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Solid Balsa Classic Malibu
$1,790.00 - $2,990.00$2,099.00 - $2,999.00
After World War 2 the first balsawood surfboards emerged and changed surfing dramatically. These lighter and more manoeuvrable boards meant a more radical surfing style which soon became known as hot-dogging. From their origin in Malibu, California, balsa surfboards soon made their way to Australia were keen surfers such as Scott Dillon began riding and making them. The Riley Classic is a solid Malibu inspired by these boards of the 50’s and 60’s which the Australians, Americans and Hawaiians rode at the small point breaks of Noosa, Malibu and Waikiki. This is a great board for hot-dogging and reminiscing those good ol’ days. The Classic should definitely be ridden but nonetheless it looks great on office walls, restaurants, homes and shops, creating a heritage look. Own a part of surfing history!
Longboards are the original and very first variety of board used in standup surfing. Ever since the sixth-century CE the ancient Hawaiians have used 8-to-30-foot (2.4 to 9.1 m) solid wooden boards when practicing their ancient art of Hoe he'e nalu. Surfing was brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesians. The ancient boards were carved and fashioned out of solid wood, reaching lengths of 10 to 14 feet (3.0 to 4.3 m) long and weighing as much as 150 pounds (68 kg). Both men and women, royalty and commoners surfed. But the longest of boards (the Olo) was reserved for royalty.[22] .
By the early 20th century, only a handful of people surfed, mostly at Waikiki. But there, it started to grow again. Beginning in 1912, Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian Olympic swimmer in the early 1900s, brought surfing to mainland United States and while in Australia in the year 1914 and 1915 he made some boards out of sugar pine that weighed 35kgs. Because of this, Duke is considered the "Father of Modern Surfing". From that point on, surfing became an integral part of the California beach lifestyle. In Malibu (in Los Angeles county), the beach was so popular amongst the early surfers that it lent its name to the type of longboard, the Malibu Surfboard. In the 1920s boards made of plywood or planking called Hollowboards came into use. These were typically 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) in length and very light. During the 1950s, the surf trend took off dramatically as it obtained a substantial amount of popularity as a sport.[23] The design and material of longboards in the 1950s changed from using solid wood, to balsa wood. The length of the boards still remained the same at an average of 10.5 feet, and had then become widely produced.
Around the 1960’s is when the big waves were starting to be ridden in Hawaii. So the tradition guns were design and shaped from solid balsa. You now have a change to have one of these on your wall or to surf on those special days. The lengths range from 9 ft to 13 ft. Go crazy and design up your own stringer combo.
Features:
• 12 month warranty - you snap it - we replace it
• The Classic weighs around 15 kg– like the boards back then
• The strongest and most durable longboard available
• triple cedar stringer
• proven shape
• Hand shaped and glassed in Australia - quality guaranteed
• Great resale value
These come with a triple stringer and a set glassed on D or Pixi fin - customs are available - Extra $100 per stringer - NOTE - if this is ordered through EBAY the fin is not included because of the size and its fixed.
Passion, love and skill Review by Tom - The 12'6" Balsa board you made for me is just great, it looks like a work of art and rides good as well! Its easy to see the passion, love & skill that you put into very board you make.
Yours in surfing
Tom Fordyce
PS Still love the 9'2" you made me.
Perfect workmanship Review by NoosaMy board arrived late yesterday wow it is fantastic!!!!
The shape and rocker are perfect and the workmanship is out of this world.
You are a true craftsman. Keep up the good work and I am sure when the Noosa boys see the board you will be getting some more orders.
Looks terrific Review by ManuelHi, Mark:
The board is looking terrific. I hung it as soon as it got home, and it fits perfectly with the ambience. The colours are so good, with different shades, even some pink!
Problem is my wife says I shouldn't be riding it!!
Thanks for the masterpiece.
Work of art! Review by BarryThe board looks great- a work of art. My mate Yak who has recently had
Joe Larkin build him a 9ft 7 glass board is impressed! Just have to wait
for surf now!
Regards
Barry
Unbelievable! Review by Hawaiian princessHi Mark, The board arrived at Hawaii and it is unbelievable! It is so much more beautiful than I even imagined! It will be thoroughly enjoyed and cherished! Thanks!
Better than I ever could imagine Review by stephHi Mark....
I just wanted to let you know that I picked up the board today and it is perfect. It looks so much better than I ever could have imagined. Thanks again for everything!
Stephanie
12'6'' - glide with speed and power Review by TomHi Mark
Just dropping you line to let you know I had the 12'6" out on Sunday down at Bellambi point break. It had been some time since I'd had it out...What a blast the board is outstanding riding the 12'6" again well what can I say words fall short of the feelings you get as you are on to a wave slide down the face make the turn and just glide across the wave with such speed and power, I truly feel free, the buzz you get with the best part of 9' of out in front of you ,,,well it just blows me away. Thanks again for making such a GREATboard.
Yours in surfing
Tom Fordyce (see u out there)
Christmas Present Review by NickI gave the board to my brother last night when we celebrated an early Christmas with him. He loved the board, thanks (Posted onhuge hit! Review by PeteG’day Mark,
Just a quick email to say that the balsa board was a huge hit!! My brother was very surprised. It looks fabulous mounted on the wall above his office desk!! (…that said, I suspect it won’t be long before he takes it for a casual wave!!)
Many, many thanks again!!
Peter H. The centre piece of the room Review by Fiona and AnthonyHi Mark, finally we are in the house and have photos for you of the surfboard, it is amazing and the centre piece of the room and everybody that comes in the house is very impressed, its the conversation piece of the house. We even found out friends of ours had a board made by you for a friends 40th in Sydney years ago, what a small world!
We can't thank you enough for helping us get our picture of what we wanted made to be a reality and done so well, its perfect
All the best for a great xmas and a happy new year
Greg Noll said - Hell yes they did. At 16 to be precise. He began surfing at Manhattan Beach at the age of 11, and shaped his first board — balsa, in Dale Velzy’s factory — at 15. The following year, smitten by stories of guys like George Downing and Wally Froiseth living in Quonset huts at Makaha Beach, he decided to do his last year of high school in Hawaii.
These retail for $A10,000 CLICK HERE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Weight | 15.0000 |
|---|---|
| Type of construction | solid |
| Bottom Shape | vee |
| Rail shape | 50/50 |
| Type of stringer | triple cedar stringer |
| Type of waves suited for | 1-4 feet |
| Type of surfer suited for | mature |
