SB-issue59_digital

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quiver gear
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26. Stonker Alaia
7’4” x 15 ¾” x ¾”
If the conditions were right to surf this board
every day, I would find it hard to switch it out.
A slightly fullish, not too pitchy, green, glassy
runner is where these boards absolutely fly. Once
you get the hang of it, you start to understand
why they were reinvigorated by the likes of Tom
Wegener. Totally addictive.
27. Grown Fish
6’4” x 21 ½” x 2 5/8”
A 40th birthday present from my mates, and
what a ripper. Shaped by Andrew Wells, it
nearly gained the inscription “Happy Birthday
Swampdonkey” instead of “Swandoggy”, which
would forever have changed my nickname for
the worse. This board first introduced me to the
beauty of hollow wooden surfboards and the
unique feel they deliver. I love surfing this board.
It is mounted above the desk in my home office
when not in use.
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28. Wegner Seaglass Albacore
5’6” Alaia
I love finless boards and the feeling of drifting
down a wave face. This one is ideal for those
smaller summer beachies when you want to
cool down and have fun in the sun. Unlike the
traditional wooden Alaia, she is much more
buoyant and a heap easier to paddle onto waves.
Given there is no rocker to speak of, you have to
angle your takeoff when the waves start to pitch,
which makes the slip sliding more pronounced.
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29. The Flathead
7’3” x 21 ½” x 2 5/8”
A hollow wooden surfboard I built with the guys
from Tree to Sea. I have taken this board out a
heap of late, given we’ve experienced a number
of windy days. There’s plenty of volume under
your chest, so it paddles like a longboard, but
due to its cut-off nose it surfs considerably
smaller. The rounded pintail makes it as loose
as a goose. It holds its line particularly well in
decent-sized swells when there’s plenty of white
water to contend with, thanks to its weight.
When presented with a clean face, it motors.
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# 56 // smorgasboarder //
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24. King Neptune Alaia
5’10” x 16 ½” x ½”
I shaped this one with Dave from Surfing Green
a number of years back. It was certainly a
funny few days and such a great experience. I
employed some design principles from the Geoff
McCoy and Glencat Collins boards I was riding
at the time. Don’t know if the design principles
really carried across to an Alaia. Nonetheless,
she delivers the glide and drift sensation you
are after with a finless, but doesn’t quite hold its
line as well as a traditional Alaia, particularly one
made by Tom Wegener, surprise, surprise.
25. Geraghty Rocket Fish
6’2” x 19 ½” x 2 9/16”
I must admit, I am not much of a performance
shortboard surfer. I am more inclined towards
retro shapes because I think they suit my style
of surfing more. I don’t generate a whole heap
of speed when surfing and really enjoy carving
nice, big, arcing turns. But, when there is some
swell about, this board is always a fun ride and
always great to change things up a bit. Features
an ever so slight single concave to a deep
double concave and vee through the fins with a
round tail.
So, if you would like
to share yours with us,
make sure to send in
some photos and a few
words to editorial@
smorgasboarder.com.au.