This photo is taken at Pt Chevalier Sailing Club. This is taken for J Barr. He posted his photo of a flag staff the same day I saw mine. I went back yesterday to take a better photo. The sailing club was closed and there was no flags.
http://sydney-city.blogspot.com/2011/10/millers-point-sydney-observatory_14.html
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com
http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/
http://www.3news.co.nz/Surf-designer-looking-to-win-accolades/tabid/412/articleID/206331/Default.aspx
A Kiwi student's in with a shout of grabbing what's known as an Oscar of design in New York.
New Zealand AUT Student Mike Grobelny is a finalist in the post-grad section of the international design excellence awards, with an eco-friendly surfboard hewn from locally-sourced sustainable wood. Paulownia is a fast growing, locally available wood.
Mike Grobelny's twin passions for surfing and sustainability pushed him to design his eco-conscious board from paulonia wood and bamboo. It eliminates the use of polyurethane foam, fibre glass and polyester resin.
“Surfers are conscious of the fact that what we ride or the materials we use to make products do affect the environment that we are in, and you know surfers are in touch with the environment a whole lot more obviously, being in the water a lot,” he says.
Veering away from the traditional materials of foam and fibreglass is all very well, but it still has to carve through waves.
So 3 News handed Mike's board to one of New Zealand's hottest surfers, winner of the Raglan super 16, Luke Hughes.
“You've got to fine tune your equipment before it gets out there, but I think no, definitely there's a place in the marketplace for this type of product, good mate,” he says.
Luke's dad Craig has seen it all before - he's been making boards for more than 40 years - but even he sees potential.
“I'm intrigued by the weight, but certainly the durability you know, we make a lot of very light high-performance surfboards but they wouldn't have the longevity that this board obviously has,” he says.
In recent years thousands of cheap Chinese plastic boards have flooded the market, but there could be potential for beautiful wooden boards that are both durable and ecologically sustainable.
The design innovation is the honeycombed interior. And it's easily copied because it's cut by computer, pointing the way for New Zealand to rule the waves in sustainable surfboards.
Win or lose at the design Oscars, Grobelny wants to develop his board and make one for Hughes too.
http://youtu.be/iq3Bww1w_ms
Warmer weather is coming up, it will be great if more surfers will use surf boards that are not made in a toxic environment.
12 comments:
I guess these surfboards would also be created by a craftsman, so would be one of a kind and like a work of art.
Surfing the waves with feet firmly touching wood sounds much warmer than plastic. I wish this innovator well in his quest to be environmentally friendly!
Beautiful shots from the sailing club.
Hi Ann - these boards certainly sound a better choice than fibreglass but my only concern is it would possibly do more damage if some-one was hit on the head by a run-away wooden surfboard. Perhaps the use of bamboo lightens the weight.
Hopefully they will become more widely used.
That's great, Ann. I appreciate your effort. Shame there were no flags flying that day. Thanks for the mention.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
My brother had same that type of four Wheller, he sell before someday to his friend, and planing to buy latest model of farari.
Great surfing post Ann.
You asked about my last photo in my last post what thse little poles? are for.They are standing there to prevent cars from parking on the sidewalks. It is nessesary in the narrow streets in those old neighborhoods.
Great shots! ~~thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) linked w/OWT
I know nearly to nothing about surfing, I love to watch it from the beach.
Hi Ann — What an interesting post today. I love the idea of sustainability in surfing by using bamboo.
Thanks for visiting my blog and for asking about Dad's musical abilities. No, I didn't inherit even a bit of it, so he taught me to listen and to love music! My brothers are both musical, especially the eldest. Our young brother can sing, but inherited Dad's artistic ability and is now a partner in an animation studio. Dad was also a writer, and taught me to read and write stories before I started school.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Hi Ann, do you surf? It looks like fun. Great photos!
Blue skies and sun - your world looks lovely!
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