Alternative Surf Craft on a Rainy Day

We're down in Virginia Beach again (I wished we lived down here). Today's forecast did call for rain and we got it all while we were at our favorite surf spot. We also had some onshore breeze that chunked up the surf - but boy was it good to get in the salt water again! I brought down the mat, the paipo and the kickboard - but I had the most fun on the mat - most likely a function of how my left hip is hurting and I can't kick as hard while trying to catch the wave. The water was refreshing on initial entry, but you would quickly get accustomed to the cool temp. Fun day despite the rain and sloppy surf!!!

Anointment of the Kickboard

It got wet, but by the time I brought it out, the heat was being sucked out of me by the cold Labrador Current and I called it. Hopefully next time the water will be more amenable to full immersion and a proper surfing session.

Kickboard Over 90%

I used a hole saw bit to open up the bottom of the screw holes. After a little cleanup with a chisel, the main work is finished on the kickboard. The handles are an old pair of windsurfing footstraps - real old - check out the 'Naish' logo - I feel good that those things will get a new lease on life and to actively generate stoke again!!! I'll place some epoxy in the bottom holes to ensure the T bolts stay put and are watertight. I'll also run the sander over the back of the board to smooth out the grain (I did that to the hand plane and it is a much nicer finish). After that, I'll recoat the board with poly and it's done!!! This board feels really well balanced and as expected, I can't wait to get some sloppy waves on it!!! Between this and the paipo, I should never complain about crappy surf again!!!

Measure Three Times, Cut Twice

Besides the flies, I did make some time to further the surfcraft production. The two cuts - drilling into each side of a hole before connecting - are to make the exit (entrance) holes nicer. I did make the bolt holes for the kick board. The T nuts are going to take a tad bit more effort to put in correctly (bore out the bottom to accommodate the base of the nut, widen the bolt hole to accommodate the nut shaft - okay get your head out of the gutter - these are real terms). Again - with the weather being what it is - I have nothing but time!

Final Steps towards the New Surfcraft

The weather is getting colder...

So there is more time to get these two new mini sleds dialed in. I'll be cutting the strap slots and drilling out the T nut holes tomorrow. After that, a little epoxy, some curing time and I'll be waiting for the Spring thaw.

Number Two Done

I got in the mood to continue carving out the kickboard.

The rails turned out sweet!!! 50-50 fading into a hard downturn edge.

I put a pretty significant (relative to the proportion of the board) concave in and it balanced out well with the rest of the volume distribution.

This thing turned out better than I had conceived. Now I have to go back to the handplane and fix it (a lot rougher compared to how I finished this kickboard - a sharp mini block plane, another couple of hours of elbow grease and it'll clean up nicely). Next will be strap placement and polyurethane coats. I've got time - the water temps are about as cold as they'll be this season... it would be nicer to test these when I'm not having to wear a 4/3 suit with all the additives (booties, hood, gloves) - but well see if I wait for Spring or not. Productive shaping day!

Number Two Underway

I did some bulk removal today trying to get the foil in place. Probably got 50% done today. In case you were wondering - just a block plane, a microplane and elbow grease are being used to shape this (and a jig saw). I already bought the hardware (1/4" x 20 bolts, 1/4" lock and plain washers and T nuts all in stainless steel or zinc) from Home Depot. I've got several old windsurfing straps that will get to see action pulling duty as hand holds on this. Carving the kickboard out, I could imagine taking a drop with this... should be AWESOME!!!!

Back to Work

Not "work" as in "bringing home the bacon", but work as in labor of love -

Here are the kickboard and the handplane templated out.

A bit on the unconventional side and not as aesthetically pleasing as they could be, but ultimately paying tribute to the ubiquitous lunch tray and the simmons plan shape.