
All the pics below were kindly forwarded to me by Dave Verrall / Diverse Surfboards (above) from the Gold Coast who went to this years Japanese event.







" Grain Surfboards and Channel Islands Surfboards are pleased to announce a new partnership. Using our tried and true wood construction method, we'll be rendering some of the Channel Islands surfboard line using sustainable-yield cedar, low VOC epoxy, even bamboo cloth instead of glass for those who want it. We're starting with Rob Machado's board, the Biscuit, a stubby wave-catcher for knee to head-high surf. Our first size will be the 6'2" with more to follow. Soon, these boards will be available as kits as well.
Working with CI to deliver wood versions of their boards is really exciting for us and inspires us to think about the unusual nature of this project. We're tempted to make some comparisons with the arrangements some well-respected shapers have entered into with epoxy pop-out factories. Where pop-outs are machine made, our boards couldn't be more hand-crafted. Where pop-outs can feel corky, ours are solid with great glide and speed. And with more and more boards made overseas (where environmental laws are often lax) being able to get a board made in Maine by folks who make their impact on the planet a daily conversation is becoming a revolutionary choice."



The Alley and the rest of the Gold Coast were hammered on the weekend with 10m plus seas and high winds that closed the beaches . We ended up with huge seas and floods not seen since 1974. We had 365mm of rain in 24 hours (15 inches). This is the 3rd lot of floods we have had this year and we have had swell since mid March. All photos are by Craig Halstead. For Craig's great video footage go to : www.coastalwatch.com.au
The latest issue is a very insightful read on shaping and the directional change some shapers are moving towards. Kelly Slater has written a piece on what his thoughts are and why he is shaping his own boards.It's interesting how the fish has influenced many and the place the quad is playing. Jason Stevenson, Mark Richards, Greg Webber, Neil Purchase jnr. and where they are heading. Interesting reading cover to cover.Not another mag with a surf trip to the islands again and again. Good job guys.
Sage Joske, fish fry regular , old mal , fish and Alaia slider on wood and and why it is good.
Chris Garrett, not just a wild man with an axe to grind but a talented shaper to boot.
Christian Chapman with one of his outstanding pieces
A full moon , a few beers and time to catch up with everyone at "The Curve" Dan Mac Donalds surf shop at Currumbin. www.dmshapes.com. Live music by Mick Wheeler, Christopher Ernest and Kym Campbell. Author Tim Baker presented a reading from some of his books. A great night and something we need to do more often.Good to see Rusty Miller come up from Byron and other shapers like Chris Garrett and Dale Chapman there.
Local artist and surfer Nic Chalmers with Dan.
Richard Harvey , great shaper , surfer and artist had a nice series of his latest work

Almost local Frenchman , Paul Lefevre next to a couple of pieces he hand painted on a some of Dan's shapes.
More of Paul's detailed work
Paul did this board with Dan for the fish fry

These 3 are by Christian Chapman who has a great eye and deft touch with the airbrush
As you know there were many great wooden fishes at this years fish fry and also at the AB3 in Oceanside. Wooden boards are becoming popular and there are some great builders of them out there. Danny Hess , Tom Wegener and plenty of good old boys as well. So I have decided to have a Wooden Surfboard Day , just like the Fish Fry. Non competitive , non commercial, old new , modern , vintage , any size any shape , just wooden. So if you have made one , own one or would like to try one then this is what it is all about. Come along and check it out.I have also filled the wooden board building class that Paul Jensen will be running at the Currumbin Eco Village. 10 guys will be building hollow wooden surfboards for the week leading up to the Sunday 9th August get together in the park at Currumbin Alley. Guys flights all over the world are cheap at the moment and its a great time of year with settled conditions and cool offshores at the Alley in winter. Think about it and if you want to see more check out my
Nice hollow wooden board pic sent to me by Paul Jensen on his travels.
Good friends Pepa and Kale were down in Costa Rica for a surf trip recently and fish were the board of choice. 



The Alley held some pretty nice waves over the last 4 weeks as the Gold Coast just kept getting swell after swell thrown at it. Paddle in gave way to tow in when it got bigger as there was little chance of making it out through the sweep. It has finally died down and left the banks pretty stuffed as so much sand has moved .