Showing posts with label body surfing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label body surfing. Show all posts

Come Hell or High Water...

Scheduled for a Fall 2011 release, Woodshed Films has released a trailer for their new movie, Come Hell or High Water. This full-length movie features surfing in it's purest form. A movie dedicated to body surfing has my senses tingling. What could be more soulful than that?

Keith Malloy and Woodshed Films always seem to capture the essence of the ocean with their inspirational flicks. I would imagine that this is no different. I love all of the underwater videography in this one... some sick body surfing as well.

Check out the trailer below...


Handplane Project Pt. 4 ...

Top deck from the nose
Well, the project is almost complete.

I finished sanding, going from 60 grit, stepping down to 120, then 220, and finally topping it off with a fine 300 grit sanding. Gave it a good rub down with the linseed oil and now all thats left is a test drive. We have waves this week so I'll get down and give it a go real soon.

Be sure to check out the pics below...

Mahalo!


Bottom from the nose

Tail
Rocker

Rocker

Handplane Project Pt. 3...

I have found a great joy in shaping this handplane.

As I stated in Pt. 2, I am shaping this piece completely and totally without the use of electricity. That means using hand tools to shave away at the plank until the wood shows us the shape that was hidden away inside.

I have come to the realization that, as I shave away the layers, the wood looks fresh, virgin, and new. It is a great metaphor for the rehabilitative effects that I have enjoyed from the start of this project.
With each layer that is removed, it feels as if I have scraped away a layer of old, crusty sin that has plagued my soul for so long. It feels as if I am exposing my spirit to the glory of God.

It feels good.

 Okay... enough of the metaphysical, spiritual guru stuff and back to the project.

In this phase, I have built the rail and begun to shape in the rocker, bevels, and contours for the bottom. I used various wood carving files, heavy grit sandpaper and a keyhole saw to cut the hand hold.

Next I will dome the deck and work a little more on the rocker before the process of sanding begins.

Stay tuned for the next update!

Handplane Project Pt. 2...

My handplane project is well underway. In Step 1, I used a jigsaw to cut the rough outline of the plane for my blank, and now it is ready for shaping.

I have had many thoughts on how to go about achieving the desired shapes and contours. A power sander comes to mind, but I think I'm going to go green on this one and do it all by hand.

"Why?" you ask?

The answer is simple... Bodysurfing is the purest form of wave-riding. With bodysurfing you are at one with the wave. With regular surfing, the board still creates a separation between us and the water. It sometimes gives a feeling that the wave is against us. Not so with bodysurfing.

Anyway... back to the project... There are several reasons why I'm doing it by hand. Shaping the wood by hand allows me to be at one with nature, putting care and love into the wood. Also, it is a green way to do it. Why add to the carbon footprint with an electric sander? The final reason (and the most important), is so that I have appreciation for what God and nature have intended.

Mahalo!

My New Little Project (Part 1)...

As my fascination with body surfing continues, I've spent plenty of time on the internet looking at handplanes. I've read that a handplane will help for longer, more enjoyable rides, especially on mushy waves like those we get here in the gulf.
I've seen many beautiful pieces of work by some really good shapers, I even follow a blog or two.

Maybe it's my need to feed a creative bug, or maybe I'm just too cheap to invest in a really nice handplane, but I'm going to give a go at shaping one myself.

My research into handplanes suggests that a good wood to use is 'poplar'. So a quick trip to Lowes and six bucks later, I have myself a blank. I purchased a piece of 1x8x24 poplar plank. I selected a nice piece with a beautiful grain and completely free of knotholes.

My next step has been to draw up a basic template for the design I'm going to try. The dimensions for this piece are going to be:

  • 14.5" L
  • 7.0" W (wide point 6" back from nose)
  • 3/4" T
I've debated whether or not to install some type of handle or grip, but for my first attempt, I think I'm going to go with the more traditional "finger hole". This should allow for quicker transfer from one hand to the other (for going either left or right).

Thats it so far... I'll document my progress in this blog as I go along.

See you in  the water!

Body Surfing...


I've had a sudden spark of interest in body surfing.
I enjoy it when I'm just playing around in the water, but I've been more and more into the idea of really doing it right. I'm talking about with fins and a hand plane. 

I think this vid is particularly cool... check it out!
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