Wooden surfboards at the Alley
Grant Newby, organiser of the phenomenally successful Alley Fish Fry on Australia’s Gold Cost, has added another event to his calendar with the launch of a Wooden Surfboard Day at Currumbin Alley on Sunday 9th August.
Grant explains: “There are guys having a go at building their own boards in sheds the world over. From the basic paulownia alaia to chambered solid-wood boards, some of the skills involved in crafting these boards show that things have really stepped up since Tom Blake paddled his toothpick to victory. The great thing is, you don’t need a huge amount of expensive tools to build a board. There are many and varied construction methods and that is part of why I have decided to get together and showcase what is happening out there.”
Come along for the day and – as well as checking out the amazing boards on show – you’ll be able to sit down and talk to the guys who built them. They’ll hopefully be able to help solve any problems you might have come across during your own construction.
Like the Fish Fry, this is a non-commercial and non-competitive get together. Many hours go into building a wooden board, so you tend to find that it’s passion rather than commercial enterprise that tends to drive most wooden board builders. But Grant maintains that “There is nothing better than catching that first wave on a board you have built yourself. Come and see some great boards and maybe demo one to feel the difference in wood.”
For more info email Grant or check out www.woodensurfboards.blogspot.com
