Wood Fins Hollow Red Wood Log, and Burnt Knuckles

The wood projects are't finished until they have been branded. This is delicate, dangerous work. A boffed branding can ruin a otherwise perfect project. Branding is difficult because, the brand must be fricken hot, if not hot enough the mark will be light or incomplete. Then, you need to rebrand right on the same spot. This is not easy. Getting a hot brand puts your hands close to the fire and is usually painful. Being clumsy is not an asset for good branding. One must have a steady hand and not move anthing once the brand touches the wood. Any mishaps cannot be erased

I put together these fins for two Model A's, Tom Wegener Model, I shaped for Jacob's Surfboards. I think the small brand looks cool.

Here is the latest hollow board. 9'8'' Sequoa Paulownia Log. I will make a matching fin. I was a little nervous branding this one. A lot of work went into this board. More pictures soon.

Summer wood supply and fresh boards

I just received my latest batch of really nice lumber. It is light and clean. I now have light lumber for the shorter boards, and denser, sturdier lumber for longer, wider alaias. The water is warming up and alaia enthusiasts are stoked to get some wood under their feet.

Getting Paulownia is very difficult and expensive, and the story behind this batch is customs difficulties, permits, storage fees, shipping costs, and the cost of the lumber itself. Luckily, I have developed good relationships with the lumber yards from whom I purchase it from. When looking for Paulownia, I suggest purchasing it from me. It will save you a lot of time, and headaches. I am happy to sell when I have a surplus. Usually distributors are not interested in shipping a small amount of wood. I usually sell it in a blank, Up to 7' around 17.5 inches wide by 7/8'' thick.

Here are some new boards, The Mini Logs are 8'0'' 22 1/2'' wide. The Fish is a 5'8'' Quad. The bluegills are 6'1'' and 8'0''.

Sorry about the infrequent posts. It has been a busy week. Artist and often Wegener's Finless Frontier filmographer, Brett Dean, burned in this Van Gogh esque stripe on a deck. . Also a fresh 6'4''.

Boards from last week

A 5'10'' knee board. 24.5 inches wide. I have not knee boarded in a while, 20 years, so I think I will give it a go. I really like the Wegg Model. I have not been riding one lately due to all the new models, the alaias and Bluegills, but after making this one, going to Japan, I am reminded of the loose rail to rail action, off the lips and cutbacks The Wegg does so well.

This alaia is a 6'10'' Stuth and going to Sean. He has been working on the "Hydrodynamica" movie and has been motivated to get into the slide.

11'00 Model A. This is a Tom Wegener design that I shape for Jacobs Surfboards. Most of thes have been 10' to 11' and get a lot of good feedback. They are great for trimming and nose riding. Often, we put nose, tail blocks, and large wood glass on fins.

Cinco De Mayo

I drove by the beach last night and the waves looked really fun, unfortunately I had obligations, and was not able to paddle out. With a little luck, I thaught,the surf could be fun again tomorrow evening. It was. This special to us because The Avenues in Redondo are rarely good, especially in the evening, But a combo swell and the rare mellowing of the wind, it can be the place to be. Rosa rode her 8'6'' Green Flash and I rode my latest favorite board, the 8' Bluegill.

This is my Old faithful 7'6''Anchovy design, wich used to be 7'8'' but the nose needed a little work after a memorable ride at San O' which ended in a crash tube on the cobblestones. This board is a couple of years old and rides the same way it did as when it was new. No deck delamination or material breakdown.

8' Bluegill, Alaia, and Friends

The sand bars have been good at the beaches lately even with a little wind on it. The other day we brought down an assortment of boards including my new 8' Bluegill and a 7' long Alaia. These boards make small waves really fun. The Bluegill is fast and drives through sections, and as always, to ride a wave on an alaia is mind bending. Standard boards are fun too.