Haven't had a chance to try it out in really good wind yet- but had a couple of nice runs on it in some light stuff and it feels good. There is something so satisfying about riding something you've made yourself...and it was pretty easy too !
Oiling it up- seeing that beautiful grain start to pop
I was so eager to shape it I worked thru the night
At the beach and about to go for a test run
Finally the proof that it works.
Good one
Nothing quite like the buzz of making your own boards.
A pleasure to make and a pleasure to ride
Neat looking board - thanks for sharing.
Out of interest how come the edges cut inwards (like skis) as opposed to outwards (like a surfboard / kiteboard)?
WHY THE HELL ARE U WEARING A ****ING BEEENY FOR **** SAKE!!!!!!! EITHER DECIDE IF UR HOT OR WARM THIS IS ALMOST AS BAD AS THE SKATERS IN SUMMER WEARING BEENIES N NO SHIRTTTTTTTTSSSSS
Gotb- I just copied the way I had seen some others done. The interesting thing is because of the natural flex your foot placement becomes extremely important
Dafish- the blank was Paulownia timber. It doesn't absorb water and it's flex is good. For the template I got a big piece of paper and cut it to the same size as the blank, folded it in half and drew an outline then cut it out.. once it was unfolded I had a perfectly symmetrical template.
Ok- ok... Please don't shout- my beanie is over my ears but I can still hear you.
okay, I could understand the beanie for one reason, and that is to protect the scalp from getting skin cancer. I nearly lost my wife 14 years ago to this, and she is very light skin and has tetian (stawberry blonde) hair. Docs say that the head is hard to see spots that are changing and its hard to take a photo and see the changes over the months and years. Looking like a warm place where he rides I can understand the idea.
my 2 cents.
Where did you source the blank from???? I wouldn't mind tackling a job like that.
As for the beanie- while hair grows out of control everywhere else I am starting to lose it from my head, so the beanie keeps it warm. Simple as that.
The board with my minimal wood working skills took about 2 hours to shape and oil. 3 more mates bought blanks and another is about to get some as well. Easy, cheap and fun. Thanks for the thumbs up- hopefully a few more get inspired to have a go !
If anyone in WA is chasing Paulownia blanks i have a room full of them 150x50 (i think but i'll have to double check the size). I also have a bucket full of stainless inserts for the board builders out there.
If you are interested then give me a call at the shop
Airborne Kitesurfing
9244 4474
What about over the other side in queensland any one know who to contact for wood . Might have a real hot go at it looks sweet thanks for shareing loverboy
I'd be really interested to hear how your board performs in small surf. Looks like a cool project to get into.
This naish design looks even easier to make( no sawllow tail)
Hi from the dark side Loverboy.
Superb work!
A question from the curious;
What size blank did you use, in particular the thickness ?
Rough cost for the blank?
Say gidday to the rest of the crew from me.
regards
Fossil
Blank was 6' long, 18" wide and 19mm thick. App cost including oil ended up as $140. The blanks will reduce in price if you do a group order I think. There is a premium 24mm thick blank available but it was much more expensive- don't really see too much benefit in thicker personally.
Hope to catch you on the water soon Foss- been too long....
I work in Mordialloc (Vic) and Mordy Surf (next door to me) is running an alaia shaping course for $250, inclusive of the blank... might have a look into it.
Out of interest, how do these ride as a kiteboard?
Hazard to guess, but as good as the rider...
Look back on a post that had a video with the top hat dude. He was killing it in the small surf. Looks so much fun!