Merch for event - Welcome Pack, Raffle, Shirts, booklet, hats,

The Evolution of Wooden Surfboards Event.

Exhibition Dates - Sunday 28th September to Tuesday 14^th October 2025

 Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre

782 Kingsway, Gymea NSW 2227

50 Wood boards on display and accessories.

Use free raffle ticket in Discount code - Free entry for a chance to win a surf trip to PNG

SPECIAL GUESTS, SPEAKERS AND SHOWS

From the waves of Peru in the 1500s to India and the Polynesian islands to the vibrant beaches of Hawaii, the evolution of the wood surfboard has been a journey of craftsmanship and innovation. This immersive show takes you through the rich history of wood surfboards, beginning with early designs made from dense hardwoods, to the lightweight balsa wood boards of Hawaii and the USA, and the plywood creations that emerged in Australia. Today, the possibilities are endless, with boards crafted from materials like balsa wood, agave, WR cedar, AR cedar, redwood, bamboo, pacific maple, cork, chopsticks, sugar pine, oregon, plywood, hemp and paulownia, showcasing every imaginable style. Step into this world of tradition and transformation, and dream of riding the waves on a beautifully handcrafted, eco-friendly wood surfboard.

Welcome pack and a chance to win a Surf trip to Papua New Guinea, staying at Nusa Island Retreat - https://www.nusaislandretreat.com/

and Flying Air Niugini - https://www.airniugini.com.pg/en-au/book/search-for-a-flight/

A big thank you to PNGTPA for the support and help in 2025 - Celebrating 50 years of independence with a 50% discount - https://papuanewguinea.travel/stories/tpa-launches-hello-poro-campaign-and-50th-independence-tour-packages/

 Welcome pack for [ick up at Miranda or Delivery - which includes - 

• Beer voucher to be consumed at Shark Island Brewing at Kirrawee
• Smorgasboarder Surf Magazine  https://smorgasboarder.com.au/product/standard-subscription/
• Smorgasboarder Stickers
• Riley Stickers
• Natural Necessity Stickers
• Balsawood Samples
• Goggles by Ohana Ocean Athletics  https://www.ohanaswim.com.au/products/ohana-bionics-goggles
• Jackson Surfboard stickers
• 1 ticket into the Raffle draw for a 2-surfer holiday to Papua New Guinea, flying Air Niugini and staying at Nusa Island Retreat
• Awesome stickers from Blake Johnston
• Bennett Surfboard sticker

SUPPORTED BY -

Riley Balsawood Surfboards

Jackson Surfboards

Farrelly Surfboards

Bennett Surfboards

Smorgasboarder Magazine

PAINT ON GRIP

Sam Egan Surfboards

Bob Brown Surfboards

Nusa Island Retreat

Air Niugini

Ohana Ocean Athletics

Shark Island Brewing

Smalls Cellar

Featuring renowned surfboard shapers and industry legends, including:

• Jim Parkinson and Dave Mattison (Jackson Surfboards)
• John Veage (Jackson Surfboards)
• Mitchell Rae (Outer Islands Surfboards)
• Dick Van Strallen (DVS Surfboards)
• Sam and Luke Egan
• Bob Brown
• Greg and Tom Bennett
• Blake Johnston
• Mark Riley

• Big Thanks to -  Shark Island Brewing https://sharkislandbrewing.com.au/collections/grab-a-case-of-your-favourite-here
• and to Smalls Cellar https://www.smallscellar.com/

Testimonial - 

Your exhibition is receiving positive responses from visitors left right and centre – you should be very proud. Once or twice, I have heard visitors grab their phones and call their friends to come and see the exhibition.

The raffle will be drawn on the last day of the Exhibition Tuesday, 14^th October 2025

The statement "With Greg Bennett and Dave Mattison saying this is on par with the Bishop Museum is humbling" speaks volumes about the perceived quality and significance of "The Evolution of Wooden Surfboards" exhibition @hazelhurstgallery.

Humility and Historical Significance
The feeling of being humbled suggests that the exhibition organisers and participants—perhaps including Bennett (Bennett Surfboards) and Mattison (Jackson Surfboards) themselves, who are notable figures in the surfing community or the exhibition's creation—did not initially expect their work to be mentioned in the same breath as a globally recognised, esteemed institution.

Bishop Museum's Stature: The Bishop Museum (officially the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum) in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a world-renowned repository for Hawaiian and Pacific cultural and scientific history. It houses an extensive collection of historical artifacts, including significant pieces related to the ancient origins of surfing in Polynesia. To compare an exhibition to the Bishop Museum is to say it possesses an equivalent level of authenticity, historical depth, and cultural importance.

Implied Quality: The comparison suggests the exhibition, "The Evolution of Wooden Surfboards," is of an exceptional, museum-grade standard. This encompasses:

The Collection: The quality, rarity, and historical importance of the wooden surfboards on display.

Curatorial Excellence: The thoughtful and informative way the history, craftsmanship, and global journey of the wooden surfboard are presented, tracing its evolution from early dense hardwoods to modern, eco-friendly designs.

Educational Value: Its success in immersing visitors in the rich history and transformation of the surfboard appeals to both seasoned aficionados and the general public.

In essence, the statement is a high-praise testimonial that validates the exhibition as a definitive and world-class survey of wooden surfboard history. It positions the show as not just a local display, but a significant cultural event worthy of international recognition alongside the most respected institutions in Pacific history.