Royal Again

Seriously, these boards are looking great. Pared down and functional.

The Chilly North

A brief sojourn to the north, but sadly no chance to get near the likes of this. Photo from Pat the happy sidecut owner.

Sahara

Found this and then realized the always on it Cabinessence blog had not only posted it, but had the style to have also posted an Ian Dury clip?  Well played sir. Some stunning scenery and waves in this, and it's always a treat to watch one of the Fitzgerald clan surf. Derek is brilliant and he goes backwards- according to sources in Australia he recently chatted with Simon Anderson at an event That would have been the conversation to overhear, Derek giving Simon hell for the thruster.....

Day At The Beach Mackie Style

Lucky reader Andy had a very nice mini Sim done and waiting at the Ulladulla compound, so he made the trip to collect it. Mick threw everyone in the ride and off they went for a surf at a beach break that looks better than the one I surf at, and then afterwards a quick session on the driveway bowl. No shaping machine is going to look after you like that.....

RK

Mike Machemer, the surfing world's answer to Barbara Walters, continues his run of eminently readable and intelligent interviews by talking to Richard Kenvin. 

https://pilgrimsurfsupply.com/richard-kenvin/

Reverb Inline Single

 

So much going on here. On the simple scale of this being an interesting concept that hits several key buttons- a way of reinvigorating and tweaking a classic design as well as the use of a (sort of) single fin set up with a very contemporary shape. There's the fact that in South America, away from what's marketed as the 'hub' of surf culture there's a shaper taking the time to experiment and try boards like this. There's also the level of craftsmanship in Reverb's boards. He does the entire build, hand shaping on up to glassing and fins, and produces some incredibly sharp looking boards. At a time when I've sidelined myself from the waves for a couple weeks, looking at these pictures like these is keeping me from going nuts. More to see over at the Custom Shapes blog too.