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.
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts

Jelle's simmons

It's 5'3" x 20.5" and made from XPS and epoxy. No stringer. Pretty light.


Nice looking board that should fly down the line and hang on for grim death with those fins

He is looking forward to the ride.
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The Mini Sea Creature

Roger Hall in New Zealand is ever the innovator and his own man when it comes to creating interesting boards. This is his latest the 5ft 7" x 23" x 3 3/8" moni version of his Sea Creature.

It has a lot going on but never the less a great board performance wise. I saw Roger ride one at the Pass down at Byron after this years fish fry and he was all over it.

Roger loves wood and couldn't resist adding some detail to the stringer of this one. The added weight will give it the momentum he is used to in his woooden boards. Thanks to Mike Cunningham for the pics.

Check out what Roger is up to at : www.surfline.co.nz or www.fishnlog.blogspot.com
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One mans storm surf is another mans curse.

Snapper Saturday morning
(pic from Coastal Watch)

The recent storm that hit the south and east of Australia creating some great waves over the weekend for us. Has continued on to New Zealand dumping snow down to 300m. This is Christchurch this morning 25th August. Pics from Dave Foulds a Christchurch local and a Dick Van fish man.

" The quiver having a shiver "
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Roger Hall from New Zealand gets ready for the fry .

When it comes to going the extra mile and effort for the Fish Fry , Roger surely sets the bar pretty high.Here below is the workings of his latest board for this years Fish Fry.

A combination of foam and wood like you have never seen. As if it is not hard enough to work with the differing densities of a variety of timbers and then to add the foam as well.

How the resin brings it all to life...

A sanding nightmare for most of us , but just something to be done for Roger.


Roger builds beautiful detailed custom boards all day and this is him just stepping it up for the Fish Fry in his own way. Mate my hat goes off to you once again and like everyone I can't wait to see it in all it's glory next week.


A lot of planning and time goes into a project like this especially when you are running a small team building great boards all day. Check out what Roger calls his regular boards :
www.surfline.co.nz

A big thanks to Mike for the pics above. He will be coming with Roger once again and just fizzing for the opportunity to surf without a wetsuit after a summer in the land of the long black raincoat.
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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
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Kiwi artist, surfer and shaper...




New Zealand has some great waves and some great artists. Daryn Mcbride just happens to be a former pro longboarder that captures the beauty of his homeland and the sea in a magical way.
Check him out at : www.freedomartstudio.blogspot.com
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