The FFW Story

Hello and Welcome …

This is the home of FFW Surfboards; boards designed and made by me, Wingnut2443. I say ‘designed’ because I’m not a ‘shaper’. I respect the people who can take a blank and ‘mow the foam’ to create a functional board. I’ve never had much luck with starting from a chunk of foam, so I’ve embraced technology.

I’ve decided to use technology to first design the boards I want, and then have them machine cut. That way, I have a better than average chance of turning the result into something that resembles a functional surfboard. It’s also a process which would allow me to refine and fine-tune my designs without the complications of attempting to duplicate a design by hand shaping.

As I undertake my journey, I’m using this site to keep a record of the process of evolution; the good, the bad and the ugly. Hopefully this may help others get into making their own boards, help others from making the same mistakes, and maybe along the way we’ll share some idea’s and the stoke that comes from making boards in the ‘backyard’.

You’ll also see I have put in links to information, websites, forums, etc. These are all different things I’ve come across that have been useful, informative, or at the very least, got me thinking, And, as you’ll see, I have also included links to other blogs from others, who like me, are recording their journey or sharing their knowledge.

You may be wondering who, how, why, etc. … Well, the story is fairly simple. I have surfed ever since I got my first “foamy” when I was about 6 … first glass board when I was 10 (a McCoy thruster!). I started cutting down old boards when I was about 11, toward the end of primary school … that’s 30+ years ago … I’ve played with foam and even tried to learn to shape in the ’90’s.

With a few idea’s I want to try, some revisits of old boards I’ve had, some weird idea’s, and some concepts I wanted to understand better and feel for myself … well, the cost of getting a heap of custom boards was getting a bit too much for the resources I had; especially since I did not know if some of the idea’s would work.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saving boards are too expensive ’cause I know the work that goes into making one, and by the time everyone makes some $ to live, well, that’s the cost of a new board these days …

Plus, I don’t mind trying my hand at different things … so I did some research and played around with computer design software; I ended up settling on AKU Shaper due to it’s ease of use and features … then went about setting up ‘the bay‘ in the garden shed at home … and well, that’s where this whole journey starts … I’ve devoted some time and space to information about setting up ‘the bay’; tools, tips and tricks. These to me, are just as important as the designing, glassing, and sanding processes because, they are the first steps in the journey!

And, just in closing, if you think you can’t do this … think again. From when I was doing wood work and metal work at high school it was clear that I was never a natural at working with my hands; bit of a hack really. While I have been able to make and do things over my life, I am in no measure a ‘craftsman’. In fact, my professional life, could not be anything further from it. So, go on, have a crack … and let me know how you go!

Share the stoke,

Wingnut.

PS: * FFW = Few Fun Waves … that’s what it’s all about for me.