Wooden Surfboard night at the Gold Coast Surf Museum the night before the Wooden Board Day

Surf World Gold Coast

Wooden Surfboard Night

Saturday 7th August 6.30pm for a 7pm start

$15 per head includes a sausage sizzle and drink

A great opportunity to mix and meet with other people interested in wooden boards and hear from some very talented individuals who build them.

Wooden boards come in many shapes and styles of construction. Tom Wegener, Roger Hall and Mike Connor will give a brief overview of their various methods of board construction and experiences. This will be followed by an open question and answer forum with the guys. A sample of what will be on display at the Wooden Board Day in the park at Currumbin Alley the next day,

Tom Wegener

An expatriate Californian lawyer turned surfboard shaper transplanted into the hills behind Noosa at Cooroy. He has spent the last 10 plus years building wooden boards and researching and finessing his love affair with the ancient Hawaiian Alaia

finless boards.” I hope the eyes of other shapers will be opened to the possibilities of applying the oldest methods in the world to today's cutting edge technologies.

"Historically in surfing, people have looked for lighter, faster technologies, thinking the holy grail is somewhere in carbon fibre and lighter, stronger materials.

"But my approach is to look as far back as we possibly can at the few surviving boards from the ancient Hawaiians and study what Captain Cook and his crew watched when they saw surfing for the first time, and draw inspiration from that."

Last year Surfing Magazine voted Tom “Shaper of the Year”. A great honour and recognition of his exploration into the heritage and roots of surfing that has inspired a new wave of innovation into this sport. " Wood is Good".

Roger Hall

A Kiwi with over 30 years of shaping boards in every shape and style, who has a well know reputation for innovation and quality. Roger has incorporated wood in to the handmade boards he builds for many years. Whether it is multiple stringers, nose and tail blocks, or beautiful inlays, Roger is a master of it all. He has always had a healthy supply of various timbers on hand and loves to combine them wherever possible.

A recent quote from Slide magazine sums up Roger very well. "Roger's enthusiasm and passion for finely crafting something more akin to a work of art is strongly evident. It would be a safe bet to say the prospect of bettering his craft is admirably motivating him much more so than the almighty dollar."

Mike Connor

A passionate woodworker who hails from Corndale, located west of Byron Bay. Mike’s interest in working with wood began some 25 years ago when he began experimenting and building various items as a hobby. He is largely self-taught although the opportunity to attend classes with local world-renowned cabinetmaker, Geoff Hannah, added inspiration and refinement to his creations. His love of wood has resulted in him exploring and collecting local and exotic timbers to the point of filling a large shed.

For the past 10 years Mike has pursued a full time career as a craftsman making various customised pieces ranging from furniture to woodwork benches, wooden tools and workshop jigs to make outcomes more accurate. Some teaching has followed and his desire is to share knowledge rather than keep it secret.

Today he specialises in crafting ukuleles and guitars as well as surfboards. This interest in surfboards has seen Mike link up with Bob McTavish to help recreate some of Bob’s well-known designs in wood.

To book a spot or buy a ticket please contact the Surf Museum :

Tomewin Street , Currumbin , opposite the entry to the wild life santuary

PH: 07- 5525 6380

Surf World Gold Coast is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to celebrating the history and culture of surfing.

Sage Joske at the 2010 Fish Fry

Footage by Geoff Charters

Bob McTavish and his finless twin hot curl.

More great footage from the 2010 Fish Fry by Geoff Charters

Tom Wegener and the finless board evolution at Noosa.

While the Fish Fry is all about fish boards , it is hard to not notice that it has inspired many alternative boards.Some with fins and some without. Even some with tiny fins.This innovation and creativity is what moves things along and is how the fish itself came about in the first place. So it is a little hard to turn a blind eye to.Be inspired , be creative and don't be seen as a sheep.

Richard Harvey interview at the 2010 Alley Fish Fry

Some great footage by Geoff Charters

Fish Fry Japan 2010

The Miranon Twin Pin.

