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.

Weekend in Byron

Jackie and I headed to Byron for the weekend for the first Byron Bay Surf Festival. Friday night it kicked off at Stone and Wood Brewery with Bob McTavish giving a great intro and some early insight into the history of Byron before officially declaring the festival open. Great beer, wood fired pizza and tunes.

Saturday we checked out some of the art at Retrospect gallery , music in the park , old boards and history from the guys that came down from the Gold Coast Surf Museum. Brian, Mal, and Jack at the Community Centre , followed by Andy from Grown surfboards giving a talk on wooden boards. Caught up with Tim Baker talking about his just released book Surfari and his trip round Australia. Plenty of people everywhere and great weather. Then went back to the Community Centre to here Andrew Kidman and his band play to a movie showing behind then in the main auditorium. Great day and night of things to see and do. The surf was not grea but the water was nice.

Sunday morning I got to the beach early to help Tom Wegener and son Finley set up on the sand at Watagos. Great day and a little swell.

Vanessa and her team all set up for a big day.

Sage Joske as always had a great show of his skills and boards

The local Byron Bay Malibu Club were kept busy all day with supplying the food and drinks

Simon Jones and his Morning of the Earth boards.

Thomas Bexon had a great show of colour and a large range of boards.

Eden Saul with one of his little Mini Simmons which he rode will in very small surf.


More of Thomas's boards



There were even a couple of mermaids there enjoying the day. It was Byron after all.

Eden on his little simmons ...


These kids were having a great day

Tom and a couple of hollow wood , unglassed boards. The future.

The line up for the fishy expression session judged by the public.

Thomas Bexton

Matty Yates

Ryan Haywood found a little zipper

Two Toms

Single Tom

Great day

The Finless crew included Danny Wills ,unknown , Brett Caller and Tom

This guy sure knew how to ride an alaia, he was good.

Brett managed to make something out of a very small and tricky wave on his alaia

All in all a great weekend with lots of similar people who come to the Fish Fry for the same reason. To get together and have fun. The Byron Festival had lots of things for everyone and I am sure it will be a very successful, long lived yearly event. Nice job guys.
Posted by Big Fish
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