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.

Wooden fish ride report

Nick Yee organised for Paul Jensen from Washington State to come out to Australia and conduct a wooden board building class last year. This is Nick's board he built and his ride report.


The design is one of Paul's and the construction is a plywood frame , skinned top and bottom with Paulownia and Cedar. Laminated cork and ply rails.

"Have now ridden the board enough to know that I love it! Though even if it rode like a dog, I’d still love it because I made it….fact is, the ride is fast and the board feels very different to anything else I have and for that reason alone, it is awesome. I haven’t ridden it in waves of consequence yet, and not yet buried a rail on a hard turn, but I have enjoyed some long waves trimming top to bottom and generating speed. The momentum the board picks up after the drop and a quick pump is more than I expected. The glassing by Stonker is excellent and am stoked with my decision to go with fin boxes….as the bamboo keels do something amazing and bonus, they blend in with the overall look of the board. Anyways, that is my 2bobs experience thus far…yes, its one of those boards you keep in the house instead of the garage."

If you are interested in wooden boards check out : www.woodensurfboards.blogspot.com
Paul Jensen's site : www.hollowsurfboards.com

1 comment:

Jeremy Phillips said...

Awesome Blog... Cool shots.