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.

It's on again , a great weekend in Byron Bay


“It’s about time that there is a Surf Festival in Byron Bay.” 
 Bob McTavish.
What more is there to say, Byron has had a profound impact on generations of travelling, crafting and searching surf & ocean enthusiasts from all around the globe.
This is how the local and international acclaimed surf legend Bob McTavish opened the inaugural 2011 Byron Bay Surf Festival and was honoured to be part of this 3day fusion of community focused events pertaining the creative culture within surfing including surf – art, music, film, photography, surf markets, workshops, surf history display, kids stART me up events, surf swap meet, freestyle&stoke expression session, surf demo’s, mermaids, charities and more… ‘SURF CULTURE NOW’ 
After a huge success last year with surfing legends like Dick Hoole, George Greenough, Alby Falzon, Taylor Steele, Tom Wegener, Andrew Kidman, Neal Purchase Jnr, Rusty Miller, Danny Wills, Johnny Abegg, Mick Waters, and the like contributing to a very special festival and raving about the great vibe it created amongst likeminded people around town it is fantastic to see that this year’s festival October 26-28th is determined to put another icing on the cake.


The Opening Ceremony Friday 26th Oct will be presented by international surfing and ASP legend Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, held at the Byron Bay Brewery & Buddha Bar, which is shaping up to be a night not to be missed – with presentations, the ‘Surf Culture Now – Art & Photography Show’, renowned surf bands and more.
So, what’s new, well besides other additions like beach debris environmental art creations, more surf legends, art and fun, educational kids projects, this year there will be a ‘Surf Shorts’ short film competition where budding surf film makers get a chance to present their 7min short films to a esteemed panel of judges. The final 5 entrants will be shown on the Saturday night 27th Oct at the Byron Community Centre before the Taylor Steele film premier – “This Time Tomorrow”. For the winner and runner-ups there are some amazing prizes up for grabs, including a film mentorship by renown surf film maker Taylor Steele, a McTavish surfboard, GoPro Camera and a screening at the 2013 Byron Bay International Film Festival. Contact the Byron Surf Festival crew – byronbaysurffestival.com for details.

 This year the surf workshops will feature a special surf literature workshop by Tim Baker, a Tom Wegener history take on his ancient Alaia discovery and resurrection of belly boards, Shaun Levings from World Surfaris will take us to the top 5 surf destinations plus much more.
 
Make sure to bring your boards down to the Surf Swap Meet on Sunday Oct 28th. The Swap Meet will be open to all keen collectors and swappers with some hand selected shapers from AU, Japan and California exhibiting their unique craft. The ‘Freestyle&Stoke’ event is open to all square-thinking wave fanatics and will see some vibrant surf craze happening in and out of the water.

See you at the 2nd Byron Bay Surf Festival 26-28th October 2012…where most events are FREE just like surfing is…!
Stay tuned for further additions to the program on www.byronbaysurffestival.com.

Guys I had a great time there and I am sure it will be bigger and better this year.

Posted by Big Fish

1 comment:

Agate said...

Nice post.. Thanks for sharing your experience in Byron Bay.
http://www.byronbeachresort.com.au/

July 20, 2012 at 5:31 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)