I was lucky enough this last week to start shaping a surfboard for my good friend Oli. It has been over 20 years since I last picked up the planer, but inspired by the website we are currently developing for Nigel Semmens I jumped back into the foam dust with vigour. I am pleased to say that the shape came out pretty well – although the proof is in the eating – which Oli will no doubt supply in a couple of week’s time!

Watch this space…

The board is a Bonzer 3 with a twist – the fins have a shortened base, with more depth and rake – an adaptation I have made to suit the way I like them to ride whilst keeping that abundance of speed off the bottom… The double concave is more channelled through the bottom yet shallower, and then flattens behind the rear fin… Hopefully this will be finished by the time Malcolm Campbell (innovator and my inspiration for all things Bonzer) arrives in the UK so I can get to discuss these changes with the master.

The glass job is currently scheduled for later this week – and I plan to get messy with a resin tint followed by pinlines with some custom artwork on the bottom (and fins of course) … more later :)

Big thanks to Nigel, Phil and Chris who provided the odd tip, tools, support, (no coffee), the Ocean Magic surfboard factory shaping bay… and only the odd wry smile as I struggled with a proud stringer!!

Thanks also to Oli for having the faith in me to make him a board…