FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.Ordering on line

2.Balsawood Surfboards

3.Instructional DVDs and Ebooks

4.Board Building Tips

5.Freight costs, delivery Times and Insurance

6.Raw Balsa

7.Light Balsa V's Heavy Paulownia

8.Organic Cotton Shirts

9.References and Customers

10. Surfboard builders and Surfshops around the world

11. Uses for Balsa

12. Hollow boards

1.Ordering online

a. How do I order online? 

2.Balsa surfboards

 a. Where are Riley Balsa Surfboards made?

Riley Surfboards are 100% hand-shaped and glassed in Australia since 1996 - Guarantee

b. How are Riley Surfboards made?
Our  surfboards are made from the finest balsa available - you can always choose between a solid construction,like the replica boards of the 50's and 60's, or a foam core performance construction which is also strong but a lot lighter. More detailed info on how we make our boards is available in form of a DVD.

c. What are the main materials?
Riley Balsa Surfboards are built with light Ecuadorian Balsa (some with a recycled polystyrene foam core" and South American cedar stringers, nose and tail blocks. They have a polish finish with one layer of 60 oz glass in a polyester resin. We are currently working on a more environmentally friendly resin. We will keep you updated!

Isn't it bad for the world's eco system to cut down balsa wood trees?
It is true that deforestation is one of the biggest problems for the world's eco system. The United Nations estimates that 37 million acres of pristine forest is lost every year to deforestation.  Therefore, the balsa wood we import is not harvested in tropical rainforests but grows on a sustainable and eco friendly farm. To further lower our impact on the environment we are currently growing trees in Australia. Balsa wood in general is not an endangered species as it is a very fast growing tree. After 3-4 years the tree is already harvested. The more that gets cut down the more that grows.

d. What are the advantages of your balsa surfboards?
Our boards:

• Come with a 12 month guarantee – if you snap it – we replace it
• Are more durable than a regular polyurethane board
• Are stronger ( only 2 Riley surfboard has snapped in the last 20 years and replaced)
• Are light
• Are environmentally friendly (they even store carbon!)
• Have a great feel in the water
• Can be custom shaped if required
• every board is hand-shaped and glassed = every board is unique

e. How come your balsa surfboards have such an attractive price compared to other balsa surfboards costing $4000 USD and above? Are they bad quality?

No, absolutely not. Our surfboards are without doubt of the highest quality available. We have tried and tested balsa surfboards of other manufacturers and we know that our surfboards are beyond their quality standards. We are sure you will agree with us as soon as you see and ride a Riley Balsa Surfboard. Check out what other people have said about our balsa wood boards
The reason our surfboards have an attractive price is four-fold:

• We grow and import our own balsa wood from Ecuador, Australia and Papua New Guinea
• We grow big trees and they are fast growing
• We import and export the balsa economically by containers (not by air)
• triple cedar stringer
• We have specialised in making balsawood surfboards since 1996

The reasons our surfboards are more expensive than a regular polyurethane surfboard are five-fold:

• All our surfboards are 100% hand made in Australia.
• A lot more time and materials goes into making a balsa surfboard
• They will last around 5 times longer than a normal board.
• Every board is unique in its grains
• They are more eco friendly than a normal board

f. My main concern is weight and I know even though balsa is light, it is not as light as polyurethane?
Our performance boards have a recycled polystyrene core. So they are lighter and stronger than a regular PU (Polyurethane) board.

g. How does the foam core construction compare to a solid balsa board in term of weight, performance and price?
Foam core boards are lighter and are more suitable for today’s performance surfing. However, if you are into the retro, cruisy feel, you should consider a solid board. The price is the same.

h. For a custom order, what are the different options you offer for performance and esthetics?
Anything is possible. On all our blanks and finished boards you can specify the dimensions, stringer combination, tail shape, what look you are after (clean white balsa or wooden look with knots etc.) Simply send us an email describing what you are after and we'll get back to you with a quote. Just email mark@riley.com.au

i. Concerning fins, are they only glass on or can I get a middle box and 2 FCS/removable fins on my performance longboard?
 Again, anything is possible. Email us your thoughts at mark@riley.com.au

j. I'm very interested in your solid balsa classic 9'1". Is it possible to get one without any of the dark stain blemishes in the grain?
Yes it is possible – but you must specify this when placing a custom order.

