Spring 2008 Longboard Workshop: Surf, Eat, Drink, Build Surfboard.
In some way, I have been a teacher for most of my adult life. Long ago it was as a ship’s officer aboard educational and research vessels teaching young people lessons in seamanship, navigation and being a good shipmate. More recently it was at the University of New Hampshire teaching condensed courses in GIS. So I have had a pile of great experiences with students – often watching them gain new skills in intense situations that required a compressed time-frame and the need to gain skills rapidly.
But nothing compares to the experience we had with the guys from the Spring 2008 Longboard Workshop last week. You couldn’t have five more stoked guys – friendly, fun, relaxed and more than willing to be the guinea pigs in our first-ever attempt to teach others the process of building their own surfboard. And they simply sucked up knowledge. They were all enthusiastic, quick to learn, careful workmen that took the time to add great looking detail to their boards.
We didn’t know what to expect of this experience going in – we even wondered if it could be done since almost all of them had little or no woodworking experience! The week started first thing Sunday morning with breakfast in the builder’s lounge at the shop (all our meals were prepared by our good friend Molly who impressed the guys twice a day with fresh, freakishly good food). For the seven days following, there was always a mix of stuff, sometimes demonstration, sometimes a chalk-talk. But mostly, it was full on, hands on, getting-it-done surfboard-building where the five guys – each with his own building station – constructed a 9’-0” Root or 10’-0” Waterlog.
Mike, myself and John all cycled through the shop as instructors, but make no mistake – these guys did the work themselves and built five very impressive boards with high-quality attention to detail. A couple of the fellas even made some changes to the shapes of the boards as they constructed them based on what they learned about rail and board shape principles and to suit their own preferences.
One problem we had was that we couldn’t get them out of the shop at the end of the day – they just wanted to stay and stay to keep working on their boards. We crammed a lot of board building and learning into the seven days they were here. We also had time for a few nights on the town, a trip to a local surf shop, an impromptu lobster bake with new and old friends and a first-rate morning session during which everyone surfed wood.
Here are a few great quotes from the guys after the Course ended. It occurs to me that these guys may not fully realize how great this whole experience was for us too. We had nothing but fun, and we can’t think of a better bunch of guys to be our first.
Check back or subscribe to our newsletter to get word of future wood surfboard building courses and new announcements we have coming up. Thanks.
“Excellent food, Molly Rules!”
“Great space and plenty of tools”
“One of the best weeks in so many ways. Great class, great location, great waves!”
“Easy to follow step by step instruction.”
“Very patient instructors who knew what they were doing.”
“I think it was perfect. The time spent by all the builders helping me was priceless. The surfboard alone is worth the price.”
“Could not have asked for a more comfortable laid back yet proactive environment. Never felt out of place.”
“Dude, that guy from Ventura was wasted!”
“Ten out of ten stars.”
“Most memorable: The surfing, the lobster jam, the night at the bar, the amazing board I’m leaving with. I feel like I have new friends. I would recommend the class to anybody interested in surfing or woodworking!”
Thanks,
Brad
May 7th, 2008 at 8:32 am
What’s the schedule look like for hte rest of the year for classes?
May 7th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Well, we’re so happy with the results of the first class, that there will definitely be more this year. We are even talking about the possibility of classes (at some point) for building one of our fish, perhaps even one for a brand new design that we will be announcing soon… And although we haven’t picked dates yet, we will probably try for a class in the fall and one in early winter. The coast of Maine is a different place in all these different seasons, so each one of these should provide an experience that is totally unique from classes we hold at other times of the year. If you want the earliest word of the schedule when we do nail it down, you can subscribe to the mailing list. Look forward to seeing you in Maine!
May 7th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
looks like these guys were knee deep in saw dust !! I can smell the 10 hours of woodwork per day all the way from here !! whats up with the guy with the earplugs around his neck ?…use ‘em or lose ‘em buddy!!
As a recent graduate of this class, it must be said that for all interested….it is worth every penny and minute. I would do it again in a heartbeat. This is a very constructive way to spend a vacation, a week away, …or just a little soul searching.. The whole crew will make you feel like part of the fam.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:47 am
For anyone considering a class or a kit, go for it. Its so rewarding to see the board take shape from a few planks and rail strips to a real board. Brad and Mike and John were always there to answer questions and guide us through the process. Even for someone with no wood working experience, ( whats a spokeshave? ) they helped me learn how to use the tools and quickly got me up to speed and building the board.
I couldn’t ask for a better week and a nicer crew than the folks at Grain. They really made us feel like part of the family. I never imagined what a great week it would turn out to be, building boards, sharing a sweet surf session, riding bikes through Maine, and just hanging out with people who are obviously living their dream.