My young friend Ben C. (15 - remember being 15?!) tried my 10’ (record #760) while on vacation and liked the glide and feel of it. First he asked if I could make him one… then he asked if I could help him make one. He’s been surfing a 7’+ Bic for about one year.
This was a lot of fun. Ben was careful and cautious with all the tools and listened to what I told him to do. That said … he did all the shaping himself and most of the glassing and sanding. He is, by nature, pretty good with his hands and I could tell he understood that once you make the cut, you cannot grow more foam to suit your needs.
He ended up with a Thick, though the foil looks good, 10’ board.
Shaped in my little backyard shed where it just fit inside. Glassed with a blue tint bottom, cut laps, fabric inlay (he sacrificed a favorite shirt), 2x6 top - 1x6 bottom.
Now - though he only has a spring suit - he wants to surf tomorrow in 50 degree water. We may go since with this much board he may not have to get wet at all.
If you ever want to see a happy grommet, do what I did.
Eric J