k. I definitely want the board to be free of any dark stains in the grain. I see a couple of different decals/logos on your boards. What are the options?
No worries – we can do whatever you want. Regarding logos: I HAVE THE WOOD GRAIN, BLACK, BLACK ON WHITE AND GREEN ON YELLOW.

l. How can I order extra inlays like the one on your website (like the one on the Minimal board with the pink frangipani)
Inlays such as the pink frangipani can be added to every board. The extra cost is $200 AUD. Please send an email to Mark@riley.com.au to discuss this option. 

m. I like boards that have a darker wood that runs the length of the board and looks like stripes. I don't know if it is teak or redwood or what but I think it makes it look more natural, custom and definitely noticeable as a wood board instead of fiberglass?
A part stain looks good

n. I'm just back from Hawai'i and rode a couple of hired 11ft longboards and I'm keen to add a longer longboard to my quiver for those smaller days on the Sunshine coast. I like the look and sound of your balsa longboards. I own a 9"6' McTavish Fireball. What would you recommend? What sort of fin would you recommend? Also, are there different types and colours of timber to choose from?
I would recommend a 11 footer at a cost of $2200.00 – single stringer with a single fin and with nose and tail blocks. If you want the flexibility - we can put a fin box in (I don't like the look of plastic and usually avoid it if I can). You have to calculate an extra $50 per stringer. The different choices of wood are a “clean white” or a “darker balsa” maybe with some knots.

o. I currently ride a 6'5, 19 1/4, 2 3/8 DHD. I m 79kg and  an intermediate level surfer, been surfing for 6 years. Which of your boards do you think might suit me? I am interested to consider a shortboard or a fish. How much heavier is a solid core board to foam core?
I would steer you away from a solid board (weight difference is about 30%) - no good for a performance board. I have just been testing our 6' fish in Rainbow Bay - it is great for the small days.

p. What option among your boards would be the most environmentally friendly?
The solid is the most eco friendly. There is no polystyrene core. A balsa wood tree grows very fast. After 3-4 years it already reaches a height of up to 10 meters and a diameter of 20-25 cm. Balsa wood is therefore highly sustainable and recyclable. During the shaping process we produce no toxic substances. 

Our foam core surfboards feature a recycled polystyrene foam core which is far more eco friendly than your regular Polyurethane surfboard but not as eco friendly as our solid version.

q. On your website its mentioned that you are currently working on a more environmentally friendly resin, any news?
Unfortunately we are still in the testing phase of our environmentally friendly resins. We will keep you updated in our newsletter and on this webpage as soon as we have news.

r. Can you sell me a full block of Balsa wood  6 feet x 2 half feet around x 6 inches?
I can sell you a blank for around $A600.

s. Why do you use balsa instead of Paulownia?
I use it because it's lighter, softer, easier to work with, cheaper, better looking, better adhesive to fibreglass, faster growing, more history and market acceptance of it and has better strength to weight ratio.

Testing by CSIRO in Australia has shown that Paulownia wood is very attractive for wood-boring insects.Paulownia species are also used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita excrescences.

t. Is it true that Riley Surfboards store carbon and that they are therefore good for the environment?
That’s right – approximately 50% of the dry weight of wood is carbon, removed from the atmosphere by a growing tree. So approximately half the weight of the balsa in our surfboards is carbon and it’s better locked up in there than out in the atmosphere!
Promoting the environmental advantages of wood is one of the aims of Wood. Naturally Better.™ We’ve recently become a Wood. Naturally Better.™ Program Partner because we support the use of sustainably sourced wood. Wood not only stores carbon, but it has low embodied energy too – the energy used to create and manufacture it – so it’s even more environmentally friendly.
You can find out more about Wood. Naturally Better.™ at www.naturallybetter.com.au.

u. Do you guys make kits for hollow surfboards with frame kits IF NOT WHY NOT?
No – these a very difficult to make without any real benefits and they need to be well maintained and they are difficult to repair, they are also very limited to your custom shape – therefore we do solid and foam core!

3.Instructional DVD and Ebooks

d. I have just purchased your instructional dvd and enjoyed it heaps, I'd like to purchase a shaping kit now to start making a board but I am not sure how that works because the price includes the dvd again?
We also offer the shaping kits without the DVD. You can also quote your individual code during the order process to receive a $30 discount.

e. I am looking at getting your downloadable instructions and was wondering whether it comes with templates for the rocker?
Rocker templates are not included in the downloadable instructions. You should consider our complete surfboard building kits as these include everything you need, from the instructional DVD, the balsa wood, rocker templates, glue etc.

f. Does your DVD explain how to make different shapes and designs such as a fish or a “fun” shape or shortboard designs?
No, the instructions we offer so far concentrate on a solid or foam core balsa malibu. However, the techniques we explain can be used for shaping different designs.

