Surf board wizzard
Surf board wizzard
After one of our monthly meeting’s, the Collective were keen to work on the Made in Wellington project. For this project, I met with and photographed Bob Crisp, a surfboard shaper at Deluxe Industries. When Bob opened the door of his workshop, the dust tried to escape through every hole possible, making it hard to breath without coughing! “Welcome to my workshop” he exclaims as he takes off his protective mask, while simultaneously enveloped in a cloud of sawdust prominently illuminated by two white neons. After at least 20 hours of hard work, the rough-edged wooden blank is going to be magically transformed into a surfboard. Whether surfers are crazy superheros flying on waves, or laidback long-boarders catching an easy ride, this guy is a wizard who makes dreams a reality. Sanding, measuring, sanding again... This place is magic! Dust swirls are magnified by the light. Gestures are accurate, careful, and passionate. “To realise a wooden surfboard, you have to have a love affair with the material”says Bob. After that will come the pattern design and resin layers. Further sanding again to smooth and blend any surface imperfection, and finally Bob’s hands give birth to the objects which are much loved and coveted by surfers all around the Globe, and this one is Made in Wellington, Aotearoa.
Text and photos published in fishead magazine.