Great to see people doing something different and keeping it in the family.
Thanks to Surfy Surfy for the pics.

" Mirandon Surfboards is a family built line of surfboards. We create artistic, unique designs with a focus on functionality. Our surfing roots began back in the 50's in La Jolla, California. Nick and his brother Bear Mirandon began surfing and eventually learned the craft of building their own boards in the 60's. They created the brand Surfboards La Jolla and designed progressive split tail boards with two fins in 1966. Through all the years as Nick and Bear continued to shape and create art they also quietly passed the trade down through the family and to anyone who asked. Nick's sons, Eli and Croyde are designing, shaping, and coloring boards to suit their own mix of classic and modern surfing."

http://elisurfing.blogspot.com
www.mirandonsurfboards.com

International Surfing Day on the Gold Coast

SURFERS WORLDWIDE KICK-OFF WINTER WITH THE

SIXTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SURFING DAY ON JUNE 20^th

On June 20^th, surfers on the Gold Coast and worldwide will welcome the short, cool days of winter and accompanying swells by being active in beach-related environmental causes and a Film and Music Night in honor of the Sixth Annual International Surfing Day (ISD).

Founded six years ago by the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine, International Surfing Day unites surfers from around the world in celebration of the sport of surfing. As is tradition with the annual holiday, surfers do their part to give back to our oceans, waves and beaches through various organised events such as clean-ups and restoration projects hosted by the Surfrider Foundation.

Surfrider Foundation Gold Coast Tweed Presents Two Events:

What: Dune Care & BYO BBQ

Time for surfers and community members to help preserve and develop North Kirra dunes. A perfect activity to help with the sand management issues on the Gold Coast.

When: Sunday June 20^th. 12:30pm.

Where: Dunes south of North Kirra SLSC

What: Film and Music Night

We are screening Sipping Jetstreams a film by surf film legend Taylor Steele. We will also be showing Cyrus Sutton’s film, Tom’s Creation Plantation. A film about Tom Wegener and the alaia surfboard movement.

The night will also begin with live music from Gold Coast local Dan Hannaford.

When: Sunday June 20^th. 6pm

Where: Pointbreak Bar & Grill: 43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads.

“International Surfing Day should be a local holiday here on the Gold Coast. As a Mecca for surfing in the world, we as a city should be at the forefront of giving back to our beaches. Come join us in our celebration,” says Surfrider Foundation Gold Coast Tweed President Adam Feichtmann.

“We started it as a way to get back to the basics, enjoy a day at the beach and help preserve our oceans,” says ISD Co-Founder Evan Slater.

Since its beginnings in 2005 with only 14 domestic and 4 international locations, ISD has grown in leaps and bounds, recording over 105 worldwide events in 2009, and engaging countries such as Sweden, Mauritius, Korea, West Africa and Taiwan. In addition to becoming truly “international” in scope, the Surfrider Foundation uses ISD to host a special membership drive, and since 2007 has signed up nearly 3,000 new members.

“The success and growth since our inaugural International Surfing Day is phenomenal,” says Laura Mazzarella, Surfrider Foundation’s Marketing Manager. “Each year we incorporate new locations and activations into the mix, allowing us to inspire more people to care for their beaches and coastlines, and show them how they can make a difference.”

“While most of us spend every day of the year celebrating ISD, it’s always nice to dedicate an entire day to appreciating the wonderful lifestyle we all live as surfers,” adds Travis Ferré, Editor, Surfing Magazine. “It’s a great opportunity to preserve and enjoy the ocean at once. And as we move into our sixth year, my main goal is to inspire more youth participation. They’re the future and will bring a whole new enthusiasm to the day we celebrate being surfers.”

The Sixth Annual International Surfing Day is made possible by Vitamin Water, Earthpack, Surfing Magazine, and the Surfrider Foundation.