4.Board building tips

Riley doesn't  do hollow boards – I build solid 9 foot boards that weigh 10kgs and foam core ones that weight 7kgs. If you go to all the effort of hollowing out you might bring it down an extra 1kg so it would be 9kgs. All this work and saving 1 kg and possibly allowing all the ongoing problems of separation, watering entering, joins moving, air expanding, shaping through, adding vents, opening and closing vents – in my opinion not really worth it. 

The solid balsa boards are lighter than hollow Paulownia boards. Resin sticks to the balsa better because it is more absorbent. You must glass all wood when being exposed to sun and water to protect it - yes you need glass and resin to avoid water entering and wear and tear on a board that does not have resin and glass will deteriorate, so maintenance is a major factor - you must upkeep this every 6 months. If you glass it properly then it generally set for protection for life. 

Testing by CSIRO in Australia has shown that Paulownia wood is very attractive for wood-boring insects. Paulownia species are also used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita excrescens.

f. Why can’t I use Western Red Cedar for the stringers?
The polyester resin will not stick to it. Use South American Cedar instead. Please email me if you are interested in south American cedar/stringers (mark@riley.com.au)

g. How long does it take to make a balsa board?
It takes me around 30 hours to make a board starting from scratch. Starting out with one of the pre shaped blanks we offer, you are looking at 2-4 hours.

h. I'm making a fish Balsa surfboard for a WoodWork project in school. I'm from Ireland and im 15 years old. Would it be a hard project to make?
I have about 12 students a year make a board here in Australia. A solid board is the easiest.

i. On your site you mentioned that the cheapest kit is only for a low rocker, what do you mean by low rocker? What nose and tail rocker possible with that kind of kit?
The cheaper kit will give you a rocker of 2 inches (because the sticks are laid out flat – rather than on edge to draw your rocker on).Using the widest face to draw your rocker on will give you a rocker of 4” and 4”. Please note that the four or five piece balsa shaping kits are suitable for thin boards & flat rocker only - you must draw and cut your rocker on the narrower side of the timber to get the required width in the board.

j. Is a 4"3 nose rocker and 3"7 tail rocker possible with the cheapest kit?
You will have to upgrade to the slightly more expensive kit because you will need 7 pieces of balsa to have enough wood for this rocker.

k. Does the "up to 7' x 22'' - 2nd grade balsa - 7 pieces" kit allow for a rocker of 5 1/2"?
Yes the section sizes of the timber are 5 1/2" wide

l. What rocker template is provided?  Can I specify a short board or is it a strip of paper to develop the rocker on from one of my own designs?
A rocker template is provided - Depending on the board you want to make, I normally draw the a rocker template on the stringer or the balsa

m. Would you recommend 1st grade or 2nd grade balsa?
This really depends on what you are after and how much you want to spend. 2nd grade balsa is a bit heavier, darker, has more knots and is not as straight as first grade balsa. Some people actually like working with it since they like having knots etc. 1st grade balsa is very light, straight and has very few knots. But remember - even 1st grade balsa is a natural material so there are differences between the pieces. But that's the beauty of working with wood!

o. How much would it cost to make a 5'4 fish by 18'1/2 by 2'1/2?
This depends on whether you want to make a solid board or a foam core one.

Two options if you are after a foam core board:
- I have sheets 2.7mm thick x 500mm wide x 2000mm long for sale at $50 each – you could use 2 for deck and bottom and the other as bands/rails – total cost $150 (for wood and foam only)
- or you could purchase a pre shaped blank (recycled EPS foam core and 2-3mm balsa skin)

For solid boards:
- check out the complete shaping sets starting at $320

p. Do you provide instructions with your balsa skin foam core shaping kit?
The balsa skin, EPS core shaping kits are intended for advanced shapers. If you are a beginner we suggest you start out with making a solid board or using one of our blanks. We don’t supply instructions with the foam core kits because it is a bit technical and there are too many tools required for a novice shaper.

