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.

Some people are going to a lot of trouble to bring something special to the Fish Fry

A five stringer flextail fish nearing completion.Roger Hall will be taking her out for a few test drives prior to cutting the swallow tail into the rear.
Roger working away in a 5ft 11" x 21 3/4" x 2 7/8" Speed Dialer.The mix of timbers are : Centre Beam - Agarve , Central Lattice Beams - Paulownia/Redwood/Pine , Outer Lattice Beams - Agarve and Cabbage Tree , All other beams are either Redwood, Balsa or Paulowina.
All fully chambered and foiled , now the rails and then hours of hand sanding , very carefully as you have so many different timbers and densities to contend with.
You won't see Roger doing things by halves...
The board in the background is a Speed Dialer - 5'11" x 21" x 2 7/8" with timbers : Centre Beam - Redwood/Paulowina. Outer Lattice Beams - Agarve and Cabbage Tree. Rail Beams - Redwood;/Pine/Purple Heart/Oregon/Mahagany. All other beams are either Paulowina or Redwood or Balsa.

He is also working on a Keel Fin Fish - 5'10" x 22" x 2 7/8" - Central Lattice - is Coconut Balsa with Pine and Redwood Stringers. Rails are Redwood and Coconut.

Be sure to check out the detail and craftsmanship of this guy. They certainly don't come much better than this. To my mind Roger is the best wooden board builder I have seen. Maybe a big call ? Then send me your pics and I will post them as well.

Check out his sites : www.surfline.co.nz
and www.fishnlog.blogspot.com
Posted by Big Fish
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