lennox and Tadashi from Japanese surf magazine Blue .
Diverse , Simmons inspired boards and others
Murray Bourton from Base with modern quad fishes
The DHD Bat Tail Quad ?

More wood

Jason Oliver from Brisbane with some beautiful hollow wooden boards built from recycled timbers. Just unbelievable work and craftsmanship in some high performance board shapes.
David Franks from the Gold Coast and Jason Oliver catching up. David is a master wood worker as well and had some great boards with cedar vacuum bagged over styrene.
Roger Hall from NZ with his multi stringered sea creature and a beautiful chambered wooden speed dialer. Rich Pavel thought he did a pretty good job considering Roger had never seen one in the flesh before. Agave , Cedar , Paulownia , Balsa and Canadian Red Wood .The detail and finish was flawless.
Chris Garrett recycled wood fish.
Jason Oliver book matched recycled wood with Camphor Laurel feature. Nice work.