r. I'm trying to see if there is any way of using one saw for most of the cutting. Is that a possibility? Would a circular saw be able to cut the rocker, plan shape and straight edge? Would just a hand saw work for the rocker and plan shape?
Yes you could use a 9 ¼ “ portable power saw to do those 3 types of cut – but you need to have it sharp and use it slowly. Please note that the four or five piece balsa shaping kits are suitable for thin boards & flat rocker only - you must draw and cut your rocker on the narrower side of the timber to get the required width in the board(your portable power saw will not cut the depth of 5” you will need a band saw). 

s. At what stage would you put in a leg rope plug and the slots for the fins?
After your lamination

t. Do you want to ride this or hang on the wall (what should I buy/build)?

If you are going to ride this and you want some sort of performance from it (even if you are a beginner) then you need to go foam core. Yes solid balsa boards were built in the 50s so they were cruisers and at that time they were lighter than solid pine or cedar or koa.

 The solid boards are environmental better, but are more expensive and a bit harder to make.

u. Are the fins made the same way as you do the nose and tail blocks?
No, the fins are far more complicated and require more experience.

v. Pros and Cons of solid, hollow and foam-core boards

Pros for solid

Easier to make
Not as many tools required
Not as much technical skills required
Quicker to make
No chances of shaping through and exposing the core
No chances of balsa delam from core
Changes can be made while building the board
Easier repairs
Stronger and more durable
Straight parallel joins (no bands)
Traditional
Many different wood combos and stringers are possible
Every board is unique
Any size, length and type of board is achievable

Solid balsa is lighter than hollow paulownia

Cons for solid

Heavier
Use more wood

Pros for foam core balsa board

Light
Use less balsa
Better for the environment
Every board is unique
Stronger and more durable that a PU board

Cons for foam core balsa board

Difficult to make
More tools required
More technical skills required
Longer to make
Chances of shaping through and exposing the core
Chances of balsa delam from core
Balsa rails
No changes can be made while building the board
Repairs more difficult
Not as strong or durable as a solid
balsa bands

Pros for hollow

A little lighter than a solid
Less wood is used

Cons for hollow

A lot of work to hollow out
Chances of shaping through
Chances of board delaming
Difficult to make
More tools required
More technical skills required
Longer to make
Chances of shaping through and exposing the core
Chances of balsa delam from bracing
Balsa rails or some sort of rail
No changes can be made while building the board
Repairs more difficult
Not as strong or durable as a solid

Pros for PU board

Cheap
Light

Cons for PU board

Bad for the environment when making
Bad for the environment when board is finished
Soft, fragile and easily broken
Common and with the same look

 5. Freight costs, delivery time and insurance

f. How long does it take until you post an order?
That depends on what kind of order. For DVD's, Shirts, shaping kits, raw balsa we post it the day on or after we receive your order. Boards and blanks orders differ depending on how busy we are.

g. What happens if my board snaps overseas? If it snaps within a year of buying it you pay for the shipping back to Sydney and Riley will repair it.

6.Raw balsa

 a. Should I buy the DVD or the book and source the wood locally? 

b. I'm Titou a French shaper and i live in the French west Indies, a small island call "Guadeloupe" can you tell me if you think it's possible to ship some raw balsa there?? I need 10 pieces of 2m long and 4 of 3m long.
Yes, no worries. We can ship anywhere in the world. Unfortunately Guadeloupe is a very expensive shipping destination so shipping your 14 pieces of balsa would be $1350 AUD.

c. I have a need for your sheet balsa. Sizes 4mm, 6mm, and 10mm. Can you make 10” sheets for me at 12ft 6". Also some 10ft. I would place an order of 100 sheets 75by 10ft and 25 by 12ft 6".
The longest single lengths are 11 foot. I can join these to make 12 ½ ‘ if need be. The sections of my wood are around 6”x4”x11’ – these are $90 each
or
I can laminate sheets up 10” wide x 6mm x 10’ for $ 50 a sheet
10” wide x 4mm x 10’ for $ 40 a sheet
10” wide x 10mm x 10’ for $ 90 a sheet
or
I can laminate sheets up 10” wide x 6mm x 12 ½ ’ for $ 80 a sheet (there will be a butt join)
10” wide x 4mm x 12 ½’ for $ 70 a sheet (there will be a butt join)
10” wide x 10mm x 12 ½’ for $ 130 a sheet (there will be a butt join)

d. What density does the wood have?
It varies from stick to stick but it is around 120 kg per m3? .