CONTACT:

Adam Feichtmann

President Surfrider Foundation Gold Coast Tweed

0430710041

adam@surfridergct.org

Velo Fish

The "Velo Fish" was inspired by looking over a George Greenough spoon at the fish fry this year.


Concave deck - 2" thick at the stringer and 3" at the rails.

Takayama "Halo" fins 5" tall.Be interesting to see how they go. Their smaller quad fin set on my 10 footer are great.

The Velo bottom or edge board , full concave front to back of the the board.Too small for me so will have to see how some mates like it. Just had the idea come to me and needed to see how it went. No point wondering about these things. Build it and see how she goes. 5ft 10" x 22"

Young Cain stoked with his first shaping effort.

Cain Pridmore from Yamba in New South Wales has just finished his first board he shaped from scratch.

He also did the pool table artwork on the bottom.


His Dad Mark owns More Surfboards which you can check out at :
www.moresurfboards.com

Richard Harvey has been very fishy of late

Richard is always experimenting and here is a fish with Balsa rails.


Plenty of fishes and Mini Simmons as well.

Multi fins

Lots of tints and colour to.

Bobby Crisp from New Zealand with nice looking woodie

Bobby Crisp has found that Wellington wasn't windy and cold enough so has moved south to the south eastern corner of the South Island to set up shop. Mate I lived in Dunedin in the late 70's and she can have some harsh winters , so I hope you survive down there in the Catlins. This is where New Zealands big wave surfers seek out large cold swells straight from the Artic South Pole so if the wind chill doesn't get you the waves will. Nice.Anyway Bobby will be here on the Gold Coast for the Wooden Board Day at the Alley on Sunday 8th of August to warm up and enjoy a few waves once again.

Rasta in Sumatra

He may not be on a fish in all these shots but you just know the guy can charge on anything and these shots sent to me were too good not to share.

There has been some nice waves down Byron way

The most easterly point of Australia ...





Just nice foe an outing on the fish.The air is getting colder but the water is still nice and the wind is mostly offshore this time of year. Thanks Levi for the shots. If you want to get some nice daily images of the Byron to south Gold Coast , then check him out and subscribe.

New York Fish Fry report

Here is Steve Pendarvis on the beach for the New York Fish Fry 2010.

Steve and Cher said they had a great time even though the surf was very small and the water achilly 49F that is less than 10C. Bloody cold.
The East River Fish Taco cook off was a big hit I am told. It was hosted by Mollusk Surf Shop New York



Looks like Josh Hall checking out the boards on the day.

The following story is from www.easternsurf.com

" On a blustery, surfless Saturday, May 15th, fish enthusiasts enjoyed a powwow of sorts at Grand Blvd. in Long Beach, NY. It wasn’t the surf that brought wavesliders from near and far out of the woodwork, but rather a mutual appreciation for the fish design and other well-crafted surfboards, a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones, and an opportunity to talk story and enjoy the New York springtime yearned for by those cooped up all winter long.

Fish Fry(e)s — the (e) honors legendary San Diego fish proponent Skip Frye — remain a time-honored event celebrating subsequent design offshoots from the original twin-keel model, and for the past four years New York has hosted a Fry(e) in Long Beach that’s attracted some of the best modern-day craftsmen in the game. This year saw New York’s adopted west coast paisan Josh Hall, along with ride-anything stalwarts Steve and Cher Pendarvis. New York not being one of the most conventional surf destinations to have such minds in attendance means that a lot of the design insight shared falls into the priceless category. But enough about that…

The weekend really went down like this: knowing that there wasn’t going to be much surf on hand, I indulged in the drink the night before the Fish Fry(e). And as it’s known nothing good happens after midnight, I awoke bleary-eyed after only a few hours of sleep and hit the road to Long Beach with coffee in hand.

