Fantasy Boards
August 4th, 2010, by BradOK – we admit that we thought it was funny to name our one-week, build-any-board workshops after the weird pro-sports training vacation tradition… but what started out as a lame joke has turned into an amazing experience for us and for the two guys who’ve already built some really special boards.
First it was our old pal Bob B. who a couple of months ago built the most difficult board we offer – the Spray. He’s already built four boards, so he had the chops to take this project on to completion. It was a two-session marathon, but Bob powered through like a bull terrier. His board’s in glass right now, and is looking sweet.
Currently, Rob C. is in the shop working on another challenge – a 6’9″ Radicle, the slim needle we first designed and built with Dave Rastovich on the North Shore of Hawaii as a Backdoor mini-gun. Robert’s top planks just went on, which is no small feat given the dramatic rocker of this board, and now the trimming and shaping have begun. Robert’s experience building wood wall-hangers in Florida is standing him in good stead though the process of building a Grain board is completely different than chambering solid wood boards.
Today Robert came in with a gift for the shop – some 6″ spring clamps that we didn’t have enough of yesterday. Customized with handy boardbuilder’s notes in Rob’s handwriting.
Both these guys have had the run of the shop, an instructor all to themselves, picked the dates they wanted to come and selected two of the most distinctive boards we build. Congratulations fellas.
August 19th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Just got off the couch after about 2 weeks in the fetal position. My depression hasn’t waned quite yet. I want everyone who might be thinking about taking a class with the guys from grain not to hesitate for a moment. If you’re short of cash sell your blood steal from your wives kids or husband s boyfriends,girlfriends. Sell yourself as a sex slave…like me. But get up to York and have one of the most satisfying experiences of your life. I’m very shy bordering on socially stunted and left with new friends that are patient, friendly, and highly skilled . Mike Brad and John all have mad skills but extremely humble…except for Brad, he beat me everyday until my attitude changed. Get some friends together and make some beautiful boards. You’ll never regret it. As for me, being away from Grain has shown me life is an adventure. I miss them and the lovely Allison, you thought I forgot about you. Depression has set in again the nurse is coming and the only cure is another class with Grain. Later guys
August 20th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Thanks Rob! Been meaning to write you to thank you for a great week. Everyone takes a moment to read your clamps whenever they pick one up just to see what little pearl of wisdom they drew. Despite the fact that you needed regular attitude correction discipline while you were here, you did a great job on your board. Now get off that couch and save some lives!
February 25th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
I fully agree with Rob…six months later I still feel it!