7.Balsa vs. Paulownia

Bob, - What grade of recycled polystyrene and thickness of Balsa do you use in your kits? We are planning on using H density which weighs approx. 23kg per cubic metre which equates to around 2.3kgs per 100 litre volume. We tested three grades L,M,H for strength and found the H Grade twice the strength of L grade and 50% stronger than M grade  it was also a lot more moisture resistant. As the Paulownia is much harder than Balsa we will only be using using 3mm skins with 3 layers of 6mm for rails and 2 OZ Fibreglass and Epoxy top and bottom. 

Mark,-  My foam is 13kgs /m3(half the weight of your foam) and my skins are 2.8mm (balsa is half the weight of paulownia). So if you were to build a board with your method it would be double the weight of with my materials. For example my longboards come out at 7kgs(with 1 layer of 4 oz glass) – yours will be 14kgs (my solid balsa boards come out at 12kgs). By the way my foam and balsa are easier to handle and work. Fibreglass sticks better to balsa also. You do not need to use epoxy with balsa. Epoxy is expensive and you need to be super accurate with your measurements. Any surfboard glasser can glass a balsa board just like a normal polyurethane board.

Bob, - Thank you for your detailed reply. I am sorry to say that we have already committed to the H Grade foam and Paulownia for the first 12 or so builds but if this method turns out to be too heavy then we will definitely consider your kits. In the meantime we will keep buying your fin boxes and plugs etc

Mark,-  No worries Bob, just out of curiosity how much are you paying for your foam and paulownia?

Bob, - Width of paulownia boards are 150mm. We purchased a large block of recycled polystyrene 4800 x 1200 x 600 @ $1600 and Paulownia. Costs us approx. $3.50 per metre for 3mm and $5.25 pm for 6mm.

Mark,-  Regarding foam blanks – your block you will get 16 longboard blanks or 32 short board blanks – I see you are doing some of both so lets average it at 24 blanks that’s $66 each blank. My foam blanks already cut with rockers  are on average $50. My balsa is 6mmx115mmx1000mm is $4 and 2.8mmx115mmx1000mm is $3. Or a full sheet 2000mmx600mmx2.8mm is $70. Maybe next year Bob. Don’t get disappointed when working with Paulownia – balsa is a lot easier.

Hi Mark,

 I'm been looking into making a chambered hollow surfboard for a while now, just for a fun little project to keep me out of trouble on weekends. I've been looking around and reading about different woods and undecided on which to go for. I was wondering if there is a difference apart from price with balsa,cedar and paulownia?  Will they have a noticeable difference when surfing them?

 I want to shape a 5'10" x 19 3/4" x 2 1/2" single fin. Just wondering if i could get a quote for both cedar and balsa if thats alright.

 Tom

Tom the difference is the weight. Balsa 100kg/m3, cedar 300 and paul 300. I don’t build hollow boards because of the technical, maintenance, hollowness, heaviness, vents, etc.

If buy balsa from me I will give you plenty of tips if you use my balsa – balsa is the lightest most flexible and easiest to cut and bend and most historical wood to use for surfboards - you will save time and money using this wood. You might want to check if you get any support from the other sellers/ suppliers of other wood before you buy because you could be stuck for advice when it comes to the crunch of completing your project for good marks.

Testimonial from a year 12 high school students father - My son has bumbled his way through the last couple of years at school with not a lot of enthusiasm. That somewhat changed when he found your website www.balsasurfboardsriley.com.au and asked me if he could build a surfboard for his major work. We were both pumped.

 To be honest it hasn’t been all clear sailing and he needed a push from time to time (which I have found 17 year old’s don’t appreciate).

 The look on his face yesterday when he saw the board sitting on the saw horse’s was priceless for me and for that Mark I am truly thankful. The time you gave him to have a chat and to get some great photos was really appreciated.

 I left your place and he said “what a champion bloke Mark is”. 17 year old’s are hard to impress and you made a fan yesterday.

 It will be the highlight of his entire school life and the best father/ son bond that I have had with my son since he was a kid.

 Cheers for everything Mark, I know you dropped everything for him. Keep doing what you are doing mate and I look forward to doing a board for myself in the future. (My son can help me) Thanks

Generally solid balsa boards are lighter and easier to build than a hollow paulownia board.