Immediately upon arriving at Grand Blvd. it was a reunion of friends I haven’t seen in some time, and after high-fives and hugs in the parking lot it was time to cruise the beach and check out the boards on hand. It was pretty much a hot rod show of the avant-garde in surfing, with some mind-blowing works of art on the beach. Earning top honors were a Skip Frye model, a few Pendoflexes, Lis fishes, Pavels, Josh Halls, and, representing for the home team, Mark Petrocelli’s Faktion Surfboards. Everyone was geeking out and talking design theory, but I slunk around protected by a dark pair of shades. A few of the homeboys and girls ventured out into the surf, despite it only being about a half a foot, and when I walked down to the shoreline to take it in I saw Dutchie prone out on a piece of foam and get a cover up. Stoked on that, I retreated under the boardwalk, where Tommy “Snapwater” Colla set up a boom box and reggae laced the airwaves.

With the fuzz already paying the Fry(e) a visit because they saw a poster and thought there would be a BBQ on the beach, we sought refuge under the confines of the boardwalk. A cooler of coldies emerged from the sand and the boys kicked back and enjoyed the Saturday afternoon. As I was leaving the beach, Steve Pendarvis’ wife Cher was donning a wetsuit and heading out for an optimistic surf.

After that, grinds were in order, so Josh Hall and I bounced to Gino’s before hitting the road and enjoyed some fine pizza and good conversation on our way back into NYC — in fact, I’m pretty sure Josh ate pizza while he was here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Stuck in traffic, I thought it would be apropos to give him a rundown on New York’s hip-hop history, which brought us all the way up to pulling into Brooklyn. Mollusk Surf Shop NYC was generous enough to host their East River Fish Taco Cook Off in conjunction with the Fry(e), with three of New York’s finest chefs doing battle in the street to see who would walk away with the title of best taco. Not sure who the winner ended up being, though the Lobster Roll Taco got my vote and I think the whole thing ended in a tie.

I was then regaled to the basement of the venue, where I slung beverages provided by Blue Point Brewery until the well ran dry and I again got to mingle on the street. Up until this point, I hadn’t gotten to talk much with the Pendarvises, but I was antsy for my opportunity. After a proper introduction, I talked story with both Steve and Cher for some time and was amazed by how kind and grateful they were to be a part of such an event so far from their home. Steve had me in stitches as he was so animated in his storytelling, whether it be design theory, reminiscing about stashing his boards in the bushes at a San Diego surf spot as a kid and riding down to surf after school, or being catapulted in the air by his flex tail surfboard at Hanalei Bay. Cher is also an absolute sweetheart and is the total embodiment of aloha. Both have surfing roots that run so deep and have been such integral parts of our sport’s rich history, so it was truly an honor to meet them.

As the party was in full swing, we kept an eye open for the boys in blue that lurk for the unsuspected partygoer carrying an uncapped beverage on the street. We grabbed some brown bags and kept a vigilant eye out while talking some more, before everyone parted ways at the end of the evening glad we had all developed a cross-coast bond. After a quick cleanup, the party commenced and another New York City night ensued.

Although there was no surf, the 4th Annual New York Fish Fry(e) was a total success. It’s great that an event like this is gaining momentum in the metropolitan area and heads are busy getting jazzed on quality board design and theory. For next year though, a little bit of waves wouldn’t be bad."

For more on the New York Fish Fry(e) and to stay abreast of future events, visit www.fishfryny.blogspot.com

Fish Fry New York this weekend - All the best guys

The New York Fish Fry is on this weekend and I would like to wish them all the best.

The Fish Taco Cookoff on Saturday is also not to be missed by all accounts as well. So if you are in the area or have plans to go send us an update .

More Simmons , this time from Spain

I have just been sent these great looking boards by Jose M. Rodriguez and he would like to show us the work of a friend of his, a great Spanish shaper. His name is Nacho Agote ( http://www.nachoagote.es/blog/ ). " He makes beautiful mini simmons boards!!!! "




This looks a lot like the handy work of Tristan