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.

Sunday at Wategos - Byron Bay Surf Festival 2013

 After all the Northerly winds and unpredictable surf that we have this time of year, it was amazing to arrive at Wategos Beach to glassy sliders and offshore winds. We scored well and truely. A great location and a great day in the sun with just enough swell to have fun.
 Mick Mackie getting ready to go out in the fish demo session on one of his flextails.Vanessa in green is one of the event organisers and her and the team have done a great job of building this event to what it is.

 The local Mal Club provided the food and drinks all day


 Live music from a bunch of talented people most of the day.
 SB handplanes from the Gold Coast



 Flying Fish handplanes from Sydney
 Some very nice wooden boards

 

 Magic day all day

 This little lady tried this board out 3 time
 Great film maker Nathan Oldfield getting amongst a few
 Bob doing the slide
 
 All ages were into it

 Not very old this one, all the way to the beach.
 Brother and sister Yani and Pacha demoed these boards of mine many time on the day
 
 The log demo guys all lined up
 
 Tom Wegner and Rasta with their Olo boards that Tom shaped. Big ,long, heavy and rounded , very hard to ride. Rasta and Ryan Burch took them both out for a paddle and eventually caught a wave together, which is probably the first time in 100 year or more that two Olo Boards have been on a wave together. And just after that a hump back whale breached in the backgound out in the bay. What a moment, the crowd went wild. A very proud moment for Tom who has put so much effort into what he had done with the ancient Hawaiian wooden board revival. Nice one Tom, my hat goes off to you.
 
 Rasta and Mike share the finer points of actually catching a wave on an Olo with the crowd.
Rasta and Ryan Burch had to be the perfect fit of guys to pull it off.

What a great weekend once again. You need to plan to be their next year.
Posted by Big Fish

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