It has been a while, but I’ve squeezed in a couple of boards for myself lately. I’ve been using my own rides to try a few new things such as resin tints, Future Fins and fresh shapes and fin positions. This is the first of them.

5’11 x 19 3/8″ x 2 5/16″. (4+4)+4 = 2.7kg. This quad was designed to fill in some of the gaps in my Bobsled’s performance sphere. It is more compact and generally less girthy all round and I was intending extra ‘attack’ in the pocket at the possible loss of glide and down the line speed. Sea trails yesterday at a blustery down-the-line point – backhand – were good once I’d dialed the sweet-spot. Felt real tight and drivey. I think it is going to be great in clean conditions.

Matt finish, black tint on the base onto clear deck with a blue acrylic pin line were ‘interesting’ on the blood pressure, but turned out ok.

Future fins on this one is a first for me. They feel great and look strong as a product and the range isn’t too overwhelmingly confusing – now available on all DH boards on request. Definitely worth the extra effort on this board.

Kinda flat in and out, like el Bobsled.

Latest for Fergal, for hollow slabs and reef breaks.

6’1 x 18 5/16″ x 2 5/16″. (6+4)+6 = 2.7kg. Board is sort of ‘neutral’ in my eyes, with no feature too dominant or aggressive.

I’ve been busy with a few more resin tinting experiments over the last couple weeks. I’m stoked with the results, despite all the heart ache… I’ll throw up some shots of the boards soon.

Mick Smith sent me on this – his piece of an interesting project by Foster Huntington as seen here. What 10 things would you save from your burning house? Well, here is Mick’s trawl – and how stoked am I that he’d grab his trusty bobsled?! Got to love that glide!

Recently received from the Smith/Verran camp – Marianne Stephens on tour

Answers on a post-card, please (or just post a comment). Winning entry gets a pint of the black stuff next time we’re in the pub.

Autumn is here!

7’8 x 18 5/8″ x 2 5/8″ For Peter Conroy. (6+6)+(6+6) = 4.4kg

7’8 x 18 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ For Bundoran’s Pete Craig. (6+6)+(6+6) = 4.5kg

I spent an hilarious afternoon looking through Raquel’s Folk’s old photos. Here are some of them and their relatives that caught my eye. Such a shame that we are drifting away from printed images, I think.

Olga

Manolo

Alfredo

Alfredo, Rosi y Abel

Olga

Olga and (a very little) Raquel

(more surfboards soon. promise…)

More loving arms and expansive vistas in Raquel’s homeland

6’2 x 18 3/8″ x 2 5/16″ (6+4)+6 with quad / thruster combination = 2.85 kg

Myself and the ‘family’ have been hanging with the bigger family in Cornwall for a week. Precious hours of extra snooze, booze and cruise a’plenty. Little Nora chilled in many sets of arms and took it all on board with her usual grace and general acceptance of all that gets thrown her way. Now she’s back in Clare with boring old Mum and Dad, and with more than a little heavy weather to contend with…