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.

The " Vicous Kanid" by More Surfboards




Mark Pridmoe from Yamba has been on the Bat Tail trail for a couple of years now and the Vicous Kanid is his latest creation. This is a 5'9" x 20 1/2" x 2 5/8" , glassed in 2oz Innegra cloth and a quad setup.
If you would like to see what else he is up to , go to : www.moresurfboards.com

Tim Stafford and his "Freak Fish "







Tim Stafford is from Cornwall in the UK and a designer of many things , from houses to websites . But he designs and shapes boards with a passion. His first love is the Bonzer and from this original 3 fin bonzer has spawned the " Freak Fish" , concaves and channels. Then there are the fins. He seeks inspiration from many sources and has created a blend that works.
I hope he keeps working and evolving his ideas as he plans to come to next years Fish Fry. Be great to see him here with a few boards. Thanks Tim.

www.justbonzers.blogspot.com

Robin Kegel and the Gato Heroi crew on tour to drop into The Fish Fry

Robbie has been working on a new model "The Cat Fish" and he will be bringing it with him to the Fish Fry. He has been working on refining it for the tour. Andy Finlay from Sydney is his Australian distributor will be here with a few mates as well by the look of things.
The boys have quite a tour planned out and it is nice to be part of it. Last year we had Tyler Warren , John Smart and Morgan Maassen here while in Oz filming the Tyler Warren Experiment. Joel Tudor dropped down one year as well. You never know who is in town.

www.gatoheroi.com

Crawly picks up the new Simmons


Dan Mac Donald just finished this 5'5" x 22" x 2 1/8" Mini Simmons for Crawly from Quiksilver. Nice resin job by Dan once again, and plywood fins.

Don't you just love summer

Just love this shot from Sprout Daily , who shot and post shots of surfing in Sydney daily.Thanks Murray for the great fish shot.

www.sproutdaily.com

Daniel Thomson, one of the new wave of innovative fish shapers.

Daniel , born and bred in the waves of Lennox Heads, NSW. Young man with some fresh ideas and a mission. A great surfer and innovative bugger to boot.



5 foot 10" x 19" x 2 3/8" rocket ship ready for action.

Sure there will be those of you that will say nothing is new. And that may well be true? But there are guys out there that will combine a little from many sources and inspirations and come up with something that is new.The Fish Fry is a great place to see what others are doing and a place to be inspired by their shapes and take on things.Talk to other shapers. Meet new ones and see what they are up to.Take a board for a ride and feel the difference , good or bad.The fish has become a great platform for fun and innovation in a commercialised thruster driven environment. I don't mean to be political , but it is hard not to agree. The fish has gone from being an alternate board to having an influence on many shapers and what they are doing today.
If you have some new ideas that you are trying and would like to share. Send some pics and a few words and turn up on the day if you can. Inspire others.

Thanks Tomo
http://dantomo.blogspot.com