SURFER turned craftsman Grant Newby
has gone from designing wooden surfboards in his Ashmore garage to
creating “timber technology” now used by the best in the world.
The production manager at an advertising agency said crafting the wooden boards began as a hobby 10 years ago.
He
jokingly refers to the surfers of wooden boards as being part of a
“splinter group” but now the boards have become a global phenomenon.
Thousands of boardriders have taken to the water on boards made with
paulownia timber since Grant shared his technology TimberTEK with
Currumbin-based Firewire surfboards three years ago.
Now the
timber skinned boards are sold globally and the technology enticed
11-time world champion Kelly Slater to invest in the company.
At the weekend Grant pulled his collection of wooden boards out of
his Ashmore garage to show and surf at Currumbin with a number of
timber enthusiasts.
“Wood has a tremendous allure, we have had
people who build furniture and boats who start making boards – we get
everything from frothing grommets to wood crafts people interested in
the boards,” the 59-year-old surfer said.
Grant has made about 150
timber sleds and said while some people were attracted to the
historical or environmental qualities of the boards, the main appeal for
him was the craftsmanship.
“To stand up and surf something you made yourself is incredible,” he said.
“When
you spend time and sleepless nights with a board you feel a strong
connection to your craft and it is a great thrill to ride.”
Grant said he got a kick out of seeing local surfers, Kelly Slater and
Tahitian Michel Bourez ride boards using his technology and hoped one
day to see professional surfers ride them in competitions.
“I
would love to see one of the pros riding Teahupo’o with one of those
boards, I’m sure it will happen soon, and if it was Kelly (Slater)
riding them it would be fantastic,” he said.
Firewire’s marketing
manager Raz Mehlsen said the company kept an eye on Grant's work as it
developed before using wooden skins on their boards as an alternative to
resin and fibreglass.
“We are always looking to make our boards more sustainable but keep them viable with strength and performance,” Mr Mehlsen said.
“We were aware that he was always tinkering and what Grant has come up with is very refined.
“The boards were tested a number of times on the Gold Coast and in San Diego.”
The
technology now makes up about 30 per cent of global sales and Mr
Mehlsen said pros could even use the boards at the famously dangerous
World Surfing League competition at Teahupo’o this month.
“I
wouldn’t be surprised, Michel is frothing on them, but it is up to how
the pros feel as to what they ride,” he said. “We can’t choose which
boards they use in competition.
“It has a different feel and flex pattern and then timber is really appealing because it also looks organic.”
