Build an Enviro Wooden Balsawood Surfboard with Mark Riley at Miranda

Mark now completes these builds one-on-one/two or three and will be customised to the type of board you want to build. It will be hands-on any day that suits the student. Mark will take you step by step in building your own solid or foam core wood board that can be glassed and surfed or hung on the wall, just like in the '50s and '60s. All equipment will be supplied in a kit form, and all necessary tools will be supplied in a safe and clean environment. The whole process is environmentally friendly, and boards will be built to your requirements and your ability.

You can build your size board - the recommended shapes are fishes, mini mals, and guns from 5 feet to 9 feet. If you don't want to build a board, you can experience a build alongside Mark in his workshop. 

The boards that you will build are not hollow with a frame- there are no restrictions to YOUR shape - no clip together ready cut framed boards here that are fragile and weak. This is the way boards were built in the '50s and 60s. These last a lifetime when they are glassed properly (no cheap wood stains or oils or clear varnishes here that need maintenance). Balsawood boards use less glass and resin than normal boards. They have been using balsawood for 75 years - its a proven material that works.

You will learn to use a band saw, circular saw, electric planer, and electric sanders, block planes, wide belt sanders and to design and draw your shape, all under the supervision of Mark.

You can choose your preferred stringer layout from no stringers to 5 stringers in different arrangements (kit comes with 1 stringer, extra $50 per stringer).

Photos will be taken of the students during the build and sent to them.

A certificate will be presented on completion.

Free tea and coffee available.

This is a great escape and relaxation after a long working week. Normally, the guys and girls are sad when they have finished the course and want to help and volunteer to help out with building other boards. They all want to learn more and meet more like-minded people.

To see some of the previous builders check out - https://balsawoodsurfboardsriley.com/pages/the-builders-who-have-built-balsa-boards

We will meet once a month to try out your creation at Fluro Fridays at Wanda Beach. Send a message to ask when the next one is on. Or visit Fluro Surfing on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/272540596696317

 Kits are purchased separately - you could also make a tide clock or short board or fish or mini mal or longboard in solid balsa. Purchase here – https://balsawoodsurfboardsriley.com/collections/shaping-accessories/products/balsa-surfboard-shaping-sets.

Time-lapse video of Mark building a balsawood surfboard in PNG

Balsa surfboard shaping set or kit $400 - $750 plus the cost of the course. Glassing is extra at $100 per foot for a polished board and $90 per foot for a satin matt finish.

Help Mark build a balsa board. Just pay for the class (no need to buy the wood) and work alongside Mark to build a custom order for Riley Balsawood Surfboards.

Click here to see a video of the classes.

Have you ever wanted to build a wood board like Cody from Surfs Up Movie?

 So sign up now!

An extra 20% surcharge for Saturdays or Sundays.

If you build a second board, a 10% discount will apply.

All accessories, board covers, paint on grip, wax, legropes, fins will apply a 10% discount.

You can then take your board away for glassing or come and see it being glassed one-on-one with Mark at his glassing bay or photos can be taken and emailed.

A wooden board needs to be glassed and polished or a matt finish is cheaper to have it last a lifetime.

Course Outline:

The process below is building a solid board or a foam core balsa board.

Session 1

9am to 9.30am – Introductory talk

9.30am to 10am – Hand over of kits

10am to 11am – Layout of wood or foam and cutting wood and foam with the band saw

11am to 12pm – Glue up blank or shape foam

12pm Lunch - Bring your own or Order online and walk to pick up  At Olis cafe and see some boards

12.30pm to 1.30pm – Remove clamps or glue on the balsa sheet to the bottom

1.30pm to 2.30pm – Draw plan shape or shape foam deck

Cut out plan shape with a circular saw or glue on balsa sheet to the deck

 Session 2

9am to 10am – Shaping the bottom with an electric planer or cut plan shape to balsa sandwich

10am to 11am – Shaping deck with an electric planer or glue on balsa bands/rails

11am to 12pm – Sanding bottom, Shaping rails with a block plane

12pm Lunch - Bring your own or Order online and walk to pick up  At Olis cafe and see some boards

1pm to 2pm – Sanding rails with sanding blocks                         

3pm to 4pm - Finish sanding board and talk about fins and glassing

 Learning Outcomes:

To have an understanding of balsawood and the environment, and how mass-produced surfboards are impacting the environment. How to use power and hand tools to achieve a great-looking wooden board that you can surf on or hang on the wall.

What to bring:

• Covered comfortable shoes.
• Old clothes because you may get glue or dust on them
• Lunch or snacks - free tea and coffee available
• Bottle of water
• Purchase a Balsa surfboard shaping set or kit $400 - $750

The Tutor:

‘I have been building balsawood surfboards since 1996. I have been importing balsa from Ecuador and Papua New Guinea for over 20 years. I send boards all over the world and can be seen in the surf, in restaurants, offices and showrooms. I am very meticulous with the finish and am a perfectionist when building wooden boards. I care about the environment and want to change the physics of mass-produced toxic board buying communities to a handmade custom long-lasting wood board community by teaching how to build a sustainable balsawood surfboard one board at a time.’ Mark

Other Information:

Bring a face mask

By ordering and paying for this course online, you are accepting this waiver.

• By accepting this waiver, you are accepting in its entirety the following conditions.

I agree that during the ''surfboard making course,” I waive any claims that may arise about my personal or others' injury, damage to property, death or any other claims relating to my participation in the course.

Whilst there might be certain risks in partaking in the course, I acknowledge I have received all the necessary instructions and safety gear to safely conduct the course without any safety incidents to myself, others or property.

I am a mature adult and am very aware of all the risks and requirements to safely navigate my way through the course.

Contact Mark via email to let him know your suitable dates to make a start - mark@riley.com.au

Testimonial from Anna - Thing of beauty