Essential History

Mandela at 90

I originally typed out a long, emotional rant about politics, race relations, and other stuff.

Just watch the show if you can.

Inspiration continued

It's not secret that I love the fish platform, and looking at history for inspiration. So, I love comparing new to old, and seeing where other people more advanced than me get there ideas/inspiration from. 

Here's a very small picture of a Mirandon Twin Pin from Ryan Fields Photography site. Which is well worth a visit if you haven't had a look. You can clearly see the vee panels with a reverse or inverted vee in between the fins.

Here's a shot of Dick Van Straalen's hull. How cool is that? I'd love to spend some time with him and talk shop. His shapes are quite inspiring.

Then there's Mick Mackie. Another person I'd love to meet and talk with. He innovates, and experiments with some cool stuff.  This picture is from his site, and shows some of his own personal evolution. 

It has been ages, but recently regained contact with another mentor of mine from Brazil, Mauro Roxo. Maurao is one of those guys that can do it all. Shape anything, glass, sand, polish to perfection, spray, he's the whole package. Yet, super humble and full of aloha. He took me under his watchful eye, and constantly taught me little tricks, and laughed at my funny little boards - in a good way. His shop also does waveskis, kiteboards, and hosts international shapers from time to time.

I am forever in his debt, and want to say thanks for sharing information, and aloha so selflessly.

Muito obrigado. Eu te devo muito, irmao. Abracao

Mauro Roxo/CCL

mysto UK

Finally figured out how to get the pictures out of my phone.
Random travel pictures, from all over.
And, no, I won't tell you where/when...

Yes, that is frost on the grass. There was snow in the shadows below the hill.
Right hander over rock shelf. Only works at certain tides/swells. Long paddle...

Short and sketchy paddle out over shallow boulders, long paddle back after the ride...

Left Hander that goes for days...rocky bottom into a sandy beach.

Irmao do Sangue - Jeff Lopes

Friend, and mentor, Jeff Lopes in Brazil sent me these pictures of a nice modern fish he just finished. Looks super clean, and the color work is great too.

Thanks Jeff!

onwards...

wonder what's going on in there....

soon to be a modern twinny...

While the mrs was out, i thought i'd take a break from the cold...shhh

think i've maxed out my space...ding repairs, glassing, and shaping in this little room is just a bit much... so new bigger shop next month! yay!

New site is live as well, so please have a look: Royal

Goosebumps

If you are not covered in goosebumps listening to what Barack Obama says, listen again.

All the best to him and his family, and to America on this historic ocaision.

Extreme Makeover

Nothing like a trim and color....

Stoked!

The super kind folks over at Phoresia have asked for an interview with me!

Unbelievable, the last shaper they interviewed was Josh Hall, so that's saying something...

Thanks so much to everyone what has helped me along in my journey to this point, and to Phoresia for supporting the custom surfboard industry by doing these features.

For those that don't know, Phoresia is an online magazine/blog for all things surf, and environmental. They do some really cool stuff, and are definitely worth spending your valuable time checking out.

Flex

Hold, annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd release....sproingo...

Fresh Fish

For Sale £300

6'0" of super fishy goodness.

Never Ridden, although been very tempted...

Tripping at the mo...

Whoops, sorry. Am travelling around the UK at the moment.

More info soon!

Joining the Woodies...

To witness the craziness that was Bob Simmons would've be a fun thing to do. This picture, supplied by a fellow on Swaylocks, just blew my mind. We all know about concaves, and belly, and rocker and everything, but just look at that! Can you imagine seeing that in the 40s?! And to think he was doing wood skinned foam core sandwiches back then too...

Where would all our Fishy good times be without him....?

 

On a more humble note, and being inspired somewhat by the image above, I've decided to take the 1st of hopefully many steps into some new materials/disciplines, and try my 1st semi-compsand. I have another one rough shaped that will be wood skinned, but this one will just be glassed over the foam. Looking forward to the process...

Back to Work You Slackers...